Sugar-Free Pizzelles (Italian Round Waffle Cookies)

These delicious, light and crispy pizzelles (round Italian waffle cookies) are the perfect breakfast or dessert for a splash of fun… made with NO sugar! This healthy pizzelle recipe is a delightful treat served best with our chocolate tahini spread and fresh strawberries! 

Sugar-Free Pizzelle Recipe (Italian Round Waffle Cookies)

Happy Friday! 

Whether it’s Friday when you are reading this... or any day of the week… let’s take this opportunity to celebrate the joys of a Friday! 

Heard of the phrase TGIF (thank God it’s Friday!)? … we’ve heard this phrase so often and have found ourselves saying it too! So why does the world love Friday? 

Perhaps it’s the sweet relief of the end of a hard working week? 

Or is it the heartwarming anticipation of an exciting and relaxing weekend? 

Maybe it’s just the lighthearted and airy feel that “Friday” has? … 

Perhaps it’s all of the above? 

We love the Friday feeling and can’t think of any other perfect breakfast for a Friday than these Pizzelles! 

Their light and crispy texture… the wonderfully round shaped waffles feel like bundles of joy… 

Plus, these round crispy waffles are a wonderful way to satisfy your cravings for a treat without the added sugar!

We just love to savour these – perfect for Friday mornings! 

In fact, the first time I made these Pizzelles were on a Friday! It was a bright Autumn day. It was time for some variety for breakfast... and of course Fridays are treat days! 

Shouldn’t we be pampered with something extra special on a Friday? Like these Pizzelles ❤️!

What is a pizzelle?

A pizzelle is a traditional flat and round Italian waffle cookie - with a double-sided pattern and a light and crispy texture! (Just think of an ice cream cone - similar to that)! 

Pizzelles can also be soft and chewy depending on your preference! 

Pizzelles originated in the south of Italy (centuries ago!). Interestingly pizzelles are known to be the world’s oldest cookie! Pizzelles are popular during festive seasons including Christmas, Easter, weddings and birthdays!

Pizzelle (pronounced “pit”-“zel”) comes from the word “pizze” which means flat and round in Italian!

Pizzelles are simply made from all-purpose flour, eggs, butter or oil and sugar. We don’t use sugar in this recipe! … stay tuned. This pizzelle recipe is healthy and the best for an Italian treat!

Why You'll Love this Pizzelle Recipe

1. Only a handful of ingredients – including all-purpose flour, almond flour (optional), egg and egg white, unsalted butter, almond extract and milk.
2. Easy and quick to make – all you need to do is make a pizzelle dough/batter and cook in a pizzelle iron or pizzelle maker!
3. Delicious and fun to eat – these pizzelles are such a fun treat to eat - topped with chocolate spread and strawberries! It will feel like dessert for breakfast (only a healthier version!)
4. NO sugar – I like to serve these pizzelles with my healthy chocolate spread and fresh strawberries – so you don’t need sugar in the pizzelles and you enjoy them for breakfast without that sugar crash!
5. Cheap and cheerful – these wonderful pizzelles are budget-friendly, made with affordable ingredients.
6. Easy to store and keep – these pizzelles are easy to store (if you happen to have leftovers…) in the fridge for up to 3 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months. All you need is cling film/plastic wrap to wrap each pizzelle fresh and airtight, then pack in a freezer bag or wrap in foil to store.

Notes about Recipe Ingredients

You only need a handful of ingredients to make these delicious pizzelles, including:

• All-purpose flour: all-purpose (or plain) flour is used in this recipe, which is mixed with the remaining ingredients to make the pizzelle dough-like batter. 
• Almond flour (or ground almonds): this is optional but recommended – I sub 30% of the plain flour with almond flour, which makes these pizzelles healthier and crispier with an extra hint of nutty flavour.
• One whole egg and an egg white: this recipe uses one whole egg and one egg white for the the best texture.
• Unsalted butter: I recommend unsalted butter, which is melted before being added to the remaining ingredients. This recipe does not contain any salt – so make sure you avoid using salted butter, only opt for unsalted butter. 
• Milk: I recommend dairy semi-skimmed (or 2%) milk however you can use whole (full fat) milk if you prefer. 
• Almond extract: I recommend using Dr Oetker’s almond extract (if you are in the UK you can get this brand from many shops). This brand is vegan and natural, made from real almonds. Use an almond extract which has no added sugar. The almond extract adds a delicious and subtle flavour to these pizzelles. 

