Delicious low carb, grain-free waffles with a hint of apple and cinnamon. Pair them with my sugar-free low carb caramel sauce for a special fall breakfast!
It’s strange to think that this is our last fall in New England before we move to the Pacific NorthWest. Although I will always identify myself as a Canadian, New England has become very much home to me; as much “home” as Toronto or Vancouver ever were. And far more “home” than Phoenix ever felt in those long hot 5 years in the desert. There is a lot I will be sad about leaving behind. This is where my husband and I bought our first home. This is where my kids were born, where they spent the first years of their young lives. How could I not be leaving behind millions of little treasured memories? And although the winters can be long and harsh, there is much to love about New England. The ocean, the beaches, the rolling farmlands and the flaming foliage in fall. And the apple picking. I don’t care that apples are fairly high in carbs, apple picking must happen every fall. I MUST take my kids apple picking, sometimes twice. And I must come home with ridiculous amounts of apples I can’t even eat. Because it’s enjoyable and it feels right. I love it.
Yes, I know that there are apples aplenty on the West Coast. But I can assure you that apple picking there will not be the same. Because nothing beats New England in her fall glory…nothing. Well, Ontario does quite nicely in the fall foliage department, but there is nothing like being in a quaint New England town, with houses dating as far back as the 1700’s and some of the old stone markers in the graveyards dating back to the 1600’s. Nothing beats the pretty white New England church set against the deep reds and golds of the old sugar maples. It’s breathtaking, really, and you sometimes feel you are on the set of some movie where wise old professors will be expanding the mind of some bright but troubled young person in old stone college buildings. It always makes me feel nostalgic and gives me an ache in my heart because the perfect beauty of it is so fleeting.
So of course we took our kids apple picking this fall and came home with ridiculous amounts of apples I can’t even eat. Although I do eat them in small quantities. I find ways to work them in and still manage to stay low carb. And I do eat a small one here and there, straight up, usually before heading off on a run or to an intense workout because I know I will burn off the sugars quickly enough. I can’t help it, I love that crisp tart crunch of a freshly picked apple. I need to experience that a few times each fall, if only for a moment or two. We like picking the small ones. They are especially tart and crisp, and perfect for kids’ lunches.
But I always have to come up with some sort of low carb apple recipe and these waffles were just the thing to use up a small (very small!) amount of the apples. A sizeable dash of cinnamon and a touch of apple extract to enhance the flavour, all topped off with some of my sugar-free caramel sauce. Low carb apple heaven! And don’t you think I deserve this last little taste of New England?
Also try this Paleo Apple Gluten Free Coffee Cake from Food Faith Fitness.
Apple Cinnamon Waffles
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup almond flour
- ½ cup flax seed meal I used Organic Golden Flax from Bob's Red Mill
- ⅓ cup Swerve Sweetener
- ¼ cup unflavoured whey protein powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 1 cup finely chopped or grated apple
- ¾ cup almond milk
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon apple extract optional, helps intensify flavour
Instructions
- Preheat a waffle iron to medium and grease if necessary.
- In a large bowl, whisk together almond flour, flax seed meal, sweetener, whey protein powder, baking powder and cinnamon.
- Stir in eggs, apple, almond milk, butter, vanilla extract and apple extract and stir until well combined.
- Spoon a few tablespoons of batter into each section of the waffle iron and close lid. Cook 4 to 6 minutes, or until golden brown on both sides (the amount of batter and time of cooking will depend on your waffle iron).
- Remove waffles and repeat with remaining batter.
- Serve with sugar-free syrup or my sugar-free caramel sauce.
Notes
Saturated fatty acids: 5.83g
Total fat: 24.14g
Calories from fat: 217
Cholesterol: 109mg
Carbohydrate: 12.54g
Total dietary fiber: 7.01g
Protein: 12.63g
Total lipid (fat): 14.22g
Sodium: 241mg
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Kelley says
Hi Carolyn,
I just made these this morning – WOW! They turned out perfectly – crisp and light like a waffle made with wheat flour. I swapped the whey protein for some Jay Robb’s Egg White Protein (Vanilla) and topped them with a little blueberry sauce made with frozen organic bluebs, a dash of vanilla and a few drops of stevia.
Love your site. Thank you for all of the wonderful low carb, grain free recipes!
Kelley
Vicky says
I want to try these but worried about the flax as I’m sensitive to the slimy feel it gives. Is the flax detectable in these?
Carolyn says
Nope, in these waffles, flax helps make them crispy. Not slimy at all. I use Bob’s Red Mill Organic Golden Flax so who knows if brands make a difference but if they do, I suggest that kind.
Zlatka says
Can I substitute applesauce for the grated apple? Thanks!
Carolyn says
I think it would be too liquid-y that way. But you can certainly try.
Zlatka says
I did try, put less than a cup. Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Agnes says
They were really-really delicious! I had to adjust the amount of almond flour, because here in Germany almond flours are different, they seem to soak up more liquid…
Maria says
I forgot to add I had a bit of the batter left over and didn’t want to make another waffle so I buttered a small ramekin and microwaved for 1:45 and it was perfect for a little snack for my daughter when she got home from school.
