Easy & Healthy Banana Oatmeal Waffles

5 from 3 votes

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Banana oatmeal waffles are light, fluffy, and will get your day started out right! They contain plenty of fiber to fill you up and are naturally sweetened with bananas. My family loves them!

A plate with heart-shaped banana oatmeal waffles topped with sliced bananas and syrup. A bowl of butter sits beside the plate, with more waffles in the background on a checkered cloth. Silverware rests next to the plate on a wooden table.


 

Bananas are such a great addition to waffles. They keep the waffles moist and add to the sweetness without all of the sugar. Throw in some cinnamon and these waffles are a total crowd-pleaser. These healthy banana waffles are made with whole wheat flour, packed with fiber, and will keep the troops full longer.

Healthy banana waffles cook up in less than 15 minutes. Totally doable and delicious. Simply combine all of the ingredients, spray your waffle iron with cooking spray to prevent sticking, and breakfast is served. If you are looking to top these with something other than syrup, try my blueberry topping!

Heart shaped banana waffles on a white plate topped with syrup and banana slices.

Why You’ll Love Making Banana Oatmeal Waffles

  • Naturally Sweet: Packed with ripe bananas, these waffles offer a delightful sweetness without adding refined sugar, making them a healthier breakfast option that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
  • Quick Preparation: With just 15 minutes needed from start to finish, these waffles are perfect for busy mornings or when you want a delicious breakfast without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Crowd-Friendly: The recipe can be easily scaled up by doubling or tripling the ingredients, making it ideal for feeding large families, weekend brunches, or meal prepping for the week.
  • Nutritious Comfort: Combining the wholesome goodness of oats and bananas, these waffles provide a nutritious twist on a classic comfort food, offering a satisfying meal that keeps you full and energized.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Bananas – The riper they are the sweeter the waffles will be.
  • Applesauce – Can be replaced with additional banana or a light oil like avocado oil or melted coconut oil.
  • Eggs
  • Milk or Buttermilk – Or your favorite dairy-free alternative. 
  • Oats
  • Whole Wheat Flour
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Cinnamon

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities 

top view of heart shaped waffles and slices of bananas on a plate with utensils, bananas, bowl of butter, and other heart shaped waffles on a cooling rack.

Popular Substitutions and Variations

  • You can use milk or buttermilk, depending on what you have on hand. Nut and other alternative milks will work well in this recipe also.
  • You can replace the whole wheat flour with ground oat flour or another gluten-free baking blend (sometimes called 1:1 gluten-free flour). This is a great recipe to go gluten-free if you need to.
  • You can swab about the cinnamon for another favorite spices like pumpkin pie spice (it’s so good!)
  • No applesauce? No issue! You can replace the applesauce with additional banana or a light oil like avocado oil or melted coconut oil.

How to Make Healthy Banana Waffles

Step 1: In a medium bowl mash the bananas with a fork until they are well mashed and make a smooth paste.

Step 2: Add the applesauce and eggs and whisk to combine. Then add the buttermilk and combine.

Step 3: Add the oats, wheat flour, baking powder,  salt, vanilla and cinnamon. Stir until well combined.

Step 4: Cook the waffles according to the manufacturer instructions for your waffle iron.

Recipe FAQs

What are healthy options for waffle toppings?

If you’re looking for more flavor but don’t want to use something sugary like maple syrup, you can add cinnamon, peanut butter, berries, banana slices, or even Greek yogurt! There are so many options to make the waffles how you want them.

Can I cook these as pancakes instead of waffles?

Definitely! The batter works great for pancakes, too. Just pour small portions onto a greased skillet and cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook the other side.

Can I use frozen bananas instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can! Thaw frozen bananas and mash them well before adding them to the batter. Just make sure to drain any excess liquid to keep the batter from becoming too runny.

How long do you cook waffles in the waffle iron?

There is nothing worse than soggy waffles so I like to leave mine in for 4-5 minutes to get the best kind of waffles there are. 

Can I add protein powder to banana waffles?

Yes! I think that is a great way to add a little extra protein to your meal and it hardly affects the taste.

top view of heart shaped waffles and slices of bananas on a plate with utensils, bananas, bowl of butter, and other heart shaped waffles on a cooling rack.

Expert Tips

  • Hot Iron: While cooking waffles, it is important that you start with a waffle iron that is already heated up so that the batter is not sitting and heating up with the iron! This will ensure even cooking.
  • Very Ripe Bananas: The more ripe your bananas are the sweeter your pancakes will be. We like to use bananas that are on the browner side to maximize the flavor that comes through.
  • Fluffy Waffles: For a fluffier, richer waffle you can replace the milk with buttermilk.
  • Dairy Free: We recommend using unsweetened almond milk if you are using a dairy-free alternative, but you are welcome to use whatever you would like. Unsweetened almond milk has the least effect on the flavor of these waffles
a plethora of heart-shaped banana pancakes on a cooling rack.

How to Serve and Store Banana Oatmeal Waffles

If you’re looking for more flavor but don’t want to use something sugary like maple syrup, you can add cinnamon, peanut butter, berries, banana slices, or even Greek yogurt! Other, more sweet options are buttermilk syrup, nutella, and whipped cream! I like to have all of the toppings on the side so individuals can customize their waffles.

