Gluten Free Banana Bread Waffles

Gluten Free Banana Bread Waffles (4 ingredient, sugar free and gluten free)

if you love banana bread but don't love the time and process it takes to make it, you will be obsessed with these 4 ingredient banana bread waffles. not only are they the perfect use of any overripe bananas sitting on your counter but they will become a permanent fixture in your breakfast rotation too! they taste just like classic banana bread but take half the time and you only need four healthy ingredients.

these gluten free banana bread waffles are naturally sweetened with ripe bananas, completely added sugar free, and made with cassava flour for the perfect soft and fluffy texture. cassava flour is made from the whole root of the cassava plant and has a naturally neutral flavour that works really well in a lot of bakes. it is very absorbent and acts differently to regular gluten flour but it still gives you a soft and moist crumb without the graininess you can get with other gluten free flours. the texture is really reminiscent of a classic banana bread loaf but extra soft.

one thing i love about bananas as a sweetener is that they bring so much more than just sweetness. they add natural moisture to the batter, contribute potassium and vitamin B6, and help create that soft, tender interior. the more spotted and overripe your bananas are, the sweeter and more flavourful your waffles will be, so this is really one of the best uses for bananas that have gone past the point of eating fresh.

these are perfect for busy mornings since the batter comes together in under 10 minutes and the waffles cook quickly. they also store well in the fridge and reheat beautifully in the toaster or oven on low heat, so you can make a batch at the weekend and enjoy them during the week. feeling more banana bread goodness? your next bake should be my chocolate chip banana bread bars.

cinnamon note: i always use ceylon cinnamon instead of cassia. there are several reasons for this but the most important to know is that cassia cinnamon can become toxic if consumed too frequently in large amounts and since i am a massive cinnamon lover i always go heavy handed with it and add it to all my autumn or cozy bakes.

the actual science behind this comes down to a compound found in cinnamon called coumarin. it is 250 times higher in cassia cinnamon vs ceylon cinnamon. the effects of this compound are quite varied ranging from liver toxicity, interactions with medication to gastrointestinal discomfort. whereas, ceylon cinnamon only contains trace amounts of coumarin and has several health benefits such as improved glycemic control, high polyphenol count, antimicrobial functions and cardiovascular support. so feel free to go heavy handed with the ceylon cinnamon!

the waffle maker is the main component of this recipe and is what makes it so much faster than baking a loaf of banana bread. if you have never tried waffle sticks before, you are in for a treat, not only are they so cute but the size means you get the perfect touch of crisp textures and soft centers which is basically the best part of banana bread. and each waffle stick only takes a couple of minutes to cook! if you don't have a waffle stick maker, a regular waffle iron works just as well.

a properly preheated waffle iron is key here and what makes the waffle sticks cook without getting stuck but also achieving those golden crisp edges. most waffle irons have an indicator light that tells you when they're ready but as a rough guide i let mine cook for 2 minutes on each side. ensure you lightly grease the iron before and between each waffle even if it says the iron is non-stick, because the banana batter has a slightly higher natural sugar content that can caramelise and stick to even a non-stick surface.

turning these into waffle sticks is such a fun idea for kids, for grabbing on the go, or just because they're so much easier to dip than a full waffle! once the waffles are done, let them cool slightly. you can enjoy them still warm and freshly baked or store them and reheat in the toaster for your next sweet snack or meal prepped breakfast. they're perfect for dipping into your fave nut butter, even a small bowl of melted dark chocolate for an indulgent moment or just eating them as is!