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My protein waffles are light, fluffy, and EXTRA crispy! They need just 4 ingredients and pack in over 40 grams of protein per serving!
Craving high-protein breakfast recipes? Try my protein oatmeal, protein overnight oats, protein bagels, and protein pancakes.
This protein waffle recipe is one of my breakfast staples… and one that I enjoy during the week (yes, not just for weekends!). My family also loves it too, and I think it’s because these taste like actual waffles.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- 4 Ingredients. All you need are oats, eggs, protein powder, and cottage cheese!
- Perfect texture. They turn out crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle every single time.
- 40+ grams of protein. When made as is, they have around 20 grams of protein each, and one serving is two waffles!
- Great for meal prep. You can make a triple batch of these waffles, freeze them up, and toast them when you want to enjoy them!
★★★★★ REVIEW
“Wanted to find another high protein breakfast, and this is perfect, no guilt waffles! Easy, delicious, and most importantly, they keep you filled! I doubled the recipe and made ten mini waffles. Serve it with fruit, and it is yummy 😋.” – Suzanne
Ingredients needed
- Rolled oats. Also known as old-fashioned oats. Quick-cooking oats can also be used, but the edges won’t be as crispy. For gluten-free protein waffles, use certified gluten-free rolled oats or oat flour.
- Cottage cheese. Non-fat or reduced-fat cottage cheese can be used. Give the waffles a deliciously moist and fluffy center, adding no flavor.
- Eggs. room temperature eggs.
- Protein powder. I like to use vanilla-flavored protein powder because it also adds sweetness.
- Optional add-ins. Sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, and Greek yogurt will all enhance the flavor of the waffles without affecting the texture.
Best protein powder to use
Plant-based protein powder or casein protein powder is best, as they thicken the batter. Whey protein powder can sometimes cause the batter to thin out, so be careful if you use it.
How to make high-protein waffles
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Blend all your ingredients together until no clumps remain and the batter is smooth. If needed, add some liquid.
Step 2- Cook. Add spoonfuls of the batter to the waffle until it is covered. Cook the waffle until golden and crispy around the edges.
Step 3- Decorate. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with fresh berries.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Amp up the protein. If I REALLY want to make these super high in protein, I often double the amount of protein powder. It doesn’t change the flavor but doubles the protein content.
- Adjust the timing. Waffle iron makes and models differ. Mine took about three minutes per waffle (my waffle iron fills two waffles), but adjust accordingly. Once the sides are crispy, the waffles are ready.
- Make pancakes. If you don’t own a waffle iron, these work very well as protein pancakes. Simply cook the batter in a preheated, non-stick pan coated with cooking spray. Once hot, pour 1/4 cup portions of the batter into it and cook until crispy around the edges.
- Adjust the batter. If your waffle batter is too thick, add some almond milk or water to thin it out. Alternatively, if it’s too thin, sprinkle in some oats.
Flavor variations
While delicious on their own, these waffles are like a blank canvas that can be changed up in a plethora of ways. Here are some of my favorite ideas:
- Berries. Fresh berries (or frozen ones) are great! Try raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries.
- Nut butter. Peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter will make the waffles extra hearty and provide healthy fats.
- Whipped cream. Who can resist a mound of fluffy cream on their waffles?
- Chocolate. Use chocolate protein powder and add a liberal handful of chocolate chips (or drizzle on some healthy Nutella).
- Pumpkin. Swap out the cottage cheese for pumpkin puree (similar to my pumpkin protein pancakes!).
Storage instructions
To store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one week.
To freeze: Place cooled waffles in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Reheating: Either microwave the waffles for 30 seconds or place them in a toaster oven until crispy.
Frequently asked questions
Do not overcook your waffles. Once they sizzle around the edges and begin to brown, they are ready to be removed from the waffle iron.
Yes, you can skip the protein powder completely. The protein content will be around 9 grams of protein per waffle.
More healthy breakfast recipes
- Baked oats
- Oatmeal breakfast cookies
- Almond flour pancakes
- Cottage cheese pancakes
- Breakfast smoothie
Protein Waffles
Video
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup protein powder vanilla flavored
Instructions
- Add the eggs, oats, cottage cheese, and protein powder into a high speed blender. Blend very well until smooth and no clumps remain.
- Heat a waffle iron as per the box directions. Once hot, pour spoonfuls of the batter to cover the iron. Cook the waffle until crispy on the edges. Remove from the waffle iron and cook the remaining batter.
- Serve the waffles immediately with your favorite sweet or savory toppings.
I have a new “chaffle” maker and used this recipe to christen it. They turned out perfectly and I will be making again and again. It makes a small batch which is fine for me since I live alone. Yummy!
OMG the best waffles ever. I did need to thin the batter with water, but WOW so good
What kind of cottage cheese do you yse to get the stated nutritional content? Fat free, 2%, etc.??
2%!
I made mine without the protein powder and I doubled the recipe . It turned out great . I will play spring with swapping out and adding next .
These were absolutely delicious. I used vanilla protein powder and you would’ve thought they were regular high carb low protein waffles.
Love how these turn out. They are fluffy just like a normal carb heavy waffle and they taste great.
swapped dairy free greek yogurt for the cottage cheese but followed the rest.
Super love this recipe- I have the mini portable dash waffle maker and it made 4 of those 4 GIANT waffles.
This is sooooo good. Topped with cottage cheese and sugar free maple syrup. Feels like cheating.
Incredible. Super easy! I added a little vanilla and cinnamon this time and they were wonderful. Great recipe.
Love this!! Make this recipe at least twice a week.
Thanks, Mechelle!