Low Carb Chocolate Hazelnut Waffles. A hearty gluten-free breakfast to start your day right.
I don’t normally tell you much about my vacations because I don’t think you come here for that. You want recipes and I don’t blame you! However, I’d love it if you humoured me this time. I promise there is a recipe at the end and if you really want to, you can skip straight to it. It’s just that we had such a lovely getaway and I can’t help but want to share a little bit about it. More to the point, I want to share some of my photos. For once, I took my big camera, the one usually reserved for food photography, and I am glad I did. I’ve become quite a good food photographer, but food stays still and doesn’t talk back or walk away or make funny faces at you. Kids…well, they’re not nearly so easy to work with! I’ve been working on my non-food photography skills and I came home with some great pictures. And what are pictures for if not to share?
Celia and Grandad
If you don’t know Muskoka, you’re missing out. It’s the ultimate cottaging experience. The part of Ontario near Georgian Bay is so riddled with lakes big and small, the map looks like a piece of Swiss cheese. The shoreline tends to be rocky, and the lakes are deep and dark. The mist hangs over the water at sunrise, and the loons cry out at dusk in that lonely, achingly beautiful way. Sitting on a dock at sunset with a drink in your hand and your family members close by makes you feel that all is well with the world. It’s one of my favourite places in the world.
Sunrise over Lake Joseph
From the dock
Wild Blackberries
This year, the weather was cooler than normal, only hitting about 19 or 20 degrees most days (that’s high-60’s for you Americans). Although that made the water a little less inviting, I found I really enjoyed the coolness. I went for long runs and it felt so comfortable. And it didn’t keep my intrepid little swimmers out of the water, after they lay on the dock to soak up some sun. We really didn’t do much other than swim, boat, play and hang out on the dock. And pick the wild blackberries we found growing on the property. In the evenings, we ate, drank and made merry, and played multiple rounds of Scrabble and Bananagrams.
Playing…
Boating…
Making Merry
It was the most relaxing vacation I’ve had in a long time. I think it helps immensely that my kids are getting older and able to go with the flow and entertain themselves. They had a ball just splashing around and making up games in the water. And getting plenty of attention from their grandparents, aunt and uncles. It was somewhat tougher for my sister and brother in law, since their youngest is only 1. I vividly remember those times, having to chase around a little one or a toddler, having to be vigilant of an un-baby-proofed house. But we got to celebrate my sweet nephew’s first birthday on-site, and I’d say a good time was had by all.
The Girls
The Boys
Now, to the recipe. These waffles are a great healthy start to any breakfast, and my kids loved them in slices to dip into their syrup. I originally made them just as chocolate waffles but thought that they’d be even better with the addition of hazelnut. To really get that hazelnut flavour, you need the extract and the oil, but skip them if they are too hard to find and just enjoy chocolate waffles. Either way, they are delicious.
I also have a very good, very deep Calphalon waffle maker, a 40th birthday present from my husband. It’s so non-stick, I don’t need any oil. And it’s so deep that this recipe only makes 6 very thick squares. If you have a standard iron, you may get 8 to 10 waffles out of the batter. And you may need to grease your iron before adding the batter.
- 1 cup Hazelnut meal
- 1/2 cup Chocolate protein powder
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp coconut flour
- 3 tbsp Swerve Sweetener or granulated erythritol
- 4 large eggs
- 1/3 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp hazelnut oil
- 1/2 tsp hazelnut extract
- 1/4 tsp stevia extract
- Preheat waffle iron to medium high. Preheat oven to 200F and place a wire rack over a baking sheet.
- In a large bowl, whisk together hazelnut meal, protein powder, cocoa powder, coconut flour and sweetener.
- Whisk in eggs, yogurt, hazelnut oil, hazelnut extract and stevia until well combined.
- Grease waffle iron if necessary and pour 1/4 to 1/3 cup of batter into each section of the iron.
- Close the lid and cook until browned and crisp. Gently remove and transfer to prepared baking sheet in oven to keep warn
- Repeat with remaining batter.
- Top with whipped cream, butter, berries, chopped hazelnuts, sugar-free syrup, whatever you desire.
Serves 6. Each serving has 11g of carbs and 4g of fiber. Total NET CARBS = 7 g.
Other nutritional info: 257 Calories; 19g Fat (61.5% calories from fat); 16g Protein; 11g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 159mg Cholesterol; 73mg Sodium.
Jeanette says
So glad you were able to get away for some R&R. Beautiful photos Carolyn – and I need that waffle iron 😉
Donna says
I need the Canon Rebel as well….NEVER have I seen such precision and clarity….I have been dreaming about camera for months…When the budget allows…I will definitely have to make the leap.
shannon says
I have a question about the eggs. Waffles are very hard to execute without them. I am very sensitive to the whites but can have the yolks. I assume that using just the yolks would make them very dense and using a replacement would make them very sticky and fragile. What are your thoughts?
