However, after going vegan a few years ago, I was faced with the dilemma of finding a satisfying substitute for this breakfast staple. The new recipes I tried – which included egg-alternatives like flax, bananas, chia seeds – literally fell flat. Turns out, eggs are what give waffles that airy+crispy quality that makes them so enjoyable. Rather than commit to a dense waffle, I went looking for a solution nothing short of egg-cellent. Yes, I just said that.
Enter: aquafaba. I know what you’re thinking, WTF is aquafaba? Aquafaba is the leftover liquid when you drain a can of chickpeas. Are you still with me? When you whip the brine with a high-speed blender, it has the exact same consistency as whipped egg whites, peaks and all! See below and read more here; it’s one of the most creative plant-based alternatives you’ll ever use. After combining the wet and dry ingredients, slowly fold in the aquafaba to add *fluff* to your batter.
For those of you who’ve already made halva cookies, you’ll know how amazing tahini is for adding richness to any meal. In this case, mix tahini with maple syrup for a modern twist on a classic dish. Top with fresh blueberries and dig in!
So here’s the dish:
Who: anyone who loves foreign flavors
When: A mid-day snack or post dinner
With: A cup of coffee (move over biscotti)
Crispy Blueberry Waffles
Ingredients
Waffles
- 1/2 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1.5 cup buckwheat flour
- 1 can coconut milk
- 1/2 cup aquafaba
- 2 tbsp coconut or brown sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp sea salt
Tahini Syrup
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat your waffle iron. I keep mine on a medium/low setting for these.
- Combine your dry ingredients in one bowl and your wet ingredients (except aquafaba) in another. Incorporate your wet ingredients into your dry ingredients with a high-speed mixer.
- Drain a can of chickpeas for the aquafaba liquid. With a high-speed mixer (a whisk won’t do it), blend for about 5 minutes until peaks form.
- Use a rubber spatula to slowly fold the aquafaba into your batter. This will add the airy quality.
- Scoop your mix into the waffle iron and cook until properly crispy!
- Whisk tahini and maple syrup together to drizzle on your waffles. Top with fresh blueberries.