Irresistible Low Carb Vegan Waffles: Fluffy, Gluten-Free & Deliciously Simple!
Why Choose Low Carb Vegan & Gluten-Free Waffles?
Understanding the difference between these waffles and conventional options puts their brilliance into perspective. For context, my beloved regular waffle recipe (which, by the way, is absolutely delicious in its own right) typically contains around 38.5g net carbs per serving. In stark contrast, these innovative low carb vegan waffles boast a mere 13.2g net carbs per waffle! This significant reduction makes them an excellent choice for anyone monitoring their carbohydrate intake, whether for weight management, blood sugar control, or simply adopting a healthier lifestyle. The aim here isn’t to declare one recipe superior to the other, but rather to expand the range of dietary options available to you. My goal is to empower you with diverse recipes that align with all your nutritional requirements and preferences, ensuring everyone can enjoy delicious food without compromise.
The Gluten-Free Flour King: Bob’s Red Mill
As with many of my successful gluten-free creations, these low carb vegan waffles owe their perfect texture and structure to the undisputed king of gluten-free flours: Bob’s Red Mill. It’s the only gluten-free flour brand we consistently use and trust here in my kitchen. So, when you see me mention gluten-free flour in any recipe, you can almost always assume it’s Bob’s Red Mill. Their commitment to quality ingredients and exceptional blends never disappoints, making them the ideal gluten replacement in these waffles. I’ve always admired their dedication to producing superior products, and the flours used in this waffle recipe are a testament to that unwavering quality.
How to Achieve Perfectly Fluffy Low Carb Vegan Waffles
Why this specific combination? Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose Baking Flour provides a fantastic base with a lower carbohydrate count compared to traditional wheat flours. Coconut flour, on the other hand, is an absolute powerhouse. It’s renowned for its incredible absorbency, which makes it an excellent natural binder, helping to hold the waffles together beautifully in the absence of gluten and eggs. Beyond its binding capabilities, both flours contribute to an amazing texture profile. When combined, they eliminate any concerns about gummy or crumbly waffles, ensuring a smooth, harmonious batter that results in only the best quality, perfectly textured waffles every time. This thoughtful blend is what guarantees those desirable crispy edges and a wonderfully fluffy interior.
Essential Ingredients and Their Purpose
Beyond the flour blend, a few other key ingredients play crucial roles in making these waffles a success:
- Unsweetened Plant Milk & Apple Cider Vinegar: This dynamic duo creates a vegan “buttermilk,” which is essential for activating the baking powder and contributing to the waffles’ light, airy texture and subtle tang.
- Ground Flaxseed (Flaxmeal): This is your vegan egg substitute and binder. When mixed with liquid, it forms a gelatinous consistency, perfectly mimicking the binding properties of eggs without adding extra carbs or allergens. It also adds a healthy boost of fiber!
- Coconut Oil: Adds richness and helps achieve those coveted crispy edges. It also provides healthy fats, making these waffles more satiating.
- Maple Syrup: While optional (and adjustable for even lower carbs with a sweetener replacement), a touch of maple syrup adds a hint of natural sweetness that elevates the flavor profile without drastically increasing the carb count.
- Vanilla Extract: A classic flavor enhancer, vanilla brings warmth and depth to the overall taste, making these waffles truly irresistible.
Tips for Waffle Perfection
To ensure your low carb vegan waffles turn out perfectly every time, keep these tips in mind:
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter until just combined. Overmixing can develop any residual gluten (even in gluten-free flours) and lead to tougher waffles. A few small lumps are perfectly fine.
- Rest the Batter: Allowing the flaxmeal mixture to sit in the fridge for 15 minutes is crucial. This step lets the flaxmeal fully hydrate and become gelatinous, ensuring proper binding.
- Preheat Your Waffle Maker: Always ensure your waffle maker is fully preheated before adding the batter. This is key for crispy exteriors and even cooking.
- Grease Well: Even if your waffle maker is non-stick, a light spray of oil or brushing with coconut oil will prevent sticking and help achieve that beautiful golden-brown finish.
- Doneness: Experiment with your waffle maker’s settings. I prefer a middle setting for slightly crisp edges and a soft, fluffy interior. Most modern waffle makers will beep when ready!
Meal Prep and Storage Made Easy
One of the fantastic benefits of these low carb vegan waffles is how incredibly well they lend themselves to meal prepping. Make a large batch on the weekend, and you’ll have a healthy, delicious breakfast ready to go for busy weekdays! Once cooked, allow the waffles to cool completely on a wire rack to prevent them from becoming soggy. For storage, you can place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, these waffles are wonderfully freezer-friendly. Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, simply pop them into a toaster, toaster oven, or even a regular oven until warmed through and crispy again. They taste just as good as freshly made!
Versatile Toppings for Every Craving
While I adore topping these waffles with fresh strawberries and a dollop of coconut whipped cream, the possibilities are truly endless! Feel free to get creative and customize your waffles to suit your mood. Some delicious ideas include:
- Fresh Berries: Blueberries, raspberries, or a mix of all your favorites.
- Chocolate Chips: Vegan and sugar-free chocolate chips for a decadent treat.
- Nut Butters: A drizzle of almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter for extra protein and healthy fats.
- Sliced Bananas: If you’re not strictly low-carb, bananas add natural sweetness and creaminess.
- Toasted Nuts or Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, or hemp seeds for crunch and added nutrients.
- Sugar-Free Syrups: A keto-friendly maple syrup alternative for that classic waffle experience.
- Cinnamon or Spices: A sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg in the batter, or over the finished waffles.
Eat up and enjoy every single bite, knowing you’re indulging in a truly healthy and delicious breakfast!
Low Carb Vegan Waffles (Gluten Free)
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Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, or coconut milk*
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed, (aka flaxmeal)
- 1/2 cup Bob’s Red Mill Unbleached White All Purpose Flour
- 1/4 cup Bob’s Red Mill Organic Coconut Flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Strawberries, for serving
- dollop vegan whipped cream
Instructions
- Mix the unsweetened nut milk and apple cider vinegar together in a large bowl or large measuring cup. Let sit for one minute to create a vegan buttermilk. Whisk in all of the flax meal until fully incorporated. Place in your fridge to set up for 15 minutes until thick and gelatinous. After 15 minutes stir it one more time to fully incorporate.
- In a large bowl, mix the Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose Flour, the coconut flour, baking powder and sea salt. Set aside.
- Pour the nut milk flax mixture into the dry mix. Add the coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract on top and mix until combined. Mix for about 1 minute until fully incorporated. It doesn’t need to be fully smooth.
- Turn on and preheat and grease your Waffle Maker according to which done level that you want. I set mine in about the middle because I like mine slightly crisp on the edges crisp and brown but also very fluffy.
- When preheated, use a heaping 1/4 cup/62.5ml measuring cup, scoop out some batter and pour/spread into the middle of each side of the waffle maker (so 1/4 cup per side*). You don’t need to push it to the edges. Close and remove when the timer on the Waffle Maker is finished and the waffle maker beeps.
- Remove each waffle (I use a chopstick since it’s wooden and easy to scoop under the waffle) and place on a baking sheet in your oven or toaster oven on “warm” or 200F/95C to keep warm and crispy until finished with the entire batter. Continue with the rest of the batter.
- Top with your favourite toppings like chocolate chips, sliced strawberries and maple syrup (optional). Enjoy!
Notes
** You can make these carbs even lower by using a sweetener replacement. I’ve included carbs for maple syrup.
You can easily double or triple this recipe!
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.