A whole grain mix you can make ahead and have on hand for when you’re ready for waffles? Sounds like heaven to us! Although butter and maple syrup are the standard condiments, you might want to try sorghum syrup, a Southern favorite.
Make sure you buy coarse, whole grain cornmeal. While the mix can be made with more standard yellow cornmeal—and is still a whole grain recipe because of the rolled oats—the coarse cornmeal will make every forkful more toothsome. Can’t find whole grain cornmeal? Grind coarse, whole grain polenta in a large blender or food processor until it’s the consistency of coarse cornmeal.–Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough
LC For the Pancake Lovers Amongst Us Note
Authors Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough, bless them, note that if you want to turn this handy dandy waffle mix into pancake mix—soon to be pancake batter—simply thin it out with 1/4 cup additional milk or maybe a little more, depending on how dry the flours have gotten as they’ve sat on the shelf. Presto—er, pronto! Pancakes in place of waffles. We’re quite taken with the nuttiness imparted by the whole grains, although if this isn’t your thing, consider tricking yourself and everyone else by embellishing that stack with a slab of ham, an egg sunny-side up, berries or sliced fruit galore, maybe even a sophisticated, herb-infused riff on maple syrup.
Cornmeal and Oat Waffles Recipe
Ingredients
- For the waffle mix
- 4 cups coarse whole grain yellow cornmeal
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 3/4 cups whole grain spelt flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (don’t use quick-cooking or steel-cut oats)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup baking powder
- 4 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- For the waffles
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk (whether whole or fat-free or anything in-between)
- 2 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled, or 2 tablespoons nut oil (walnut, hazelnut, or pecan)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Make the waffle mix
- 1. Whisk the cornmeal, whole wheat flour, spelt flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon, if using, in a large bowl, taking care that the baking powder is evenly distributed throughout. Spoon or pour the whole kit and caboodle into a large container and seal tightly. Store at room temperature for up to 3 months in a dark, cool pantry.
- Make the waffles
- 2. To make 3 waffles, scoop 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons of the waffle mix into a large bowl. Whisk in the egg, milk, butter or nut oil, and vanilla. Mix well and set aside for 10 minutes while the waffle iron heats.
- 3. Heat the waffle iron.
- 4. Make the waffles according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the waffle iron. Serve the waffles in a stack while they’re hot, hot, hot.
Hungry for more? Chow down on these:
- Blueberry Yogurt Waffles from Two Peas and Their Pod
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Pancakes from Kath Eats Real Food
- Maple Oat Waffles from Leite's Culinaria
- Gluten-Free Multigrain Waffles from Leite's Culinaria
Cornmeal and Oat Waffles Recipe © 2012 Bruce Weinstein | Mark Scarbrough. Photo © 2012 Tina Rupp. All rights reserved.
[Amy Iacopi] I love the idea of making the dry mix to have on hand for those easy “waffle weekends.” I liked this crunchy whole grain waffle a lot, though it was a tad dry. I’ll add some yogurt to the batter next time to increase the moisture content. Overall, a great recipe with lots of potential.
[Megan M.] First, I must confess that I don’t have a waffle maker. My roommate has one and I planned to make these with hers. However, when I opened the cabinet door, I found an enormous gap where the waffle maker normally resides. So I attempted to make these on a ridged grilled pan. The edges—those that didn’t stick to my pan—were lovely and crisp. They were a little thin though and lacked a lot of flavor alone, but were delicious with maple syrup. After one attempt I decided to make pancakes instead. I let the rest of the batter sit overnight and the results the next morning were much nicer. They certainly are very hearty. The mix makes quite a lot, so I cut it in half.
I tried these again this morning with 1/4 cup of yogurt (for 6 waffles) and they were perfect! Crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside.
Woot woot! So glad to hear you found a way to make them your own, Amy. And so glad you shared with us your secret….