Are you looking for a flavorful way to use up leftover sweet potatoes? Look no further! Sweet potato waffles are a delightful treat that can be served sweet or savory, making them a versatile addition to your breakfast, brunch, or even dinner table.
With their rich texture and warm spices, these waffles are sure to become a family favorite. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to make!
In this post, I’ll walk you through the steps to create these delicious waffles, share some tips, and even suggest topping ideas to take your waffles to the next level. Let’s get started!
Why Sweet Potato Waffles?
Sweet potatoes are not only nutritious but also incredibly flavorful. Their natural sweetness pairs perfectly with spices like cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice, creating a comforting and cozy dish. These waffles are a great way to repurpose leftover mashed sweet potatoes or to simply enjoy sweet potatoes in a new and exciting way.
Whether you prefer your waffles topped with syrup and fruit or dressed up with savory ingredients like fried eggs and avocado, these waffles are endlessly customizable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make these sweet potato waffles, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free all-purpose flour for a gluten-free option)
- 1 teaspoon fresh baking soda
- 2 teaspoons fresh baking powder
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Wet Ingredients:
- 2 large egg yolks (from 2 large eggs)
- 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes
- ¼ cup melted butter (or neutral-tasting oil)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup milk of choice
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar (dark or light)
- Egg Whites:
- 2 large egg whites (from the same eggs)
Equipment You’ll Need
Before you start, make sure you have the following tools on hand:
- Large mixing bowl
- Two medium mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Hand mixer
- Large wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Waffle iron
- Neutral-tasting cooking spray
- Cookie scoop with release handle, ladle, or measuring cup
How to Make Sweet Potato Waffles
Step 1: Prepare the Waffle Batter
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon until well combined. Set aside.
- Separate the Eggs: Crack two large eggs and separate the yolks from the whites. Place the yolks in one medium bowl and the whites in another.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In the bowl with the egg yolks, add mashed sweet potatoes, melted butter, vanilla extract, and milk. Whisk until fully incorporated.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—it’s okay if there are a few small lumps.
- Beat Egg Whites: Using a hand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the brown sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
- Fold Egg Whites Into Batter: Gently fold the egg white mixture into the waffle batter using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix; you want to keep the batter light and airy.
Step 2: Cook the Waffles
- Preheat Your Waffle Iron: Turn on your waffle iron and let it heat up fully. Lightly spray both sides of the waffle iron with neutral-tasting cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Portion the Batter: Use a cookie scoop, ladle, or measuring cup to portion the batter into the waffle iron mold. Fill the mold evenly but avoid overfilling.
- Cook Until Golden: Close the waffle iron and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the waffles are golden brown on both sides and the waffle iron stops steaming.
- Remove and Repeat: Carefully remove the cooked waffles from the iron and transfer them to a plate. Repeat the process until all the batter is used, spraying the waffle iron as needed.
Topping Ideas
The beauty of sweet potato waffles is their versatility! Here are some topping suggestions to suit both sweet and savory cravings:
Sweet Toppings:
- Whipped cream and fresh fruit (like berries or bananas)
- Maple syrup and butter
- Butter with a sprinkle of cinnamon and brown sugar
- Chopped walnuts or pecans drizzled with maple syrup
- Glazed pecans for an extra indulgent touch
Savory Toppings:
- Fried or poached eggs
- Sliced avocado with a sprinkle of salt and pepper
- Crispy bacon or sausage
- Shredded cheese and chopped chives
- A dollop of sour cream with hot sauce for a spicy kick
Helpful Tips
- Make It Gluten-Free: If you’re avoiding gluten, simply substitute regular all-purpose flour with a gluten-free alternative.
- Storage Tips: Store leftover waffles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze them for longer storage. Reheat in a toaster or oven for best results.
- Batch Cooking: Double the recipe to make extra waffles for meal prep! They’re perfect for quick breakfasts during busy mornings.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
Here’s what you can expect from one serving of these sweet potato waffles:
- Calories: 169 kcal
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 5g (3g saturated fat)
- Carbohydrates: 26g (6g sugar)
- Fiber: 1g
- Cholesterol: 43mg
- Sodium: 223mg
- Potassium: 141mg
- Calcium: 79mg
- Iron: 1mg
Final Thoughts
Sweet potato waffles are a fantastic way to elevate your meal game while making good use of leftover sweet potatoes. Whether you enjoy them as a sweet treat with whipped cream and syrup or as a savory dish topped with eggs and avocado, these waffles are sure to impress.
So grab your waffle iron and give this recipe a try—you won’t regret it! Let me know in the comments how you like to top your sweet potato waffles or if you have any creative variations to share.
Happy cooking!
PrintSweet Potato Waffles: A Delicious Twist for Any Meal
Serve them sweet or serve them savory – either way, these sweet potato waffles are a rich and flavorful way to use leftover sweet potatoes!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 waffles
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Waffle Iron
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon fresh baking soda
- 2 teaspoons fresh baking powder
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 large egg whites
- 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes
- ¼ cup melted butter or neutral-tasting oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup milk of choice
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar (dark or light)
Instructions
1. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon to a large bowl. Whisk together and set aside.
2. Separate egg yolks and whites into two separate medium bowls.
3. In the yolk bowl, add mashed sweet potatoes, melted butter, vanilla extract, and milk. Whisk until smooth.
4. Combine the wet and dry mixtures. Stir until just combined.
5. Use a hand mixer to beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
6. Add brown sugar to egg whites and beat again until stiff peaks form.
7. Gently fold egg white mixture into the waffle batter. Do not overmix.
8. Preheat waffle iron and spray with neutral-tasting cooking spray.
9. Scoop batter into waffle iron and cook for about 5 minutes until golden and crisp.
10. Repeat with remaining batter, spraying iron as needed.
11. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Yield depends on waffle iron size and portioning.
Make it Gluten Free: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 waffle
- Calories: 169
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 223mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 43mg
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