The Best Vegan Oat Waffles (gluten-free, oil-free)
Everyone needs a high-quality waffle recipe that is healthy enough to make often! These whole-grain, gluten-free, oil-free, vegan waffles are it. They are the best vegan oat waffles!
The Frustration of Failed Waffles
When you open the waffle maker and the waffle splits in two–half stuck to the bottom of the griddle and half stuck to the top–you just kind of want to cry, right? Now you have to pry the crispy waffle batter off and your breakfast efforts are stalled and totally derailed.
How to prevent stuck waffles:
- Have a really good waffle maker! I have this Hamilton Beach Waffle Maker. My mom bought it as well and loves it. It is truly non-stick. I do spray it with oil occasionally just to be sure, but not for every waffle. We’ve been using this waffle maker for four years and it’s going strong. The other ones I’ve had would stick like crazy!
- Have a really good waffle recipe, like this one! Eggs or a flax seed substitute are key in helping them not stick. You cannot skip the flax seeds here. You wouldn’t want to, either, they are so beneficial for your health!
An Amazing Frozen Waffle
As a gift to your future self, make one batch of these after another and spend some time making a whole bunch of waffles. Let them cool on a rack so they are nice and flat, then put them in a ziplock bag and freeze them. You’ll love pulling one out and toasting it for a snack or quick breakfast.
We have been making these waffles for years, and I have the recipe in my ebook that I offered on my website for ages, Healthy and Homemade Convenience Foods. I had two toaster waffle recipes in there–whole wheat and oat ones– that were the homemade versions of Eggo toaster waffles. These are so conveient to make in batches, freeze, and pop into your toaster anytime.
On top of being a convenient frozen waffle, they are very filling. We’re not using bleached, enriched GMO white flour here that will sap your body of nutrients and give you a blood sugar spike and no energy an hour later. Ground oats and flax seed give you great fuel for your day, with lots of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Read here about the many benefits of flax seeds. These waffles are an absolute treat to your good gut bacteria!
Waffle Toppings
Even though we all snack on these totally bare with no toppings, they are really elevated with a load of fruit! Here are my main waffle/pancake topping combos:
- Thawed frozen berries, sliced bananas, pure maple syrup, and ground flax seed and chia seeds (I didn’t put those seeds on for these photos because it’s downright ugly, but I think it tastes fine and adds cancer-fighting lignans and reduces inflammation)
- Peanut butter, bananas, and honey
- Fresh fruit in season, such as chopped peaches, pears, or cooked chopped apple
- Homemade applesauce instead of syrup, for lower sugar
I keep a jar of ground flax seeds, ground chia seeds, hemp seeds (and sometimes some chopped walnuts and cinnamon) all mixed together in a jar. I add one tablespoon to every bowl of oatmeal or on top of pancakes or waffles to get in that check mark on the Daily Dozen and protect my brain. See more in my post Oatmeal Mix-In, which is a sweetened version.
For more wholesome waffle and pancake options, don’t miss these recipes:
The Fluffiest Whole Wheat Pancake Mix
Pumpkin Pecan Pancakes with Apple Cinnamon Syrup
The Best Vegan Oat Waffles (gluten-free, oil-free)
Equipment
- waffle maker
Ingredients
- 4 cups rolled oats
- 1 TBSP baking powder
- 1/4 cup ground flax seed
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 2/3 cups water
- 1 TBSP vanilla extract
Instructions
- Blend the dry ingredients together in a blender: oats, baking powder, flax seed, and salt. Blend until the oats are fine like coarse flour.
- Pour the dry ingredients into a large bowl. (Do not think you can add the wet ingredients to the blender, it will be too thick!)
- Add the water and vanilla to the bowl and stir until just combined.
- Pour batter into your waffle maker. You may need to grease it depending on how non-stick your waffle maker is. Be sure to cook for a long time, otherwise they will be gummy inside. When thoroughly cooked and slightly cooled down, they are fluffy inside!
- Enjoy with your favorite toppings, or freeze for later.
To Freeze the Waffles
- Separate them and let them cool completely. Freeze flat on a baking sheet or cooling rack, and once frozen, put them in a closed bag. This prevents them from freezing in a big clump. To eat, put a frozen waffle in the toaster. Top with syrup, jam, chopped fruit, berries, bananas, applesauce, peanut butter, or whatever else you like.
Nutrition
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