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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Feb 2, 2022 · Modified: May 31, 2023 by Lindsey Jenkins · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Crispy Dairy Free Waffles (Gluten Free)

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    These dairy free waffles are my go-to homemade waffle recipe for crispy waffles with a fluffy center. They're naturally gluten free, have simple ingredients, and freeze and reheat really well.

    If you want to have homemade waffles on hand whenever you please, consider making a double batch and freezing half for later. The reheated waffles taste just as delicious as they do the first time you make them.

    Something about homemade waffles for breakfast midweek makes the week feel a little more festive.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients in a bowls to make dairy free waffles.
    • Brown rice flour - I love this brand for its superfine texture.
    • Potato starch - this helps give them crispy edges. Just make sure to not use potato flour as it's not the same thing.
    • Tapioca starch - also called tapioca flour.
    • Baking powder - contributes to the light, airy texture.
    • Granulated sugar - to add a hint of sweetness.
    • Salt - to balance out the flavor.
    • Dairy-free milk - I love using oat milk for this recipe, but you could also use unsweetened almond milk, hemp milk, soy milk, etc. Just avoid using canned coconut milk, otherwise, the coconut flavor will be too pronounced.
    • Lemon juice - this is used to make vegan buttermilk.
    • Olive oil - For crispier edges, use oil instead of butter.
    • Eggs - gives the waffles structure.
    • Vanilla extract - for flavor.
    • toppings (optional) - some of my favorite toppings are fresh berries, pure maple syrup, peanut butter, or vegan butter.

    How to Make Dairy Free Waffles

    Step 1. Turn your waffle maker on and lightly grease it with cooking spray.

    Step 2. Make vegan buttermilk by adding lemon juice to the non-dairy milk of your choice. Set it aside for a few minutes to allow it to curdle.

    A bowl of lemon juice with non-dairy milk to make vegan buttermilk for waffles.

    Step 3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Add in the wet ingredients and whisk until a smooth batter has formed.

    Step 4. Pour the waffle batter into the waffle maker and cook according to the manufacturer's directions.

    Step 5. Once the waffles are golden and crisp, transfer them to a wire rack. Don’t stack the waffles on top of each other, or they’ll lose their crisp texture. Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve waffles with maple syrup, fresh fruit, yogurt, or any other toppings you want!

    Step 6. Store leftover waffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. For the best results, reheat the waffles in a toaster oven on the toast setting. 

    Make It Your Way: Substitutions & Variations

    Please remember that recipes are just a starting point.

    How can you make these dairy-free waffles using what you already have? Here are some ideas…

    • No brown rice flour? - you can also use white rice flour, but make sure it's very finely milled.
    • No potato starch? - cornstarch will also work.
    • No olive oil? - you can also use coconut oil (use refined for no coconut flavor) or avocado oil.
    • No lemon juice? - use apple cider vinegar instead.
    • Not gluten-free? - use 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour or a combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flour.

    Recommended Tools

    • large bowl
    • dry measuring cups
    • measuring spoons
    • whisk
    • waffle maker

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do homemade waffles freeze well?

    Yes, these dairy free waffles freeze amazingly well. Let them cool to room temperature then transfer to an airtight freezer-safe bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    What's the best way to reheat waffles?

    The best ways to reheat waffles are either in a toaster oven on the toast setting or on a baking sheet in a preheated 300ºF/150ºC oven for 10 minutes (or 15 minutes if they're frozen).

    How many Belgian waffles does this recipe make?

    The number of waffles this recipe makes will depend on the amount of batter you use for each waffle and also the size of your waffle maker. For reference, I used ½ cup of batter per waffle and mine made 7 Belgian-style waffles.

    More Breakfast Recipes

    • Oat Flour Waffles
    • Brown Sugar Cinnamon Oatmeal
    • Maple Tahini Nut Free Granola
    A wire rack with four dairy free Belgian waffles next to pure maple syrup and a bowl of fresh fruit.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 3 votes

    Crispy Dairy Free Waffles (Gluten Free)

    These dairy free waffles are my go-to homemade waffle recipe for crispy waffles with a fluffy center. They're naturally gluten free, have simple ingredients, and freeze and reheat really well.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Author: Lindsey Jenkins

    Ingredients

    Vegan Buttermilk

    • 1½ cups non-dairy milk of choice
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

    Dry Ingredients

    • 1 cup brown rice flour see notes below
    • ½ cup potato starch not potato flour
    • ¼ cup tapioca starch
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder not baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • ½ teaspoon diamond crystal kosher salt

    Wet Ingredients

    • ¼ cup olive oil sub refined coconut oil or avocado oil
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Turn your waffle maker on and lightly grease it with cooking spray.
    • Make vegan buttermilk by adding lemon juice to the non-dairy milk of your choice. Set it aside for a few minutes to allow it to curdle.
    • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Add in the wet ingredients and vegan buttermilk and whisk until a smooth batter has formed.
    • Pour the waffle batter into the waffle maker and cook according to the manufacturer's directions.
    • Once the waffles are golden and crisp, transfer them to a wire rack but don’t stack them on top of each other, or they’ll lose their crisp texture. Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve waffles with maple syrup, fresh fruit, yogurt, or any other toppings you want!
    • Store leftover waffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. For the best results, reheat the waffles in a toaster oven on the toast setting. 

    Notes

    If your batter is really thin, you may need to add up to ¼ cup more brown rice flour.
    The amount of waffles will vary depending on the amount of batter used and size of the waffle maker. For reference, I used ½ cup of batter and mine yielded 7 round Belgian waffles.
    To freeze: Let them cool to room temperature then transfer to an airtight freezer-safe bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
    To reheat: place waffles in a toaster oven on the toast setting or on a baking sheet in a preheated 300ºF/150ºC oven for 10 minutes (or 15 minutes if they're frozen).

    Make It Your Way: Substitutions & Variations

    No brown rice flour? - you can also use white rice flour, but make sure it's very finely milled.
    No potato starch? - cornstarch will also work.
    No olive oil? - you can also use coconut oil (use refined for no coconut flavor) or avocado oil.
    No lemon juice? - use apple cider vinegar instead.
    Not gluten-free? - use 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour or a combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flour.

    More Breakfast Recipes

    • Two pieces of avocado toast on sourdough bread with marinated tomatoes and fresh parsley.
      Avocado Toast With Marinated Tomatoes
    • A bowl of homemade gluten-free cinnamon toast crunch with milk.
      Gluten Free Cinnamon Toast Crunch
    • Dairy free blueberry muffins cooling on a wire rack.
      Dairy Free Blueberry Muffins
    • two bowls of brown sugar cinnamon oatmeal with a side of milk and a bowl of berries.
      Brown Sugar Cinnamon Oatmeal

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    Hi, I'm Lindsey. My goal is to teach you how to become a better cook, rely less on recipes, and be more adaptable in the kitchen depending on what's in season, in your pantry, or to fit your dietary needs. All recipes are dairy-free but come with a "make it your way" substitution section to get you started.

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