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Home » Recipes » Pancakes and Waffles

Classic Vegan Waffles

Published: Aug 7, 2021 by Lexi

175 shares
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These classic vegan waffles are perfectly crispy on the exterior and fluffy on the interior. Our recipe is also gluten free but doesn't sacrifice texture or flavor. These are perfect for a big brunch or to freeze for later!

side view of a stack of vegan and gluten free waffles topped with berries, maple syrup and powdered sugar.
Even when doused in maple syrup (as pictured here), these vegan waffles are still crispy!
Jump to:
  • 🥞 Why We Love This Recipe
  • 🥛 Ingredients
  • 📋 Ingredient Notes
  • 🔪 Step-by-step Instructions
  • 💭 Expert Tips and FAQs
  • 🍽 Related Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Reviews

🥞 Why We Love This Recipe

  • Crispy and fluffy: the best waffles are crispy on the exterior and light and fluffy on the interior. The secret ingredient? Aquafaba, which is whipped up just like egg whites to lighten up the batter. These are by far the best vegan and gluten free waffles I've ever had, and they don't get soggy as they sit!
  • Allergy friendly: these vegan waffles are fully gluten free, but don't sacrifice on texture or flavor. They're also nut free, so they're a great choice for those with allergies or sensitivities. That being said, anyone would love these, allergies or not!
  • Customizable: this vegan waffle recipe is a great base recipe that you can easily adjust by adding various add-ins. Think blueberries, chocolate chips, raspberries, bananas, nuts, etc.
  • Make ahead and freeze: you can make a double or triple batch of these vegan waffles and freeze leftovers for a quick and easy breakfast ready in just a few minutes.

🥛 Ingredients

Here are the key ingredients you'll need for these vegan waffles:

overhead view of ingredients for vegan waffles in small prep bowls.

📋 Ingredient Notes

  • Aquafaba: aquafaba is the liquid from a can of chickpeas. It has a thick, slightly gelatinous texture similar to egg whites, and can be similarly whipped up into a light, fluffy mixture. It has a neutral taste and doesn't add any off-putting flavor to these vegan waffles, but it makes a huge difference in the texture!
    • You can also use aquafaba in other recipes you'd use whipped egg whites in, like these vegan meringues, this vegan chocolate mousse, or this s'mores tart.
    • Use the leftover chickpeas in this Greek chickpea salad, this chickpea stew, or this vegan "tuna" salad.
  • Cream of tartar: this is a stabilizer that helps the aquafaba meringue hold its shape. It also prevents the aquafaba from deflating too much when you mix it into the waffle batter. If you don't have any, you can leave it out but be sure to whip the aquafaba into super stiff peaks.
  • Nondairy milk: you can use oat, cashew, almond, soy, or any other nondairy milk you prefer. We use an unsweetened plain oat milk, but vanilla-flavored would also be fine in these vegan waffles.
  • Gluten free flour: we almost always use Bob's Red Mill gluten free flour and oat flour for these vegan and gluten free waffles. It works perfectly every time and you can find at pretty much any grocery store in the US.

🔪 Step-by-step Instructions

Here's how to make these vegan waffles in a few simple steps:

Prep: Heat waffle maker to medium-high.

(1) Drain the aquafaba (liquid from a can of chickpeas) into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add cream of tartar and turn speed to medium high. Beat until the mixture is thick, fluffy and forms stiff peaks - about 6-8 minutes. 

(2) In a large bowl, whisk together gluten free flour, oat flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda.

on the left: whipped aquafaba in a stand mixer bowl. on the right: dry ingredients for vegan waffles in a bowl.
The aquafaba should form stiff peaks – it should look exactly like whipped egg whites.

(3 & 4) In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, melted butter and vanilla. Pour wet ingredients into dry and whisk until just incorporated.

before and after mixing wet ingredients into dry ingredients for vegan waffle batter.

(5) Using a spatula, gently fold in ¾ cup of the whipped aquafaba until just combined.

(6) Do not overmix – the batter should be very light and fluffy. 

before and after folding aquafaba into vegan waffle batter.

Add batter to waffle maker and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on the exterior. Remove and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve with melted vegan butter, maple syrup and berries. 

overhead view of vegan waffles on cooling rack.

💭 Expert Tips and FAQs

  • Not gluten free? Sub the gluten free flour and oat flour with regular all purpose flour.
  • If using a Belgian waffle maker, we suggest cooking at a medium-high heat setting for at least 5 minutes to allow the waffles to get crispy and cook fully through the middle. Be sure not to overfill the batter, which may prevent it from cooking through.
  • If using a smaller round waffle maker, a medium heat setting is best. Since these tend to be significantly thinner than Belgian waffles, be careful not to overcook, otherwise the interior will be dry.
  • Be sure to gently fold in the aquafaba. Use a spatula to gently fold it in, just until mixed. You want as many air bubbles as possible, so if you stir too vigorously, the batter will deflate and the interior won't be as fluffy.
  • Use a gluten free flour blend that contains xanthan gum: most gluten free flours do contain this ingredient that acts as a binder and stabilizer. However, if yours doesn't, consider adding 1 tablespoon of xanthan gum (you can buy at specialty grocery stores) to prevent the waffles from having a weird texture.
  • Add ins: we love adding fresh berries (blueberries, especially), chocolate chips, banana slices, walnuts, pecans and/or pumpkin pie spice to change up this classic vegan waffle batter. Add the mix-ins directly to the batter and cook as directed.
  • Storage: let the waffles cool completely, then transfer to a freezer safe container. Freeze for up to 6 months.
What should whipped aquafaba look like when it's finished?

