Are you looking for some great gluten-free breakfasts? Why not give gluten-free waffles a try?
There might be any number of reasons you are considering going gluten-free. The most common is that you have Celiac disease, and you can’t eat anything that contains gluten. But there are other reasons you might choose not to eat things with gluten.
You may have decided it’s a healthy option. You might be sensitive to gluten even if you don’t have Celiac disease. In that case, you may feel better if you stop eating it or reduce the amount of it you’re consuming.
But breakfast is a notoriously high gluten affair. And finding replacement options can be tricky. The good news is that you can make gluten-free waffles, a simple twist on quintessential breakfast food.
Why Would Someone Need Gluten-Free Waffles?
The prime reason you would need gluten-free waffles is that you have Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. But maybe you aren’t the one who needs to avoid this ingredient.
Perhaps a loved one or a roommate needs gluten-free foods. Or you have gluten-free guests coming to visit.
Gluten-free waffles are easy to make, which means they are perfect no matter when or why you need them. And you can make them in batches perfect for one or two people or feeding a crowd.
And some of the recipes in this article will delight both adults and children. Feel free to make them regardless of the age of your gluten-free guests. You may just find out that you like gluten-free recipes after all.
Common Ingredients in Gluten-Free Waffles
If you aren’t gluten-free, you will probably need to go to the store for some gluten-free flour. But the good news is that you probably already have most of the other ingredients in your cabinets.
Recipes for gluten-free recipes abound, but most contain similar ingredients to the following:
- Sugar
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Vanilla Extract
- Eggs
- Milk (or buttermilk)
- Oil (or butter)
- Cinnamon (optional)
Tips for Making Gluten-Free Waffles at Home
Let’s be honest, though. As easy as this all sounds, waffles can be tricky, whether they are gluten-free or not. What are the most common issues people encounter when making homemade waffles? Sticking, and waffles that are soggy or just not crispy enough.
Waffle Maker’s Hub explains that waffles usually stick because the waffle iron isn’t hot enough. This typically occurs because you haven’t given the waffle iron time to sufficiently preheat.
Doing so will cook the outside of the waffle faster than the inside. When you open your waffle iron, your two crispy crusts will separate to reveal a raw center.
Most waffle irons have a light that tells you when they are sufficiently preheated. You can fling some batter onto the iron with a fork if yours doesn’t.
If it sizzles, your waffle iron is hot enough. If you have a light, wait a minute or so after it lights up before putting the batter in.
Other possible reasons for your waffles sticking? Using a cooking spray regularly and liberally on the plates can cause a buildup that makes them stickier. Or you might just be rushing your waffles. Leave them a minute longer before opening the waffle iron.
According to Simply Recipes, waffles that aren’t crispy can also happen because your iron isn’t hot enough. If that’s not the case, you can try swapping half your milk for buttermilk.
Or you could put your cooked waffles in the oven. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees, and place your waffles on a cooling rack on a baking sheet in the oven. This helps eliminate extra moisture to make them crispy. And if you’re cooking for a crowd, it keeps your waffles at the perfect temperature until you are ready to serve.
How to Make Gluten-Free Waffles from Scratch
There are a lot of options out there for gluten-free waffles. There are frozen premade ones that reheat in your toaster. And there are mixes where you just add the wet ingredients, cook, and serve.
But is it really all that difficult to make them yourself at home, from scratch? Not necessarily. A handful of steps is all it takes to create your dry mix, which will keep in your pantry or cupboard for up to 3 months.
Think of it as a homemade “box mix” for gluten-free waffles. This will let you mix most of the ingredients ahead, and just add the wet ingredients, stir and cook when you’re ready for waffles.
You can also make the waffles and freeze them to reheat in your toaster later. This recipe is the best of both worlds without the expense, preservatives, or excess calories you’ll likely find n boxed foods.
And you can control what goes in these, so you don’t have to worry about being surprised by an ingredient that you might also be sensitive or allergic to.
Step 1:
Mix 2 cups gluten-free flour, ¼ cup sugar, 4 tablespoons of baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a medium mixing bowl. If you’re making this ahead, stop here and save the mixed dry ingredients in an airtight container. If not, continue with the additional steps below.
Step 2:
Whisk 2 eggs, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 ¾ cup milk into the dry ingredients. Stir just until combined; do not overmix.
Step 3:
Preheat a waffle iron and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 4:
Pour 2/3 to ¾ cup of batter onto the waffle iron, and cook until golden brown.
Step 5:
Remove the waffle from the iron and repeat this process until all batter has been cooked. This recipe makes approximately 3 large waffles.
