French Style Gluten Free Buckwheat Waffles

This 100% gluten free waffle recipe is the perfect addition to any culinary repertoire. The French use a buckwheat crepe recipe for all of their savoury crepes. Mind you, you can either add some sweetness with maple syrup and top with sliced banana (and some ice-cream for a special occasion!) or simply add some wholesome mushrooms, smoked salmon and goats feta for a nourishing savoury meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup buckwheat flour (we also like a 50:50 of buckwheat and oat flour)
• 1 tablespoon sugar (even if making savoury, this helps to balance the bitterness of the buckwheat)
• 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon (omit if making savoury)
• pinch of sea salt
• 1 large egg (use 1 tbs ground flaxseed for an egg free version)
• 1 ¼ cups buttermilk (see note below)
• ¼ cup melted butter, olive oil or coconut oil

Method:

1. Preheat your waffle machine. If you don’t have one, you can make these as pancakes.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the buckwheat flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
3. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, melted butter/oil and egg.
4. Make a well and pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture. Stir them together until well combined.
5. Allow the batter rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
6. Lightly spray your waffle machine or place small amount of butter into non-stick frypan. Pour batter onto the waffle grills and cook as per machine instructions. If you are adding additional ingredients, top the batter with them if you want them cooked through. For instance, add some cheese and smoked salmon. We also like to cook ours so they are nice and crisp.
7. Once cooked to your liking, carefully lift waffle out and enjoy immediately. Place left over waffles on a cooling rack to avoid them becoming soggy. Reheat in a toaster or place in the oven.

Notes:

• If you don’t have buttermilk, simply add 2 tbs of lemon juice of vinegar to regular milk. Rest for a few minutes before using.
• To reheat your waffles, simply pop them in the toaster or you can keep them warm in the oven. They will keep in the fridge for a couple of days.
• Sweet topping suggestions: maple syrup, almond butter, fresh banana slices, stewed apples, natural yoghurt.
• Savoury topping suggestions: mushrooms, goats feta, fresh herbs, ham off the bone, spinach.
• You can also add the additional ingredients to the mixture when you place it in the machine.

Image credit: Pinterest