Gaufres are classic French-style waffles that the whole family will love - perfect for weekend breakfasts, special occasions or as a delightful snack any time; made with wholemeal flour and naturally sweetened with applesauce, this wholesome version is toddler-friendly with no added salt or sugar, crispy on the outside and fluffy inside, great for baby-led weaning and can be adapted to serve with fresh fruit for extra nutrition, spread with nut butter for protein, or kept plain for fussier eaters; follow this simple recipe for authentic European-style waffles that introduces your child to classic breakfast treats while keeping everything nutritious, safe and utterly delicious.
General Information
Servings: 6 small waffles Keywords: gaufres, waffles, toddler friendly, no salt, no sugar, applesauce, wholemeal, kid-friendly, easy, family Calories: ~279 kcal per serving Protein: ~9.7 g per serving Carbs: ~35 g per serving Fats: ~12 g per serving Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 15 minutes
Hi, I’m Olivia - a web designer, quilt-maker and mum of two lively boys (ages 3 and 7). My husband works FIFO so I get the kids to help in the kitchen when I can. These gaufres are gentle on little tummies, have no added salt or sugar, and are cut into toddler-friendly shapes so they are safer for small hands and mouths.
Ingredients
- 200 g wholemeal plain flour
- 50 g rolled oats (see prep notes below)
- 8 g baking powder (about 2 teaspoons) - choose a low-sodium baking powder if you can find it
- 2 large eggs (room temperature is fine)
- 400 ml full-fat milk (cow’s milk)
- 40 ml sunflower oil or mild olive oil (about 2½ tablespoons)
- 100 g unsweetened applesauce (store-bought unsweetened or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, about 5 ml)
- a little extra oil for greasing the waffle maker (use a silicone brush or a paper towel dipped in oil)
Notes about choking hazards and ingredient choices:
- No nuts, no large fruit chunks, and no added sugar or salt.
- Fruit is only in the form of unsweetened applesauce or very finely grated apple so there are no chunks that could be a choking risk.
- Waffles will be cut into strips or small triangles about 1.5 to 2 cm wide for little fingers.
Directions
Before you start: wipe down your workspace, put on an apron and have a clean bowl for mixing. Make sure the kids have washed their hands. I let my boys measure and pour where safe. My 3-year-old does pouring with a little jug, and my 7-year-old loves whisking.
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Prepare the oats into a flour. Put 50 g rolled oats into a small blender or food processor and pulse for 20 to 30 seconds until it looks like fine crumbs. This helps the texture so it is less chewy for little ones. If you do not have a blender you can leave them whole, but I recommend grinding them for toddlers.
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Measure and mix the dry ingredients. Use a large mixing bowl. Add 200 g wholemeal flour and the ground oats. Sprinkle in 8 g baking powder. Give it a gentle stir with a spoon to combine. This step is safe for kids to help with - my boys like a gentle stir.
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Crack the eggs. Crack 2 eggs into a small cup first to check for shells, then pour into a medium mixing bowl. If you are not confident cracking eggs directly into the mixture, always crack into a cup first. Let the 7-year-old whisk the eggs if you like. This is a great way to get them involved.
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Add the wet ingredients. To the eggs, add 400 ml milk, 40 ml oil, 100 g applesauce and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract if using. Whisk lightly until the applesauce is mostly mixed in and the mixture is smooth. There may be tiny bits of apple from the applesauce, but nothing large.
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Combine wet and dry. Pour the wet mix into the dry bowl. Use a flexible spatula to fold and stir until just combined. You want a smoothish batter but a few small lumps are fine. Don’t overmix. The batter should be a little thicker than pancake batter but still pourable. If it seems very thick, add 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) milk to loosen.
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Preheat the waffle maker. Plug in the waffle iron and let it preheat according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Mine usually takes about 5 minutes. Grease lightly with a small amount of oil using a silicone brush or a paper towel. Never let the kids touch the hot iron. Adult job only.
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Cook the waffles. Spoon or pour a small amount of batter onto the waffle iron. I make smaller waffles for toddlers so I fill only part of the iron, or if you have a full-size iron, make 6 waffles in total. Close the lid and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, until they are lightly golden and cooked through. Follow your waffle iron’s guide. Always check the centre is cooked.
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Cool and cut to toddler size. Place cooked waffles on a wire rack to cool for 3 to 5 minutes. For toddlers, cut into strips about 1.5 to 2 cm wide or small triangles roughly 3 to 4 cm at the longest side. Avoid big chunks or whole round pieces that are harder to manage. Test the temperature after cooling to make sure they are lukewarm before giving to your child.
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Serve and supervise. Serve the waffles plain or with a thin spread of ricotta, mashed avocado, or a dollop of unsweetened applesauce. Watch little ones while they eat and encourage them to take small bites. My 7-year-old likes to line up his strips before eating, the 3-year-old eats them as fast as I can cut them.
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Storing. Leftover waffles keep in the fridge for 2 days in an airtight container. Reheat in a toaster or oven until warm. For longer storage, freeze laid flat with baking paper between, then pop into a bag for quick breakfasts.
Quick safety tips for beginners:
- Always cool to lukewarm for toddlers. Test a small piece yourself.
- Cut into thin strips or small triangles to reduce choking risk.
- Keep hot appliances out of little reach. Adult handles the iron.
- No whole nuts or large fruit chunks in the batter.
Recommended Sides
- Unsweetened plain full-fat yogurt with a little mashed banana spooned on top (give mashed banana in small amounts only)
- Mashed avocado spread thinly on the waffle strips
- Steamed pear slices, very soft and cool, cut into small pieces under supervision
- Unsweetened applesauce for dipping
- Soft cooked scrambled egg cut into small pieces for added protein
Jokes
- Why did the waffle go to school? To get a little batter education.
- My 7-year-old wanted to design a quilt that tasted like waffles. I told him I was more of a patchwork chef.
- What did the mama waffle say to the baby waffle? Fold well, small one.
If you want, I can write this as a printable card for your kitchen or shrink the recipe for fewer waffles. My boys love the leftovers toasted for snack time, so I often make a double batch when I have time.
Shop Ingredients
Find these ingredients on Amazon:
- baking powder -
- full-fat milk
- rolled oats
- sunflower oil or
- unsweetened applesauce
- wholemeal plain flour
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