Coconut Chocolate Waffle Pops

Whether you're doing baby-led weaning or just need a no-fuss snack for busy mornings, this easy mini waffle recipe is a game-changer. Soft, chocolatey, and totally customizable.

Why You’ll Love These Coconut Chocolate Waffle Pops

Naturally sweet and full of goodness

These chocolate coconut waffles are naturally sweetened with ripe bananas, which means no added sugar—just real, wholesome fruit doing its job. That makes them especially great for babies and toddlers who are still getting used to new flavors. The combination of cocoa powder and shredded coconut gives them a rich, chocolatey taste with a subtle tropical twist, all without needing syrup or sweeteners.

Baby and toddler friendly

These baby-led weaning waffles are soft, easy to chew, and perfect for little hands. You can cut them into strips for babies or serve them whole on a stick for older toddlers to hold and munch on. Because the ingredients are simple and nourishing—think bananas, eggs, flour, and coconut—they’re gentle on little tummies and packed with nutrients growing kids need.

Great for picky eaters and playful meals

The popsicle stick is more than just fun—it turns breakfast into an experience. Toddlers who are in that “no fork, no spoon, only hands” phase will love the independence of eating their waffle pop like a treat. You can even let them help dip their pop into yogurt or peanut butter for some extra engagement at the table.

Perfect for prepping ahead

These healthy waffle pops freeze like a dream, which means you can make a batch, stash them in the freezer, and pull one out on a busy morning. Warm it up, serve with a little fruit, and breakfast is done in minutes. Whether you're rushing out the door or sitting down for a slow start, it’s comforting to know you’ve got something wholesome and homemade ready to go.

Easy to customize and full of variety

One of the best parts of this recipe is how adaptable it is. Want to sneak in veggies? Grate some zucchini or carrot into the batter. Need more protein? Add a spoonful of nut butter or chia seeds. Catering to allergies? Swap out eggs or use a dairy-free milk. These coconut chocolate waffle pops grow with your child—and your pantry.

How To Make Our Coconut Chocolate Waffle Pops

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup milk (milk of choice)
• 1 cup flour (plain or whole wheat, both work)
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ⅓ cup unsweetened shredded coconut

Optional toppings

• Natural peanut butter or nut butter (for babies over 6 months with no allergy history)
• Extra coconut flakes
• Maple syrup (for toddlers and older kids—not suitable for babies under 12 months)

Instructions

1. Make the batter: In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas until smooth. Crack in the eggs and pour in the milk. Give it a good stir until everything is well combined.

2. Add dry ingredients: Gently mix in the flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, and shredded coconut. Try not to overmix—it’s okay if the batter is slightly lumpy.

3. Preheat your mini waffle maker: Give it a minute or two to heat up. You can lightly grease it with a bit of oil or butter if needed, depending on your waffle maker.

4. Cook the waffle pops: Pour a little batter into the waffle maker (just enough to cover the bottom). Place a popsicle stick in the center—this will serve as your “waffle pop” handle.

Spoon a bit more batter over the stick to cover it completely.

Close the waffle maker and cook for about 2 minutes, or until the waffle is set and lightly crispy.

5. Cool and serve: Let the waffles cool slightly before serving, especially for babies. You want them warm, not hot.

Tips For Success

Get your bananas nice and ripe

For the best flavor and natural sweetness, use overripe bananas—you know, the kind with brown spots that no one wants to eat? They mash easily and make the waffle pops naturally sweet, which is perfect for babies and toddlers without adding sugar. The riper, the better!

Don’t overmix the batter

Once you add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and coconut flakes, stir everything gently. It doesn’t have to be perfectly smooth. Overmixing can make the waffles a bit dense instead of soft and fluffy. And since we want these chocolate coconut waffles to be light and easy for little mouths, a quick mix is just right.

Go easy with the batter and cover the stick well

When pouring the batter, start with a small amount to coat the bottom of the waffle plate. Then place your popsicle stick and spoon a little more batter right over it. This helps keep the stick in place and makes your waffle pop sturdier for toddlers and older kids to hold. If there’s too much batter, it may overflow—so less is more here!

Let them cool before serving

Once cooked, let the waffle pops cool for a few minutes before handing them over, especially to babies. The inside stays hot longer than you think, and giving them a little time to cool helps prevent any burnt tongues and makes them firmer and easier to hold.

Ingredients Substitutions, And Additions

Swap the flour to suit your family

The recipe calls for plain flour, but you can absolutely use whole wheat flour for a bit more fiber and a heartier texture—great for toddlers and older kids. If you're gluten-free, try using oat flour or a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Oat flour is especially good for babies, since it’s gentle on little tummies and adds a naturally sweet, soft flavor to the chocolate coconut waffles.

