3-ingredient protein waffles make for a great healthy protein-packed breakfast for the whole family! Made in the blender with cottage cheese, oats and eggs, these tasty waffles couldn’t be easier to whip together. Perfect for weekly meal prep! {Gluten-free-friendly & vegetarian}
3-Ingredient Protein Waffles – Easy & Healthy!
When it comes to breakfast, it can be easy to get stuck in a rut of eating the same things day after day. Although a healthy routine is key to a balanced lifestyle, incorporating variety is important too!
With our 3-ingredient protein waffles recipe, it’s easy to make homemade healthy waffles that are not only fun to eat, but also keep the whole family feeling satisfied too!
The best part about this recipe is that you only need a few simple ingredients and everything comes together in the blender. The batter is poured onto a preheated waffle iron and cooked until golden and crispy on the edges.
Healthy protein waffles are the perfect base for many different toppings ranging from fruit, Greek yogurt and maple syrup to a fried egg, tomato or avocado!
Next time you’re looking for a healthy breakfast idea, try out this easy protein-packed recipe. It’s a total game changer for busy mornings and a great option for pre or post workout too!
For more waffle recipes, check out these Kodiak Protein Waffles and Banana Oatmeal Waffles too!
Why We Love These Protein Waffles without Protein Powder
- Protein-packed: Made with eggs and cottage cheese which is rich in calcium and high in protein, this protein waffle recipe contains 8 grams of protein for one just small waffle.
- Made in the blender: For busy mornings, this easy waffle recipe is seriously the best! Just blend together the 3 ingredients (plus any extra desired flavouring), cook up your waffles and serve with all your favourite toppings!
- Budget-friendly: Eggs, rolled oats and cottage cheese are affordable and common ingredients. Rolled oats are shelf stable and can be used in many different recipes, while eggs and cottage cheese are great protein sources to keep on hand. No protein powder is required, which keeps the cost down too!
Ingredient Notes
- Rolled oats: Rolled oats are processed less than quick oats and are blended into a fine oat flour for these waffles. They are a good source of fibre which helps you feel full for longer between meals. Use certified gluten-free oats if necessary.
- Cottage cheese: Cottage cheese is an excellent source of calcium, it’s low in saturated fat and a good source of protein. It can also help produce more moist and fluffy protein waffles. If you don’t have cottage cheese, try using ricotta cheese instead.
- Eggs: Help bind the ingredients together and provide additional protein.
How to Make Protein Waffles – Step-by-Step Instructions
- Using a high-powered blender, blend all of the ingredients until smooth.
- Preheat the waffle iron and spray it with cooking spray. Pour batter on heated waffle iron carefully, in an even layer. Cook until the waffle is golden and crispy on the edges.
- Remove the waffle from the iron and pour the remaining batter onto the waffle iron. Cook until lightly brown and crispy. Serve waffles immediately with your desired sweet or savoury toppings.
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable waffle recipe!
Tips for the Best Protein Waffles
- For best results, be sure to blend the waffle protein mix until smooth with no lumps remaining. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender to ensure all of the ingredients are evenly combined.
- I used the Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker and got 2 large circular waffles or 8 smaller quarter waffles. The number of waffles this recipe makes will depend on the size of your waffle maker.
- If you plan to make sweeter waffles, I recommend adding a bit of vanilla extract, cinnamon and maple syrup or other desired sweetener to the oats, cottage cheese and egg mixture to enhance the flavour.
- These easy protein waffles are great to have on hand for quick breakfasts in the morning. I recommend making up a double batch for meal prep. If desired, you can make them in a mini waffle maker too!
Recipe FAQs
Your average traditional waffles contain around 3 grams of protein. These protein waffles have 8 grams of protein for 1 small waffle. If you have two for a serving, you can easily pack in at least 16 grams of protein.
I find that the cottage cheese and eggs add sufficient moisture to these waffles, and because no protein powder is added, the waffles don’t have that same dry chalky taste that some protein waffles have. That being said, if you’d like to add some extra moisture, you can add a source of fat like a teaspoon or so of coconut oil or canola oil to the waffle batter.
Protein waffles can be an excellent way to start the day. Protein and fibre help keep you feeling full, maintain a steady blood sugar level and provide energy to kick-start your metabolism.
Storage Guidelines
Refrigerator: Store cooled waffles in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
Freezer: Allow waffles to cool to room temperature. Arrange cooled waffles on a baking tray, place in the freezer and freeze until waffles are solid, about 2 hours. Then place the waffles in a freezer-safe bag, separated by wax or parchment paper. Waffles are good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat: To reheat waffles, place them in the toaster and toast for about one minute or until heated through.
Optional Add-ins
Although these protein waffles are a great option as is, you may wish to toss in some extras for additional flavour.
