I prefer waffles that are crisp on the outside and tender and slightly chewy inside — the best balance. Served piping hot, they’re delicious with a pat of buttery spread and pure maple syrup, not the high-fructose, processed alternatives. Fresh fruit is a favorite topping in our house: strawberries, blueberries, or sliced bananas add brightness and balance the sweetness. What fruit would you choose?
For months I experimented to create a reliable gluten-, egg-, and dairy-free waffle that still had great texture and cooked properly. Many attempts failed — the batter behaved oddly or the waffles came out with the wrong texture. I nearly gave up, especially since waffles are my husband’s favorite and we have a well-loved waffle iron. I kept tweaking the ingredients and technique until I finally developed a recipe that works consistently and tastes wonderful. This batch yields about four Belgian-style waffles, which are fairly large; children often share one, and the number of waffles you get will depend on your waffle iron.
Here’s a dependable gluten-, egg-, and dairy-free waffle recipe your family will enjoy.
- 2 1/4 cups Sarah’s gluten free flour blend
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 cups unsweetened coconut milk, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons vegan buttery spread, melted (such as Earth Balance)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour blend, sugar, baking powder, and sea salt. Set the dry mixture aside.
- Add the room-temperature coconut milk, melted vegan buttery spread, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; avoid overmixing.
- Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s directions. Lightly spray or brush the iron with a little oil to prevent sticking.
- Pour an appropriate amount of batter onto the hot iron, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges to allow the waffle to expand. The exact amount depends on your waffle iron’s size.
- Close the iron and cook until the waffles are golden brown and crisp on the outside, about 3–5 minutes, depending on your machine.
- Remove the waffle and repeat with the remaining batter. Serve immediately while hot, topped with maple syrup, fresh fruit, or your preferred toppings.
- Tip: If you prefer, substitute 2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil for the vegan buttery spread.