Step 6:
Top with your favorite toppings – berries, syrup, peanut butter, etc.
15 Gluten-Free Waffles Recipes
1. Easy Coconut Flour Waffles
This recipe from Nutrition in the Kitch is a bit of a misnomer. It does use coconut flour, but also tapioca flour.
And applesauce and almond butter make these tasty waffles both crisp and moist. Move over, gluten-free muffins. These gluten-free waffles are the next best thing to land on your kitchen table.
2. Easy Gluten-Free Oat Waffles
This tasty recipe from Cookie + kate is sure to become a regular staple at your kitchen table. But not all oat flour is gluten-free, so make sure you’re choosing one that is to make this particular waffle recipe a safe bet for those with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
3. Cinnamon & Vanilla Quinoa Waffles with Smashed Blackberry Sauce
Here’s another delicious recipe. It comes from Wendy Polisi, but it’s a guest post from our friends at Nutrition in the Kitch. And it will take your breakfast to a whole new level. Waffles this decadent are sure to leave everyone at the table satisfied and smiling.
4. Fluffy Paleo Waffles
This fantastic recipe from Paleo Grubs uses cassava flour to keep things gluten-free. In addition to eliminating the gluten in this recipe, cassava flour is high in fiber and calcium. It also feeds the healthy bacteria in your gut.
5. Buckwheat Belgian Waffles
Despite its name, buckwheat is a relative of rhubarb that is naturally gluten-free. And it’s the star in this crispy Belgian waffle recipe from Cookie and Kate, giving them a nutty flavor.
But make sure you stock up on your gluten-free flours if you plan to make this recipe. It also calls for tapioca flour and white rice flour.
6. Healthy Pumpkin Cheesecake Waffles
This holiday-themed recipe comes from The Greatist. You get the scrumptious flavor of pumpkin cheesecake with no gluten and a fraction of the calories. Forget Thanksgiving dinner. Make these for Thanksgiving breakfast instead.
7. Gluten-Free Whole Grain Waffles
King Arthur has a wonderful recipe for whole-grain waffles that are gluten-free. These light waffles have a crispy crust, and they’re sure to be a hit with your friends and family, whether they are gluten-eaters or not.
And the whole grain makes them healthier than some of the more traditional versions.
8. Maca Almond Banana Chocolate Chip Waffles
Nutrition in the Kitch does it again with this brilliant recipe. It explains that Maca powder comes from ground maca root, which is known to increase energy, enhance performance, improve fertility and promote hormone balance in women.
And if you ask most women, they’ll tell you the chocolate chips in these waffles also help round out those hormonal edges and increase energy. But the effects of the chocolate aren’t likely as long-lasting as those of the Maca root.
9. Super Fluffy Gluten-Free Waffles
Gluten Free on a Shoestring has a delicious recipe made with yogurt that comes with a bonus. They easily double as a quick meal on the go for future breakfasts. Make them ahead and freeze them, then pop them in a toaster oven for a quick refresh before eating.
10 Cathy’s Gluten-Free Oatmeal Waffles
All Recipes has another recipe for waffles you can make ahead and reheat for a quick breakfast. And these gluten-free waffles make a great alternative to your usual oatmeal.
11. Gluten-Free Waffles with Vegan Raspberry Compote
Are you looking for a little something extra with your gluten-free waffles? Try this recipe from Zardy Plants. With ginger, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg, these gluten-free waffles have all the flavors you love around the holidays, but you can make them year-round.
12. Red Velvet Waffles
These waffles from Nutrition in the Kitch are not just gluten-free; they’re vegan. They get their red color from a surprising source: beets. And they’re sure to be a hit next Valentine’s Day or Christmas.
13. Beet and Raspberry Waffles with Coconut Cream Topping
Looking for another recipe for your loved ones with food sensitivities? Try this recipe from Just Beet It. They’re perfect for your next Valentine’s Day breakfast in bed.
Not only are they gluten-free, but they are low sugar, low carb, and vegan. Anyone you love can indulge in these sweet treats.
14. Air Fryer Gluten-Free + Vegan Chicken and Waffles
Looking for something a bit more savory? Not to worry. Strength and Sunshine has you – and your gluten-free loved ones – covered.
These vegan “chicken” waffles sub cauliflower for the meat. And cooked in an air fryer, they’re also oil-free.
Plant-based milk and gluten-free panko breadcrumbs give you a delicious crunch, but be careful when choosing. Many gluten-free panko breadcrumbs are not egg, dairy, or soy-free. While still gluten-free, those options won’t work for vegans.
