Learn how to make the Best Ever Vegan Waffles! Nice and crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside. Plus, they’re easy to make and use ingredients you likely already have in your pantry!

close up of a waffle with butter and syrup on it

These truly are the best vegan waffles I’ve ever had. Perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, as a proper waffle should be. Plus, theyโ€™re easy to make, require only 1 main bowl, and use ingredients you likely already have in your pantry!

Iโ€™ve left plenty of room for substitutions so you can use what you have on hand. Make them fresh for Sunday morning brunch, or freeze a batch and pop them in the toaster for a super quick, delicious breakfast.

If youโ€™re a waffle enthusiast like me, youโ€™ll want to try my pumpkin waffles or my gluten free waffle recipe.

syrup being drizzled on stack of vegan waffles, red towel in background

Ingredients needed (with substitutions)

  • Ground flaxseeds – To make the flax eggs. Or simply omit the flax eggs and increase the oil. Works perfectly!
  • Soy milk – Use coconut, almond, cashew, or any other kind of non-dairy milk in replacement of the soy milk.
  • Apple cider vinegar – For perfectly risen, fluffy waffles. You can substitute this for lemon juice or white vinegar.
  • Flour – You may make these waffles with all white flour, a mix of whole wheat and white, all whole wheat or even gluten free.
  • Baking powder
  • Granulated sugar – You could also use cane, raw, coconut, or brown sugar.
  • Melted vegan butter or oil – Melted coconut oil, canola oil or vegan butter all work here. For oil free, you can substitute applesauce but they won’t be as crisp.
  • Vanilla extract
stack of waffles on a white plate with red towel and blueberries on wood backdrop

How to make vegan waffles

Full instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. This is simply an overview with photos.

Start by preheating your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This is the best way to get perfect waffles every time! This waffle iron is my favorite because it makes more shallow waffles (not Belgian waffles) and the batter never sticks. Prepare your flax egg and vegan “buttermilk”.

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
  2. Next, add in the flax egg, vegan buttermilk, melted butter or oil, and vanilla. Stir until just combined with a large wooden spoon (donโ€™t over mix!). 
  3. Spray the waffle iron with cooking spray (unless the waffle iron is truly non-stick). Pour some batter onto the hot iron. The amount will vary depending on your waffle iron, I used about 3/4 cup per waffle.
  4. Cook as directed until the waffle is golden brown on both sides. Don’t try to remove the waffle before it’s cooked, or it will stick!
collage of how to make waffles, step by step in the waffle iron

Can these be made gluten free?

You can use spelt flour or a gluten free mix instead of white flour to make turn this into a gluten free recipe. Alternatively, use my recipe for Vegan Gluten Free Waffles.

Toppings and add ins

Load your waffles with a ton of toppings, if desired. You could drizzle them in maple syrup, whipped cream, vegan butter, lemon curd, fresh berries, sliced bananas, vegan Nutella, slivered almonds, or caramel drizzle. If you really want to make this into a savory meal, make my vegan โ€œchickenโ€ for maple syrup-drenched vegan chicken and waffles!

Customize your waffle batter with tasty add-ins. I recommend using:

  • Dairy free chocolate chips
  • Sliced bananas or strawberries
  • Peanut or almond butter
  • Blueberries
  • A hint of cinnamon
  • Pumpkin spice

Tips for the best waffles

  • The batter should be fairly thick. If it’s too runny, add a few tablespoons more of flour. If it’s too thick, add a little more water.
  • Donโ€™t over mix the batter. Mix until everything has just combined for the lightest, fluffiest waffles. If there are lots of lumps, just let the batter rest for 10 minutes so they can dissolve.
  • If youโ€™re not ready to serve the waffles immediately, keep them in a warm oven (200ยบF) until youโ€™re ready to serve. This will keep them crispy and hot.

How to store leftovers

Wrap the leftover waffles individually or seal them in a container. Store them in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

To freeze the waffles, place as many as you can in a freezer-safe bag. They freeze very nicely and will last for up to 3 months.

Pop the frozen or chilled waffles in a toaster until theyโ€™re warmed through and crispy.

syrup drizzling on tall stack of waffles

Want more sweet and simple vegan breakfast recipes?

square image of waffles with butter and syrup, close up
4.95 stars (196 ratings)

Best Ever Vegan Waffles

How to make the Best Ever Vegan Waffles! Nice and crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 large waffles

Ingredients 
 

Flax Eggs (see notes for alternative)

  • 1/4 cup ground flaxseeds
  • 1/2 cup water

Vegan Buttermilk

The Rest

  • 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour* or a mix of whole wheat and white flour
  • 2 tablespoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup melted vegan butter or coconut oil, or other oil
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions 

  • Preheat waffle iron according to manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Make the Flax Eggs: In a small bowl, combine the ground flax and water. Stir, and set aside to thicken.
  • Make the Vegan Buttermilk: In a large measuring cup or bowl, measure 3 1/2 cups of soy milk. Add the apple cider vinegar, stir a little with a spoon and set aside to curdle.ย 
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.ย 
  • Add the flax eggs, vegan buttermilk, melted vegan butter/oil and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined with a large wooden spoon, being careful not to over mix. The batter should be fairly thick, if it's too runny add a few tablespoons more of flour. If it's too thick, add a little more water.
  • Spray waffle iron with non-stick spray. Pour the recommended amount of batter onto hot waffle iron, and cook until the waffle is golden brown on both sides.
  • Serve immediately, or keep in a warm oven (200 degrees F) until ready to serve. Top with fresh berries, coconut whip, vegan butter, maple syrup and anything else you desire!

