Breakfast for Dinner: Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Waffles
🌿🔥 Different plates. Same table.
🥓 Meat: GF/DF waffles with eggs and bacon
🌱 Vegetarian: GF/DF waffles with eggs and fruit
🌾 Gluten free and dairy free: GF/DF waffles with eggs, bacon and fruit
Breakfast for Dinner
Breakfast for dinner was one of my favorite meals growing up.
There was just something about it that felt a little special. Maybe it was because we were eating something that was supposed to be for breakfast at night. And we got to have syrup! Whatever the reason, I loved it.
And apparently, that love has stuck with me.
Breakfast for dinner is still one of my favorite ways to make an easy family meal.
So instead of making three different meals, I make one gluten-free, dairy-free waffle batter, add some bananas (we all love them!) and then we top them with fresh fruit and plenty of maple syrup. Add some eggs and bacon (which my husband grilled outside!) for the meat eater, and dinner is done.
But here's the thing: sometimes I don't make the batter from scratch.
After a busy day, when everyone is hungry and I'm tired, I'll happily grab a box of gluten-free waffle and pancake mix, make some waffles, scramble a few eggs, add some fruit and call it dinner.
Because that's part of what Thyme & Flame is all about.
Not every meal has to be a brand-new recipe. Not everything has to be made completely from scratch. Sometimes you just need a good idea that works for your family—especially when everyone at the table eats a little differently.
That's what I'm hoping to share here: recipes, shortcuts and simple ideas that help busy families get a meal on the table without making completely separate dinners for everyone.
Sometimes it's a recipe. Sometimes it's a shortcut. And sometimes it's just waffles for dinner. And honestly, I'm perfectly happy with that.
INGREDIENTS
Waffles - Serves 4
Gluten-free & dairy-free waffle and pancake mix, prepared according to package directions
Bananas, for mixing into the batter
Blueberries, for adding to individual waffles
Eggs - Serves 3
6 eggs
Pepper
Salt
Dairy - free butter for the pan
Shared Toppings
Fresh blueberries
Fresh strawberries
Maple syrup
Bacon
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Make the waffle batter and turn on the waffle maker
Prepare the waffle mix according to the package directions. Stir bananas into the batter, then set aside while the waffle maker heats.
Step 2: Prep and cook the eggs
Crack the eggs into a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Whisk until combined. Heat a pan over medium heat and add dairy-free butter. Pour in the eggs and gently stir until cooked to your liking.
Step 3: Cook the waffles
While the eggs are cooking, pour the waffle batter into the heated waffle maker. Add blueberries to individual waffles if desired. Cook according to the waffle maker's directions, or until the waffles are golden and crisp.
Step 4: Set out all the toppings
Place the cooked bacon, fresh fruit and maple syrup on the table. My husband cooked the bacon earlier on the grill, so that part was already done. One less thing for me to worry about!
Step 5: Plate
Have everyone grab their waffle and add whatever they want
Different toppings. Different plates. Same table. This is another simple Thyme & Flame dinner where everyone gets essentially the same meal, just slightly different versions depending on what's on their plate.
HELPFUL TIPS:
There is absolutely nothing wrong with grabbing a box of gluten-free waffle and pancake mix on a busy night. Dinner doesn't have to be completely from scratch to be a good dinner. Just be sure to check the label!
Add bananas to the batter, blueberries to some, or leave them plain and let everyone add their own toppings. One waffle mix can turn into completely different meal depending on what's on each plate.
Keep waffles warm: Place cooked waffles directly on the oven rack at a low temperature while you finish cooking.
Don't overload the waffle iron: Too many mix-ins can make waffles harder to cook evenly.