Given the choice between pancakes, waffles or crepes, I’ll take waffles any day! I love a waffle that’s crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, then topped with fresh fruit, nuts and warm maple syrup. This banana buttermilk waffle recipe has been my “go to” recipe for years, but recently I have made a change in the flours that has taken something quite good and made it even better. The recipe uses an overripe banana in place of any oil or butter. I also use buttermilk to add more flavor and texture. A variety of toppings can be used so be sure to read the Kitchen Notes for suggestions.
My first waffle iron was one I inherited from my great aunt back in ’76. It was one of those heavy electric cast-iron waffle irons that produced a PERFECT waffle every single time. Unfortunately, I only had it for 15 years before it bit the dust. Not bad for a kitchen appliance that was probably purchased in the 50′s! It took me about 5 years and 3 different waffle irons to find another one that came close to the waffles that my aunt’s made, but I finally found one that works. I use a Krups, 4-square Belgian waffle maker and love it! (No, I was not paid to say that. 
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Banana Buttermilk Waffles with Strawberries and Pecans Recipe
Serves: 8 squares
Prep and Cook time: 30 minutes or less
Ingredients
1 cup unbleached flour, sifted
1 cup spelt flour (or whole wheat flour), sifted
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 large overripe banana, mashed
1 large egg
½ tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup low fat milk
Strawberry Pecan Topping
2 cups sliced strawberries
½ cup coarsely chopped pecans
Warm maple syrup
Instructions
- Lightly spray or brush the waffle iron with oil. Plug in to start heating.
- In a mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar) and whisk.
- In another bowl, mash the banana, add the egg and whisk.
- Add the vanilla, buttermilk, and milk. Whisk thoroughly.
- Combine the dry and wet ingredients. Stir gently with a rubber spatula until ingredients are combined. Batter will be a little lumpy. (Do NOT over stir.)
- When the waffle iron is ready, scoop a generous 1/3 cup batter into each square of the waffle iron (or whatever your iron requires). Close the top and let the waffles cook until done.
- Transfer the waffle squares to plates. Top with the strawberries, chopped pecans, and warm maple syrup.
Enjoy for breakfast, brunch or Sunday night supper!
Kitchen Notes
The flours – Recently my friend over at Tasty, Easy, Healthy, Green has turned me on to spelt flour so I decided to substitute my usual 1 cup of whole wheat flour with 1 cup of spelt. I really didn’t think these waffles could get any better, but the nuttiness of the spelt added another level of flavor and the texture was perfect. One day I might get brave and use all spelt, but for now, the 1:1 ratio is perfect for us! Of course you can always experiment with your own combination of flours, but I do highly recommend this one.
The banana – Overripe bananas are perfect for these waffles because they mash up quite nicely into a puree’ that incorporates into the batter. Also, the moisture of the banana and the buttermilk eliminate the need for butter or oil in the batter. I normally use 1 large banana, but if the bananas I have are small, I’ll use 2.
The Buttermilk – What can I say? I like using buttermilk, especially in things like waffles, pancakes, and cornbread. It adds a richness and taste that you don’t get with milk. For the milk I use 1% because that’s what we have in the fridge.
The Strawberries – These waffles can be topped with just about any fruit. Just use what you have. I love the strawberries as well a mixed berries. You can also top it with chopped apples or more banana.
The pecans – Pecans are hard to beat. You can choose to pan roast them, but I don’t. Walnuts and almonds can be used, but they are not near as good as pecans.
The maple syrup – The syrup on my mom’s table was either Log Cabin or Karo. Once I tasted maple syrup there was no turning back. Warmed maple syrup is hard to beat.
As a kid I use to make sure that every little hole in the waffle was filled with syrup before taking that first bite. So you can only imagine that by the time I filled up every waffle hole, I had enough syrup on my plate for at least 4 squares! Needless to say, I’ve cut WAY back on the amount of syrup.
Don’t have a Waffle Iron? – Not to worry – make pancakes! I’ve made pancakes with this same recipe and they were great!
What to do with leftover waffles?
I always make extra waffles for the leftov
ers. Bobby’s favorite thing to do with leftover waffles is to fry an egg in bacon drippings and place it on a toasted waffle, followed with warm maple syrup. Today for lunch I took it one step further. I added bacon!
What do you do with leftover waffles?
This recipe is part of the following blog hops. Be sure to click on the links to see more fabulous recipes!