Note: You do not need any baking powder, bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), sugar or salt in this recipe – contrary to some pizzelle recipes. This recipe has been tried and tested to perfection and the combination of the ingredients above make for a delicious, crispy, sugar-free pizzelle. 

Equipment to make pizzelles

• To make a pizzelle you need a special pizzelle maker - traditional ones are iron press makers which you heat on medium heat over the cooker/stove. These traditional Italian cookie also come in stainless steel.
• We have traditional old school iron pizzelle makers and are pretty used to using them! 
• However, you can also buy electric pizzelle makers which work like a typical waffle maker and can be quicker and easier to use! 

How to use a Stovetop Pizzelle iron

• To use a traditional stovetop pizzelle iron simply heat preheat the iron over the stove top and add the pizzelle batter on the centre of the iron. 
• Close the pizzelle iron and keep over the stovetop for a few minutes, then gently flip the pizzelle iron to cook the other side. 
• After a few minutes, open the pizzelle iron to check if pizzelle is done. Once the pizzelle is crisp and golden, remove from heat and open the iron using the handles and place pizzelle onto cooling rack. 

How to make Pizzelles (step-by-step)

1. Preheat pizzelle iron/makers. Whisk the dry ingredients together. Preheat your pizzelle irons or electronic pizzelle maker on low heat before making the batter. In a bowl, add the plain flour and almond flour (if using) and whisk together. 
2. Add all the wet ingredients (except butter) into the bowl. Add the egg, egg white, milk and almond extract and whisk for 30 seconds – 1 minute until one uniform, yellow mixture. 
3. Slowly add the melted butter. Carefully pour the melted butter into the wet ingredients (use a spatula to empty out all the butter from the bowl) and whisk again for another 30 seconds to incorporate the butter into the ingredients. 
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix using a spatula to form the dough-like batter. Remove the whisk from the bowl, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Using a silicone spatula mix all ingredients together until a sticky, dough-like batter is formed. It will take a few minutes to mix the dry and wet ingredients together – keep using the silicone spatula and ensure to scrape all sides of the bowl to fully mix the flour into the wet ingredients
5. Transfer dough-like batter into pizzelle iron/maker. Add approximately, one or two tablespoon(s) of dough/batter onto the centre of the preheated pizzelle iron plate (depending on preferred size). You may need to use the silicone spatula to help slide the batter off from the spoon. Close the pizzelle iron and allow to cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes, or until lightly golden. 
6. Cook until both sides are lightly golden. After 2-3 minutes check to see if cooked and lightly golden. If you have a traditional pizzelle iron on the stove top, flip the iron to cook the other side, cook on low heat for 1-2 minutes or until golden. Once made, place on a cooling rack and repeat for the remaining batter. Serve with your favourite toppings and enjoy!

Tips for making Perfect Crispy Pizzelles

• Use exact measurements: I’ve tried and tested this recipe countless times with varying quantities of ingredients! This combination and ratio of ingredients makes a crispy pizzelle. Slight adjustments in the measurements can affect the texture of these pizzelles!
• Cook until golden brown: cook for the full time to allow pizzelles to cook until golden brown. 
• Preheat your device: whether you are using a traditional pizzelle iron or an electric pizzelle waffle maker, preheat your device before adding the pizzelle dough/batter. This will help cook the pizzelles at the correct temperature, giving you a nice golden and crispy pizzelle each time.
• Place on cooling rack immediately for crispy pizzelles: avoid stacking pizzelles (like pancakes) because the steam will create moisture and make the pizzelles soft. Instead place each one on a cooling rack (ensure they do not overlap). You can serve them after a minute of cooling. 
• Use an even heat source (with low heat): if you are using a traditional pizzelle iron, it is important to ensure the hob (stove/hotplate/burner) size you select is appropriate. If you have a cooker with varying size hobs/stoves (whether gas, electric or induction) I recommend using the medium sized hobs/stoves on low heat (rather than the small/large one) for a nice evenly cook, golden and crispy pizzelle. (If you are using an electric pizzelle waffle maker you don’t have to worry about this). 

