I’ve been making waffles since I was a teenager—back when my weekend ritual was testing new flavors and perfecting that golden, crisp-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside texture.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & we'll send it to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week.
When I went vegan years ago, one of my very first kitchen missions was figuring out how to recreate those same irresistible waffles without dairy or eggs.
After countless batches (and a few “learning experience” waffles that shall never be spoken of again), I’ve nailed a vegan waffle recipe that checks every box: crispy edges, tender centers, and flavor that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
In fact, most people who try these have no idea they’re vegan—until I tell them.
Vegan Waffle Ingredients
You actually only need 5 ingredients to make this delicious vegan waffle recipe; however, there’s 2 optional ingredients that we like, but aren’t necessary.
The ingredients that you need are:
- flour
- baking powder
- vegan buttermilk (apple cider vinegar + dairy free milk)
- vegan sugar
- unsweetened applesauce
- salt, optional
- vanilla, optional
How to Make Vegan Waffles
To start you are going to combine your apple cider vinegar with your dairy free milk in order to make vegan buttermilk. Set that aside for 10 minutes.
While you want, whisk together your flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt if adding. Once your buttermilk is ready, add that along with your applesauce and vanilla if adding.
Fold everything together just until combined, making sure not to overwork it.
Pour the amount needed according to your waffle maker’s instructions into your heated waffle maker. Cook according to instructions.
Repeat with remaining batter.
Vegan Waffle Recipe Variations:
As shown in the photos, there are so many ways to switch up your waffles. Whether you put ingredients into the batter itself or you top your waffles, the possibilities are endless.
Here’s some ideas:
- Banana Bread – chopped walnuts, sliced bananas, and whipped topping – level it up by caramelizing the bananas first
- Funfetti – add in some sprinkles for a colorful and fun treat
- S’mores – add in or top with graham crackers, vegan marshmallows, and chocolate chips
- Cheddar and Chive – into the batter add a cup of vegan cheddar cheese with a ¼ to ½ cup of chopped chives
- Chocolate Caramel – top with drizzles of melted chocolate and homemade vegan caramel
- Berries and Cream – sliced strawberries and dairy-free whipped topping – change it up by switching up the berries for blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries
Can I make these vegan waffles Top 8 Allergen Friendly?
You can! This recipe is really easy!
A few things need to happen.
For milk, you can use any safe milk, but if you want it completely Top 8 free go with an oat milk or flax milk.
And the flour. You can sub for gluten free flour. We have tried and found that King Arthur Measure for Measure works the best. Give it a try.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes! Just add the same amount of ingredients into the bowl and proceed with instructions.
Can I prep this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! These will last in an air tight container in the fridge for 7 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Vegan Waffle Topping Ideas
There are endless possibilities! Some ideas are:
- Fresh fruit -blueberries, strawberries, and bananas for example
- toast or caramelized walnuts
- cinnamon butter
- powdered sugar
- peanut butter and chocolate sauce
- almond butter and chocolate sauce
Leave a comment and let us know what you favorite is!
More like this Vegan Waffles
Once you fall in love with these pancakes as much as we have, you may be looking for even more delicious, vegan breakfast ideas. Look no further. Some other great ideas you may want to consider are:
- Vegan Lemon Blueberry Pancakes
- Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
- Easy Vegan Chocolate Chip Pancakes
- Glazed Vegan Donuts
- Vegan Carrot Cake Pancakes
- Vegan Banana Pancakes
- Delicious Vegan Banana Bread
- Vegan French Toast
- Vegan Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuits
You can check out even more vegan breakfast ideas on our site.
Pin these vegan waffles for later:
🥳 Get the Full Recipe
Vegan Waffles
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¾ cup dairy free milk (scant cup)
- 1 cup flour
- 3 tbsp vegan sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt (optional)
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla (optional)
Instructions
- Add apple cider vinegar to a ¾ cup measuring cup. Fill remaining ¾ cup with dairy free milk to make vegan buttermilk. Set that aside for 10 minutes.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt if adding.
- Once buttermilk is ready, add that along with applesauce and vanilla if adding.
- Fold everything together just until combined, making sure not to overwork it.
- Pour the amount needed according to waffle maker's instructions into heated waffle iron. Cook according to instructions.
- Repeat with remaining batter.
Notes
Nutrition
These are amazing. I hadn’t had waffles since going WFPB in April and now I’ve had them twice in three weeks. Light and fluffy inside with a crispy exterior, and the flavor is most excellent. Thank you!
So glad you’re enjoying them Evan!
This waffle recipe is awesome. I love it.
yay!
Love these! Batch cook on the weekends and this was a total keeper. I do have a question though, what would you recommend if I want to add protein powder in the recipe?
Hi! You can just follow the recipe for our protein pancakes and put them in the waffle maker. Hope this helps
https://makeitdairyfree.com/fluffy-vegan-protein-pancakes/