The Ultimate Guide to Fluffy, Crispy, and Easy Vegan Waffles
Discover how to make the BEST Vegan Waffles that are perfectly crispy on the outside, wonderfully fluffy on the inside, and incredibly simple using everyday pantry ingredients! This comprehensive guide shares foolproof tips for achieving waffle perfection, making them ideal for delicious breakfasts and smart meal prep.
There’s an undeniable joy that comes with a perfectly made waffle. Whether it’s the crisp exterior giving way to a soft, airy interior or the delightful pockets ready to catch every drop of syrup and dollop of fruit, waffles hold a special place in my heart. From sweet lemon poppyseed varieties to unexpected savoury cornbread creations, and even unique Mac and Cheese Waffles, my love for these griddled delights knows no bounds. Today, I’m thrilled to finally share my absolute favorite recipe: super easy, classic buttermilk vegan waffles.
These plant-based waffles are a true game-changer. They deliver that coveted texture—crispy golden edges with a wonderfully fluffy center—and require only staple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Not only are they incredibly delicious and satisfying, but they’re also fantastic for meal prepping. I often double the batch, freeze the extras, and enjoy them throughout the week. Say goodbye to soggy, flat vegan waffles and hello to your new go-to recipe for the best breakfast or brunch!
Why These Vegan Waffles Will Become Your New Favorite
Making delicious vegan waffles might seem daunting if you’re used to traditional egg and dairy-based recipes, but with the right approach and ingredients, the results can be even more spectacular. These particular vegan waffles stand out for several reasons:
- Perfect Texture: We’re talking about that ideal balance—a golden-brown, crispy exterior that offers a satisfying crunch, followed by a light, airy, and incredibly fluffy interior. This is often the holy grail for any waffle enthusiast, and these deliver every single time.
- Simple & Accessible: Forget searching for obscure ingredients. This recipe relies on common pantry staples like all-purpose flour, plant-based milk, and baking powder. This makes whipping up a batch convenient and budget-friendly.
- Buttermilk Flavor without Dairy: By combining plant-based milk with apple cider vinegar, we create a homemade vegan “buttermilk” that adds a subtle tang and contributes to the waffles’ tender texture and rich flavor profile, mimicking traditional buttermilk waffles without any dairy.
- Foolproof Tips for Success: I’ve gathered my best advice and tricks to ensure your waffles turn out perfect every single time, even if you’re a novice baker. From proper batter mixing to waffle iron techniques, you’ll be making expert-level waffles in no time.
- Excellent for Meal Prep: These waffles hold up beautifully to freezing and reheating, making them a fantastic option for quick weekday breakfasts. Prepare a big batch on the weekend, and enjoy homemade waffles all week long.
Mastering Your Waffle Making: Expert Tips for Success
Creating homemade vegan waffles that taste like they came straight from your favorite diner is entirely achievable with a few key techniques. These tips are designed to help you achieve the perfect texture, flavor, and consistency every single time.
Prepping Your Batter for Optimal Fluffiness
- Activate Your Baking Powder: This is crucial for light and airy waffles. Baking powder loses its potency over time. To test if it’s still active, mix about a teaspoon into a small bowl of hot water. If it fizzes vigorously, it’s good to go! If not, it’s time for a fresh batch. Don’t let expired baking powder ruin your fluffy waffle dreams!
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Seriously, resist the urge to beat out every lump. Lumpy batter is actually a good sign for waffles, as overmixing develops gluten, leading to tough, chewy results. Mix just until the wet and dry ingredients are combined. A few small lumps are perfectly fine and even desired for a light and fluffy waffle.
- Sift Your Dry Ingredients: While not strictly mandatory, sifting your flour, baking powder, and salt together can make a significant difference in the final texture. Sifting aerates the flour, removes any lumps, and ensures even distribution of the leavening agent, contributing to a lighter, fluffier waffle. If you don’t have a sifter, a fine-mesh strainer or whisking vigorously works too.
- Room Temperature Wet Ingredients: Cold soy milk or other plant-based milk doesn’t mix as seamlessly with other ingredients and can affect the consistency and activation of the baking powder. If your milk is straight from the fridge, warm it gently in the microwave for 30 seconds or let it sit on the counter for about 15-20 minutes before starting.
- Measure Accurately: While waffles might seem less precise than baking a delicate cake, weighing your ingredients (especially flour) with a kitchen scale ensures the most consistent and perfect batter consistency every time. Volume measurements can vary greatly depending on how you scoop and pack your flour.
Waffle Iron Wisdom: Achieving the Perfect Crisp
- Lightly Grease Your Waffle Iron: Even if your waffle iron boasts a non-stick surface, a light coating of oil or cooking spray is recommended. This not only prevents sticking but also contributes to that desirable crispy exterior. The oil in the batter also plays a role in achieving this crispness.
- Patience is Key: Wait for the Steam to Dissipate! This is one of the most important rules for perfectly cooked waffles. Resist the temptation to peek! If steam is still actively escaping from your waffle iron, it means moisture is still cooking out of the waffle. Opening it too early can result in a soggy, undercooked waffle that sticks to the plates. Wait until the steam has completely stopped before carefully opening your waffle iron.
- Set Your Waffle Iron to Medium Heat: For that ideal balance of crispy edges and a fluffy interior, I recommend setting your waffle iron to a medium heat setting. This allows the waffle to cook thoroughly and develop a beautiful golden crust without burning.
- Don’t Overfill: Use approximately ½ cup (120mL) of batter per waffle (depending on your waffle iron size). You don’t need to spread the batter all the way to the edges; the waffle iron will distribute it as it cooks. Overfilling can lead to messy overflow.
