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Made with shredded cheddar cheese, fresh broccoli florets, and almond flour, these naturally gluten-free broccoli cheese waffles are a savory, veggie-infused breakfast or side! The cheese makes the flavor of the broccoli less noticeable, making them suitable even for picky eaters. They’re a fun twist on regular waffles the whole family will enjoy!
Broccoli Cheddar Waffles for kids
These broccoli cheese waffles are such a fun and creative way to add in some extra veggies and they’re so tasty too! Not only are they veggie-packed, but they also contain fiber, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals essential for growing bodies.
They’re nice and crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside…and perfect for all ages. Even the adults in the house will love these cheesy waffles!
Although these waffles can be served any time of day, they’re especially great for breakfast! Low-sugar, protein-rich breakfasts can help regulate your child’s blood sugar and keep them from feeling as hungry and snacky during the day. This really sets them up for more consistent energy and fewer cravings (and snack attacks) all day long!
For more veggie-packed options, try these Broccoli and Cheese Egg Donuts and Zucchini Frittata Muffins too!
Why We Love These Savory Waffles
- Satisfying low-sugar breakfast option with kid-friendly flavors
- A fun way to serve extra veggies throughout the day
- Can serve like an omelet with sour cream, extra cheese, a fried egg, and your favorite toppings
- Formulated by a registered dietitian to set your little ones up for success
- Makes a fun dinner on those busy nights!
- Can make a big batch to meal prep and reheat later
Ingredient Notes
- Olive oil: To cook the broccoli.
- Fresh broccoli florets: Make sure the broccoli is finely diced so it disperses evenly into the batter.
- Eggs: To bind the batter together, add protein, and give these savory chaffles a nice rise.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: This is key! The melty cheddar cheese flavor masks the stronger broccoli flavor, so they taste more like a cheesy fritter. So good!
- Blanched almond flour: To bind the batter together. Almond flour is a great source of healthy fats and fiber, keeping your kids full for hours.
- Diced green onion: This is optional, but green onion adds a nice color and extra flavor.
- Baking powder: To use as a leavening agent.
- Garlic powder: This is an easy, kid-friendly seasoning that brings out lots of extra flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Heat the oil in a small skillet until it shimmers, then add the broccoli. Cook until fork tender, about 5-6 minutes. You may wish to add a few tablespoons of water to steam cook in the pan. Remove from heat. Transfer to a cutting board and chop up more finely, if desired.
- Preheat the waffle maker. In a bowl whisk together eggs, cheese, almond flour, green onion, baking powder, and garlic powder, until everything is combined. Fold in the cooked broccoli.
- Spray waffle iron with a little bit of cooking spray, then spread about 3 heaping tablespoons of batter per waffle on the waffle maker. Cover and cook according to the instructions on the waffle maker, about 3-5 minutes. The waffles should be golden brown and crisp on the edges.
- Carefully remove the waffles and place on a cooling rack. Serve as is with your favorite dip or top with mashed avocado, cream cheese, egg or make the waffles into a sandwich with your favorite fillings!
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
RECIPE TIPS
- I used a mini waffle maker and got 8 waffles. If you use a larger one, you may end up with a slightly different amount.
- To get just the top of the broccoli florets, try trimming them with kitchen scissors or cutting just the tops of the broccoli with a sharp knife.
- If making these waffles for babies, you can use a lower sodium cheese such as mozzarella cheese.
Recipe FAQs
I prefer to keep these savory waffles pretty small and usually only add about 3 tablespoons of batter per each one. You’ll want a good nonstick mini waffle maker, like this DASH mini waffle maker or double-sided waffle maker from Proctor Silex. To cook 4 at a time, try this large DASH mini waffle maker with 4 cavities. Great for a big family!
Cheddar cheese is a classic option that tastes like broccoli cheddar soup, cheesy broccoli casserole, and more. You can also try other mild melting cheeses with a nutty flavor, like gouda, Colby, Monterey Jack, etc.
To really let the broccoli take a back seat, it’s best to use just the florets. They have a really tender texture that will blend into the waffle batter and let the cheese flavor take center stage.
Storage Guidelines
- To refrigerate: Place any leftover broccoli and cheese waffles in an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-5 days.
- To freeze: Place a piece of parchment between each of the waffles and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
- To reheat: The best method is to toast the waffles in a toaster oven or air fryer for a few minutes until crispy on the outside and heated through.
Serving Suggestions
Just like regular waffles, these savory broccoli waffles pair well with lots of different toppings!
- Sour cream
- Extra shredded cheese
- Crumbled bacon
- Sausage crumbles
- Avocado slices
- Fried or scrambled eggs
Recipe Variations
- Try different cheeses: Cheddar is a classic, but this recipe would also be great with shredded gouda, gruyere, or even a little Parmesan cheese. Stir in a little nutritional yeast for an extra kick of cheesy flavor!
- Add more veggies: As long as you keep the quantity of veggies the same, you can definitely experiment with different options. These cheese chaffles would be great with carrot, zucchini, finely diced bell pepper, and more.
- Expand the batch: Make a double (or triple) batch and freeze the leftovers for a super easy, healthy breakfast on those busy mornings.
More Tasty Waffle Recipes
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Broccoli Cheese Waffles
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 cup finely diced broccoli florets
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup blanched almond flour
- 1 tablespoon finely diced green onion (optional)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a small skillet until it shimmers, then add the broccoli. Cook until fork tender, about 5-6 minutes. You may wish to add a few tablespoons of water to steam cook in the pan. Remove from heat. Transfer to a cutting board and chop up more finely, if desired.
- Preheat the waffle maker. In a bowl whisk together eggs, cheese, almond flour, green onion, baking powder, and garlic powder, until everything is combined. Fold in the cooked broccoli.
- Spray waffle iron with a little bit of cooking spray, then spread about 3 heaping tablespoons of batter per waffle on the waffle maker. Cover and cook according to the instructions on the waffle maker, about 3-5 minutes, or until lightly browned and crispy.
- Carefully remove the waffles and place on a cooling rack. Serve as is with your favorite dip or top with mashed avocado, cream cheese, egg or make the waffles into a sandwich with your favorite fillings!
Notes
- I used a mini waffle maker and got 8 waffles. If you use a larger one, you may end up with a slightly different amount.
- To get just the top of the broccoli florets, try trimming them with kitchen scissors or cutting just the tops of the broccoli with a sharp knife.
- If making these waffles for babies, you can use a lower sodium cheese such as mozzarella cheese.
