Chocolate Chip Waffles

Picture this: a handful of everyday pantry staples, a dash of whole grain goodness, and an abundance of irresistible, melty chocolate chips. Welcome to the enchantingly delicious realm of Chocolate Chip Waffles—a breakfast that effortlessly combines simplicity, healthfulness, and sheer indulgence.

In a world brimming with breakfast options, few experiences rival the sheer delight of a stack of warm, fluffy waffles with chocolate chips. My chocolate chip waffle recipe encapsulates the very essence of breakfast nirvana, harmoniously blending the luxurious allure of molten chocolate with the subtle wholesomeness of whole wheat pastry flour.

And here’s the icing on the waffle: You can whip up these morning masterpieces with a mere 10 simple ingredients, most of which are likely nestled in your pantry! If you’re anything like me, the call to the kitchen to revamp your morning routine is irresistible, especially when it’s so dang easy.

So, join me in this culinary adventure, and prepare to tantalize your tastebuds in the most delectable way imaginable—one gloriously chocolatey bite at a time.

Jump to:

• What are chocolate chip waffles?
• What do they taste like?
• Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Chip Waffle Recipe
• Ingredients Needed
• Substitutions
• How To Make Chocolate Chip Waffles
• Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe Success Tips
• FAQs
• Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Waffle Nutrition
• Pricing Info
• Other Healthy Breakfast Recipes
• Recipe

What are chocolate chip waffles?

Imagine, if you will, a canvas of golden waffle, crispy on the outside, yet tender within. Now, let’s sprinkle this canvas with tiny, chocolatey treasures that melt into rivers of gooey delight as they greet your senses. That’s what you can expect from these chocolate chip Belgian waffles.

They’re a dream spun from nutty whole wheat and melty chocolate, a masterpiece that tiptoes the tightrope between indulgence and wholesomeness. These whimsical wonders are breakfast’s love letter to your senses, crafted with the finesse of a fairy godmother’s spell.

What do they taste like?

Describing the taste of these homemade chocolate chip waffles is like trying to capture the essence of a rainbow or the melody of a forest’s whispers. It’s a sensory symphony that’s as enchanting as a fairy tale’s ending.

The first taste is like a warm embrace from a long-lost friend, a comforting, fluffy sensation that envelops your senses. As your teeth sink into the freshly griddled waffle, you’re met with the gentle, nutty caress of whole wheat pastry flour. 

Next you’ll taste the deliciously melty chocolate chips, those little nuggets of decadence that meander through each bite. These waffles are a testament to the art of balance, where the sweetness of the chocolate is tempered by the rustic warmth of the whole grains.

It’s as if each chocolate chip waffle whispers secrets of happiness, and with each bite, you’re invited to join in the delicious conspiracy. What is this magic, you ask? Pure culinary bliss, that’s what.

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Chip Waffle Recipe

Aside from tasting like a childhood dream, these homemade chocolate chip waffles are also:

• Quick & Easy – All you need is 1 bowl and about 10 minutes to mix up the waffle batter, then the waffle iron does all the rest. It’s honestly almost as easy as making a batch of boxed chocolate chip waffle mix!
• Made With Just 10 Ingredients – Chances are, you already have more than half of what you need on hand.
• Meal Prep-Friendly – Leggo those Eggos and whip up a batch of these fluffy waffles with chocolate chips instead! Once they’re cooled to room temp, you can easily freeze them so a warm, homemade breakfast is never far from reach.
• Budget-Friendly – It drives me nuts, but all the healthier convenience foods like frozen waffles or instant oatmeal generally cost more than 2x their less-healthy counterparts. By making your own from scratch, you can easily slash your grocery budget. Plus, they taste so much better than store-bought!!
• Better-For-You – While convenience foods are undeniably convenient, they’re also typically loaded with all kinds of artificial ingredients and preservatives, not to mention tons of added sugars and sodium. Making these healthier whole wheat chocolate chip waffles that are naturally sweetened maple syrup means you can avoid all the hard-to-pronounce nonsense and just stick to whole foods.

