Pumpkin Protein Waffles

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oatmeal
• 3/4 cup cottage cheese
• 0.5 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 0.5 cup almond milk (or any other)
• 3 tbsp vanilla protein powder
• 1 tbsp. chia seeds
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 large egg
• Maple syrup or your favorite nut butter, for serving
• Special equipment: waffle iron

Preparation:

1. Preheat the waffle iron.
2. Grind the oats in a blender until they resemble flour. Add the cottage cheese, pumpkin puree, milk, protein powder, chia seeds, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and egg and blend until smooth.
3. Spoon 1/4 to 1/3 cup of batter into each waffle iron quarter, depending on the size of your waffle iron. Close the lid and cook the waffles until golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes (or according to the waffle iron manufacturer's instructions). Repeat with the remaining batter.
4. Serve the waffles hot with maple syrup or any nut spread. Waffles can be frozen and reheated in a toaster.