Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and what better way to kick off your morning than with a hot, crispy waffle? Waffles are the perfect breakfast food because they are quick and easy to prepare with so many options for customization. Enjoy your waffles with fresh butter and pure maple syrup or add fresh fruit and whipped cream if you have a sweet tooth.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at waffles to determine whether they are gluten free by exploring how they are made. You’ll also receive tips for making gluten free waffles at home.
Are Waffles Gluten Free?
Waffles are made from leavened batter or dough cooked between two hot plates. They are typically square in shape (though it depends on the waffle iron) and have deep surface impressions to help “catch” accompanying syrup and butter. Waffles are typically enjoyed as a breakfast food, though they can also be modified for dessert. You can find them all over the world but particularly in Belgium where there are more than a dozen regional varieties, hence the “Belgium waffle”.
As you can imagine, waffles are only gluten free as long as gluten free ingredients are used to make them. Typically waffle batter is made from wheat flour, milk, sugar, butter, and eggs with vanilla extract and salt for flavoring. They can be made gluten free by substituting a gluten free flour or gluten free flour blend for the wheat flour.
Tips for Dressing Up Store-Bought Waffles
If you love waffles, you’ll be glad to know that it is fairly easy to find gluten free versions in stores. Many stores now have a dedicated gluten free aisle or, at the very least, a gluten free section. Some stores carry gluten free baking mixes which can be used to make waffles and many also carry gluten free waffles in the frozen section of the grocery store.
Looking to dress up your gluten free waffles? Here are some tasty tips:
- Strawberries and Cream – Beat heavy cream to stiff peaks and sweeten with sugar then spoon over hot waffles and top with fresh sliced strawberries.
- Cinnamon Roll – Heat cream cheese, milk, powdered, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in a small saucepan until syrup-like then drizzle over hot waffles and top with whipped cream.
- Ricotta with Mixed Berries – Combine ricotta and mascarpone cheeses with powdered sugar and spoon over waffles then top with fresh mixed berries and a drizzle of maple syrup.
- Savory Spinach and Egg – Sauté a few handfuls of spinach in olive oil then spoon over hot waffles and top with a poached egg and garnish with parmesan cheese.
- Apple Pecan – Thinly slice apples and sauté in melted butter then toss with brown sugar and spoon over hot waffles – garnish with toasted pecans.
- Nutella and Peanut Butter – Spread one waffle with a hearty helping of Nutella and top with a second waffle spread with peanut butter – top with whipped cream to garnish.
Read on to learn some helpful tips for making gluten free waffles at home and to receive some delicious recipes.
Making Gluten Free Waffles at Home
Waffles are delightfully simple to prepare, but there are some tips and tricks you should follow to make them extra-tasty. You also need to be sure that you’re using the right ingredients to guarantee that your waffles are both flavorful and gluten free.
Here are some simple tips for making gluten free waffles at home:
- Always preheat your waffle iron to make sure it is hot before you add batter – it needs to preheat for at least 10 minutes (some models come with an indicator light).
- Avoid over-filling your waffle iron – it’s best to slightly under-fill instead so the batter spreads out properly as you close the waffle iron.
- Don’t open the waffle iron before your waffles are done! If you peak during cooking, it will lower the temperature and make your waffles take longer to cook.
- Avoid using too much cooking spray – if your waffle iron has a nonstick surface, you don’t need cooking spray as long as you let the waffle cook completely before opening it.
- Use silicone tongs to remove your waffles from the waffle iron – this will protect the nonstick surface as well as your fingers.
- Unplug the waffle iron after use and let it cool completely before you clean it – all you need is a wipe-down with a soapy sponge.
- When rinsing your waffle iron after washing, be careful not to submerge the heating unit or the cord in water and dry the waffle iron thoroughly before storing it.
Now that you know how to prepare and dress up yourwaffles at home, you’re ready to try them for yourself! Read on to see several delicious gluten free recipes for different types of homemade waffles.
Tasty Recipes for Homemade Gluten Free Waffles
If you want to go the easy route, stop by your local grocery store or health food store and check the gluten free section for a bag of waffle and pancake mix. You can also find options online or follow a simple recipe to make your own. If you’re up for a little experimentation, try one of the following recipes to see what different types of waffles taste like!
1. Classic Gluten Free Waffles
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose gluten free flour blend
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¾ cups unsweetened almond milk
- ½ cup canola oil
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Combine the all-purpose gluten free flour with the baking powder, sugar, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
- Whisk in the milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Set the batter aside while you preheat the waffle iron to the desired temperature.
- Spoon the batter into the middle of the waffle iron, using about ¼ to 1/3 cup per waffle.
- Close the waffle iron and cook until golden brown and crisp.
- Transfer the waffle to a baking sheet and keep warm at 200°F in the oven while you repeat with the remaining batter.
- Serve your waffles warm with the desired toppings.
2. Gluten Free Belgian Waffles
Servings: 5
Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose gluten free flour blend
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¾ cups unsweetened almond milk
- ½ cup melted butter
- 2 large eggs, separated
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, butter, egg yolks, and vanilla extract.
- Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined then set aside.
- Beat the egg whites in a separate bowl to stiff peaks then fold into the batter.
- Preheat the waffle iron and spoon the batter into the middle of the iron.
- Close the waffle iron and cook until golden brown and crisp.
- Transfer the waffle to a baking sheet and keep warm at 200°F in the oven while you repeat with the remaining batter.
- Serve your waffles warm with the desired toppings.
3. Gluten Free Oat Waffles
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups oat flour (gluten-free oats pulsed into flour)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 5 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Whisk together the oat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond milk, butter, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
- Stir the wet ingredients into the dry with a wooden spoon until just combined.
- Let the batter rest for about 10 minutes while you preheat the waffle iron.
- Gently stir the batter then spoon into the waffle iron, using just enough to cover the center surface area.
- Close the lid and let the waffle cook until golden brown and crisp.
- Transfer the waffle to a baking sheet and keep warm at 200°F in the oven while you repeat with the remaining batter.
- Serve your waffles warm with the desired toppings.
4. Sweet Potato Waffles
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups chopped sweet potatoes
- 2 cups all-purpose gluten free flour blend
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 6 large egg whites
Instructions:
- Place a steamer basket in a large pot with 2 inches of water.
- Bring the water to boil then add the sweet potatoes.
- Cover and steam for 20 minutes until fork-tender then drain, mash, and set aside.
- Whisk together the gluten free flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, stir the mashed sweet potatoes with the almond milk, brown sugar, and butter until well combined.
- Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined.
- In another bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form then fold into the batter in three batches – it will be very thick.
- Preheat the waffle iron and spoon some of the batter into the middle.
- Close the waffle iron and cook until the waffle is crisp and browned at the edges, about 5 minutes.
- Remove the waffle to a baking sheet and keep warm in a 200°F oven while you repeat with the remaining batter.
- Serve the sweet potato waffles warm with your choice of toppings.
When it comes to making gluten free waffles at home, the options are endless. No matter which you choose, that first bite of your crisp, buttery waffle is one you’ll certainly remember.
