Inside: A recipe for Chocolate Chip Protein Waffles made with simple ingredients and no protein powder.
There’s nothing wrong with traditional waffles, typically made with flour, baking powder, and sugar.
But traditional waffles tend make me sleepy in the morning and don’t typically contain much protein.
This Chocolate Chip Protein Waffle recipe hits the sweet spot for me: Energizing, easy, and a great way to get a protein boost in the morning. Just slightly sweet, with chocolate chips blended throughout the batter.
I’m pretty sure I’ve eaten a version of these every morning for a few months now, including these Chocolate Protein Waffles and Pumpkin Protein Waffles (I’m a creature of habit, what can I say?)
And unlike most protein waffle recipes, you don’t need any protein powder.
Here’s how to make this easy recipe:
Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Protein Waffles
- Oats: You can use quick oats or old-fashioned. If you’re gluten-free, make sure you buy oats labeled “gluten-free”
- Eggs: Use large eggs for this recipe. Use the whole egg, not just the egg whites.
- Cottage cheese: You can use any kind. I usually pick low-fat cottage cheese.
- Chocolate Chips:Feel free to use regular, mini, milk chocolate, semi-sweet, or whatever kind you like. They’ll be blended up in the batter.
- Maple syrup: I use “pure” or “real” maple syrup with just one ingredient (maple syrup)
- Vanilla extract: Use real or imitation.
- Salt: You’ll need just a pinch.
Looking for a more traditional waffle: Get my recipe for Whole Wheat Waffles made with whole wheat flour, yogurt, and flaxseed
Equipment You Need
- Blender: A food processor would work as well
- Waffle iron:This is the waffle iron I use
How to Make Chocolate Chip Protein Waffles
Place eggs, cottage cheese, maple syrup, vanilla, chocolate chips, salt, vanilla, and oats in a blender (in that order–starting with liquid ingredients and ending with oats so the wet ingredients are closest to the blender blades) and blend until smooth.
FYI: The chocolate chips are blended in the batter to spread chocolatey bits throughout, but feel free to stir them in at the end if you want to keep them whole!
Let the waffle batter rest while you spray the waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray and preheat it.
Pour batter into the hot waffle iron (in my iron, I used a bit less than 1/2 cup of batter per waffle) and cook until waffles are ready.They should be golden brown.
Serve warm with maple syrup, yogurt, peanut butter, or your favorite toppings. I also like eating them cold right from the fridge!
TIP: These healthy protein waffles are perfect for meal prep. I frequently double this recipe so I have waffles for busy mornings all week.
Questions about This Waffle Recipe
How many waffles are in a serving?
No matter what you’re eating, you should always eat the portion that feels best for you. But I calculated the nutrition information based on a serving of two waffles.
How much protein do these waffles contain?
Using my waffle maker, I got 8 waffles per batch. The protein content of a two-waffle serving is 14 g protein.
What makes these chocolate chips waffles rich in protein?
Eggs and cottage cheese are both high in protein, and oats are a source of plant-based protein.
Do these waffles taste like cottage cheese?
No. If you’re not usually a fan of cottage cheese, please note that these waffles do NOT have a strong cottage cheese flavor. And because you blend the batter, the waffles don’t have the texture of cottage cheese either.
What can I serve with these protein waffles?
Serve these waffles with toppings like Greek yogurt, nut butter like peanut butter or almond butter, or syrup. They’re also nice with fresh fruit like berries or sliced bananas.
How should I store leftover waffles?
Place waffles in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator. To reheat, warm them in a toaster oven or microwave.
Are these high protein waffles gluten-free?
Yes, if you want to make sure they’re gluten-free waffles, be sure with oats are labeled “gluten-free”. Oats don’t naturally contain gluten, but can get cross-contaminated in a facility if they also produce gluten-containing foods.
Are these keto waffles?
No. These waffles contain oats, maple syrup, and chocolate chips–all of which are frowned upon for the keto diet.
Are these waffles vegan?
No. Cottage cheese, eggs, and chocolate chips all contain animal products and aren’t eaten on a vegan diet.
Is this a low carb waffle?
No. Each waffle contains 15 grams of carbohydrates.
Do these waffles have a fluffy texture?
Because they don’t contain flour, they are more dense than regular waffles–but still yummy.
Doesn’t this waffle recipe need baking powder or baking soda?
Nope! These waffles cook up just fine without any leavening.
What’s so bad about protein powder?
A lot of protein waffle recipes call forprotein powder. There’s nothing wrong with protein powder, but it tends to be expensive and cancontain a lot of additional ingredients like artificial sweeteners.
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What’s the right amount of protein intake?
Most people do not have protein deficiency. But protein is still important because it makes meals and snacks filling, helps our bodies build and keep muscle, and is key for making hormones, enzymes, and energy.
The best way to consume protein is to spread it out throughout the day.The RDA, which is just the minimum needed for health, is 46g per day for women, 56 for men (here’show much protein kids need). Pregnancy and being active both boost your protein needs. We also need extra protein as we age to prevent muscle loss.
A good rule of thumb is to aim for 20 grams of protein per meal (and get protein at snacks too). Two Protein Waffles plus a cup of milk or 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt would give you nearly 25 grams. Get more ideas here:
More Protein-Rich Breakfast Recipes
Protein Pancakes (No Banana or Protein Powder)
Chocolate Protein Waffles
Pumpkin Protein Waffles
Peanut Butter Protein Shake
Chocolate Chip Protein Waffles
Yield: 8 waffles
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
These healthy protein waffles make a great breakfast or quick snack.
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips*
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 cup oats (old-fashioned or quick)
Instructions
- Place eggs, cottage cheese, maple syrup, vanilla, chocolate chips, salt, and oats in a blender (in that order) and blend until smooth.
- While the batter rests, spray a waffle iron with cooking spray and preheat it.
- Portion the batter into the waffle iron (in my iron, I used a bit less than 1/2 cup batter for each waffle) and cook until waffles are ready.
Notes
The chocolate chips are blended in the batter to spread chocolatey bits throughout, but feel free to stir them in at the end if you'd rather keep them whole!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4Serving Size: 2 waffles
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 264Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 149mgSodium: 288mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 3gSugar: 14gProtein: 14g
Hi! I'm Sally, a registered dietitian and mom.
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