Vegan Waffles Recipe (Fluffy and Crispy) (2024)

Learn how to make the BEST Vegan Waffles with this quick and easy basic recipe for classic heart-shaped and Belgian waffles made without banana, applesauce or other egg replacer. They are golden-crisp on the outside and soft and fluffy inside – just like how grandma makes them! Top them with fresh fruits, compote and yogurt for a delicious breakfast or dessert.

The Best Vegan Waffle Recipe (Easy, Healthy, Fluffy)

I love my vegan banana waffle recipe, but sometimes you want to keep it even simpler and make delicious vegan waffles without using banana, applesauce or any other egg substitute. While classic waffles are usually made with dairy milk, butter, and eggs, this vegan version is a lighter version that uses soy milk, oil, and sparkling water to achieve the perfect crisp-on-the-outside, soft-and-fluffy-on-the-inside texture that we all expect from a great Belgian waffle. They are super easy to make from scratch using 9 pantry ingredients only. Just mix everything in a bowl, let it rest for a few minutes, and let your trusty waffle maker do its magic.

Make them fresh for Sunday morning brunch, or freeze a batch and pop them in the toaster for a super quick, delicious breakfast or dessert treat throughout the week!

Delicious Vegan Waffle Toppings!

Since it is rhubarb and strawberry season here, I topped mine with my homemade rhubarb compote, fresh strawberries, and a dollop of dairy-free yogurt and it is just heavenly! You can use any fruit or berry toppings you like though like blueberries, raspberry, peach, mango, and bananas. Enjoy them simply with just maple syrup and vegan butter on top or make a savory waffle breakfast with vegan fried eggs and vegan bacon crumbles. Turn them into sweet snacks or desserts by loading them up with vegan Nutella, hot cherries and whipped cream, peanut butter and jelly, chocolate chips, or powdered sugar.

Make Chocolate Waffles

Need your chocolate fix in the morning? I got you covered! All you have to do is substitute cocoa powder for two tablespoons of flour and you will have a delicious chocolate waffle for breakfast!

Ingredients Needed and Substitutions

• Flour: you can use all-purpose flour, wheat flour, spelt flour or a gluten-free flour blend to make your waffles. If you want more fiber and nutrition in your waffles, you can use whole wheat flour. For more protein, feel free to add a scoop of vegan protein powder.
• Baking powder: this will give the waffle batter the lift it needs as it bakes in the waffle iron making them soft and airy.
• Sparkling water: this bubbly liquid is going to make those vegan waffles extra fluffy! If you do not have this, you can substitute it with a little more milk plus 2 tsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.
• Sugar: you can use any variety you prefer and adjust the amount to your liking.
• Soy milk: for a creamier batter. Other non-dairy milk such as almond milk or oat milk can also be used.
• Oil: any type of liquid vegetable oil will do. This will make the waffles moister and crispier. Melted coconut oil or melted vegan butter also works.
• Vanilla extract: to add a pleasant flavor to the waffles. You can make it extra festive and use cinnamon instead.
• Coconut oil: to slather on the waffle iron.
• Salt

How to make Vegan Waffles

As always, I recommend checking out the recipe video and these step-by-step instructions first. Then you can find the full recipe with the exact measurements in the recipe card below!

Step 1: Make the batter

First, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a bowl. Then add the wet ingredients (soy milk, oil, sparkling water and vanilla extract) into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Then let it rest for at least 5 minutes so that the batter becomes thicker and fluffier.

Step 2: Bake waffles

Meanwhile, preheat a regular or Belgian waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions and brush with coconut oil. Once the waffle iron is hot, pour in 1-2 large spoonfuls of batter and bake waffles.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy your vegan waffles with homemade rhubarb compote, yogurt and strawberries or serve with other toppings. Here a few more delicious options:

• Fresh fruits: top with banana slices, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, blackberries or other fresh berries.
• Warm fruits: serve topped with warm cinnamon apples or raspberry sauce.
• Cream and yogurt: add a dollop of vegan whipped cream, dairy-free yogurt, vanilla custard or chocolate pudding.
• Chocolate: add a drizzle of vegan chocolate sauce or top with some vegan chocolate chips.
• Nuts and Seeds: sprinkle with sliced almonds, chopped hazelnuts, walnuts, chia seeds, poppy seeds or desiccated coconut
• Cereals: add granola or sugar sprinkles for more crunch!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know when my waffles are done? Some waffle makers have indicators that will let you know once they are done. If yours does not have one, the key is to look out for steam. Once you add the batter to the iron, it will create steam. Once you notice the steam has stopped, you can lift the lid and take them out.
2. How do I keep the waffles crisp longer? When cooking a batch of these, I recommend placing the cooked ones in a warm oven to keep them crisp before serving.
3. Why are my waffles soggy? You have to make sure that our waffle iron is very hot to get that crisp outer layer and light texture. If your iron does not have a readiness indicator, you can place a few drops of water on the surface. They should sizzle immediately.
4. What are the differences between pancake and waffle batter? While pancake batter and waffle batter contain similar ingredients, the proportions are slightly different. Waffle batter is typically thicker, has more sugar, and more fat, such as oil or melted butter. However, in this healthier waffle recipe, you don’t have to worry about too much fat or sugar.

Helpful Tips When Making Waffles

• Do not overmix the batter. The texture should be thick yet pourable. A few small lumps are fine so do not sweat it. The batter will get thicker and fluffier as it rests.
• Use room temperature liquids and sift the flour if it’s lumpy to make it easier to mix the batter and prevent overmixing.
• Grease the waffle iron and make sure it is hot before pouring the batter for perfectly crisp and golden waffles.
• Do not add too much batter to the waffle iron or it overflow and create a mess. This will also result in lumpy and unevenly cooked waffles.
• Refrain from opening the lid before the waffles are fully cooked. This can cause the waffle to tear because it will stick to the surfaces.

How To Store + Freeze

• Make Ahead: you can make the batter the day before and cook them in the morning. Make sure to place the batter in a tightly-lidded container and place it in the fridge.
• Storing cooked waffles: wrap them in wax paper individually and place the waffles in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• Freezing cooked waffles: place the wrapped waffles in a freezer-friendly bag and leave them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: thaw them overnight in the fridge first if frozen. The best way to reheat your waffles is in the toaster or toaster oven. For larger batches, warm waffles in a preheated oven set to 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes until warm and crisp again.

This Vegan Belgian Waffle Recipe is:

• Dairy-free
• Eggless
• Gluten-free
• Crisp and golden outside
• Soft and fluffy inside
• Easy to make
• Simple and budget-friendly
• As good as Grandma’s recipe!

Recipe Video

If you try this easy vegan waffles recipe, feel free to leave me a comment and a star rating! And if you take a picture of your fluffy treats and share it on Instagram or Facebook, please tag me @biancazapatka and use the hashtag #biancazapatka because I love seeing your creations! 🙂

IF YOU HAVE PINTEREST, YOU CAN FIND ME HERE AND PIN THE FOLLOWING PICTURE, IF YOU LIKE! 🙂