Chocolate Sweet Potato Waffles with the goodness of Flaxseed and Oats. Just what breakfasts should be like!
Sometimes things get lost, or worse, forgotten – it is the way of life, which is why the things we do manage to remember, the ones we learn to treasure and covet seem more valuable in our eyes. But that doesn’t always mean that forgotten things are unimportant, rather it is what we make of them. Lost things can sometimes be that which time has simply rendered inconsequential, even if it was once deemed precious.
But when such things come back to us, especially when you’re not particularly looking for them, it becomes a ray of sunshine to what is otherwise just an unexceptional day.
I had one such exceptional day last week, but not in the deep, poetic way I may have led you to believe, but it was interesting nevertheless. I’ve become a little sloppy in my organization skills lately, and I took a day off to catch up on trivialities like re-arranging the kitchen cupboards. While most people find chores tiresome, I find that mundane tasks help relax and rejuvenate me, especially when I’m suffering from a creative block. It worked for Albert Einstein, and it works for me as well, although I did not mean to show-off my intelligence with that particular comparison, against whose brilliance if measured, we’d all inevitably turn up virtually unintelligent.
For days I’ve been struggling with a creative block and I couldn’t shake it off, so I decided that a long pending therapeutic cleansing of the domicile might help. It was during this banal exercise that I discovered a bag of sweet potatoes that had somehow been pushed deeper into the dark cupboard and understandably forgotten. I’ve reduced the frequency with which I usually stock potatoes and so the cupboard that was reserved to house the spuds now remains largely empty or sometimes as pseudo storage for bulk items, hence also unchecked.
They had sprouted about an inch or so which gave me cause for concern – I know that potatoes are a part of the nightshade family (Game of Thrones fans could recall the effects of the Essence of Nightshade), and their sprouts are toxic. So when I see that potatoes have sprouted, I usually just toss them out, albeit with a slight twinge of guilt. But sweet potatoes – I’ve never had a case of them sprouting under my roof till now. So I spent a little time skimming the internet on what the societal procedures are when it comes to dealing with sprouted sweet potatoes.
Conflicting accounts existed, with the more cautious populace recommending that they be dealt with in the same manner as potatoes – mercilessly. But thankfully I persisted and sanity prevailed – turns out that sweet potatoes are just distant relatives of the potatoes and more closely related to the flowering vine, Morning Glory, which is not really a toxic plant. As long as the sprouts weren’t too big, it was safe to eat the potatoes. While sprouting, the starch is converted into sugar and most of the nutrients are diverted towards the new growth, which is why sprouted vegetables aren’t really the best things to eat. When the spuds get wrinkly and soft, it is definitely time to throw them out. But the ones I had were still firm and the sprouts were barely an inch.
My lost-and-found bag of sweet potatoes were saved from the hangman’s noose. And I knew that this second life they’ve been given mustn’t be wasted. My creative block lifted and like the brilliant sun emerging out from parting rain clouds, these Chocolate Sweet Potato Waffles came to mind.
I had been working on sweet potato waffles a year ago, but after the first round of testing failed, I gave up. But this time, I prevailed and while the first batch didn’t crisp up, the second did, and quite beautifully so.
These Chocolate Sweet Potato Waffles are VEGAN + GLUTEN-FREE, with the combined goodness of sweet potatoes (although the nutrition in mine old-bag-a-potatoes is to be questioned, I’m sure that when made with sweet potatoes in good standing, it is irrefutable!), flaxseed and oats!
Serve hot with a generous doling of syrup (chocolate sauce works even better!). I’ve stashed a batch in the freezer, and to re-heat them back to their crispy self, bake in a preheated oven at 425°F for 5-8 minutes. And for a little extra oomph, toss in a few chocolate chips on top before putting it in the oven – trust me!
When you make these Chocolate Sweet Potato Waffles (which I really think you SHOULD!), be sure to SHARE YOUR PHOTOS with me through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. I’d love to see what you cook from here!
Tahirah says
Stumbled across you post. Your writing is lovely and your pictures are outstanding !!! I can’t wait to try the recipe.
IT/RN …in Atlanta….coffee, chocolate,cooking and food …. are we related???
Tina Dawson says
We must be!!!! So happy to connect!! <3
Gayathri says
This looks amazing. I am sure to try this maybe with slight variation. Have a bag of sweet potato nearly left to be forgotten. Thanks for inspiring.
Tina Dawson says
I hope you like it, Gayathri!
Bethany says
Love that you use such healthy ingredients to create these. They look yummy.
Tina Dawson says
Thanks Bethany! 🙂
Bharath says
Great to read this…absolutely brilliant
Tina Dawson says
Thanks Bharath!
James | Thyme to Mango says
Chocolate and sweet potato waffles sound like the best breakfast idea ever! Need to try these asap!
Tina Dawson says
Yes you should James! 🙂
pradeep jay says
WoW! the photos look absolutely stunning. The dark setting accentuates the brown color on the waffles really well. Glad you were able to save the sweet potatoes and potentially Phoebe from this: https://i.makeagif.com/media/4-19-2015/DpR_hn.gif
Tina Dawson says
Thank you so much – and love the FRIENDS reference – anything to keep Phoebe happy! 🙂
Mitali Dutta says
Totally liked your recipeTina,thanks for sharing?❤
Tina Dawson says
I’m so glad you liked it Mitali! 🙂 Let me know if you ever give it a try!
Ginny McMeans says
10,000% my favorite! What a great idea and technique for adding great ingredients to waffles. Making!
Tina Dawson says
Thanks Ginny! I hope you like it! 🙂
Rae says
Uum, where have these been my whole life? I love everything you’ve put together here and as always, stunning photos!
Tina Dawson says
Thanks Rae! They are quite delicious!
Souzan Karadsheh says
Firstly, gorgeous photos! And the recipe is so creative! I love that you used sweet potatoes!
Tina Dawson says
Thanks Souzan! 🙂
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
Mmmm. your chocolate sweet potato waffles look very scrumptious! Your photos are beautiful and I look forward to trying your recipe!
Tina Dawson says
Thanks Elaine! I hope you like them!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
These look amazing and may well be the reason I unpack my waffle machine. Shared.
Tina Dawson says
I know, I wish I got more use out of the waffle iron too!
Molly Kumar says
I’d love to try these chocolate sweet potato waffle soon. They look so pretty and I do have few sweet potatoes in the pantry that I’ll have to try in this recipe. The recipe looks small batch too, so I’d be able to use all of it at one go – Yummmmmm!!!!
Tina Dawson says
Sounds like Kismet, Molly! Hope you like them!