Ingredients:

4 strips bacon, roughly chopped

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tablespoon sugar, plus more for sprinkling

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 egg, separated

Vegetable oil, for brushing waffle iron

2 bananas, sliced 1/2-inch thick

3 tablespoons maple syrup

2 tablespoons peanut butter, room temperature

Whipped cream, for serving

Directions:

1. Cook bacon in a skillet until crisp; transfer to a paper towel with a slotted spoon. Reserve fat in the pan. Heat waffle iron to hot.

2. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together buttermilk, butter, and yolk in a small bowl, then gently stir into dry ingredients until combined. Whip egg whites to stiff peaks, then fold into batter. Gently stir in bacon.

Brush waffle iron with oil; cook waffles to a golden brown.

3. Meanwhile, heat bacon fat over medium-high heat until hot. Add bananas and sear on both sides until well browned on both sides. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a small bowl. Whisk together maple syrup and peanut butter until smooth; stir into bananas. Top one waffle with banana mixture and sauce; cover with remaining waffle. Serve immediately with whipped cream.