Video

Notes

  1. I recently discovered that you can make these waffles without flax seeds. Omit the flax eggs and increase the oil to 3/4 cup. Works really well, but they are slightly less crispy.
  2. May use coconut, almond, cashew or any other kind of non-dairy milk that you wish in place of the soy milk.ย 
  3. For gluten free waffles, simply substitute an all purpose gluten free flour.
  4. For oil free, you can use applesauce instead of oil, but they won’t be as crispy. Melted vegan butter, melted coconut oil or a neutral flavored oil all work.
  5. These waffles freeze beautifully. To reheat, simple pop them in the toaster until warmed through and crispy. I always have waffles in the freezer!
  6. These make 8-9 large Belgian waffles, but if you have a smaller square waffle maker, they make around 22 waffles.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Sodium: 349mg | Potassium: 604mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 406IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 300mg | Iron: 3mg
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Author: Nora Taylor
Did you make this recipe?Mention @nora_cooks_vegan_ or tag #noracooks!

*This recipe was first published October 2018 and has been updated with improved photos and writing. 

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Read my full disclosure here.

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Comments

  1. These taste delicious! Only thing we had a problem with was they came apart in our waffle maker. We sprayed the waffle maker each time, so I’m not sure what happened. But they still were delicious!

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed them still! Waffle makers vary a lot. But make sure you have it on a high enough setting, because if it’s not getting cooked enough, it may not come out as easy and could fall apart. Also spray it very well if it tends to stick (I have a really good non-stick one, I don’t even really need oil at all). Hope that helps!

  2. I’ve made this quite a few times now, fantastic recipe. To up the nutritional value I replace the coconut oil with extra virgin olive oil, I add 1/2 cup of hemp hearts, and they come out great!

  3. Literally better than any non-vegan waffles Iโ€™ve ever made! I followed the recipe almost exactly except I halved it & ย I didnโ€™t have any whole wheat flour so I just used all all-purpose flour and I used grape seed oil instead of coconut because it was easier than melting butter or coconut oil! OMG!! I will NEVER not use this recipe!! My kids loved it, I froze the leftovers and reheated some in the toaster today and they were perfect!! Iโ€™m so impressed ๐Ÿ™‚ย 

  4. These were great! Perfect texture and sweetness. ย I used virgin coconut oil and you can definitely taste it, so Iโ€™m going to try a different oil next time. They were still great. I have been using your blog for almost every meal. Thank you for the amazing recipes!ย 

    1. Hi Kim. I’m glad you liked the waffles. They are always a hit in my home! Try refined coconut oil, as it has zero coconut flavor. You are welcome, and I thank you for trying my recipes!

  5. Can this batter be made the night before and left in the refrigerator until they are cooked in the morning? Or would it be better to leave the wet and dry separate and then mix them together in the morning?

  6. Iโ€™m not a vegan, but I made these for my son, daughter in-law and grandkids who are vegan. These are the best waffles Iโ€™ve ever tasted. ย I doubled the recipe and made them in a Belgium waffle maker. Ended up with 18 huge waffles. Glad you said they freeze well. Thank you for this wonderful recipe.

  7. Absolutely a new family favorite! I have made it twice this week. ย We all loved these waffles so much! I didnโ€™t have the pastry flour so used all purpose as a sub, and used vegan butter instead of coconut oil. ย Will definitely triple the recipe ย and freeze so the kids can have them through the week!ย 

  8. Ahhhhhhhhhhhmazing! Just made these this morning to keep testing my new waffle iron and now I’m putting all other vegan waffle recipes away. This one is the best, hands down. Thanks for another winning recipe, Nora!

  9. Just wow! Iโ€™ve never made waffles before & they came out perfect ? I used coconut sugar as I didnโ€™t have any granulated. ย Fantastic recipe thank youย 

  10. These waffles ARE theee BEST ย waffles! ย They are so crisp on the outside and perfectly tender and sweet on the inside. ย We donโ€™t use oil, so I subbed plain unsweetened coconut yogurt (same amount) and it worked wonderfully. Otherwise, I followed the recipe to a T. I have now made many of your recipes, including your cashew mayo, egg salad, and cole slaw to name a few. They are always spot on and get rave reviews from picky non- vegan eaters. Iโ€™m always so excited when I search for a new recipe and your blog comes up. Thank you, thank you! ย ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. I’m glad to hear yogurt worked well to replace the oil if needed. I’m so happy you are enjoying the recipes, that is wonderful to hear!

  11. I was quite impressed with how these turned out. Probably the best vegan waffle I’ve ever had. Thank you for providing such an easy, yet high (satisfaction) yielding recipe.

    BTW – 1/2 recipe is likely more than enough for 2 people.

  12. These waffles really are the BEST waffles! They are light and fluffy. This recipe makes a lot of waffles and the batter holds up for at least three days. Thank you for a wonderful recipe!ย 

  13. We just made these, didn’t change a thing in the recipe. After 5 years of searching, I have found the perfect waffle recipe. We added a side of hash browns and “chicken” ? thank you sincerely for this recipe

  14. These waffles are beyond delicious!!! They instantly brighten my day, we make sure our freezer is always stocked with your waffles, we canโ€™t get enough!ย 

  15. These were awesome. I did alter ingredients a bit. I used oat milk(no vinegar) and I added some spices that I like. I usually swap applesauce for the oil, but didn’t this time. So glad I left the oil in. Made the texture amazing. These freeze well too!

  16. I have just made vegan waffeles at the first time and I have chosen your recipe. It turned out great. Thanks a lot Nora!

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