Flourless Peanut Butter Waffles (Vegan Option)

Name: Flourless Peanut Butter Waffles
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats; 1 egg (see notes for substitutes); 1/2 cup almond or non-dairy milk of choice; 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce; 3 Tablespoon to 1/4 cup natural peanut butter; 1 teaspoon baking powder; pinch of salt; pinch of cinnamon; 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Optional honey/maple syrup to sweeten; Optional toppings: melted peanut butter, maple syrup, berries, banana, or dark chocolate chips

by Lindsay Cotter · 06/01/2021

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★★★★★ 4.2 from 30 reviews

These Flourless Peanut Butter Waffles turn out light, fluffy, and delicious. Made with simple and healthy ingredients, they’re a protein-rich, dairy-free, and allergy-friendly breakfast recipe you’ll love. Make them ahead of time to grab-and-go on busy mornings, or keep them in the freezer for easy meal prep! Vegan and egg-free options included.

Overhead image of peanut butter waffles on a plate.

Gluten Free Waffle Time!

One last gluten free kid friendly recipe for the month! And trust me, it’s a must make! Yep, waffles!

If I could live off one food it might be these peanut butter waffles. Seriously. I mean, there’s a reason why waffles are a staple in nearly every American household, right? They’re delicious and super easy to make. However, store bought versions can be full of additives and not-so-allergy-friendly ingredients. So, in an effort to bring this classic comfort food to everyone’s table, I created these flourless waffles.

Made with oats, dairy-free milk, peanut butter, and more, they’re full of plant based protein for the perfect way to start your day! Even better, they can be prepped ahead of time, eaten hot or cold, and customized with fun toppings and add-ins. Basically what I’m saying is that I’m obsessed with waffles, and with recipes like these 3 Ingredient Paleo Waffles and my Easy Blender Banana Rice Gluten Free Waffles, can you blame me? That doesn’t mean I’m opposed to other breakfast foods like Breakfast Muffins or Berry Breakfast Cookies, either. I’ve got plenty of those as well!

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, though. We’ve got waffles to make! Take a look to see how quickly they come together, and keep reading to find the best baking tips.

How to Make Waffles without Flour & Vegan Options (VIDEO)

What I love most about these peanut butter waffles is how easy they are to make! I promise, once you take a bite, you’ll never go back to bland and chewy store bought versions again. With just 6 steps, you’ll be on your way to the breakfast of your dreams.

To start, you’ll want to make oat flour by placing gluten-free oats in a blender or food processor. Blend (or pulse) until the oats become a soft, flour-like consistency.

Then, add an egg, non-dairy milk, unsweetened applesauce, peanut butter, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon, and blend again until smooth.

Overhead image of pancake ingredients in a blender.

Overhead image of pancake batter in a blender.

Next, add in apple cider vinegar and vanilla, and blend until a thick batter is formed. Once combined, let it sit in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.

When ready, grease a waffle iron using coconut spray or butter, pour half the batter, and cook for about 5 minutes or until the waffle is brown and fluffy. Remove the waffle, and repeat this step until all the batter has been used.

Baking Tip: Letting the oats sit in the refrigerator helps them absorb the liquid allowing for thicker and fluffier waffles. This also means that they will cook quicker and have a more tender texture with lighter insides and crispy edges.

To make this recipe vegan, substitute the egg with 1 Tablespoon of ground flaxseed and two Tablespoons of non-dairy milk.

Instead of doubling this recipe to make more waffles, I suggest just making the recipe multiple times as making a large batch can cause the dough to thicken too much.

HOW TO MAKE Flourless Peanut Butter Waffles (1 MIN):

Flourless Peanut Butter Waffles Recipe

The Secret to Crispy Flourless Waffles

Nobody likes a soggy waffle. Luckily, a big reason waffles turn out soft and soggy is due to the use of buttermilk which we aren’t using. By adding in non-dairy milk, the batter will be slightly thinner and crispier without any effort from you. However, I’ve got a few more tricks up my sleeve to help ensure that your flourless waffles turn out perfectly golden and crisp every single time.

First, make sure your waffle iron is hot. You want to let it warm for at least 5 minutes before use. To double check that your iron is hot enough, simply flick a bit of water onto it before cooking. If it sizzles and evaporates, you’re good to go. Otherwise, wait a minute or so, and try again.

Once cooked, set them on a wire rack (not a plate or baking sheet) to cool! They will continue cooking a bit, and the edges will crisp up nicely.

Fun Toppings & Add-Ins…That Aren’t More Peanut Butter

This peanut butter waffle recipe is super flavorful and nutrient dense all on it’s own. However, more is always better, right? So, if you want to add even more healthy ingredients or even just treat yourself, feel free to experiment!

Whether you’re adding ingredients to the batter, or using them as toppings you really can’t go wrong with options such as fresh fruit, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, pumpkin puree, additional spices, syrup, honey, and whipped cream!

Can Homemade Waffles be Prepped Ahead of Time?

Not only can these flourless waffles be prepared ahead of time, I would argue that they taste even better the next day! For the best results, let your waffles cool completely after cooking. Then, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Or, pop them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Then, to reheat them, simply pop them in the toaster or microwave for a minute or two, and you’re done! What you’re left with is an incredible, high protein, lightly sweetened meal.

Good for You Waffle Ingredients!

Is it possible that something this tasty can actually be good for you? Yes! In fact, the health benefits of peanut butter waffles are virtually endless. Okay, not really. BUT there are quite a few!

Overhead image of peanut butter waffle ingredients.

Peanut Butter – Often thought to be a protein source, peanut butter actually contains more fats than protein. The good kind, of course. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals such as Manganese, Vitamin B3, Vitamin E, and resveratrol.

FUN FACT! I had the privilege to attend a nutrition conference with the Peanut Institute of America. It was there I learned all about how peanuts (in the US) are grown and the real facts about peanut allergies. For you parents with kids with peanut allergies, you’ll definitely need to check this out!

SIMPLE SUB with EQUAL HEALTH BENEFITS – Don’t worry, if you can’t eat peanuts, feel free to use sunflower seed butter or any other nut butter.

Gluten Free Rolled Oats – Considered to be one of the healthiest grains on the planet, gluten free oats are super rich in antioxidants and fiber. As a result, they can help improve blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, relieve constipation, and more.

Eggs – In my opinion, eggs should be classified as a superfood. At just under 80 calories per egg, they’re packed with healthy fats, protein, and tons of nutrients and include at least a little bit of nearly every nutrient your body needs to function properly. They’re a complete protein that can help reduce the risk of heart disease, improve eye health, and aid in weight loss.

Organic Honey – Not just used to sweeten, honey is actually really good for you, too. It is a good source of antioxidants and is less harmful to diabetics than regular table sugar. Consuming honey can help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease, and quell coughing in children with colds or respiratory infections.

Flaxseed (Vegan Option) – A common substitute for eggs in Vegan recipes, flaxseed is a nutrient powerhouse full of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, lignans, fiber, and high-quality protein. Including flaxseeds in your diet may help fight cancer, lower cholesterol, improve blood sugar levels, improve digestion, and more.

When combined, these ingredients taste out of this world and will keep you fueled, focused, and healthy! Not to mention, they’re a great portable breakfast option.