How Overnight Oats Become High Protein Waffles

Often one favorite recipes leads to another. Such was the case with a recipe for overnight oats, that I crafted for the team at The dairy Alliance. The post on their blog is called, “Because Milk and Oatmeal Aren’t Just for Breakfast Any More.” You can read it here. The single serving jars of oatmeal made with old fashioned rolled oats, whole milk, honey, flax and chia seed and blueberries are a quick and easy, nutritious and delicious way to start the day. But, after I made them, I started thinking about other ways to use the mix in recipes for batter breads and muffins. And that is how I landed on this recipe for High Protein Waffles.

From Oatmeal to Smoothies

When I was working on the milk and oatmeal recipe for The Dairy Alliance, I was sipping on a smoothie made my with favorite protein powder from Mighty Muscadine in Advance NC.

I love it because its local and made from North Carolina’s favorite super fruit, muscadines. It’s the skins and the seeds of this native NC grape that go to making it such a super source of antioxidants. This protein powder is delicious with an easy to blend texture – not chalky tasting at all. It’s flavored with vanilla, so it is it’s own sweetener, although a touch of local honey in these recipes is a nice addition.

The Muscadine Protein Powder itself is also GMO free, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Egg Free and vegan with no trans fats. So it’s good for everyone to enjoy. And, easy to add back in the foods you can eat and enjoy. Now, on top of everything else, I know, as good as it is to drink, it’s great to bake and cook with, too!

Where to Buy?

It is available to order online with all the other Mighty Muscadine products. I also love the Green Tea and Muscadine energy shots and the Muscadine hand and body lotion – you will, too. Read more and order online here.

Truth is, I enjoy this protein powder every day in smoothies ( like the Matcha Nude matcha smoothie I did in this instagram video); or blended with fruits and Mighty Muscadine juice and sometimes simply stirred into my coffee or tea. But, I had never baked with it – or made pancakes or waffles with it – and thought it might be worth a try. The idea of a high protein waffles, that I could make a take with me on travels or perhaps enjoy as a waffle sandwich was sounding very appealing.

How to Make the High Protein Waffles Batter

Start with one jar of the basic overnight oats recipe made with whole milk, honey and flax or chia seeds and a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries. You’ll find the exact recipe here.

Add ground flax seeds or chia seeds to your overnight oats, as you would like. Watch my instagram video on how to assemble the ingredients for your overnight oats here.

Neither the ground flax seed or the chia seed addition offers much flavor; but the flax seeds add high fiber and Omega 3 fatty acids. Be sure you buy them ground or grind them in a coffee grinder for best results. The chia seeds don’t need to be ground at all. They add fiber, a bit of protein and, while, not as much as the milk, also add some minerals essential for bone health, including calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. The more the merrier, right?

As I mentioned in the article I wrote for The Dairy Alliance, despite the catchy name, you don’t really have to wait overnight to enjoy or use these oats. Give the mix about an hour in the fridge to marry and you are good to keep going.

Add Your Favorite Fruits. My Go To is Blueberries

First, I turned my overnight oats in a high protein smoothie by putting them in the blender with a scoop of the Mighty Muscadine Protein Powder and a handful of extra blueberries.

I try hard to freeze fruit when it’s in season to enjoy during the winter and fall months; but in case you missed the opportunity, look for Seal the Seasons fruits in your grocer’s freezer section. This clever NC company, gleans from farmers in season and seals in the local flavors, freezing them to make it easier for you. They started in Durham NC, but now work with farmers across the country.

Heidi Billotto

Sip Your Smoothie or Make it a Batter for High Protein Waffles

Next, step, make your blueberry smoothie a high protein waffle batter by adding in one egg. And there you have it, a delicious blueberry waffle batter, ready to roll. Cook according to your waffle iron directions.

The final step as to how to enjoy these high protein waffles is up to you. Eat them hot with a drizzle of local honey or maple syrup. Yes, there is Maple Syrup in North Carolina, read more here.

Or, make an extraordinary PB&J with your favorite jams or jellies. Or, just use more blueberries – and your favorite local nut butters.

Mama Young’s Nut Butters for the Win

My go-to in the peanut butter/nut butter category is, without question, Mama Young’s Nut Butters from Steve Young at Coddle Creek Farms.

Steve is proud to pay homage and bring life back to a recipe from his great grandmother “Mama Young,” with an all-natural nut butter. To Steve’s mind this line of nut butters embodies the values with which his great grandmother lived: Simplicity, honestly and love.

In her honor, Steve offers a wide variety of nut butter variations. My favorite is classic crunchy. But, you’ll love them all, from the chocolate peanut butter to the white chocolate peanut butter, almond butter and cashew butter, too.

You can buy Mama Young’s Nut Butters, online via the Coddle Creek Farms website, here . For a limited time, use the code FreeOver60 for free shipping on orders over $60.

Shop Local – Tell Them Heidi Sent You

If you are in the area, you’ll also find them on Saturday mornings at the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market in Building C. Or Tuesday – Saturday at their home base, their farm store in Mooresville, located at 2200 Coddle Creek Hwy Mooresville, NC 28115.

New this year, Steve has come out with a Smoothie Butter, perfect for recipes just like this.  He made it in the same way he crafts his very popular Pupper Butter. Pupper Butter is made for your four legged friends. There is no salt added and the addition of Turmeric, Cinnamon and Coconut Oil. The new Smoothie Butter is a similar recipe, but made for people. Truth is, people can eat the Pupper Butter, too. But, once your dogs have taken a lick, it’s nice to have your own, people friendly jar.