Gluten-free waffle recipe with cinnamon spiced apple

I love this recipe! It’s so heart-warming and requires minimum effort for maximum taste. A sprinkle of salt, vanilla powder, baking powder and a touch of maple syrup make these waffles light, fluffy and full of flavour, but without the guilt – they’re gluten-free and even vegan (don’t be misled by the name, buckwheat flour is totally gluten-free).

The crispy waffles team up perfectly with gooey cinnamon spiced apple, which will fill your home with a mouth-watering aroma within minutes.

And did you know about the great health benefits of cinnamon? The spice helps to maintain steady blood sugar levels, which will keep cravings at bay.

Don’t worry if you don’t already own a waffle maker, you can also fry the mix as a pancake.

Let’s bring on the weekend!

Ingredients:
Serves 2-3

• 460ml of almond milk (or any other milk – like rice or coconut milk)
• 1 tbsp of coconut oil (plus a little extra for cooking)
• 175g of pitted Medjool dates
• 1 tsp of vanilla powder or extract
• 200g of buckwheat flour
• 1 tsp of baking powder
• 1 pinch of salt
• 2 tsp of cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp of cardamom
• 2 apples
• 30g of raisins
• Water
• 3 tbsp of maple syrup (coconut sugar, coconut syrup, honey) plus extra for topping

Instructions:

• Blend the milk, 1 tbsp of coconut oil, the dates and vanilla in a blender or a food processor until smooth.
• Pour the flour, baking powder, salt and 1 tsp of cinnamon in a large mixing bowl and stir well.
• Pour in the blended milk and stir all together. Let the mix sit for half an hour in the fridge.
• While this is thickening, let’s make the spiced apple mix.
• Place a tbsp of coconut oil in a pan on a low to medium heat, add the cinnamon and cardamom.
• Cut the apples up into small chunks and throw them in as well. Whilst stirring, add the raisins, 2 tbsp of water and the maple syrup. Stir well and let cook for 30 minutes on a low heat (with the lid on) until the waffles are ready. Keep adding a tablespoon of water if the mix goes dry (we don’t want burned bottoms), but the apples will produce their own juices.
• Now, heat up your waffle maker and brush a little liquid coconut oil around the base and top. Although most waffles makers are non-stick, I like the extra crispiness the coconut oil gives.
• Pour about 1/4 cup of the dough mix into each waffle section and close shut. Have a look at your recommended time for waffles to cook, as each waffle maker is different. Mine needs about 2 minutes for nice golden waffles.
• Once they are ready, top with the spiced apple mix and extra maple syrup. Other great toppings are coconut yogurt, fresh berries, pomegranate, coconut syrup or chocolate.

Enjoy!

Photo credit: Madeleine Shaw