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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!
Tried it today and they were excellent!
These were the best protein waffles EVER!
Perfect! I’ve never used protein powder before. I followed this recipe with no variations, and the waffles came out very fluffy and moist and so sweet tasting. Thank you!
These are my favorite protein waffles EVER! So fluffy and crispy.
These are the best protein waffles recipe that i love to batch cook and freeze!
Would it not work better with a bit of baking powder to make them fluffier? Have you tried that? Want to make this recipe but wondering why there is no baking powder in it!
I found that once everything was blended, it rose nicely, but feel free to add a pinch if you like!
I made this today and it is SO GOOD! This is coming from someone who has literally tried at least 10 different protein waffle recipes! I also boiled strawberries with a little monk fruit as my topping. So so good.
Aw, thanks Jennifer!
Terrific! Really great, simple recipe.
Excellent use for a protein powder that I don’t like.
These are my favorite protein waffles ever! So crispy and light.
Such a good texture!
These are my favorite protein waffles recipe. I make them as pancakes too
Love that, Celina!
I make this once a week- it’s so easy and they freeze really well!
My favorite protein waffles recipe- crispy and fluffy!
These turned out so well and are yummy. Even my husband raved about them. Simple to make and tasty.
Love that, Gina!
These are amazing!!I just made them& had to give my review!They were that good!!
Very tasty! I used vanilla flavored protein powder. Will definitely be making this again!
Please do, Betty!
best protein waffles recipe on the internet. Worth every 5 star rating!
These waffles were incredible!
Thanks, Shari!
My favourite breakfast now!
Wanted to find another high protein breakfast and this is perfect no guilt waffles! Easy delicious and most importantly they keep you filled! I double the recipe and make 10 mini waffles serve it with fruit and yummy 😋.
The best protein waffles recipe EVER!
Just made a big batch of these to freeze some for prep and they turned out great! I added a pinch of salt and some cinnamon, vanilla and almond extract for flavor and swapped the cottage cheese for skyr bc its what we had in the fridge.
Great substitution!
Ready in minutes and absolutely delish und fluffy. Best protein waffles I ever tried. I only used half the recommended amount of eggs and substituted cottage cheese for curd cause that’s what was in the fridge.
This will become a staple in the freezer. Thank you!
I subbed nonfat Greek yogurt for the cottage cheese, and it was amazing! Next time I would just add a pinch of salt
I have been making these for the last year. They taste delicious. I top it off with some Greek yogurt, jam and almonds. This is the easiest meal prep recipe I use with the protein I need.
So great to hear that, Sonal!
Can we replace protien powder with almond flour plz guide any other replacement if any
You could- it won’t be as fluffy.
Made these waffles and they were wonderful! I am thinking about how I could turn this recipe into a muffin. Need an easy on the go breakfast
Has anyone tried just greek yogurt instead of ricotta cheese or cottage cheese?
Or instead of cottage cheese?
This recipe is amazing! I followed it exactly, using vanilla protein powder which is sweet, so no sugar was needed. I never thought that those 4 ingredients could make a waffle that looked and tasted like the unhealthy ones!
It made 2 medium sized waffles and I ate both of them with maple syrup. They were sooo good!
Delicious. My father loves waffles and needs to get more protein in his diet. I made a large batch and am going to share some with my father-in-law who is a diabetic. I thought they were good to just pickup and eat as well. Used chocolate protein powder.
Wow, this was a great recipe! Made the x3 batch for our family of five and the blender had a hard time mixing everything into a smooth mix with no lumps. Next time I will try blending just the oats into powder so it’s easier to just mix everything together. While my kids loved the 6 eggs, hubby and I found it to be a bit too “eggy” tasting so on the second batch we tried 3 eggs and 2 bananas. Texture was still crunchy on the outside, a little softer on the inside and took a couple minutes longer to cook but flavour was amazing! Took someone else’s suggestion to add the cinnamon (1 Tbsp for the x3 batch), plus the vanilla protein powder, and OMG! These smell like those mini cinnamon donuts you get at the fair! This recipe is a keeper! Thanks Arman, keep ‘em coming!!
Would you recommend adding baking powder/soda, or are they fluffy without?
Super easy AND delicious! Added a tsp of vanilla. Also Doubled the recipe for Belgian waffle maker. I will add a little stevia next time and make more so I can freeze them.
How many servings in the entire recipe?
4 waffles.
We are obsessed with this recipe – frozen power waffles are our fave weekend food (the kids can heat & eat, mom & dad can sleep in!). Has anyone tried subbing the cottage cheese with yogurt, or doing half yogurt, half cottage cheese?
I think half yogurt and half cottage cheese should work- If you want to try all yogurt, I’d choose a super thick kind.
Can I use Premiere Protein vanilla for this recipe?
I don’t see why not!
These were delicious!
I was wondering if you could make the batter in advance?
So thankful to have found this yummy waffle recipe! Really helps in trying to reduce carbs. I love that you can freeze these and pop them out as needed.
can you please share the brand name of oats and cottage cheese as the ones i prepared is counting less in protein. i am sure it is due to the product used.
best protein waffles. I will try them as pancakes.
love these so much!
I’m always looking for high protein recipes, this one is amazing, I just added a little cinnamon and topped them with SF syrup and YUM. Thanks for this recipe.
the cup equals how many grams
These are AMAZING!!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!! I tell everyone about these!
Wonderful! I sweetened with cinnamon and splenda in batter. Great to have a new waffle recipe
love love love these protein waffles.
Made these for my Celiac nephew–the recipe is now are all our favorite waffle recipe!!! Easy and delicious!!! THANK YOU for sharing!! Deb Zent
can you use yogurt or low fat ricotta cheese?
Low fat ricotta sounds great!
Has anyone tried just greek yogurt instead of ricotta cheese?
What could I use instead of cottage cheese? I have a dairy allergy.
Dairy free yogurt works a treat 🙂