Crispy Cinnamon Banana Oat Waffles

Jessica Kelly
Oct 21, 2024
6 min read

When you have overripe bananas sitting on your kitchen counter, it’s tempting to throw them into a batch of banana bread. But this recipe for Crispy Cinnamon Banana Oat Waffles is a delightful alternative that transforms those soft, sweet bananas into a breakfast that’s crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. With oats blended into the batter and a touch of cinnamon, these waffles are a wholesome, flavorful way to start the day. Let’s dive into how you can recreate this recipe at home, step by step, with a few handy tips to ensure your waffles turn out perfectly crispy every time.

The Oat Base

The first step in making these waffles is blending the oats. Using oats instead of relying solely on flour gives the waffles a hearty, textured base, which is not only delicious but also adds nutritional value with a boost of fiber. To prepare the oats, place one cup into a blender and chop them until they resemble a coarse meal. You don’t want to grind them completely into a powder—leaving some texture helps give the waffles their signature bite. This step is important because it ensures the oats blend seamlessly with the rest of the ingredients while still providing some substance. If you prefer a smoother texture, feel free to grind the oats into a finer flour. Just be mindful that too fine a grind can change the waffle’s structure.

Mixing the Dry Ingredients

Once the oats are prepped, the next step is to incorporate the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. The combination of all-purpose flour with the ground oats ensures a light and fluffy waffle, while the raw sugar adds just enough sweetness to balance the ripe bananas. Raw sugar, with its larger granules, gives the waffles a subtle crunch, but you could substitute brown sugar if you like a deeper molasses flavor. The baking soda helps the waffles rise and become light in the middle, so be sure your baking soda is fresh—this can make a significant difference in how much your waffles puff up.

The Buttermilk Factor

Buttermilk is the secret weapon in this waffle recipe. Its tangy richness adds depth to the flavor and helps tenderize the waffles while keeping the inside moist. Be sure to give your buttermilk a good shake before measuring it out. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, don’t worry—a simple substitute is to mix regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for five minutes. This will create a similar acidic base that gives your waffles the same fluffy texture. The acidity in the buttermilk reacts with the baking soda, so don’t skip this step.

Incorporating the Wet Ingredients

Now, it’s time to add the wet ingredients to the blender, starting with butter and eggs. The butter should be melted but slightly cooled—this ensures that when you blend everything together, the butter doesn’t solidify or create lumps. Butter gives the waffles a rich flavor, while the eggs bind the ingredients and provide structure. Crack two eggs directly into the blender, and they’ll blend effortlessly with the rest of the ingredients for a smooth, velvety batter. If you like, you can substitute the butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free option, but it will slightly alter the flavor profile.

Bananas and Cinnamon

Bananas are the star of the show here, adding natural sweetness, moisture, and a bit of creaminess to the batter. Make sure the bananas are overripe—their skin should be mostly brown with a few yellow spots. Overripe bananas are not only sweeter but also easier to mash and blend. Cinnamon complements the banana flavor perfectly, adding warmth and a subtle spice that makes these waffles ideal for cool fall mornings. Feel free to adjust the cinnamon based on your preference, but one tablespoon strikes a great balance without being overpowering. Vanilla extract rounds out the flavors, adding a layer of sweetness and warmth to the batter.

Blending the Batter

Once all the ingredients are in the blender—oats, flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, bananas, cinnamon, and vanilla—it’s time to blend. This is where the magic happens! Blend the mixture until it’s smooth, but make sure to pause occasionally to scrape down the sides to ensure everything is well incorporated. You don’t want any pockets of flour or banana chunks left behind. The batter should be thick, but still pourable. If it feels too thick, you can add a splash of milk or water to loosen it up slightly, but be careful not to thin it out too much, or the waffles won’t crisp up as desired.

Prepping the Waffle Iron

Preheating your waffle maker is a crucial step for crispy waffles. The waffle iron needs to be hot when the batter hits it to create that golden, crispy crust. Lightly spray the waffle iron with oil or use a pastry brush to coat it with melted butter to prevent sticking. Don’t overdo it on the oil—too much can make the waffles greasy rather than crispy. If your waffle maker has different heat settings, opt for a medium-high setting. This ensures the waffles cook through without burning but still develop a crispy exterior.

Pouring and Cooking

When your waffle maker is ready, pour a slightly rounded half-cup of batter into each mold. If you add too much batter, the waffles may spill over the sides, creating a mess, so resist the temptation to overfill. Close the lid and let the waffles cook. The key to achieving that crispy texture is to let the waffles cook a little longer than usual. Most waffle makers will signal when the waffles are done, but leave them in for an additional minute or two for extra crispiness. Resist the urge to lift the lid too early—opening it prematurely can prevent the waffles from fully crisping up. The longer cooking time allows the exterior to develop a beautiful golden-brown crust while keeping the inside soft and tender.

Serving Suggestions

Once the waffles are done, carefully remove them from the waffle maker and serve immediately for the best texture. These waffles are perfect on their own but even better with toppings. For an extra touch of indulgence, serve with a pat of butter and a drizzle of maple syrup. Fresh berries, whipped cream, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar would also complement the flavors beautifully. If you want to keep things simple, a dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of granola add a nice contrast in textures. The waffles freeze well too, so if you have leftovers, let them cool completely before freezing, and you can reheat them in a toaster or oven for a quick breakfast later.

Final Thoughts

These Crispy Cinnamon Banana Oat Waffles are a delicious way to make use of overripe bananas, offering a sweet, warm flavor with the perfect crisp on the outside. They’re a wholesome option for weekend brunch or even a weekday breakfast if you make them in advance and reheat. Packed with oats, cinnamon, and the natural sweetness of bananas, they’ll quickly become a family favorite. Plus, the blend-and-pour method makes this recipe as easy as it is satisfying—no need for multiple bowls or complicated steps. Enjoy every crispy, cinnamon-filled bite!

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