How to serve Pizzelles

• We recommend serving pizzelles with our favourite healthy chocolate tahini spread and sliced fresh strawberries!
• Serve with a glass of milk, almond milk or coffee.
• For a breakfast treat, serve with a glass of fresh apple, orange and carrot juice!

Storage Tips

• If you happen to have any leftover pizzelles (or you are making these in advance) you can store in the fridge for up to 1 day and the freezer for up to 3 months.
• To pack, wrap pizzelles in cling film/plastic wrap (to keep airtight and prevent any moisture from the air). Transfer in a sandwich bag/freezer bag and store in fridge or freezer. If you do not have a sandwich/freezer bag available you can also double wrap these in foil (after wrapping them in cling/film). 
• To reheat from fridge, place each pizzelle in the toaster (on medium heat), for approximately 20-30 seconds, or until hot to touch. Place heated pizzelles on a cooling rack and within minutes they’ll cool slightly and crisp up – and will be ready to eat! 
• To reheat from frozen, defrost in the microwave (defrost setting) then place in the toaster for approximately 40-50 seconds or until hot to touch. Transfer onto cooling rack to allow them to cool and crisp up.

Sweet Snacks

Looking for other refined sugar-free treats? Check our these recipes:

Sugar-Free Pizzelles (Italian Round Waffle Cookies)

Sonia

These delicious, light and crispy pizzelles (round Italian waffle cookies) are the perfect breakfast for a splash of fun… made with NO sugar! This healthy pizzelle recipe is a delightful treat served best with our chocolate tahini spread and fresh strawberries! 

5 from 37 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6 pizzelles (4-6 pizzelles depending on size of pizzelle)

Calories 125 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 110g or 77g (see notes) Plain flour (all-purpose flour) (use 77g if using almond flour)
• ▢ 33g Almond flour or ground almonds optional (if using almond flour, make sure you only use 77g of plain flour)
• ▢ 1 Egg whole
• ▢ 1 Egg white
• ▢ 25 g Unsalted butter, melted
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Almond extract
• ▢ 2 tablespoon Milk

Instructions

 

• Preheat your pizzelle irons or electronic pizzelle maker on low heat before making the batter/dough.
• In a bowl, add the plain flour and almond flour (if using) and whisk together.
• In a separate bowl, add the egg, egg white, milk and almond extract and whisk for 30 seconds – 1 minute until one uniform, yellow mixture.
• Carefully pour the melted butter into the wet ingredients (use a spatula to empty out all the butter from the bowl) and whisk again for another 30 seconds to incorporate the butter into the ingredients.
• Remove the whisk from the bowl, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Using a silicone spatula mix all ingredients together until a sticky, dough-like batter is formed. It will take a few minutes to mix the dry and wet ingredients together – keep using the silicone spatula and ensure to scrape all sides of the bowl to fully mix the flour into the wet ingredients
• Add approximately, one or two tablespoon(s) of dough/batter onto the centre of the preheated pizzelle iron plate (depending on preferred size). You may need to use the silicone spatula to help slide the batter off from the spoon. Close the pizzelle iron and allow to cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes, or until lightly golden.
• After 2-3 minutes check to see if cooked and lightly golden. If you have a traditional pizzelle iron on the stove top, flip the iron to cook the other side, cook on low heat for 1-2 minutes or until golden.
• Once made, place on a cooling rack and repeat for the remaining batter. Serve with your favourite toppings and enjoy!

Notes

1. Flour: this recipe can either be made using 100% all-purpose (plain) flour (110g) or 70% all-purpose (plain) flour (77g) and 30% almond flour (33g).
2. Devices: The cooking time will vary depending on the device you use, ensure you read the cooking instructions on your device and follow any safety measures. Make sure the device is preheated before adding the pizzelle dough/batter, to help cook each pizzelle at the correct temperature.
3. Traditional pizzelle iron: if you are using a traditional pizzelle iron, it is important to ensure the hob (stove/hotplate/burner) size you select is appropriate. If you have a cooker with varying size hobs/stoves, I recommend using the medium sized hobs/stoves on low heat for a nice evenly cooked, golden and crispy pizzelle.
4. Storage: These pizzelles can be served fresh or stored in the fridge (for up to 2 days) and freezer (for up to 3 months). 

Nutrition

Calories: 125kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 4gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 22mgPotassium: 41mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 149IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 25mgFolate: 28µgIron: 1mgZinc: 0.2mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!