When it comes to starting your day off right, nothing beats a healthy, delicious breakfast. One of the best ways to ensure you get a nutritious meal in the morning is by making homemade gluten-free oat waffles. These waffles are not only incredibly tasty but also packed with wholesome ingredients that provide essential nutrients to fuel your day.
Why Choose Oat Waffles?
Oat waffles are a fantastic alternative to traditional waffles made with refined flour. By using oat flour, you’re incorporating a whole grain that is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Oats are known for their heart-healthy benefits, including lowering cholesterol levels and stabilizing blood sugar. They are also naturally gluten-free, making them an excellent option for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
Nutritional Benefits
- High Fiber Content: Oats are a great source of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, keeps you feeling full longer, and supports healthy cholesterol levels.
- Protein-Packed: The addition of eggs and milk increases the protein content, making these waffles a balanced meal that helps maintain muscle mass and keeps you energized.
- Healthy Fats: Using melted coconut oil or unsalted butter adds healthy fats, which are essential for brain function and maintaining healthy skin and hair.
- Natural Sweeteners: Maple syrup, used in the batter and as a topping, provides a natural sweetness without the need for refined sugars.
Versatile and Customizable
One of the best things about oat waffles is their versatility. You can customize the recipe to suit your taste and dietary preferences. Use your preferred type of milk, whether it’s light coconut milk, nut milk, or cow’s milk. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon for extra flavor or mix in other spices like nutmeg or ginger.
Flour Substitutes:
Almond Flour: If you want a gluten-free, nutty flavor, substitute oat flour with almond flour. Almond flour will result in a slightly denser waffle, but it will still be delicious.
Whole Wheat Flour: For a heartier, whole-grain option, use whole wheat flour in place of oat flour. This will add more fiber and protein to the waffles.
All-Purpose Flour: If you don’t need the recipe to be gluten-free, you can use regular all-purpose flour instead of oat flour.
Chickpea Flour: A higher-protein, gluten-free option, chickpea flour will make for denser waffles but adds a unique flavor and extra nutritional benefits.
Dairy-Free/Non-Dairy Milk Substitutes:
Almond Milk: This is a great substitute for dairy milk and will work perfectly in this recipe.
Coconut Milk (Canned): For a richer, creamier texture, use full-fat coconut milk.
Soy Milk: A neutral, creamy option with a slightly higher protein content than other non-dairy milks.
Rice Milk: A lighter option if you want a mild flavor, though it will be less creamy.
Fat Substitutes:
Butter Substitutes:
If you prefer dairy-free, you can swap the butter with coconut oil, vegetable oil, or even avocado oil for a healthier alternative.
Applesauce or mashed banana can also be used as a lower-fat option to replace the oil or butter. This will make the waffles slightly sweeter, so you might want to reduce the maple syrup.
Ghee: For a richer flavor and a dairy-based, lactose-free option, substitute melted butter with ghee.
Sweetener Substitutes:
Honey: If you prefer honey over maple syrup, feel free to swap it in equal amounts. It will give the waffles a lovely, floral sweetness.
Agave Syrup: A lower glycemic index sweetener that can be substituted for maple syrup.
Stevia or Monk Fruit Sweetener: For a low-sugar option, use stevia or monk fruit sweetener, adjusting to taste. Both are much sweeter than sugar, so use sparingly.
Add-Ins and Toppings:
Chopped Fruit: Fold in fresh fruit like blueberries, sliced bananas, or strawberries into the batter for extra flavor and nutrition. You can also sprinkle the fruit on top after cooking.
Chopped Nuts: Add texture and protein by incorporating chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds into the batter or as a topping.
Chocolate Chips: For a more indulgent waffle, add dark chocolate chips or cocoa nibs to the batter. You can also drizzle melted chocolate on top for extra decadence.
Coconut Flakes: Shredded coconut is another great option for adding flavor and texture, especially if you’re using coconut milk as your base liquid.
