This banana waffle recipe makes naturally sweet buttermilk waffles. They’re soft and fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside — a perfect breakfast treat!
I always have good intentions when I buy 1-2 bunches of bananas, thinking my family will finish them all before they start to over-ripen. More times than I can count, a few of them end up becoming a little too overripe. But, I’m not complaining — cause that means I can make these easy banana waffles!
Of course, your bananas don’t have to be overripe to use in this recipe, but realistically, that’s almost always what happens to me. This easy banana waffle recipe is a fantastic way to use up any leftover bananas on your counter before your next grocery shopping trip (when you’ll probably be buying another fresh bunch of bananas!).
Hot tip: The Drozhzhin family loves waffles (and our waffle maker). I’ve actually made more than just waffles in mine — check this video out to see what else you can use your waffle maker for!
Banana Waffles Video
How to Make Banana Waffles
There’s a reason why I call these banana waffles “easy”. All it takes is a mix of the batter and your waffle iron does the rest. It’s no surprise that the prep time and cook time are only 10 minutes each!
- Make the banana waffle batter: Combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients and the mashed bananas, then fold in the dry ingredients.
- Fry the waffles: Preheat your waffle iron. Once the indicator light turns on to show it’s ready, pour the batter onto the iron and cook until the waffles are golden brown and crispy. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Banana Waffles
Banana waffles are pretty straightforward. Nonetheless, we have a few tips to help you enjoy an unforgettable waffle experience.
- Be patient with cooking: Fast is great, but don’t go too fast. Wait for your waffle maker to be ready before pouring in the waffle batter. Then, wait for the waffles to fully cook or else they may turn out more soggy than crispy.
- Use a cooking spray: Sometimes waffles may stick to the iron because the iron is a little old and needs a little bit of oil. If you find your waffles falling apart, grease the iron with cooking spray in between each batch to ensure your waffles come off cleanly. I love the coconut oil spray from Trader Joe’s or this one.
- Opt for overripe bananas: Brown, spotty bananas may look a little off-putting, but they are the best for baking. For the sweetest waffles (did you notice there’s no added sugar in this recipe?), use ripe bananas for their sweet, most intense banana flavor.
- Use buttermilk: Buttermilk is a must for fluffy waffles — it reacts with the baking powder to create a bubbly and light batter.
- Mash the bananas well: Chunky mashed bananas are great for banana bread, but a smooth mash is better for waffles because it ensures banana flavor in each bite. Take the time to mash the bananas thoroughly.
- Mix the batter gently: Fold in the dry ingredients carefully to avoid overmixing. Overmixing can create tough and dense waffles.
- Keep the waffles warm in the oven: For crispy, fresh waffles, transfer them straight off the iron to a cooling rack. Place the rack in a 175°F oven until you are ready to serve the waffles — it’s a great way to keep the cooked waffles warm as you finish cooking the rest.
Still have more bananas? Go “bananas” over this banana bread, banana chocolate chip muffins, banana oatmeal pancakes, or search the blog for even more banana recipes!
Waffle Mix-ins
Do you need to add mix-ins to banana waffles? Definitely not. But are they a fun and tasty surprise? That’s a yes!
- Chocolate chips: Stir in a handful of mini chocolate chips for an indulgent chocolate-y treat.
- Cinnamon: Add a sprinkle of cinnamon for a subtle warmth and sweet flavor.
- Berries: Toss in fresh blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a fruity pop.
Hot tip: Other than mix-ins, there’s tons of ways to serve these waffles. Enjoy them as part of a breakfast charcuterie board with a range of toppings like maple syrup, peanut butter, chocolate chips, berries, and raspberry jam.
Storing & Reheating Banana Waffles
In case you have leftover banana waffles, you’re lucky! Here are a few pointers for storing and reheating your leftovers to easily enjoy again soon.
- Refrigerator: To store for up to three days, transfer the leftover waffles to an airtight container or bag and refrigerate.
- Freezer: To store for up to four months, place the leftover waffles in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze. Separate the waffles with layers of wax paper or parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
- Reheating: For the best crisp, reheat leftover waffles in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to ensure each waffle warms evenly. If you’re short on time or only want to reheat one or two waffles, pop them in the toaster.
More Waffle Recipes
- Oatmeal Cottage Cheese Waffles — Rich and hearty waffles with cottage cheese and rolled oats
- Liege Belgian Waffles — Yeast-leavened waffles with an irresistible crisp
- Chocolate Waffles — Indulgent and sweet double-chocolate waffles
- Croffle (Croissant Waffles) — Mini croissants cooked into a waffle form in the iron
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large bananas mashed
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter melted
Instructions
- Combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mash the bananas and add in all the wet ingredients. Whisk until well combined.
- Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until the mixture is smooth.
- Preheat a waffle maker. Spoon the batter onto the hot iron and cook until the waffles are lightly golden and crispy. Enjoy!
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