If you have leftover waffles, you can store them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Waffles can also be enjoyed hot or cold, so there are so many ways to eat your leftover waffles. You can also store unused waffle batter for up to 2 days in the fridge. When you’re ready to use it, stir the batter to mix it again and it is ready.

My Family’s Favorite Waffle Recipes

If you thought banana waffles were a hit, just wait until you try these other mouthwatering recipes! Whether you’re in the mood for something fruity, cozy, or indulgent, there’s a waffle here to make every breakfast feel like a celebration.

  • If you’re a fan of cozy breakfasts, you’ll love these Sweet Cherry Waffles—they’re like a burst of summer in every bite! 
  • For something timeless, the Classic Waffle Recipe is your go-to, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
  • When fall rolls around, the Whole Wheat Pumpkin Waffles Recipe will fill your kitchen with warm, spiced goodness.
  • And if you’re craving something extra indulgent, the Belgian Waffle Recipe is pure perfection, with its deep pockets just waiting for syrup and toppings.
top picture is of a plate of heart shaped waffles with bananas, bottom picture is of waffles on a cooling rack, with the words "healthy banana waffles" written in the middle.

Delicious Waffle Recipes To Try

heart shaped waffles on a cooling rack
5 from 3 votes

Easy & Healthy Banana Oatmeal Waffles

Banana oatmeal waffles are light, fluffy, and will get your day started out right! They contain plenty of fiber to fill you up and are naturally sweetened with bananas! My whole family loves them!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 medium waffles

Ingredients 

  • 2 ripe bananas
  • ½ cup applesauce
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ½ cups milk or buttermilk
  • 1 cup oats
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
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Instructions 

  • Turn on your waffle iron and allow it to preheat.
  • In a medium bowl mash the bananas with a fork until they are well mashed and make a smooth paste.
  • Add the applesauce and eggs and whisk to combine.
  • Add the buttermilk and combine.
  • Add the oats, wheat flour, baking powder,  salt, vanilla and cinnamon. Stir until well combined.
  • Cook the waffles according to the manufacturer instructions for your waffle iron.
  • Serve with fresh banana slices, pure maple syrup, or honey.

Notes

  • Be sure to use cooking spray on your waffle iron if needed. There is no oil in the recipe and they tend to stick badly in my waffle maker if I don’t spray it with cooking oil first.
  • Use very ripe, almost overripe bananas for maximum natural sweetness and easier mashing.
  • For extra crispiness, let the waffle batter rest for 5-10 minutes before cooking.
  • Feel free to add mix-ins like chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or a sprinkle of cinnamon to the batter for additional flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 of 6 medium waffles, Calories: 224kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 62mg, Sodium: 452mg, Potassium: 392mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 212IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 221mg, Iron: 2mg
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36 Comments

  1. Foodie says:

    Do you use baking powder or baking soda? Tablespoon?

    1. Melissa says:

      It’s one tablespoons baking powder 🙂

    2. foodie says:

      Thank you :)! I used the right one

  2. Cherie says:

    These are awesome! And to think that there is no sugar either. Yummy! Thank you!

  3. lauren says:

    Can these be made into pancakes instead? I don’t have a waffle maker. :[

    1. Melissa says:

      I’d sure give it a try! Good luck and let me know how it turns out 🙂

  4. Lisa says:

    I made these for my family and they turned out super yummy! I made the leap to no refined sugars for lent and after looking through your blog this is going to be easier then I thought. Almost everything here seems ” meat and potatoes, husband friendly” lol Thank you

  5. Jennifer says:

    I just made these for my family and they are delicious! Thank you for the recipe!

  6. Natalie says:

    It’s 217 calories per waffle! Great with some peanut butter or a filling, nutritious breakfast on the go!

    1. Ericka Lamar says:

      Thank you. I found this recipe a few weeks ago and just had the opportunity to make them. So I needed the nutritional information.

  7. Lindsay says:

    How many calories are these?

    1. Melissa says:

      No idea! I’ve never found a way to figure out nutrition facts that I like so I don’t do it much… but feel free to plug the recipe into someone on the web to find out 🙂 Thanks!

  8. Gigi Sinyard says:

    Can you use store bought flour?

    1. Melissa says:

      Of course! Just use whole wheat flour to keep the healthy factor in 🙂 Enjoy!

    2. Stevie Lynn Radzinski says:

      Could yous ubstitute other flours? Lik almond flour or coconut flour?

  9. Foster Mama lion says:

    *everything in bulk

  10. Foster Mama lion says:

    Do these freeze well? I make ever tying in bulk and LOVE LOVE LOVE to know I have something yummy to pull out of the freezer when the day is going at top speed.

    1. Melissa says:

      I think they they would if you cooked them a bit dark (does that make sense?!) They are really moist and a bit softer than traditional waffles because of the banana so if you cooked them a little dark/longer then that would help with some of that extra moisture. I would also let them cool completely before stacking to freeze or you’ll have a hard time getting them apart. Let me know! I love keep waffles in the freezer too 🙂

    2. Megan says:

      I haven’t done it with this recipe, but I have another waffle recipe I make and freeze. What I do is actually make them a bit lighter than normal, freeze them on a sheet pan, then put them in a freezer bag. Then when you’re ready to make them put them in the toaster oven and they finish cooking in there. I haven’t tried it with this recipe but I’m guessing it would work for you!