Carolyn says
Hey, that sounds pretty good. Like a small apple cinnamon mug cake!
Maria says
I just made these today and they were wonderful! I didn’t have the apple extract but I will pick it up next trip to the store.
JOAN says
Love your blog and refer it to lots of friends. I have vanilla whey protein powder and am thinking I can use it and cut back on the swerve. I have a vast quantity of it (don’t ask).
Jennifer says
Any ideas on a nut free version?
Carolyn says
Not specifically for this recipe but I have been using sunflower seed flour to great success. However, it does give things a bit of a funny greenish colour. Will taste great, though!
Charlotte says
Are you military??? Moving to the Bremerton area???
Carolyn says
Nope. No idea where that even is! My husband got a new job and well…I can take my job with me anywhere. 🙂
Christy says
Any suggestions for a non-dairy alternative to the unflavored whey protein powder in this (and many other) recipes? I love so many of your recipes but am dairy-free for at least this month so I need some options. Thanks!
Carolyn says
You bet. Your two best alternatives are hemp protein powder or powdered egg whites (also called meringue powder but be careful because some meringue powder is sweetened). The brand of powdered egg whites I have is called Deb El and I found it at Whole Foods.
S M says
I’ve been on a muffin kick after trying your Pumpkin “Bran” Muffin recipe last week (delicious!) and read the previous comments about the possibility of turning this recipe into muffins. Are there any ingredients I’d need to add additional amounts of to do that?
Also, I’m running low on Swerve, but have powdered erythritol on hand. I haven’t found a good source for a granulated-to-powdered conversion. Is it one-to-one or should I increase the amount? Thanks!
Christy says
Swerve and Erythritol measure the same (also the same as sugar). 🙂
Carolyn says
Sort of. Straight erythritol is said to be about 70% as sweet as sugar but Swerve is formulated to be as sweet as sugar. But you can replace it with the powdered erythritol and then if you use a little bit more stevia extract, it will be just about right.
S M says
Thanks for the info! I made the recipe as muffins yesterday, and they were incredible!
Carolyn says
So glad to hear it!
Amanda says
This looks wonderful!
Hope says
The PNW is the perfect place to live and I’m going out on a limb by guaranteeing that you’ll love it! I’m north of Seattle in Anacortes, the gateway to the beautiful San Juan Islands. You and your family are in for so many new adventures and a wonderful way of life! Where will you be located and when’s the big move?
Carolyn says
I actually used to live in Vancouver BC and I loved it. So it’s not that I won’t love the PNW, but I will definitely miss some things about New England. Vastly different parts of the country! We are moving to Portland, OR.
Jennifer says
I’m in the Portland, OR area and love the Fall here! Welcome to the NW you’ll love it!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Carolyn,
I felt the same way when we were leaving Seattle and had to move here BUT let just tell you, you will find quaint and fun apple orchards in the Pacific NorthWest . . . hang in there. . I know it’s a lot to take in. . but just hope for the best. And all the new memories your family will be making together. . we just went apple picking yesterday. . love this time of the year and hooray for these apple cinnamon waffles!
Carolyn says
Hey, where do you live now, Alice?
Sarah G says
When are you moving? Good luck on that big move, packing it all up and going cross-country! That’s hard work, emotionally and physically.
Since I don’t have a waffle iron, is there any other way I can use this recipe, like a cake?
Carolyn says
How about pancakes? They might make good muffins too. If pancakes, I’d thin the batter a little bit with some extra liquid.
Sarah G says
Ok, like maybe more almond milk for pancakes? Muffins sound awesome too.
Carolyn says
Yes, I’d start with 2 tbsp more for the pancakes, and then add more if you find the batter too thick to spread into pancake shape.
Sarah G says
Will definitely be trying it! Thanks!
janet says
I moved a LOT as a kid, but I think some people are just more intune with certain areas. London will always be my home. I just felt at peace and vibrant when I lived there. I met my hubby there and got engaged. I felt like I belonged! So maybe the PNW will be that for you or maybe one of your children. I’m sure you will find something like your apple picking in your new home, I hear picking ramps in the spring is the thing to do. Good luck!
Lori Stilger says
Well, I’m from New England, but my heart is in the Pacific Northwest. I LOVE it there, and I think you will, too. 🙂 Blessings on your new home, too! 🙂
Monica says
I can’t wait to try these, I just bought apple extract to make the caramel apple coffee cake, which was delicious beyond words. I am already making another one. Thanks so much for all your efforts on these recipes. Your site is my favorite.
Carolyn says
Thanks, Monica. That warms my heart!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
New England definitely has its charm, especially this time of year with the leaves turning color. I’ve always envied people who live in the Pacific Northwest. Somehow I have this notion that the pace is less crazy and the access to fresh seafood and produce more varied. Loving this low carb waffle recipe you came up with. A waffle iron is one appliance I still don’t have but keep thinking about.