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Purple Sweet Potato Waffles with Orange Honey
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Move over, green eggs and ham—purple waffles and honey are stealing the show! If you’ve never had the pleasure of biting into a crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside waffle infused with the rich, earthy sweetness of purple sweet potatoes from California, you’re in for a treat. These waffles are topped with a luxurious orange and cinnamon honey syrup, juicy mandarin slices, and a sprinkle of toasted walnuts—because breakfast should always be this good.
A Word About Sweet Potatoes from California
Sweet potatoes may tantalize your taste buds, but how well do you understand them? There are some myths surrounding this root vegetable. First, it’s essential to note that a sweetpotato is NOT the same as a yam. It also differs from its standard potato counterparts, which are tubers. And get this: the word is actually sweetpotato. According to California Sweetpotatoes, “sweetpotato” is correct because their product is not, in fact, a sweet potato – it’s an entirely different vegetable.
What’s So Special About Purple Sweet Potato Waffles?
For starters, they’re not just a feast for your taste buds; they’re a science experiment on your plate. Thanks to a natural pH reaction, the batter starts off a stunning shade of purple but transforms into a deep blue as it cooks. Want to keep them purple? A splash of food coloring or a bit of Ube extract can do the trick. Either way, they’re bound to turn heads at the breakfast table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These waffles are:
- Packed with flavor — The natural sweetness of the purple sweetpotatoes pairs beautifully with the warm spices and zesty citrus.
- Nutrient-rich — Sweetpotatoes bring a dose of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants to your morning routine.
- Easy to make — With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll have a batch ready in no time.
- Perfect for meal prep — Make a big batch, freeze them, and reheat them for busy mornings.
How to Make Purple Sweet Potato Waffles
Ready to whip up a batch? You’ll need a few pantry staples and some purple sweetpotatoes from California to get started.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Mandarin orange wedges
- CA GROWN purple sweetpotatoes
- Honey
- Navel orange (for juice and zest)
- Cinnamon stick
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder & baking soda
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon & nutmeg
- Unsalted butter
- Buttermilk
- Real California whole milk
- Eggs
- Olive oil cooking spray
- Toasted walnuts
Cooking Tips for the Perfect Waffle
Nailing the perfect waffle isn’t rocket science, but a few tricks can help:
- Don’t rush the potatoes. Boil them until fork-tender and let them cool before mashing to avoid excess moisture.
- Sift your dry ingredients. It makes for a smoother batter and fluffier waffles.
- Go easy on the mixing. Over-mixing can lead to dense waffles—we’re after light and airy.
- Mind your waffle iron. Every machine is different, so keep an eye on the first one and adjust the timing accordingly.
Serving Suggestions
These waffles are a showstopper on their own, but if you’re feeling fancy, try:
- A dollop of Greek yogurt for added creaminess.
- A drizzle of maple syrup if you like it extra sweet.
- A side of crispy bacon for that perfect sweet-savory combo.
- When blueberries are in season, try topping these waffles with our recipe for blueberry compote.
The CA GROWN Difference
Why CA GROWN sweetpotatoes? Because they’re some of the best in the world—packed with flavor, grown sustainably, and always fresh. Supporting California farmers means you’re not just getting quality produce; you’re investing in a food system that values sustainability and community.
All of Your Pressing Waffle Questions, Answered
Why do purple sweet potatoes turn blue when cooked?
It all comes down to science! The natural pigments in the potatoes react to pH changes during cooking, causing the color shift. Want to keep that eye-popping purple? A touch of acidity or a pinch of food coloring can help.
Can I make these waffles ahead of time?
Absolutely. Freeze them individually and pop them in the toaster for a quick breakfast fix.
What’s the best way to reheat waffles?
Forget the microwave—a quick stint in the toaster or oven will keep them crispy.
If you’re tired of the same old breakfast routine, our Purple Sweet Potato Waffles with Orange Honey is your ticket to shaking things up. Whether you’re making them for brunch with friends or a solo treat-yourself moment, they’re guaranteed to impress.
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Give the recipe a try, and let us know what you think! Share your sweet potato waffle creations on social media with #CAGROWN.
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Purple Sweet Potato Waffles
Equipment
- waffle iron
Ingredients
- 1 lb purple sweetpotatoes
- 1 Pinch plus 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup honey
- 1 navel orange juiced and zested
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 6 TBSP unsalted butter melted, plus more for serving
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- Olive oil cooking spray
- ½ cup walnut halves toasted
- 1 mandarin orange peeled and separated into wedges
Instructions
- Peel the sweetpotatoes and cut into large chunks. Place in a medium pot, season with a pinch of salt, and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook 10-12 minutes, until tender throughout when pierced with a fork. Remove from the heat, drain the water, and mash the potatoes. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- While the potatoes cool, make the honey syrup. In a small saucepan, combine the honey with ½ of the juice and zest of the orange, and add in a cinnamon stick. Warm over medium heat until just starting to bubble, then lower the heat and keep warm.
- In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Use a whisk to combine, then add in the brown sugar, 1 tsp salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, buttermilk, whole milk, and eggs. Whisk in the mashed sweetpotatoes. Add the dry ingredients, gently folding together until just combined with no clumps or streaks.
- Heat a waffle iron to medium-high heat. Once ready, spray with cooking spray, and ladle in a scant half-cup of the batter. Close and cook 5-7 minutes, or until the waffle iron indicates that it’s done. Place each waffle on a wire rack to cool and continue cooking until all the batter has been used.
- To serve, stack the waffles, melt a pat of butter over the top, and drizzle over the honey syrup. Top with the toasted walnuts, mandarin wedges, and the remaining orange zest, and enjoy!
Nutrition
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