For Extra-Tender And Fluffy Waffles, Skip The Oil When Using Boxed Mix And Reach For This Tangy Ingredient

Having store-bought waffle mix on hand can be the difference between not knowing what to make for breakfast and serving up a brunch-worthy feast. Waffle mix (or pancake mix, which is often used interchangeably with waffle mix) is a brilliant product to keep in your pantry as it usually requires nothing more than the addition of eggs, oil, and water to transform into batter. If you're looking to buy some waffle mix to keep in your pantry, we did a ranking of 11 boxed waffle mixes and found that Stonewall Kitchen's Farmhouse Pancake and Waffle Mix is the best on the market. 

In the spirit of protein-maxxing (and tweaking recipes to make them a little healthier), try swapping the required oil for Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt helps to preserve the moisture content of the waffles, keeping them tender and moist, while reducing overall fat and boosting the protein. It also drastically reduces the waffle's calorie count. A ½ cup of canola oil will add nearly 1,000 calories to your batter, while ½ cup of Greek yogurt adds around 100 calories.  

Swapping Greek yogurt for oil is as easy as a 1:1 swap. For example, if your boxed waffle mix calls for ½ cup of oil, swap that for half a cup of plain Greek yogurt. While oil brings fat to the waffle, aiding in its lighter crumb, Greek yogurt brings more substance without the fat, giving you a waffle with a crispy exterior and tender interior. It even adds natural probiotics to the waffle.

Experts stand by this swap, too. Celebrity cake artist Kristina Lavallee, aka The Cake Girl, told Tasting Table that she substitutes oil with Greek yogurt in her brownies: "Greek yogurt is a great substitute for oil as it bakes the most consistently as it relates to texture and flavor."

While you may worry that Greek yogurt's signature tang may overwhelm the flavor of the waffle, it mostly gets lost in the batter — especially when you add other flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom for a little extra fall-inspired warmth. There are other swaps you can make, too. We have 15 different tips for making the best homemade waffles. For a vegan substitute, you can use soy or coconut yogurt. You can swap out the water or milk in the recipe for seltzer for a better rise, add egg whites for a fluffier batter, or swap flour for mochiko flour (also known as glutinous rice flour) for a custardy interior.