Always check your labels carefully if your diet or morals require additional restrictions.
15. Banana Teff Waffles
This recipe is not only gluten-free but also soy-free. With bananas, walnuts, and yogurt, this could easily take the place of your morning coffee cake. And it’s healthier and gluten-free. But teff flour can be challenging to find outside of specialty stores.
If you’re not in an area that caters to gluten-free cooking, you may want to try one of the other recipes instead.
Easy Gluten-Free Waffles Recipe
Looking for the best way to get started whipping up one of these gluten-free waffles recipes? Why not try the steps in this super simple recipe for gluten-free waffles from Nutrition in the Kitch?
East Coconut Flour Waffles Ingredients
- 3 Eggs
- ¼ cup Almond Butter (the runnier the consistency, the better)
- 1/3 cup applesauce
- ½ cup Almond Milk
- ½ Tsp Vanilla Extract
- 3 Tablespoons Tapioca Flour
- ½ cup Coconut Flour
- 2 Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup
- ½ Teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ Teaspoon Baking Soda
Instructions for Easy Coconut Flour Waffles
Step 1. Whisk
First, you need to whisk eggs, syrup, almond butter, applesauce, almond milk, and vanilla in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Step 2. Add dry ingredients
Next, you will add the dry ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula until smooth. Unlike pancake batter, this will be quite thick.
Step 3. Preheat waffle iron
Then preheat a nonstick waffle iron and fill it according to instructions. Typically, use 1/3 of the batter in the center of a circular iron or 2-3 Tablespoons in each of the four squares.
Step 4. Remove waffles
When finished cooking, use a knife to remove the waffle(s) from the iron onto a plate. Serve and enjoy.
Best Gluten-Free Flours for Waffles
Many different types of flour are gluten-free. Deciding which one to use depends on what recipe you’re making, other allergies or food sensitivities, and availability at your local stores.
- Oat Flour
- Almond Flour
- Tapioca Flour
- Brown Rice Flour
- Corn Flour
- Chickpea Flour
- Coconut Flour
- Buckwheat Flour
- Teff Flour
- Sorghum Flour
FAQ
Does Eggo make gluten-free waffles?
Unfortunately, the answer to this is not anymore. Eggo did release a gluten-free version of their famous waffles in 2015. But according to Choosing Nutrition, they have now been discontinued.
If you’re looking for an alternative freezer waffle that is gluten-free, you have a few options. Try Vans Ancient Grain Waffles, Kashi Gluten-Free Cinnamon Waffles, or Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Waffles.
Does vanilla extract have gluten?
This is a pretty common question, according to Gluten Free Club. It’s a logical question because the vanilla extract is made with alcohol, which is often made from grain.
But the distillation process removes nearly all of the gluten, making it safe to consume even if you have Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
What are some gluten-free waffle mix options?
There is no shortage of gluten-free waffle mix selections out there. The following are the best options:
- Stonewall Kitchen Gluten-Free Pancake and Waffle Mix
- Great Value Gluten-Free Pancake & Waffle Mix
- Kodiak Cakes Frontier Oat Gluten-Free Flapjack & Waffle Mix
- Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Pancake and Waffle Mix with Milled Flax Seed
Are gluten-free waffles healthy?
The answer to this is a bit of a sticky wicket. Any waffle can be part of a healthy diet. It is important to remember that all things in moderation are traditionally not bad for you, per se. However, waffles may not be the wisest choice.
Carbohydrates, sodium, and fat are often high in homemade and frozen waffles. But if you opt for whole-grain options, they can be a healthy choice.
Topping them with fruit instead of maple syrup also makes them a healthier option. And if you choose one of the vegan options in this article, you eliminate many of the health risks associated with the more traditional versions.
Conclusion
Gluten-free waffles may just be your new best breakfast friend. They are simple to make and come in many options, perfect to suit anyone, from those who cannot eat gluten to those who are simply sensitive.
You can even serve them to your friends and family who have no food restrictions. There are also vegan and dairy-free options.
In fact, gluten-free waffles can be made or adjusted to the tastes and preferences of whoever you happen to be cooking for, even if that’s just yourself.
You’re sure to find something you like in the recipes compiled for this article. And they are appropriate no matter the season or spice preferences of the people at your table.
Whether you’re looking for a way to change things up at your breakfast table or for something you can eat in the mornings that’s gluten-free, all of the information you need should be provided above. Try some of the recipes above according to your tastes, and let us know what you think.