Try any or a few of the following:
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
- Maple syrup or honey (or desired sweetener)
- Dark chocolate chips
- Blueberries
- A tablespoon of peanut butter (or nut butter of choice)
Waffle Topping Ideas
High protein waffles are the perfect base for a variety of toppings.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Sliced bananas and natural peanut butter or almond butter
- Fresh berries with Greek yogurt and drizzle of maple syrup
- Sliced bananas, pecans and a drizzle of caramel sauce
- Greek yogurt with honey and blueberries
- Fried egg and avocado
- Strawberry Chia Jam
What to Eat with Waffles
These 3-ingredient protein waffles can be served with savoury or sweet foods.
- Scrambled eggs (try these Scrambled Eggs Without Milk)
- Crustless Mini Quiche Recipe
- Fruit Salad
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie Without Yogurt
- Simple Green Smoothie
- Turmeric Latte with Almond Milk
- Turkey breakfast sausages
Recipe Variations
- For chocolate protein waffles: Add 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the batter and stir in some chocolate chips before cooking. You can also replace some of the oats with chocolate protein powder if desired.
- Add fruit: Add in banana or blueberries.
- Don’t have cottage cheese? Try ricotta cheese instead.
- For extra protein: Replace a 1/4 cup of the rolled oats with 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder. You can use whey protein or plant-based protein powder. You can also use egg whites to replace the eggs.
More Healthy Breakfast Recipes
- Banana Protein Pancakes
- Banana Protein Muffins
- Blueberry Protein Muffins
- Low Carb Waffles
- Protein Pancake Mix Recipe
- Protein French Toast
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a star rating and review!
3-Ingredient Protein Waffles {Without Protein Powder}
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 4 large eggs
Optional Add-Ins
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup (or desired sweetener)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a high-powered blender. Blend on high until smooth and no more lumps are present.
- Preheat your waffle iron according to the box directions. Once hot, spray with cooking spray and carefully pour the batter onto the waffle iron so that it’s coated evenly. Cook the waffle until golden brown and crispy on the edges (I cooked mine for about 6 minutes on setting #2).
- Remove the waffle from the iron and pour on the remaining batter. Cook until lightly brown and crispy.
- Serve the waffles immediately with your favourite sweet or savoury toppings.
Notes
- For best results, be sure to blend the waffle protein mix until smooth with no lumps remaining. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender to ensure all of the ingredients are evenly combined.
- I used the Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker and got 2 large circular waffles or 8 smaller quarter waffles. The number of waffles this recipe makes will depend on the size of your waffle maker.
- If you plan to make sweeter waffles, I recommend adding a bit of vanilla extract, cinnamon and maple syrup or other desired sweetener to the oats, cottage cheese and egg mixture to enhance the flavour.
- These easy protein waffles are great to have on hand for quick breakfasts in the morning. I recommend making up a double batch for meal prep. If desired, you can make them in a mini waffle maker too!
Awesome recipe! I used 2% cottage cheese, added the vanilla, cinnamon and 4 packs of stevia. I also had some frozen blueberries that I thawed and added then let the batter sit for 10 minutes to thicken. I will not add any fruit to the batter next time because they don’t stick. it would be better to add fresh fruit on top. My husband loved waffles and I will definitely make them again.
Thanks so much for returning to provide this feedback and the tips about the fruit! So glad you and your husband enjoyed the waffles :)
I just tried these this morning. Just very basic but delicious. I even reheated one in the toaster as a test for leftovers. Now I have 3 more breakfasts in the fridge. Next time I will add some cinnamon or maybe pumpkin pie spice. Has anyone tried vanilla or almond extract? I just found your website and I love it.
Thanks for all the tasty looking recipes. They will fit right in with my return to WW.
So happy you enjoyed the waffles! They’re such a great make-ahead option for the week, and I love how you can play around with the flavors. I’ve tried them with both the cinnamon and vanilla extract and they’re really tasty with the extra flavor add-ins. Pumpkin spice would be a nice touch too! Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m so glad you found my site and that the recipes work well for your dietary needs :)
Hello! Can substitute oats with almond flour? Which would be the measure ?
Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to test this recipe with almond flour, so I’m not sure how it would turn out. If you decide to experiment, please keep me posted! Or if you’re looking for a waffle recipe using almond flour, you could try this one instead: https://www.hauteandhealthyliving.com/paleo-waffles/
These are delicious! I’ve done them with and without cinnamon and vanilla- and they’re great either way. I add collagen powder to the mix before blending to up the benefits and protein even more. My kids love them too! An excellent way to start our day. Thank you for this recipe!
So happy you and your family have been enjoying the recipe!! Love how you added a bit of collagen to the mix too :) Thanks so much for returning to leave a rating and review!