The aquafaba mixture should be very thick and should form stiff peaks that don't move. Depending on your mixer, it can take anywhere from 5-10 minutes of mixing at medium-high speed to reach this state.

Why does this recipe use gluten free all purpose and oat flour?

We find that gluten free all purpose flour on its own tends to give these vegan waffles a somewhat gluey, gelatinous texture. Oat flour contains more protein, which improves the structure and makes the waffles more fluffy. We've tried both ways and we find that adding the oat flour makes these much more similar to non gluten free waffles.

What's the best way to reheat vegan waffles?

The easiest way is to use a toaster or toaster oven until the waffles are crispy and warmed. Microwaving never works – it steams the waffles and makes them soggy. If you don't have a big enough toaster, you can also place the waffles on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes from frozen in a 350˚F oven.

side view of a stack of vegan and gluten free waffles topped with berries, maple syrup and powdered sugar.

🍽 Related Recipes

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    Waffle Brunch Board
  • Fluffy Blueberry Pancakes (Gluten Free and Vegan)
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Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook or by subscribing to our newsletter.

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📖 Recipe

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side view of a stack of vegan and gluten free waffles topped with berries, maple syrup and powdered sugar.

Vegan Waffles


★★★★★

4.5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Lexi
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 10-12 waffles 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

These classic vegan waffles are perfectly crispy on the exterior and fluffy on the interior. Our recipe is also gluten free but doesn't sacrifice texture or flavor. These are perfect for a big brunch or to freeze for later! 


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • ⅓ cup aquafaba (the liquid drained from one 15 oz can of chickpeas)
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 2 cups gluten free all purpose flour*
  • 1 cup oat flour
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups nondairy milk, room temperature (we used oat milk)
  • 6 tablespoons melted vegan butter
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Heat waffle maker to medium-high.
  2. Drain the aquafaba (liquid from a can of chickpeas) into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add cream of tartar and turn speed to medium high. Beat until the mixture is thick, fluffy and forms stiff peaks - about 6-8 minutes. 
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together gluten free flour, oat flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, melted butter and vanilla. Pour wet ingredients into dry and whisk until just incorporated. Using a spatula, gently fold in ¾ cup of the whipped aquafaba until just combined. Do not overmix – the batter should be very light and fluffy. 
  5. Add batter to waffle maker and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on the exterior. Remove and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve with melted vegan butter, maple syrup and berries. 

Notes

*If not gluten free, substitute GF all purpose flour and oat flour with 3 cups of regular all purpose flour. 

Be sure to gently fold in the aquafaba. Use a spatula to gently fold it in, just until mixed. You want as many air bubbles as possible, so if you stir too vigorously, the batter will deflate and the interior won't be as fluffy. 

Add ins: we love adding things like fresh berries (blueberries, especially), chocolate chips, banana slices, walnuts, pecans and/or pumpkin pie spice to change up this classic vegan waffle batter. 

Storage: let the waffles cool completely, then transfer to a freezer safe container. Freeze for up to 6 months. 

Aquafaba: aquafaba is the liquid from a can of chickpeas. It has a thick, slightly gelatinous texture similar to egg whites, and can be similarly whipped up into a light, fluffy mixture. It has a neutral taste and doesn't add any off-putting flavor to the waffles, but it makes a huge difference in the texture! 

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Waffle Maker
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Waffle
  • Calories: 295
  • Sugar: 5.7 g
  • Sodium: 506.6 mg
  • Fat: 11.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38.7 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 4.9 g

Keywords: vegan and gluten free waffles

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    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Brittany Johnson

    August 15, 2021 at 10:36 am

    Loved that I didn’t have to make my own subs for a gluten free, nut free, vegan recipe. 🙂 everyone with their own dietary restrictions loved the waffles. We used a regular (non-Belgian) waffle iron and they came out flaky and light. Served with balsamic strawberries, homemade apple pie filling, and coconut whipped cream. *chef’s kiss* will definitely make this again.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Lexi

      August 16, 2021 at 9:17 am

      Ah yay I'm so thrilled to hear that!! Also, those toppings sound amazing. Perfect brunch! Thanks so much for your comment!

      Reply
  2. Laurel

    April 09, 2020 at 8:13 pm

    I made these for dinner tonight. To mix the flours and make the waffles at one time is time consuming but they are the best gluten-free waffles I've had. We have a tree nut allergy so I substituted the oat flour for the almond flour and they seemed to turn out well. I will definitely make again and I'm sure they'll be even better next time. I did save the extra aquafava to make another batch in the morning. I may need to rewhip it but even after sitting out for an hour or so still had retained it's whipped state.

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Lexi

      April 10, 2020 at 11:41 am

      So glad to hear that, Laurel! It can be a bit time consuming, but definitely worth the effort!

      Reply
  3. Laurel

    April 19, 2019 at 1:44 pm

    Any possible substitute for almond flour? We have a nut allergy in our family.

    Reply
    • Lexi

      April 19, 2019 at 1:52 pm

      Hi! Yes, you can replace with more oat flour. Since it's a small quantity, it shouldn't change the texture much. Hope you enjoy!

      Reply

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