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Discover the ultimate Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) Waffles - fruit-sweetened, tasty and easy to eat. These waffles are ideal for little ones just starting their journey into solid foods, but they are not just for babies and toddlers, the whole family will fall in love with these delicious soft waffles.
If you don't already own a waffle iron, it's time to consider one! Waffles are a convenient finger food for your baby and making your own allows you complete control over the ingredients.
Plus, you can go beyond the basic batter and whip up anything from apple waffles, savoury waffles with shredded veggies, to creative options like falafel waffles or waffle omelettes. In this recipe, we're sharing sweet yet healthy waffles made with mashed banana and blueberries, perfect for babies and toddlers.
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Reasons to Love this Recipe
- Fruit Sweetened: The World Health Organization recommend that children under two should not consume any added sugar. The natural sweetness from the banana and blueberries in these blw waffles means no sweet toppings are necessary.
- Texture Experience: These waffles offer crispness on the outside and softness inside with delightful bursts of blueberry, encouraging your little one to explore a range of textures.
- Customisable: Easily customised to suit dietary preferences. Whether you're going dairy-free with plant-based milk, egg-free with a flax egg, or opting for gluten-free with a suitable flour blend, you have the flexibility to cater to your family's needs and food allergies.
- Freezer-Friendly: Whip up a double batch and store extras in the freezer for a quick and easy breakfast or snack option that's always ready to delight your little one.
Ingredient Information and Substitutes
- Banana: Adds natural sweetness and flavour. Overripe bananas are best for added sweetness.
- Eggs: Enhances tenderness and structure. (For an egg-free option, try a flax egg.)
- Flour: I recommend a 50/50 blend of all-purpose and whole wheat flour (wholemeal flour) Adjust ratios to suit taste/health preferences. (Gluten-free flour is an option or oat flour although not tested.)
- Milk: Use regular or non-dairy milk (almond milk has been tested and works).
- Oil: Any neutral oil or melted coconut oil for a hint of coconut flavour.
- Blueberries: For a delightful burst of flavour.
- Vanilla Extract & Cardamom: Adds extra flavour (optional).
Step By Step Instructions (with images)
This section features step-by-step photos for visual reference. The complete recipe can be found by scrolling to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
To ensure delicious, soft banana waffles,
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flours, oats, baking powder, and cardamom.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Mash the banana, then whisk in the egg and oil. Add milk and vanilla, mixing until combined.
- Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently stir until just combined, being cautious not to overmix.
- Add Blueberries: Carefully fold blueberries into waffle batter until evenly distributed.
- Cook in Waffle Iron: Preheat and lightly oil your waffle iron. Pour in about a cup of batter (adjust the amount of batter for your iron size - a mini waffle uses around 3 tablespoons of batter) and cook following the manufacturer's instructions, approximately 5 minutes per waffle. The waffles should be golden brown
- Keep Warm: To maintain crispiness, place cooked waffles on a wire rack in a 95°C /200 °F oven (unstacked) while finishing the rest of the batter.
Serving Suggestions
- 6 months plus
Slice the waffles into strips roughly the size of two adult fingers placed side by side. If your little one isn't quite ready to pick them up independently, hold a strip in front of them, allowing them to grasp it from your hand. For added flavour and moisture, consider lightly spreading a thin layer of yogurt, apple sauce, nut butter or chia jam on the waffle strips. - 9 months plus
Once your baby has mastered the pincer grasp, you have the option to introduce waffles cut into smaller, bite-sized pieces. Of course, you can still offer waffle strips. - Toddler
Continue offering waffles in either strip or bite-size form or even individual mini waffles. At this stage, it's a great opportunity to introduce age-appropriate utensils for practice.
Healthy Topping Ideas
- Natural Greek yogurt
- Fruit compote
- Chia jam
- Thin layer of peanut butter
- Fresh fruit
Storage Instructions
If you find yourself with leftover waffles you can
- Refrigerate: Store waffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Freeze: For longer storage, freeze waffles in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. It is a good idea to pre-cut the waffles to the desired size they can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month.
- Reheating: To enjoy again, reheat the frozen waffle in a preheated oven at 175°C / 350°F until crisp and warm.
Recipe FAQs
When your baby transitions to finger foods will depend on their development and readiness, usually 6 months plus. Once your baby is comfortable with finger foods, they should be able to handle these waffles. However, it's essential to note that these waffles contain common allergens, such as dairy, egg and wheat. Introduce these waffles only after your baby has been safely introduced to these allergens.
The blueberries go very soft and squishy when baked and I was more than happy serving these to my kids when they were babies/toddlers. You can always chop the blueberries if you prefer.
