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Unexpected Pancakes and Waffles
Recipe
40 min

Sweet Potato Pecan Waffles

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Sweet Potato Pecan Waffles
Author: Vallery Lomas

Recipe By Vallery Lomas

Published on March 2, 2026

Sweet potatoes and warm spices play the leading role in these tender, sweet breakfast treats.

Time

40 min

Why This Recipe Works

These waffles get their unique flavor and texture from a base of cooked, mashed sweet potatoes. The potatoes add heft and staying power to the waffles, along with natural sweetness and extra moisture. To lighten and aerate the mix, we fold whipped egg whites into the batter. A combination of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg round out the warm flavors. Don’t forget the chopped, toasted pecans—they’re the perfect crunchy complement to the tender waffles.


This recipe is excerpted from Vallery Lomas' cookbook Life Is What You Bake It: Recipes, Stories, and Inspiration to Bake Your Way to the Top. It has been lightly edited.


Ingredients

2 cups (500g) mashed cooked sweet potatoes (2 to 3 large sweet potatoes)
1 cup (240ml) milk, any type
2 large eggs, separated, plus 4 egg whites
¼ cup (50g) packed light or dark brown sugar
4 tablespoons (55g) unsalted butter, melted
1 ¾ cups (210g) all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon (10g) baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Melted butter or nonstick cooking spray, for greasing the waffle iron
1 cup (120g) pecans, toasted and chopped (optional)

Equipment

Waffle Maker

Instructions

Cook along with these step-by-step instructions

step 1 imagestep 2 imagestep 3 imagestep 4 image
  1. Combine the 2 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes, 1 cup milk, 2 large egg yolks, ¼ cup packed light or dark brown sugar, and 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter in a large bowl. Use a fork or whisk to blend until the mixture comes together.
    Recipe Tip
    (It’s OK if there are a few stubborn bits of sweet potato.)
  2. Add the 1¾ cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Stir until it comes together; the mixture will be paste-like, heavy, and dense.
  3. In another large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to whip 6 egg whites until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Use a silicone spatula to stir one-third of the whipped whites into the batter to lighten it. Once the egg whites are incorporated, fold in the remaining two-thirds until no streaks of the egg whites remain, about 30 seconds.
  4. Heat a waffle iron. When ready, coat the iron with a little butter, oil, or cooking spray. Pour about ½ cup of the batter into the center of the iron and sprinkle 1 or 2 tablespoons of the pecans (if using) on top. Close the lid and cook according to the manufacturer’s directions, until the waffle is cooked through and golden brown. Repeat until all the waffles are cooked. Serve warm.

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Sweet Potato Pecan Waffles

Recipe By Vallery Lomas

Published on March 2, 2026

Time

40 min

Sweet Potato Pecan Waffles

Ingredients

2 cups (500g) mashed cooked sweet potatoes (2 to 3 large sweet potatoes)1 cup (240ml) milk, any type2 large eggs, separated, plus 4 egg whites¼ cup (50g) packed light or dark brown sugar4 tablespoons (55g) unsalted butter, melted1 ¾ cups (210g) all-purpose flour1 tablespoon (10g) baking powder2 teaspoons ground cinnamon½ teaspoon ground ginger½ teaspoon kosher salt¼ teaspoon ground nutmegMelted butter or nonstick cooking spray, for greasing the waffle iron1 cup (120g) pecans, toasted and chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine the 2 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes, 1 cup milk, 2 large egg yolks, ¼ cup packed light or dark brown sugar, and 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter in a large bowl. Use a fork or whisk to blend until the mixture comes together.
    Recipe Tip
    (It’s OK if there are a few stubborn bits of sweet potato.)
  2. Add the 1¾ cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Stir until it comes together; the mixture will be paste-like, heavy, and dense.
  3. In another large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to whip 6 egg whites until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Use a silicone spatula to stir one-third of the whipped whites into the batter to lighten it. Once the egg whites are incorporated, fold in the remaining two-thirds until no streaks of the egg whites remain, about 30 seconds.
  4. Heat a waffle iron. When ready, coat the iron with a little butter, oil, or cooking spray. Pour about ½ cup of the batter into the center of the iron and sprinkle 1 or 2 tablespoons of the pecans (if using) on top. Close the lid and cook according to the manufacturer’s directions, until the waffle is cooked through and golden brown. Repeat until all the waffles are cooked. Serve warm.
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