April 2012 #berry love, Mix It Up Monday, My Meatless Monday, Midnight Maniac Meatless Monday, Just Another Meatless Monday, Hearth and Soul, Whole Food Wednesday, Foodie Friday, Katherine Martinelli’s Mother’s Day Hop, Made With Love Monday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Weekend Potluck, Breakfast Ideas Monday
The recipe was featured at Elsa Cooks’ Hearth and Soul blog hop and Made With Love Monday.
MJ, this looks so good! I love breakfast, and waffles in particular! Thanks for the tip on the waffle maker … I have been looking for a good one!
Wow… what a way to start Sunday!! Gorgeous waffles
I think I have to agree with you.. waffles are pretty fabulous and I also prefer them to pancakes! 
I’m glad you found a waffle maker that finally pleases you…. good to know if I’m ever in the market for one. 
Waffles are one of my favorite breakfast treats as well. When I was in college the cafeteria had these big Belgian waffle makers at brunch on the weekends. It was the only reason I got out of bed in the morning. They were just that good!
MJ, these waffles look really delicious. Love the nuts and fruit toppings. My choice also is the waffle for it’s crispiness on the outside. Pancakes are too soft. Glad you were able to find a replacement for that old trusty waffle iron, I remember those.
Those old waffles irons were the best! They just don’t make them like that anymore. Thanks for the comments as always!
Oh wow what I wouldn’t do to own a waffle iron – these look sensational
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I really want one of those old school waffle irons that you got in the 70s.
These waffles look incredible, and I love incorporating ripe bananas into pancakes and waffles. I don’t have a waffle iron but I will most definitely make pancakes!
These look great! Love the toppings and the addition of banana. I had my first ever waffle last year while on my holiday in Belgium and I instantly fell in love with it
You first ever just last year!?!? Well, I’m sure it’s been hard to beat what you had in Belgium. Since you fell in love with them, you really should try making them at home. They are such a treat!
Oh, these look amazing, MJ! I adore waffles topped with fruit…and even better, with fruit in the batter. YUM!
That’s like the perfect breakfast MJ! It looks so delicious! I don’t own a waffle iron yet but maybe I should consider getting one soon once i find a space in the kitchen to keep it.! haha
That’s how I feel about a slowcooker. Where on earth would I put it!?!?!
These waffles look good topped with fruits. I love how you incorporated spelt flour and mashed banana in the regular flour.
And By the way thanks for trying out baingan bharta recipe.
What a fabulous waffles! These are way too good, no fat and least sugar!
Wow Mj, this is what I am talking about for breakfast. I love banana pancakes and know I will now love them in waffles and the fresh fruit makes it extra yummy!
Looks Fabulous! Love waffles and I’ve been trying to use strawberries in as many recipes as possible this spring. Just pinned it!
The waffles look perfect! I was considering purchasing a waffle baker last month, as here in Sweden there is an official waffle day (25th of March) but I could not decide which one to buy because I’ve never owned one and had no one to consult either. Glad to hear you like yours. Will look that one up.
YUM! I love the idea of banana waffles…and with strawberries on top? Mmm!
I’ve never made waffles – shocking admission, I know! Just have never had a waffle iron. I should really get one some day, because I do remember when I was a kid, doing what you did – filling each waffle hole with syrup! I doubt if I’d do that these, days, but you never know! And there’s nothing like real maple syrup. Nothing. Anyway, I do make pancakes all the time, so I may take this recipe out for a test spin on my griddle. Nice post – thanks.
Sounds great to me two of my favorite fruits and together with waffles a great breakfast treat
sending some berry love to you!
I LOVE waffles and the one I was gifted has conked off. Its been on my list to get it working so that sunday mornings are magical once again.
These sound super delicious and would be just the perfect way to begin any day.
Look at the rise on those gorgeous waffles… I don’t eat waffles often but it seems to me that mine do not look nearly as accomplished
(darn those heavy whole grains!). Buttermilk, mmm…. I’m with you. Luminous photos MJ.
I would also pick Waffles over anything and these look absolutely yummy!!I love the addition of pecans for that nutty crunch in every bite!Hmm I can almost taste the deliciousness right now
I look forward to trying this out. I think the combination of spelt and banana sounds amazing. I’m with you. Waffles every time!
OMG! the first pic is too tempting, unfortunately I do not have a waffle iron…but u r tempting me to buy one asap…hmmm banana, buttermilk and strawberry..YUIM!
I would love those for the breakfast too! Looks so good!
That is one gorgeous, fluffy waffle–it looks amazing! I would choose that over pancakes or crepes any day.
