One of the main reasons I started this blog two years ago was to show that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring. So many people think that to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight you have to eat broiled chicken breast with steamed vegetables all the time, and I couldn’t disagree more. Healthy eating is a lifestyle, not a quick fix, and eating the same boring meal every day gets old really fast. Variety is so necessary when you’re trying to stick to a healthy diet.
Finding alternatives, or tricks to make your favorite foods healthier is the best way to keep things exciting and to make sure you don’t get derailed. Pancakes and waffles are one of my favorite breakfast foods, but if I get them at a restaurant I know they will make me feel sick for hours. Knowing that I can make the same breakfast at home makes it much easier to pass up the empty calories and stick with a healthier option.
These carrot cake waffles are such a good option when your sweet tooth is in overdrive for breakfast. These waffles are made with rolled oats instead of flour and use unsweetened almond milk and unsweetened applesauce to keep them moist and extra fluffy. Everything gets thrown into the blender and the preparation takes only ten minutes before you’re ready to get cookin’.
The best part about these waffles? They are under 300 calories per waffles, leaving lots of room for toppings like greek yogurt and nuts. Oh, and when in doubt, top your foods with peanut butter. It makes (almost) everything better.
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups rolled oats, gluten free optional
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots, packed
- 1/2 cup raisins, packed
- Add eggs through oats to a blender and blend on high until completely combined and oats are broken down. Add shredded carrots and raisins and stir to mix.
- Heat waffle maker until hot and spray with cooking spray.
- Spoon 3/4 cup of the batter into the waffle maker and cook until browned.
- Top with walnut, raisins, peanut butter, greek yogurt, maple syrup, etc.
Katie these look incredible and I couldn’t agree more. Healthy eating is a lifestyle and doesn’t need to be boring, mundane of repetitive unless these waffles are involved and I can see these becoming a regular at our dining table – breakfast or otherwise 🙂
Thanks for sharing
Oh and yes, peanut butter does make (almost) everything better 🙂
Ha! I have so many of these waffles in my fridge right now that they are def becoming a regular breakfast item. Thanks so much Emma! Hope you’re doing well.
Looks delicious!
Love this! They look so delicious!
These look so delicious!! I totally agree that healthy eating does not have to be boring! You’ve proved it with this recipe!
Carrot cake is the best! When I make my carrot cake waffles, I use carrot baby food puree!
So clever! That would be a good swap for the applesauce to really get that carrot flavor. Love it.
I keep forgetting that I got a new waffle maker. I think your recipe has convinced me to dig it out this weekend!
The waffle maker is my new best friend! I saw a cookbook the other day just for waffle recipes- sweet and savory- and realized how versatile it can be.
mmm! This morning I had restaurant waffles and have not been feeling so good all day! I totally should have had these instead. Next time!
Hi Katie! Thank you for contributing! I appreciate all shares and comments on this Parade Post. https://parade.com/995182/nettiemoore/best-carrot-cake-dessert-recipes/
Nettie