Carrot Cake Waffles
Carrot Cake Waffles- made with a blend of wholesome buckwheat and quinoa flours. Vegan and gluten-free!
Thank you guys so much for all of the birthday wishes! I’m happy to report that I’m officially a thirty year-old and I feel exactly the same.
Wait, I take that back. I’m actually feeling pretty spoiled. I woke up Saturday morning to a card and a jewelry box on my nightstand that had this delicate necklace inside. Then my husband took me downstairs, handed me a mimosa and told me to relax while he prepared me a warm plate of carrot cake waffles.
The necklace was a nice touch but to be honest, it’s the carrot cake that holds a special place in my heart. Growing up, my mom would give the option of what kind of cake I could have for my birthday and the answer was always carrot cake. I guess my love for veggies stems from a young age. Although she might beg to differ on that one…but I digress.
I’ve made these a few different ways now and my favorite gluten-free and vegan version is the recipe listed below. I know using two flours isn’t ideal so if you don’t want to go that route, you can use all buckwheat flour.
If you’re new to buckwheat, it’s actually a fruit seed that’s related to rhubarb, making it naturally gluten-free. It’s also high in fiber, manganese, magnesium, copper and zinc which are all great for the immune system. Plus it contains all eight essential amino acids, including lysine, which plays a key role in collagen production. Perfect for an aging thirty-year old, am I right?
The flavor of buckwheat is somewhat earthy, similar to whole wheat, so it can be a little strong for certain palates. I found that the addition of quinoa flour helped balance it out, but I personally enjoyed them both ways. Alternatively, if you’re not trying to avoid gluten or dairy, you can use this zucchini waffle recipe. I adapted them by replacing the zucchini with carrots, left out the sugar and then added nuts. Easy peasy!
Whichever version you try, I highly recommend topping them with whipped cream (or coconut whipped cream). It takes them from really good to unbelievable. Trust me, if you’re a carrot cake lover like I am, then you’re bound to love them!
Carrot Cake Waffles
Yield: 2 large waffles
Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 10
Total Time: 20

Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup buckwheat flour*
- 1/2 cup quinoa flour (can also use all buckwheat)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 tablespoon ground chia seed (or ground flax seed)
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or other plant-based milk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup shredded carrot (approximately 1 large carrot)
- 1 tablespoon melted unrefined coconut oil
Directions:
Preheat the waffle maker. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients (buckwheat flour to pecans) in a medium-size bowl and sift together.
In a separate large bowl, brown sugar, almond milk, vanilla extract, and shredded carrot then stir together.
Add the dry ingredients to the bowl with the wet and stir until just combined. Add the coconut oil and stir until smooth. Lightly grease the waffle maker then spoon half of the mixture into the center of the waffle maker and then close the lid. Cook until crispy and golden brown on the edges. I did about 5 minutes on each side in my waffle maker. Gently open the waffle maker when they are done. The first one may stick to the iron if you are not careful.
Serve warm with maple syrup and coconut whipped cream (optional). Dig in and enjoy!
*Buckwheat flour has a very earthy flavor. You may want to add more sugar if you are sensitive to the flavor of earthy whole grain flours.
Did you try this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out by leaving a comment below or sharing a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #makingthymeforhealth. I love hearing your feedback!
Those look so good!!! I hope you had a wonderful birthday :)
Ahhh go Brandon–what a guy! I used to be afraid of carrot cake when I was a kid (chocolate lover 4 life) but now I love itttttt–perfect for fall.
We just got a waffle maker for a wedding gift so this recipe is perfect timing! Happy belated birthday by the way- that necklace is beautiful!
I need a waffle maker so bad now! These look amazing. Sounds like you had a perfect birthday and major husband points to Brandon!
Yay for having a good birthday :D My favourite cake growing up was either the ice cream one from DQ, or my mom’s homemade Black Forest. Carrot cake was always one of those things I shied away from because of the veggies, and I have to admit that I really haven’t given it a good shot yet. Oops :oops:
Holy moly these look beyond fantastic! I love that they’re made with quinoa flour. Pinned! Oh and happy belated, pretty girl!
Carrot cake is one of my all-time favorites too, especially because of the cream cheese frosting. I’m glad you’re enjoying the new, more mature, 3 in front of your age. Roll with it!