Vegan Substitutions:
Egg Replacements: To make the recipe vegan, you can substitute the eggs with a flaxseed or chia seed “egg.” To make a flaxseed egg, mix 1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds with 2.5 tablespoons water and let it sit for 5 minutes until it thickens.
Maple Syrup: Use maple syrup (which is already vegan) as the sweetener, or substitute with agave syrup.
Serving Ideas:
Savory Waffles: Try using herbs like rosemary or thyme in the batter for a savory waffle base. These savory waffles pair beautifully with scrambled eggs, sautéed mushrooms, or avocado.
Fruit & Yogurt Topping: Top your waffles with Greek yogurt (or dairy-free yogurt), fresh fruit, and a drizzle of honey or syrup for a more substantial breakfast.
Nut Butter: Spread peanut butter or almond butter on the waffles for a creamy, protein-packed topping.
Whipped Cream: For an indulgent treat, top with whipped cream (regular or coconut-based) and fresh berries.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips:
Make-Ahead: Prepare the batter the night before and refrigerate it overnight. When you’re ready to make the waffles, just stir it again, then pour it into the waffle iron. This saves you time in the morning.
Freezing: You can also freeze leftover waffles for later. After baking, let the waffles cool, then freeze them in a single layer. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. To reheat, pop them in the toaster for a quick and crispy breakfast.
Easy to Make
Making gluten-free oat waffles is straightforward and doesn’t require any special equipment beyond a waffle iron. The ingredients are simple, and the preparation time is minimal, making it a perfect breakfast option even on busy mornings.
Ingredients
- Oat flour*, certified gluten-free if necessary
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Pinch of cinnamon, optional
- Milk of choice (light coconut milk, nut milk, cow’s milk)
- Melted coconut oil or unsalted butter, melted
- Large eggs
- Maple syrup
- Vanilla extract
How To Make Gluten Free Oat Waffles
Step 1:
In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients: oat flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients: milk, melted coconut oil or butter, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. If the coconut oil solidifies, microwave the wet mixture in 10-second intervals until it melts again.
Step 2:
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Stir with a large spoon until just blended (the batter will be slightly lumpy). Let the batter rest for 10 minutes so the oat flour can absorb the liquid. Preheat your waffle iron now (set it to medium-high if it has a temperature control).
Step 3:
After 10 minutes, stir the batter once more. Pour enough batter onto the preheated waffle iron to cover most of the surface, then close the lid. Cook until the waffle is golden and crispy. Transfer it to a cooling rack or baking sheet, keeping the waffles in a single layer to maintain crispness. If desired, keep the waffles warm in a 200-degree oven until serving.
Step 4:
Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve the waffles with maple syrup, nut butter, or any toppings of your choice!
Top Tips
- If the batter becomes too thick, add a little more milk and stir.
- Ensure your waffle iron is thoroughly heated before pouring in the batter.
- Avoid overfilling the waffle iron to prevent spills.
- To keep cooked waffles warm, place them in a 200°F oven until serving.
- Leftover waffles can be frozen for up to three months and reheated in a toaster or oven until hot.
Gluten Free Oat Waffles
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups 128 grams oat flour*, certified gluten-free if necessary
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Pinch of cinnamon optional
- ¾ cup room temperature milk of choice light coconut milk, nut milk, cow’s milk
- ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil or 5 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients: oat flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients: milk, melted coconut oil or butter, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. If the coconut oil solidifies, microwave the wet mixture in 10-second intervals until it melts again.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Stir with a large spoon until just blended (the batter will be slightly lumpy). Let the batter rest for 10 minutes so the oat flour can absorb the liquid. Preheat your waffle iron now (set it to medium-high if it has a temperature control).
- After 10 minutes, stir the batter once more. Pour enough batter onto the preheated waffle iron to cover most of the surface, then close the lid. Cook until the waffle is golden and crispy. Transfer it to a cooling rack or baking sheet, keeping the waffles in a single layer to maintain crispness. If desired, keep the waffles warm in a 200-degree oven until serving.
- Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve the waffles with maple syrup, nut butter, or any toppings of your choice!