I am so with you on that. I would totally take a waffle over pancakes any ol’ day. I love the crisp exterior and the fluffy soft interior, plus all the crevices that get filled with warm syrup.
Spelt flour I will have to give it a try. they look wonderful and buttermilk does add a great touch. I always use buttermilk in mine. My mom had a cast iron waffle iron and she loved it.
They don’t make equipments the way they used to, MJ and that’s a shame. Love waffles and more syrup for me, please. Have a good week, MJ.
This makes me wish I have a waffle maker…
Love waffles and I love spelt flour too – just figured out recently what it is in French, so I can find it here too
A very tasty breakfast treat here MJ
I love waffles. Yours look so fantastic, so delicious
Unlike you and my daughters, I will go for pancakes rather than waffles. But I won’t say no to a banana flavored waffle like this especially if it’s topped with strawberries and pecans.
Hope you’re having a good week, MJ!
Someone has to keep the pancakes going Tina!
I love waffles, and yours look amazing, my friend!
I have to improve my skills with pancakes (I have to find the right recipe, I think), and then I want to start with waffles…
Here in Piedmont in some places (next to France, where waffles are called gauffres) they call them “goffri”.
I love languages
Interesting! I do love languages and have tried to learn both French and Spanish, but there is something in my brain that just doesn’t connect. Maybe it’s the method. I’m still trying with Spanish.
I love that you used a banana to cut the traditional added fat like oil or butter and a good iron is really the key to a good waffle. My mom still has her original waffle maker with the cast iron plates and it still makes the best waffles. My more recent purchase of a cuisinart griddler has been less than stellar
I’m so jealous that your mom still has her original waffle iron! Like Ray said – they just don’t make equipment like they use to. Hopefully, you can find a make that you like!
Wow, that use for left-over waffles really does sound awesome. I’ve never combined all four parts into one “sandwich” meal, but what’s not to love? Thanks so much for sharing these waffles…
Oh my, oh my, oh my. Nuff said.
This looks like an absolutely perfect waffle recipe! I love it!!!
wow, the pics are just lovely! i love crisp waffles too, nothin beats it… i love the detailed explanations and substitutions u have mentioned this is such a helpful post bookmarking it for that day when i will own a waffle maker
MJ….I’d choose a waffle over pancakes or crepes any day, too! But I am ashamed to tell you….I’ve always made my waffles ‘plain’! You have inspired me to change that! We have waffles a couple of weekends each month…and you can be sure my next batch will be banana! These look absolutely perfect….nice and thick and golden brown and I know how sweet and chewy the insides must be! Your pictures, as usual, are just beautiful! : )
There’s something so special about the waffle iron pan! I need to get one!
I would love this for breakfast, everyday
I’d take waffles over pancakes any day too! We have a round waffle maker that can flip – before that was square kind that it was so hard to wash. Ever since we have a new waffle maker, we really enjoy making waffles on weekends. Ahem, not “we” it’s actually hubby’s job… I’m keeping this recipe. Using spelt sounds interesting. Your waffles make me hungry even at night time!
I love waffles for breakfast and this looks super cool!! Bookmarked!
It’s a shame that waffles aren’t yet as popular in the States as they are over in Europe. Anyways, MJ, these look like a fabulous way to start the day – fresh and golden!
I definitely need to get a waffle maker. I’ve been resisting since I probably don’t need another kitchen appliance but I want it and I want to make these. Love the idea of using a banana instead of other oil/fat.
I love waffles too! I was just given a waffle iron the other day and I’ve been excited to give it a try. I will have to save this recipe and try it out this weekend. And as always, your pictures are stunning! Thanks so much for sharing with the Hearth and Soul!!
This looks divine! Thanks so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday
The spelt flour is an interesting and healthy addition. Please share this on my foodie friday linky today.
Hello! I featured your recipe in Hearth and Soul today. Thanks so much for sharing your lovely recipe!
they sound like my kind of a Sunday morning feast. Can’t wait to make them.
So glad that you like the spelt flour! I’m still experimenting with it, but I love the nutty flavor it adds to baked goods. Angie over at Angie’s Recipes (http://angiesrecipes.blogspot.com/) has inspired me to use more spelt flour.
that sounds really good! I like the idea of using leftovers in such a creative way!
These look delicious MJ! Thanks so much for linking up to the Weekend Potluck! Can’t wait to see what you bring this weekend!
I’ve never had banana waffles, but I am always looking for new ways to use them. And, I love the strawberry banana combination. Looks delicious.