Waffle Wednesday - Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Waffles

Years ago my younger brother and I happened upon an episode of Bear in the Big Blue House. The bear looked right into the camera, sniffed the camera and said "You smell warm, like a waffle". We laughed and laughed and still reference that moment to this day. I have no idea why it's so funny to us, but it's great.

While I'm not sure that I could identify the smell of the warmth of a waffle, I do know that I really enjoy waffles, but since going gluten free (5 years ago!) I don't eat them very often. 

Corbin and I do a lot of cooking together and for one another. He's pretty much a professional at breakfast and has told me about brunch parties he's hosted where the waffle maker has come out. Feeling envious of the waffle fun, I decided that we needed to create a delicious gluten free waffle, thereby creating "Waffle Wednesday". 

This is the first of our gluten free waffle creations and I have to say, we were both pretty stoked with the result. These waffles are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside and the caramelized apple topping makes them taste like a healthier version of Apples Jacks (that weird green-hued apple-cinnamon flavored breakfast cereal from your childhood).

Apple Cinnamon Waffles (aka Apple Jack Waffles)
Gluten, dairy and soy free
Makes 4 large waffles

Waffles

1 c. brown rice flour

1/2 c. sorghum flour

1/4 c. tapioca flour

1/4 c. arrowroot

3 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

2 eggs

1 c. almond milk

1/2 c. coconut oil (plus a bit more for the waffle iron

2 tbsp maple syrup

1/2 tsp vanilla

Apple Topping

1-2 granny smith apples, cored and thinly sliced

1 tbsp coconut oil

2 tbsp maple syrup

1 tsp cinnamon 

Directions

Heat up your waffle iron

Mix together all dry ingredients for the waffles

In a separate bowl mix together wet ingredients and then add them to the dry

Once well combined, let the mixture rest for 10-15 minutes. Don't skip this step! It helps the batter to thicken which will make a better waffle - we promise

While batter is resting, heat coconut oil in a pan for the apple topping. Add apples, maple syrup and cinnamon and saute until the apples are softened and are caramelized

Lightly coat the waffle iron with coconut oil. Ensure surface of iron is covered, but you don't need to use a tonne

Pour waffle batter onto greased waffle iron so that it is 2/3 - 3/4 full. Err on the side of less so that waffle batter doesn't flow over the sides

Close waffle iron and let the waffles cook to your desired crispiness. Don't be impatient and open the waffle iron too early because you will rip apart your waffle and that will be tragic. Ours took about 7 minutes to get crispy.

Remove waffle and top with apples and additional maple syrup

If you want to save some waffles for another day, undercook them a little bit (so they are less crispy on the outside), put them into a container and freeze them. When you want to eat them, just pop a waffle into the toaster or toaster oven to heat. An easy peasy way to have waffles any day you'd like them!

These waffles are so tasty!! The apples and cinnamon make them extra delicious. Waffle Wednesday #1 was a success!

Next week: Choco-Quinoa Cupcake Waffles. Stay tuned, because Waffle Wednesday is now a thing!