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.
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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
Thanks for this amazing & simple recipe! Just made these today they turned out so great.
Just wondering if I were to sub applesauce with banana, should I use 1 banana or the same amount as applesauce?
mash until you have the same amount of applesauce listed
The waffles turned out really good! Nice and fluffy. I didn’t use the applesauce but a flax egg instead. I also used just a little less baking powder. Will make again!!
So Happy that you enjoyed these!
Great simple recipe. Easy and quick to make and perfect for those nights that everyone wants breakfast for supper 🙂
Love it! We enjoy breakfast for dinner too
I tried it yesterday. They were not bad. But we prefer crispy not fluffy waffles. Leaving 🧇 waffles in the waffle iron did not make them more crispy just more brown. Any suggestions of recipes tweaks to get crispy waffles?
Hi Tianna. Our biggest recommendation would be to swap the applesauce for the same amount of vegetable oil.
Hi,
Can I replace apple sauce with almond butter or flaxegg and use normal vinegar?
Yes to both (we’d recommend flax egg first)
Made this this morning and it was pretty darn good.. I substituted the applesauce for banana. Thanks for the minimal ingredient list
Happy to hear you enjoyed it.
Simple & Easy
Not a lot of mumbo jumbo ingredients
Love these!
We’re so happy to hear! We appreciate you taking time to leave a review!