The healthiness of waffles varies depending on the recipe. Many pre-made waffles or waffle recipes are laden with oil, sugar, and sometimes honey, which isn't suitable for children under 1 year old. These BLW waffles offer a healthier alternative. It includes minimal oil and relies on fruit for sweetness. Additionally, half of the flour is substituted with wholemeal, providing added fiber. Avoid adding sweet toppings such as maple syrup, honey or powdered sugar.
More BLW Waffles and Pancakes
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Banana Blueberry BLW Waffles
Equipment
- Waffle Iron
Ingredients
- ½ cup (70g) All-Purpose / Plain Flour
- ½ cup (70g) Wholemeal Plain / Whole-wheat Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cardamon
- ¼ cup (25g) Rolled Oats
- 2 Ripe Bananas
- 1 Egg
- 1½ tablespoons Oil
- 1 cup (250ml) Milk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ½ Cup (80g) Blueberries
Instructions
- Mix the flours, oats, cardamom and baking powder together.
- Mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl. Add the egg and stir until combined. Add the oil and whisk again. Add the milk and vanilla and stir until mixed well.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and gently stir until just combined. The batter should be cake-like in texture. It will be thick, not runny, but pourable.
- Add the blueberries and stir once more.
- Preheat waffle iron. Once iron is ready, spray with cooking spray (not all waffle machines require this)
- Add approx 1 cup of batter to the waffle iron (adjust based on size of waffle iron) and cook according to manufacturer instructions. (Mine took 4-5 mins)
- Remove and place on a cooling rack. Repeat until batter has finished.
Kelsey
Just made these. They were cooked until the waffle maker said they were done + 1 min. they're pretty mushy inside but crispy outside. Do you think they're undercooked or do they stay that way because of the banana?
Amy
Hi Kelsey, they do have a slightly wetter texture due to the fruit. Did they look like my photos?
Annan L
Hi there! Can I substitute buckwheat flour for the all-purpose and whole wheat? And if so, do you think it's okay to sub 1:1? Thanks!
Amy
Hi Annan, Without testing, I really can't say, sorry.
Alexandra Lafrance
Very tasty, I really enjoyed the cardamom. I doubled the recipe and used half ripe banana and half frozen banana. This added moisture, so I added baby cereal (fortified with iron) to thicken to what recipe suggested.
The dough is quite wet and they must stay in iron quite a long time to cook through. My first 2 weren't properly baked.
I plan on freezing and then popping them in the toaster when ready to use!
Amy
Thanks Alexandra, glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Ayza
Hello! These looks great! Planning to make them tomorrow. Can I use frozen blueberries? Thanks! X
Amy
Hi Ayza, sorry for the delay.Yes, you can use frozen. Did you try it?
Mariann George
Can you freeze this batter
Amy
Hi Mariann, I haven't tested freezing the batter but the cooked waffles freeze well. 🙂
Cheryl
Very delicious! Our whole family enjoyed it, inclutt dt in my 11 month old. Thank you!
Amy
Excellent! Thanks for all your kind feedback, Cheryl 🙂
Helen
After the success of the apple waffles last week, we had these this morning - absolutely delicious made with a mix of plain and wholemeal flours. The only reason I don’t give 5 stars is that even with the oil they stuck a lot, but they were seriously scrummy. 8 month old ate one and a half all to herself! We served with all the toppings you suggested and can’t wait to do them again.
Amy
Thanks for the feedback, Helen. I'm glad your little one is enjoying the recipes 🙂
Vanessa
Big hit with my husband and 22 month old. I love that is had the oats in it for extra nutrition and thou couldn't even notice
Amy
Great! Glad they were husband and toddler approved and thanks for taking the time to rate and leave a comment 🙂
Joanna
Hi there, this looks like an amazing recipe I can't wait to try so thank you for sharing! Could I ask how many this recipe makes approx?
Lily
Could you substitute the milk for oat milk?
Amy
Hi Lily, I'd say that should work well but as I haven't tried it I can't say for sure.
Dana
Could you do without the oats?
Amy
Hi Dana, you could try - you might have to add a little more flour though. Let me know how it goes!
Katie
Do you think this would work for baby led weaning?
Amy
Hi Katie, I would have let my son have this when he was a baby (also doing baby-led) ??
Katie
Great, thanks!! Another question- do you think I could replace the egg? With applesauce?
Amy
Hi Katie, I haven't tried it personally so can't say for sure but I would definitely say it is worth a try.
Anita
I used a flax seed egg and soy milk to make it vegan and it worked well! Thank you.
I had to have it for million years in the waffle iron so it wouldn’t stick though
Amy
Hi Amy
Would these work as normal pancakes?
Amy
Amy
Hi Amy, yes you can make pancakes from the batter.... hope you enjoy x
Anja
I'm still dreaming about a waffle maker, but once we get one I'll definitely need to try your recipe! Sounds like a great healthy treat that the whole family would enjoy!