Storage and Meal Prep Hacks
- Keep Waffles Warm While Cooking: As you cook multiple waffles, place the finished ones on a baking sheet in a warm oven (around 200°F/95°C) or toaster oven on “warm” setting. This keeps them warm and prevents them from getting soggy while you finish the rest of the batter.
- Freeze Your Vegan Waffles for Later: These waffles are excellent for freezing! I highly recommend flash freezing them first: place cooked and cooled waffles in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about 30 minutes to an hour until firm. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. This prevents them from sticking together.
- Reheating Frozen Waffles: For a quick and delicious breakfast, simply pop your frozen waffles into a toaster or toaster oven directly from the freezer until heated through and crispy. They’ll taste just as fresh, light, and fluffy as when they were first made!
Creative Topping Ideas for Your Vegan Waffles
While a simple drizzle of maple syrup is always a classic choice, don’t be afraid to get creative with your waffle toppings! These versatile vegan waffles can be dressed up in countless ways to suit any craving, from sweet indulgences to refreshing fruit combinations.
- Fresh Fruit Medley: Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), sliced bananas, peaches, or a mix of seasonal fruits add natural sweetness and vibrant color.
- Homemade Sauces and Compotes: Elevate your waffles with a warm blueberry sauce, cherry compote, or a spiced apple butter. These can be made ahead and stored in the fridge.
- Vegan Whipped Cream: A dollop of light and airy vegan whipped cream (coconut-based is fantastic!) adds a touch of decadence.
- Nut Butters and Spreads: Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or even a homemade chocolate hazelnut spread can provide a boost of protein and rich flavor.
- Chopped Nuts and Seeds: A sprinkle of chopped walnuts, pecans, almonds, or chia seeds adds texture and healthy fats.
- Chocolate Chips or Cacao Nibs: For the chocolate lovers, a handful of vegan chocolate chips melted on top or crunchy cacao nibs provides a delicious treat.
- Coconut Flakes: Toasted or untoasted coconut flakes can add a lovely tropical flavor and chewy texture.
Experiment with different combinations to find your perfect waffle creation!
Related Vegan Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
- Lemon Poppyseed Waffles
- Low Carb Vegan Waffles
- Orange Cranberry Waffles
- Banana Bread Waffles
- Mac and Cheese Waffles
- Jalapeño Cornbread Waffles
- Vegan Pumpkin Waffles
- PB and J Waffles
- Vegan Pancakes
- Blueberry Sauce for Waffles
Enjoy friends! If you make these incredible Buttermilk Vegan Waffles, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much for your support!
Vegan Waffles (Fluffy and Crispy)
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened soy milk, (360mL) or coconut milk or any vegan milk
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, (10mL) or lemon juice
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, (240g)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder, (14.4g)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt, (2.8g)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, (12.5g) or maple syrup
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil, (60mL) or melted vegan butter or any oil
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, (2.1g)
- fruits to serve or a dollop ofvegan whipped cream
Instructions
- Mix the nut milk, vanilla extract and the lemon juice or ACV together in a small bowl/measuring cup. Set aside for about 5 minutes – this will make the vegan buttermilk.
- In a large bowl, sift the flour, baking powder and salt. The sifting really helps to make the waffles fluffy.
- Add the sugar, melted butter/oil, buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients and using a spatula, gently mix the batter until JUST combined. It’s okay (and normal) to have some lumps. The batter should be thick and scoopable.
- Turn on and preheat your waffle maker according to which done level that you want. I set mine to about medium because I like mine crisp and golden but also very fluffy.
- Using a ½ cup (120mL) measuring cup, scoop out some batter and pour/spread into the middle of the greased waffle maker. You don’t need to push it to the edges. Close and let cook until the steam has COMPLETELY stopped from the waffle maker. Don’t open it before the steam is finished!
- Remove each waffle and place on a baking sheet in your oven or toaster oven on “warm” or 200°F/95°C to keep warm and crispy until finished with the entire batter. Continue with the rest of the batter.
- Serve with your favourite toppings like blueberry sauce and enjoy!
Notes
Expert Tips & FAQ
When made properly, homemade vegan waffles taste like they’re fresh from your favourite diner or breakfast spot. Here are some of my top tips:
- Test to ensure that your baking powder is still active. Let’s just say I’ve confidently whipped up a double batch of pancakes only to realise I had tossed my good baking powder and kept the expired one. We don’t want that! It’s very easy to test and will make all the difference in getting your pancakes nice and fluffy!
- Don’t overmix your batter. Like, seriously. Lumpy waffle batter is key for light and fluffy waffles, so ensure that it looks similar to the photos above.
- Sifting your ingredients really helps with the fluffiness. If you don’t have a strainer, sieve or sifter, that’s okay, you can still make the recipe. I do recommend it, however.
- While waffles aren’t as precise as baking a cake, I would still recommend weighing out your ingredients. It ensures the perfect consistency of the batter.
- Ensure all your wet ingredients are room temperature. Cold soy milk doesn’t mix very well, so I always pull a new container (I usually make several batches of waffles at a time) OR I take my bottle from the fridge, pour out what I need and warm it up in the microwave so it’s room temperature. If you’re planning ahead, you can always just leave it on your counter until it is room temperature.
- Always lightly grease your waffle iron. The oil in the batter is for crispiness but also helps with them not sticking to the waffle iron.
- ALWAYS let the steam from your waffle iron dissipate before you open the waffle iron. If there’s steam, it’s still cooking!!
- Freeze your vegan waffles so they last! I recommend flash freezing them, then heating them up in your toaster oven. They remain just as light and fluffy.
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.