Looking for buckwheat recipes? These buckwheat recipes are all easy-to-make and naturally gluten-free! Use them to make delicious buckwheat pancakes, waffles, crepes, cookies, bagels, or muffins.
Facts About Buckwheat
Buckwheat is one of my all-time favorite ingredients. Despite having the word “wheat” in it, buckwheat is naturally 100% gluten-free.
I love it for gluten-free baking and cooking because it has natural elastic properties that give gluten-free baked goods more structure.
So, exactly what is buckwheat?
Well, despite its name, there is no wheat in this healthy pseudo-cereal. In fact, it is the seed of a plant in the rhubarb and sorrel family. Because it is not a grass plant, buckwheat is gluten-free.
When it isn’t harvested as buckwheat groats for use in creating buckwheat recipes, it is sometimes grown by farmers as a cover crop.
Appearance: Straight off the plant, raw buckwheat groats are small and somewhat round, but with a small point on one end. They almost look like miniature corn kernels, but they are light brown in color. When the outer hull is removed, buckwheat looks very similar to steel cut oats.
Flavor: As for the flavor, some people associate the taste as being earthy or nutty, while others say it has a slight bitter taste. For those who aren’t used to it, the flavor on its own can be somewhat strong. Fortunately, the flavor is easy to tame down, simply by combining it with other types of flour or ground seeds.
Kasha vs. Raw Buckwheat Groats: In the English language, kasha is simply another name for whole buckwheat seeds. The difference between kasha and buckwheat groats is that kasha is toasted while groats are raw.
In other parts of the world, especially eastern European countries, the word “kasha” can refer to any type of cooked cereal.
Nutrition and Health Benefits of Buckwheat
Just like other seeds such as chia or flax, there are a lot of nutritional benefits in buckwheat. Plus, there are health benefits that come along for the ride! Groats are a good source of:
- Protein – For our bodies to stay healthy, protein is essential. It’s primary purpose is to add strength to bones and muscles but it’s also vital to blood and cartilage. It’s also what our nails and hair are made of. Without protein, we put our body at risk of weak bone diseases such as osteoporosis and blood diseases such an anemia.
- Complex carbohydrates – Incorporating buckwheat recipes into our eating plan is a great way to add more fiber into our diet. As a result, we stay full longer. Among other things, this can be helpful for weight loss.
- Manganese – In addition to its antioxidant properties, manganese benefits include helping the body to reduce inflammation.
- Niacin – Helps regulate digestion and decreases the risk of heart disease
- Fiber – This is another aid in helping our bodies to feel full longer. Plus, fiber helps the digestive system to stay healthy.
- Magnesium – Of all the beneficial minerals, the body uses magnesium the most. It is responsible for assisting in over 300 metabolic processes in the body!
- Phosphorus – With help from B-vitamins, phosphorus helps our body store energy. It’s also promotes strong teeth and bones.
- Folate – This is another important B-vitamin, responsible for the production of red and white blood cells.
Buckwheat Recipes
Now that you know how buckwheat can be a healthy addition to any eating plan, here are few of our favorite ways to use it. All of these buckwheat recipes are gluten free and easy to make!
Breakfast Recipes
Weekend mornings are meant for waffles, especially when they are as delicious as buckwheat waffles are! They’re light, crispy and nutritious.
Not only that, but they are naturally gluten-free and so easy to make! Make a double batch and freeze some for healthy breakfasts on-the-go.
For a breakfast treat, make a batch of buckwheat crepes. They’re easy to make as well as wholesome and delicious. Perfect with any of your favorite fillings!
These buckwheat pancakes are light, fluffy and wholesome. Easy-to-make and full of blueberries, these pancakes are a breakfast favorite.
Baking Recipes
When the afternoon slump kicks in, grab a butter knife and your favorite topping to schmear onto buckwheat bagels. They are full of healthy, nutrient-rich ingredients like buckwheat, flaxseed and psyllium husk. Not only do they taste amazing fresh, but they are also freezer friendly and they toast up beautifully too.
Anytime the craving for a gooey, warm chocolate chip cookie, let it be buckwheat chocolate chip cookies! As a result, you’ll have the gooey goodness of warm chocolate chips packed into the chewy gluten free cookie of your dreams!
Need the perfect afternoon snack? Not much is better than a hot mug of coffee or tea along with soft, moist morning glory buckwheat muffins.
The health benefits of buckwheat flour pair up with shredded carrots, bits of apple, tender raisins, and walnuts. These muffins are almost a meal in themselves!
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