Carolyn says
I’ve honestly never tried to make waffles without eggs. I don’t have a lot of advice here, but you could certainly try flax eggs or chia eggs and see what comes of it.
Susan says
I realize it would add some carbs, but perhaps not too many per serving, what about a gluten-free baking powder to lighten white-free waffles? Also, is there any advantage, when using egg whites, to separating the eggs and adding the whites, whipped, to the recipe?
Finally, do they freeze well? I live alone and it might be nice to have these precooked in the freezer for quick warming in my now sadly unused toaster.
Carolyn says
For this recipe, there is no advantage to separating the whites and whipping them. That’s a method I used to use for flour waffles but it’s not really an advantage without the flour. They do freeze well!
Gail H. says
Can’t wait to try these…we just got some new chocolate whey protein in our store from New Zealand…better pick some up…and that Waffle Iron has been on my wish list forever…time to get it off 🙂 Thanks for these…and your vaca looked wonderful!!
Maria Isais says
Vacations are essential with the daily stresses of life they help keep us going. Glad you had a great time.
These waffles look so yummy, I never knew there was hazelnut meal. Have to try these.
K. Crete says
Stellar photos – you captured the moments! Sounds like one of those super family vacations that you will remember for life.
Sarah G says
I love family pics, even of families other than my own. 🙂 Thanks for posting your great shots!
Can I get a camera recommendation? Definitely want to save up for a really good one.
Carolyn says
Well, truth be told, I have an 8 year old, hand-me-down Canon Rebel XT. So I am not necessarily the best person to suggest a new camera. I do love my Canons, though. You really cannot go wrong with a Canon DSLR.
Chris says
Any chance it would work with almond meal rather than hazelnut?
Carolyn says
Yup, sure would because that’s how I made them the first time.
Regan @ Cabot says
Look at those wild blackberries! So inviting (even if the water wasn’t). Loved the pictures and the recap. This recipe makes me sad I don’t have a waffle maker… just may have to change that soon 🙂
gina says
Lovely children, you really captured their beauty!!
Carolyn says
Carolyn – thank you for sharing your vacation photos and experience. Although I follow your blog for the gluten-free recipes, I really enjoy getting to know more about you and enjoy virtually ‘visiting’ places I haven’t been before. I can’t wait to try these chocolate waffles, they sound AND look delicious.
Nancy~momma of 7+2 says
Lovely pics! And the waffle recipe *mwhah*! I was literally making waffles for the kids this am and they looked and smelled so good. Was debating about being naughty and having one or what to do when hubby asked me to send an email and I for whatever reason saw your post and actually opened it real quick. Thank you!!!! saved the day…had to sub almond meal and almond extract but oh my yumminess and filling!!!! Thank you!!!!
Ann says
Can’t wait to try this recipe—-have to find the choc protein powder—-any suggestions on where that might be?—Thanks
Emily @ Life on Food says
That vacation sounds perfect to me. Gorgeous photos!
Amanda says
Love the photos! I put a bunch of mine in your Dropbox, and I’m definitely hoping you’ll share some of these too. The ones of Mags with the S’mores cracked me up!
Carolyn says
Will do!
Eat Good 4 Life says
Oh boy this is the best thing ever. I need to make these the minute I get back from vacation and get my waffle maker out. I am loving the ingredient list, super nutritious. The pictures are super cute specially the ones from your little ones 🙂
Nancy says
I, for one, love looking at photos and I’d say your vacation shots are every bit as good as your food photos! The girl in the middle of “The Girls” has to be your daughter! Very cute! Love that shot of the sunset! Very frameable!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
I’m mesmerized by the beautiful photos!! Gorgeous clicks, Carolyn 🙂
maria says
Dear Carolyn,
I read you daily and make your biscottis constantly (I leave out the oil and add an extra egg). Without you, I never could have stayed on my low carb diet and would not be so healthy and happy. Thank you a thousand times.
Waffles and pizzelles are what I love. Can you please explore low carb pizzelles? My life would be complete!
The pictures of the the children, the love, the nature, the life! These are why we want to be healthy and strong—to have life and love!
Maria
Debbie T says
I am really looking forward to trying this recipe! I do have one question about the carb count. In the “Notes” section, the carb count is first given as “11g of carbs and 4 g of fiber. Total NET CARBS = 7 g.” But then under “Other nutritional info:” it says, “10g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber;” Can you tell me which it is? I know 1 g of carbs is not a deal-breaker but when trying to keep the total for the day under a certain number, I’d like to be sure of the carb count in EVERYTHING…LOL!! And, THANK YOU for sharing all these wonderful, delicious recipes!!
