For years, I've wanted a big fancy waffle maker. For my birthday, my mother-in-law got me a new waffle iron -- hooray!
It's the cool kind that turns and flips over.
And there's an art to waffle batter making. You want the waffles to be crispy on the outside but chewy on the inside. It's a difficult balance. Happily enough, I think this waffle recipe achieves this balance. And who doesn't like caramel-y bananas on his or her waffles?!
It's an easy recipe that seems so fancy -- it's the perfect recipe for hosting weekend guests. They'll think you slaved away on the stove all morning, but it really doesn't take so long ;-)
Bananas Foster Waffles: Vegan + Gluten-free
Waffle recipe adapted from Delightful Adventures
1 1/2 c. almond milk, or other non-dairy milk
1/4 c. coconut oil, melted
2 tsp. vanilla-infused bourbon (vanilla extract)
2 T. flax seed, ground
1 T. pure maple syrup
2 c. organic whole wheat pastry flour*
1 T. baking powder, aluminum-free
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. sea salt
*For gluten-free waffles, use a gluten-free flour blend. It should work like a charm!
For the Bananas Foster topping:
2 large bananas, sliced
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 T. amaretto (learn how to make your own!)
2/3 c. coconut sugar
1/4 c. vegan butter
pinch of sea salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
pecans or walnuts, if desired
Directions
Plug in and heat up your waffle iron. Spray it with a little olive oil or coconut oil.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk, oil, vanilla, flax, and syrup. Allow it to sit for five minutes after mixing.
In the mean time, combine your dry ingredients in a medium bowl: flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Slowly add the dry ingredients into the large bowl with the milk/other ingredients. The mixture should rise nicely on account of the baking powder. This batter is thick; it will not be runny.
Add a dollop of batter into your waffles iron, as directed. My iron has a handy-dandy timer on it that lets you know when the waffles are done. Make sure you give it a little spritz of oil between each waffle.
You can heat the oven to 200°F to keep your waffles warm as you are cooking your bananas. You can get at least 4-5 large waffles out of this recipe.
For the bananas foster topping: in a large saucepan over medium-heat, combine the vanilla, amaretto, coconut sugar, butter, salt, and cinnamon. Once everything is combined/melted, add in the banana slices and nuts, if desired.
Cook the bananas for a few more minutes until they are soft.
Serve the bananas foster over your waffles. Your taste buds will leap with joy!
Cheers,
-Aileen