Make it dairy-free with milk alternatives

Any milk will work here, so feel free to use what your family prefers or what your baby is accustomed to. For a dairy-free version, oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk are great choices and pair beautifully with the cocoa and shredded coconut for an extra-tropical flavor. Just make sure it’s unsweetened.

Egg-free?

If you need an egg-free version, especially for babies with allergies or if you’re doing baby-led weaning, you can use flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water per egg, let it sit for a few minutes to thicken). Mashed pumpkin or applesauce can also be used as a substitute. The texture will be slightly different, but it will still be delicious and soft enough for your little ones to enjoy.

Boost the nutrition with add-ins

Want to sneak in a little extra goodness? Stir in a tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds for healthy fats and fiber. A spoonful of natural peanut butter or almond butter mixed into the batter gives a nice protein boost and a creamy richness to these coconut chocolate waffle pops—perfect for toddlers who are always on the go. Just be mindful with any new ingredients if you're serving these to babies under 1.

Add fruits or veggies for variety

You can also finely grate a little zucchini or carrot into the batter to sneak in some veggies without changing the taste. If you’re making these waffle pops for toddlers, small bits of chopped berries or mashed blueberries work beautifully too. Just keep the pieces small so the batter still holds together nicely in the waffle maker.

Serving suggestions

For baby-led weaning: soft strips are best

If you’re serving these baby-led weaning waffles to a little one just starting solids (usually around 6 months), skip the popsicle stick and instead cut the waffle into long, easy-to-grip strips. This makes it safer for babies to self-feed and practice their chewing skills. 

The waffles are soft and naturally sweet from the bananas, so they’re perfect for early eaters. You can serve them plain or with a very thin smear of smooth peanut butter, as long as you’ve introduced peanuts safely before and your baby has no known allergies.

For toddlers: let them hold the pop

Toddlers absolutely love the idea of food on a stick, it’s fun and gives them a sense of independence. Serve the full waffle pop and let them dip it into a bit of natural peanut butter, yogurt, or a small spoonful of fruit puree. They’ll love the interaction, and it’s a great way to add extra nutrition too. For an extra bit of flair, sprinkle a few coconut flakes on top or even add a little dusting of cinnamon.

For older kids and adults: dress it up

Older kids, teens, and adults can enjoy these coconut chocolate waffles fully loaded. Spread on some peanut butter or almond butter, drizzle with maple syrup, and maybe top with sliced banana, strawberries, or even a few mini chocolate chips if you're feeling indulgent. The coconut flavor pairs beautifully with tropical fruits like mango or pineapple, too.

For on-the-go snacks or lunchboxes

Once cooled, these waffle pops make for fantastic on-the-go snacks. Wrap them in parchment or pop them into a lunchbox as-is. If you're packing them for a toddler, you can skip the stick and just include the cut waffle strips along with a small container of dip, like yogurt or a nut butter alternative. They hold up well and still taste great at room temperature.

How To Store Our Coconut Chocolate Waffles

Keeping them fresh in the fridge

If you’ve got leftovers or made a batch to enjoy over the next couple of days, simply let the waffle pops cool completely before storing. Place them in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for about 3 days.

When you’re ready to serve, you can warm them gently in a toaster or microwave. If you’re serving babies, especially those doing baby-led weaning, be sure to let them cool slightly again so they’re warm but not too hot for tiny hands and mouths.

Freezing for later is a game-changer

To make mornings even easier, you can freeze these coconut chocolate waffles. After they’ve cooled completely, lay them flat on a baking tray in a single layer and freeze for about an hour.

Once they’re frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. This method helps keep them from sticking together, so you can grab just one or two at a time. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months.

Reheating is quick and easy

When you're ready to enjoy a frozen waffle pop, you can warm it up in the toaster for a few minutes until it’s heated through and lightly crisp on the outside. For babies and toddlers, you might prefer reheating in the microwave for a softer texture.

Always test the temperature before serving, especially to babies, and if you're cutting them into strips for baby-led weaning, do that after reheating so they’re warm and easy to handle.

Equipment

• Mini waffle maker 
• Mixing bowl

Nutrition

Suitable for 6 months +

Per serving (approximate):

• Calories: 180–220 
• Protein: 5–6g (from eggs and milk)
• Healthy Fats: 7–9g (from coconut and eggs)
• Carbohydrates: 26–30g (from bananas, flour, and milk)
• Fiber: 4–6g (from bananas, cocoa powder, and coconut flakes)
• Calcium: from milk
• Iron: from cocoa powder and coconut flakes
• Omega-3s: if adding ground flaxseed or chia seeds as an optional mix-in

Note: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and quantities of ingredients used, as well as any optional additions or toppings.