Ingredients Needed

As promised you only need a handful of ingredients plus some pantry staples to make these waffle chocolate chip wonders. Here’s what to grab:

• Milk of Choice – I used almond milk, but any percentage of dairy milk or any variety of unsweetened plain or vanilla plant milk will work beautifully!
• Avocado Oil – Using oil instead of butter contributes to a light and fluffy inner crumb. Avocado is my go-to because it’s as heart-healthy as olive oil, but with a higher smoke point and totally neutral taste.
• Maple Syrup – Aside from chocolate chips, this is the only added sugar. Aside from being an unrefined sweetener, I also love the maple-y flavor it imparts.
• Vanilla Extract – For added depth and warmth. 
• Eggs – For binding the batter. I use large eggs, so if you’re using liquid eggs from a carton you’ll need about ¼ cup per egg.
• Whole Wheat Pastry Flour – Pastry flour is made from a soft wheat variety with a lower protein content than regular whole wheat flour. The end product has a finer texture ideal for baked goods like pastries and tender waffles, but is still packed with all the whole grain goodness you love!
• Baking Powder – Not to be confused with baking soda, this powdered leavener is what gives your choco chip waffles the perfect light and fluffy consistency. If it’s been awhile since you used yours, you can easily test it by adding a small spoonful to a dark or clear bowl, then adding a few spoonfuls of hot or boiling water. If it bubbles and foams, it’s still active! If not, toss the rest and buy a new jar.
• Cinnamon – Optional, but super yummy. Cinnamon is easily one of my favorite spices, especially in sweet treats like these waffles. It has the tendency to make everything taste a little sweeter, without adding any sugar. 
• Salt – I used kosher salt here. If you’re using a different variety, make sure to consult a conversion chart.
• Mini Chocolate Chips – Using tiny chocolate chips is a strategic move here — you can use the same amount, but get more even distribution of chocolatey goodness throughout the batter. 

Substitutions

Fresh out of something? Not to worry. I have you covered with plenty of easy ingredient swaps:

• Avocado Oil – Any neutral oil (e.g. canola) will also work.
• Maple Syrup – Try another viscous liquid sweetener like honey or agave nectar instead.
• Vanilla Extract – You can use an equal amount of either vanilla powder or vanilla paste, or you can swap in half as much ground vanilla bean. Alternatively, try other extracts like maple or almond if you want something a little different!
• Whole Wheat Pastry Flour – a mix of half all-purpose and half whole wheat flour works just as well.
• Cinnamon – Try other warming spices like pumpkin pie spice or a sprinkle of nutmeg. You can also omit it entirely.
• Mini Chocolate Chips – Feel free to use the dry mix-ins of your choice, like chopped dried fruit, chopped toasted nuts, or the mini baking chips of your liking.

How To Make Chocolate Chip Waffles

This recipe for Belgian waffle chocolate chip deliciousness comes together in just a few simple steps:

Step 1: Wet Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the milk, oil, maple syrup, and vanilla.

Step 2: Add Eggs. Whisk the eggs into the wet ingredients until well-combined.

Step 3: Dry ingredients. Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until just combined, a few lumps are okay!

Step 4: Stir in the mini chocolate chips, then set the batter aside to rest for about 5 mintues.

Step 5: Preheat. While the batter rests, preheat your waffle iron. 

Step 6: Cook. Once preheated, spray with nonstick cooking spray and pour the batter onto the waffle iron. Cook according to your waffle iron’s instructions. (Mine was about ½ cup of batter per waffle well and set to 4 minutes of cook time).

Step 7: Serve with your favorite waffle toppings! Oh, and don’t forget a fancy homemade coffee drink to complete the whole leisurely brunch-style experience. 😉

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

While I think this is the best chocolate chip waffle recipe around, you’re certainly welcome to add your own flair. Here are just a few suggestions to get you started:

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Waffles – Swap in your favorite cup-for-cup GF flour blend (make sure it has xanthan gum) to make these beauties celiac-friendly. Just be sure to let the batter rest for a full 30 minutes instead of 5 to give the flour time to properly rehydrate.
• Chocolate Chip Banana Waffles – Feel free to add some fruity goodness to your waffles by adding up to ½ cup of chopped banana chips. Quit monkeying around! Go the extra mile and serve with maple syrup sautéed bananas as your sauce
• Mini Chocolate Chip Waffles – Prepare for some serious cuteness! Simply grab a mini waffle maker (I love this cute one from Dash — it makes little hearts!!!) and decrease the amount of batter you use per well according to manufacturer instructions.

