My toddler started “school”. Preschool. It’s been a transitionary time for our family – paint-stained clothing, some tears, and lots of new germs. Which means we’ve all been sick, and I’ve spent our monthly budget on Kleenex and Nose Frida filters (YUCK). It also means rushed mornings! These gluten free chocolate strawberry waffle sticks have become a staple food for our new Monday-Friday.
Truth be told, I made these like three times before I got them right. UGH. Nothing like trying to have a low-key weekend and your waffle batter doesn’t do what you want it to do. Kind of like raising a toddler.
We’ve been working on manners lately, which means 54,934 reminders to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ – especially when my son asks for something. I’m sooooo over hearing the following (loud) demands from the living room: “MOMMA! SNACK!!! MOOOOOMMMMMMAAAA SNNNNAAAAACK!!!” Remember that scene in Wedding Crashers, when Will Ferrel screams at his mom, “MA, MEATLOAF! WE WANT IT NOW!”? I’m having nightmares of my 40-something son still yelling at me to serve him.
“How do you ask me?” I calmly say, seriously wondering if patience is the #1 key in raising children. Immediately after my subtle reminder, he’ll respond with the polite ask that I’ve been preaching for the last 9 months. But it takes a crazy amount of consistency.
Once we stared preschool, mornings because nuttier than ever, trying to get him ready and fed in time so daddy can drop him off on his way to work. Hearing those sweet asks and/or demands for breakfast when I’m still feeding the baby, haven’t had a chance to pull bed head into a ponytail, and trying to get the dog out to potty before I see it on the rug means I need to come up with portable options the little ruler can munch on during the morning drive is clutch.
But something in my real-foodie momma core feels compelled to give him portable breakfasts that are homemade, with no preservatives, or sugar, or junk. I know it seems easier to slam a lego-my-eggo in front of his face and say, “have a great day!” but I can’t, I just can’t. Luckily after my 3rd attempt at getting ’em just right, these gluten free chocolate strawberry waffle sticks are easy and simple to make, keep well in the refrigerator, and are waaaay better to grab during the crazy morning rush than some frozen cardboard waffle.
Packed with real fruit and sweetened naturally with cocoa powder and maple syrup, these are a fantastic alternative to packaged breakfasts, plus fun for little hands! No soggy waffles here – these gluten free chocolate strawberry waffles hold their shape, warm or cold. Less mess in the car means one happy parent (aside from the RXBAR wrappers, extra diapers, barre socks and stuffed in my car door).
Dust off that old waffle maker you registered for when ya got hitched but haven’t used in years, and start cookin’ up the breakfast dreams are made of.
Be sure to check out these other healthy portable breakfast options too!
Healthy Breakfast Banana Boats
Flourless Red Velvet Beet Mini Muffins
- 1 cup oat flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons cornmeal
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup (or more for a sweeter waffle)
- 3 tablespoons almond milk
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup finely diced fresh strawberries
- If making your own oat flour, pour 1 cup oats into a blender or food processor until broken down to consistency of flour
- Combined the oat flour, baking soda, cocoa powder, and cornmeal in a bowl and mix to combine
- Add the maple syrup, almond milk, and eggs. Stir well
- Then stir in the diced strawberries
- Pour a heaping ½ cup of the mixture into a lightly sprayed, hot waffle iron. As soon as it's poured, use the back of a spoon or the bottom of the measuring cup to gently spread the mixture around. However, you don't need to ensure it makes it to the edges. Close the iron
- Cook for 3-4 minutes depending on your waffle iron - usually once it's done steaming
- Let the waffles cool, then following the pattern, cut into the desired-sized sticks
- *The waffles are not overly sweet (since the strawberries add an additional natural sweetness. Add more maple syrup if desired
Yes to fun breakfasts 🙂 I know it makes all kids happy (and grateful) 😉
Oh, wow! What a delicious and healthy breakfast option for the kiddos (and me)! They would gobble these up!
Ha remember when I said I attempted these 3 times? Yeah those failed ones just went RIGHT to my belly!!
I could definitely pack some of these for a quick breakfast; I’ve never heard of waffle sticks, but they sound absolutely stupendous. And less mess in the car is ALWAYS good! 🙂
Remember those french toast sticks at Burger King or something? Kind of inspired by that, but a healthy version of course!
Um SO GOOD! Fun food makes weekday mornings 10x better <3
YAAASS especially fun food that you don’t have to spend time making since it’s already DONE!
Lol, we’ve always been big on please and thank-you’s in our house too. Just stay consistent and he’ll get it, I promise. These look delicious and both me and my kids would love them!
Is the cornmeal a must? I have all of the other ingredients to make the for breakfast tomorrow. Looks delicious!
Definitely not a must. I used it because I liked them with a slight crunch. But you could omit and they’d be fine!