Vegan buckwheat waffles with cinnamon spiced apple recipe

Having an American step mum means waffles have been on my radar a few years now. I love this recipe! It’s so heart-warming and requires minimum effort for maximum taste. BRITA filtered water, 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).

Ingredients

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

Method

1. Blend in a blender or process in a food processor the milk, 1 tbsp of coconut oil, the dates and vanilla until smooth.
2. Pour the flour, baking powder, salt and 1 tsp of cinnamon in a large mixing bowl and stir well.
3. Pour in the blended milk and stir all together. Let the mix sit for half an hour in the fridge.
4. While this is thickening, let’s make the spiced apple mix.
5. Place a tbsp of coconut oil in a pan on a low to medium heat, add the cinnamon and cardamom.
6. Cut the apples up into small chunks and throw them in as well. Whilst stirring, add the raisins, 2 tbsp of filtered 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 BRITA filtered water, if the mix goes dry (we don’t want burned bottoms), but the apples will produce their own juices.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Once they are ready, top with the spiced apple mix and extra maple syrup. Other great toppings are coconut yogurt, fresh berries, coconut syrup or chocolate.