Serving Suggestions

Looking for some fun ways to serve your chocolate-lover’s waffles? Try:

• Fruit Fiesta: Top your waffles with a colorful array of fresh berries, banana slices, and a dollop of whipped cream. Drizzle with maple syrup for an extra touch of sweetness.
• Sundown Sundae: Transform your waffles from breakfast into dessert by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a cascade of hot fudge, and a sprinkle of crushed nuts or rainbow sprinkles.
• Nutty Delight: Spread almond or peanut butter between waffle layers for a nutty surprise. Garnish with sliced almonds or crushed peanuts for a satisfying crunch.
• Maple Bacon Bliss: Crisp up some bacon, crumble it over your waffles, and drizzle with maple syrup for a delightful sweet and savory combination.
• S’mores Sensation: For a playful twist, top your chocolate chip waffles with marshmallow fluff and a handful of crumbled graham crackers. 

However you serve these homemade waffles, I’m fairly certain the whole family is going to love them! 

Recipe Success Tips

Achieving breakfast perfection is an art, and these tips will help you master this chocolate chip waffle recipe:

• Preheat and Season Your Waffle Iron: Ensure your waffle iron is thoroughly preheated and properly greased before pouring in the batter. A hot, well-seasoned waffle iron prevents sticking and ensures even cooking.
• Sift Dry Ingredients: Sift your dry ingredients, especially the flour, to remove any lumps and ensure even distribution of leavening agents like baking powder.
• Fluffy Egg Whites: For extra fluffiness, beat egg whites separately until stiff peaks form and then gently fold them into the batter just before cooking.
• Rest the Batter: Let your batter rest for a few minutes (10-15 minutes) before cooking. This allows the flour to fully hydrate and can lead to lighter waffles.
• Use a Ladle: Use a ladle or measuring cup to pour the batter onto the waffle iron. This ensures consistent portion sizes and makes it easier to control the amount of batter for each waffle.
• Don’t Overfill: Avoid overfilling the waffle iron, as the batter can overflow and make a mess. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific waffle iron.
• Don’t Peek: Resist the urge to open the waffle iron prematurely. Wait until the waffles are golden brown and crisp on the outside before checking.
• Keep Waffles Warm: If you’re cooking multiple waffles, keep them warm in a single layer on a baking sheet in a low oven (around 200°F or 95°C) while you finish cooking the rest.
• Meal Prep Magic: If you want to give a little gift to future you, whip up a batch of these tasty breakfast treats on the weekend. Let them cool completely on a wire rack, then stack with a sheet of parchment paper between each. They’ll last in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 weeks. To serve, toast in the toaster oven or toaster until warmed through and re-crisped.

FAQs

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Waffle Nutrition

Let’s chat about the nutritional aspects of those scrumptious chocolate chip waffles, shall we? I know you’re just dying to hear the skinny.

Fiber fiends rejoice! These waffles get a gold star for using whole wheat pastry flour. It’s like the healthy superhero of flours, packed with nutrients and extra fiber compared to its refined cousin. Thanks to this simple swap, these waffles are packing 6 grams of fiber per serving.  

Boasting 6 grams of protein per waffle, these breakfast delights also give you a nice little protein boost. It’s like a little morning high-five for your muscles and energy levels. I also love that they’re made with maple syrup instead of refined sugar.

Each waffle is around 362 calories. If you’re watching your calorie intake, just be mindful. In addition, each one brings 17 grams of fat to the table. Fat isn’t the enemy, but maybe go easy on the butter if you’re planning to pile on the bacon. 

You’re also looking at about 307 mg of sodium per waffle. It’s not crazy high, but if you’re watching your sodium intake, be mindful of any salty toppings you add. 

Total nutritional content per serving is:

• Calories: 362 calories
• Total Fat: 17 grams
• Protein: 6 grams
• Sodium: 307 mg
• Carbohydrates: 47 grams
• Fiber: 6 grams

*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.

Pricing Info

This is what I personally paid to make this recipe:

• 1 ½ cups almond milk: $1.38
• ⅓ cup avocado oil: $1.19
• ¼ cup maple syrup: $0.81
• 1 tsp vanilla extract: $0.04
• 2 large eggs: $0.90
• 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour: $0.53
• 1 tbsp baking powder: $0.17
• ½ tsp cinnamon: $0.01
• ¼ tsp salt: $0.01
• ¾ cup mini chocolate chips: $1.25

The total I paid for this recipe was $6.29 or roughly $0.79 per waffle!

Other Healthy Breakfast Recipes

Tried this recipe? Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comments below! I would really appreciate your feedback!

Recipe

If you end up making this and loving it, take a photo and tag me on Instagram! I’d love to see your versions of my recipes! And feel free to rate it down below in the comment section. I would really appreciate it!

xoxo Megan