Whole Wheat Banana Bread Waffles

Tell me I'm not the only one who waffles between making a good effort at eating nutritiously and binging on Red Vines and Diet Coke? (see what I did there? waffles? *pats self on back for making cringe-worthy pun*). I'm perpetually working on finding that sweet spot of enjoying foods that taste delicious that I'll have fun making and we'll all love eating, that are still reasonably healthy. Especially challenging is Forrest, who--and this will come as a total surprise to you because I have never ever mentioned this before--is a wee bit difficult and picky (shock! awe!), and puts up an impressive little fight when faced with the prospect of anything that might contain, say, a vitamin or mineral. So giving some of his favorite foods--like pancakes and waffles--a healthy boost is an ongoing project for me.

Today, the humble waffle takes on some delicious new flavors and gets a boost in a healthier direction with the addition of fruit, nuts, and whole wheat flour. Just as delicious as ever--maybe even more so, thanks to moist, flavorful bananas and perfectly crunchy walnuts--but healthier than ever before.

I served my waffles with Silk Almond Protein + Fiber, and I'll tell you, it made for a delicious and healthy meal high in (obviously) protein and fiber, plus plenty of calcium (I'm convinced I'll have osteoporosis by age 30--I'm not sure I ever get enough calcium in a day). Such a yummy and healthy and filling breakfast.

Whole Wheat Banana Bread Waffles
adapted from Mother Thyme

2 overripe bananas, mashed
1 cup 1% milk
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 cups white wheat flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
chopped walnuts
sliced banana

Preheat waffle iron. Combine bananas, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and oil, and mix thoroughly. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add the banana mixture to the dry ingredients and mix just until moistened.

Scoop a generous 1/3 cup of batter onto greased waffle iron and cook through. Top with banana slices, chopped walnuts, and maple syrup.

makes about 6 waffles

These are so delicious and satisfying that I'm not sure I would have believed they were healthy if I hadn't made them myself. That's always a good thing. And we loved eating them with a big glass of Silk--they made a great pair. If you want to try out new Silk Almond Protein + Fiber or Silk Almond Coconut Blend, head over to the Silk facebook page to grab yourself a coupon!

Enjoy your Whole Wheat Banana Bread Waffles, and if you have any tips for me on how to convince a picky little eater that vegetables are not, in fact, the devil incarnate, I am all ears.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.