Carolyn says
I should have adjusted the carb count in the other nutritional info. It was because the brand of chocolate whey I was using had more carbs than my nutritional counter did, so I added that in to get it more accurate.
Jean B. says
I loved your post!
I also have a stupid question. Is there any easy way to convert a waffle recipe to a pancake recipe? Is any conversion necessary?
Thanks!
Carolyn says
The batter in this recipe is kind of thick. I would add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of liquid to thin it out a bit for pancakes. Not a stupid question at all!
Jean B. says
Thanks, Carolyn! I have a waffle-making phobia, which dates back to the sticky messes I made with a very old waffle maker. I suppose I should get over that, but in the meantime, this looks too good to put off until that day.
Donna says
STUNNING photography…your portraiture is absolutely “top”….
Celia is equally stunning …simply love that choice of name for and wish I would have thought of it at the time of naming the babes!…My husband thought of Cecelia…but I actually like “Celia” more!…I hope to find that very deep cavity waffler in Europe…do you think it might be available in France? Here, the waffle irons are generally much shallower.
Thank you for this winner on all fronts…nutritious, delicious with major eye/texture appeal! This is a must attempt brunch item…coming soon to our very table!
Carolyn says
Thanks, Donna. No idea whether you can get the deep waffle iron in France. Here, they typically call it a Belgian Waffle maker.
Susan Hayes says
Carolyn,
Made these for supper last night – delicious, filling and my glucose reading this AM was beautiful to behold. Being new to this low carb ingredient baking I do have a question. The batter was quite thick. I use extra large eggs and even added about a Tbl of almond milk but still the batter seemed very thick and I barely got 4 waffles from the recipe. I double checked myself and didn’t leave anything out (’cause that happens!), I’m thinking it might be the type go chocolate whey I used (MRM brand -we live in a small town, not a lot of choice), Would you recommend thinning the batter with more almond milk, a little more oil, another egg or doing something else to get those waffles a bit lighter and fluffier?
I can and do experiment but if your greater experience offers a sure fire fix I will gratefully accept it. Thanks!
Carolyn says
I think you might be right, the brand of protein could make a big difference. They may have some sort of thickener in theirs. Not sure…but yes, I think you could thin it out with more almond milk and maybe a bit more oil. My guess is that it will still hold together well, even without an egg. The protein makes it rise well anyway.
Susan Hayes says
Carolyn,
Made these for supper last night – delicious, filling and my glucose reading this AM was beautiful to behold. Being new to this low carb ingredient baking I do have a question. The batter was quite thick. I use extra large eggs and even added about a Tbl of almond milk but still the batter seemed very thick and I barely got 4 waffles from the recipe. I double checked myself and didn’t leave anything out (’cause that happens!), I’m thinking it might be the type go chocolate whey I used (MRM brand -we live in a small town, not a lot of choice), Would you recommend thinning the batter with more almond milk, a little more oil, another egg or doing something else to get those waffles a bit lighter and fluffier?
I can and do experiment but if your greater experience offers a sure fire fix I will gratefully accept it. Thanks!
Ellie says
Hi there
I realize it would add some calories and such but is there a way to get away with not buying those 2 special sweeteners? I have access to the grocery store sweeteners, but a tight budget.
Thanks!
Carolyn says
What sweetener would you prefer to use?
Jennifer says
Hi Carolyn! I finally finished up the post and filled in the pictures! Check it out whenever you’d like 🙂
Cameron Hooper says
Hello,
I included your recipe in a list of 33 different healthy breakfast recipes. I hope you don’t mind the link back to your website :). If you are not ok with it, just let me know and I will take it down: http://hbhcoaching.com/33-healthy-breakfast-ideas-to-kickstart-your-day/
Be well & Be Happy,
Cameron Hooper
Giselle says
Is there a substitute for the Greek yogurt? Possibly using coconut cream? These look so delicious.
Carolyn says
That’s certainly worth a try!
Ben says
i came for a recipe, not pictures of your kids
Carolyn says
Well aren’t you lucky, then, because you get both! 🙂
Edwina | Kitchen Appliances says
Beautiful photos. My children would love these waffles for breakfast. They look so delicious. I’m not sure that I will ever be able to make my waffles look as perfect as yours but at least they should taste good!
Helena says
Yum. Can’t wait to try these waffles. Chocolate hazelnut is my favorite flavor. And I love your photos. Those family photos are really special, you did a great job.
Meg says
If I omit the hazelnut do I still need to have the hazelnut meal to get the right texture? If I don’t use the hazelnut, any idea how it changes the nutrition information?
Carolyn says
Yes, you need the hazelnut meal or some sort of nut meal.