Happy (late) birthday! What a sweet hubby for treating you so well on your big day! And that’s a good thing to know about buckwheat flour… Maybe I need to stock up, make some waffles and claim eating waffles helps prevent wrinkles ;)
These sound amazing, Sarah! I LOVE carrot cake, so I am sure it is delicious in waffle form :)
Sounds like a wonderful birthday! These waffles look amazing.
If I didn’t have to move out of my apartment I would buy a waffle maker. I feel like buying it one now. It’s late evening here but that’s not enough to stop me… there is still my beloved shopping online! I need to control myself. p.s. Carrot cake is my favorite one as well. p.p.s. I saw the necklace on instagram, so elegant.
How did I miss your birthday!? HAPPY belated birthday, girlie!!
Now that’s my idea of a great birthday! It’s like eating cake for breakfast. Hope you had a great birthday.
Bravo! Bravo to the hubs for treating you to a nice gift and scrumptious breakfast for your birthday! This is how all birthdays should be done! Love me some buckwheat flour and it’s been ages since I’ve used quinoa flour, so you’re inspiring me, smalls! Plus, the carrot cake element to these? Gaaaah I die!
Oh wow! these look delicious! Wonderful photos too- I love that syrup dripping!
Happy 30th, friend! So glad you joined the club. It’s not so bad :)
These look unreal. I actually sending Adam this link right now and telling him we need to invest in a waffle maker, ASAP!!! xx
I really need to puree carrots and put them in my pantry like foods!!! :) I hate cooked carrots but I feel like if I sneak them in, they’d be GOOD!
What a gorgeous recipe! And I would be thrilled to have this for breakfast on my bday! The flours in here are so intriguing. Buckwheat and quinoa would make these so substantial and fragrant! My stomach is grumbling :)
I so need to get a waffle maker. This looks SO good.
Happy belated birthday :) These waffles sound killer and a sweet way to wake up on your birthday. If being 30 means waking up to waffles, I might be okay with it. But I might be one of those 29 forever people lol
I love this message – not everyday is gonna be great, but sometimes we just got a breathe and find the good no matter how hard – after all its about perspective right.. and good gawsh – my two fav background noise tv stations are HGTV and Food Network too!!
I totally need a waffle maker. It’s the only kitchen item we’re missing really (and maybe some more basic things)! I actually made carrot cake pancakes last week and they were so good so I can only imagine how good these waffles are!! And FYI, I would never guess you were 30 years old! Even still, you’re so young, in my opinion :).
I have a soft spot for carrot cake …. and in waffle form? Man, these sound amazing. And I loveeee these pictures! The light and the way it’s reflecting off the syrup – so so pretty lady!
Happy Birthday, Sarah!! That sounds like the perfect way to start your birthday, a necklace, a mimosa, and this awesome waffle! Carrot cake really is the best and I always feel a little healthier while eating it :) Sounds like you are starting your thirties off very nicely! I’m now wishing I would have asked for a waffle maker for my birthday! I guess there is always Christmas :)
Thank you so much Izzy! You should get definitely put a waffle maker on your Christmas list. I know you would come up with all sorts of deliciousness!
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If this recipe is vegan/gf what did you make the coconut whipping cream from and how? Thank You!
Hi Terry, here is a great tutorial for coconut whipped cream: http://ohsheglows.com/2012/08/30/coconut-whipped-cream-a-step-by-step-photo-tutorial/
Alternatively, you can buy premade vegan whipped cream at certain grocery stores, such as Whole Foods.
Hey Sarah!
We’ve had these waffles yesterday morning: glorious breakfast. :D
Thanks for letting me know, Silvia! I’m happy you enjoyed them. :)
Hi Sarah! I’m eating these right now for breakfast. I can never resist anything carrot cake. I did make a few changes; used coconut flour in place of quinoa flour, coconut sugar in place of brown sugar, & coconut milk in place of almond milk (I guess you could say I love coconut!). They are mighty tasty! I’ll have to try it with quinoa flour sometime. I just don’t have any on hand or almond milk. Anyway, thanks for the delicious recipe!
I’m so happy you liked them, Kelli! It’s good to know they still work with substitutions too. Thanks for letting me know! :)
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I actually am one of the rare ones who LOVES buckwheat! I think the taste is incredible! I bet that the buckwheat flour would taste amazing with carrots because it gives more earthiness to the waffles!
You have great taste, Cassie! ;)
This was SUCH an easy recipe and I loved that it didn’t use eggs. David loved it too. I’ll be making it again.