Fluffy, Crispy Oat Flour Waffles (Gluten-Free)

Enjoy fluffy, yet crispy oat flour waffles with this easy gluten-free recipe. Waffles made with oat flour are kid-approved, yet contain no refined sugar and are easily modified for a dairy-free, egg-free, vegan breakfast!

best oat flour waffles recipe

What better way to start the day than with light, fluffy whole-grain oat flour waffles? Not only do they taste decadent, but are also nutritious! This gluten-free breakfast is made with no refined sugar, packed with protein, fiber, and has a sweet, nutty taste from the oat flour.

Whether you make your own homemade oat flour or use your favorite store-bought brand, this recipe uses affordable, kitchen-staple basics like all the recipes in my gluten-free cookbook and those shared on the website.

Just like in these flourless pancakes and gluten-free banana waffles recipes, blended oatmeal is a tasty alternative for gluten-free flour or all-purpose flour. Because oats absorb liquid and bind ingredients, there is no need to add additional starches, making this a 100% oat flour recipe.

Below I will share workable substitutions to accommodate different diets, storing and reheating tips, along with best toppings to serve with them!

Ingredient Notes and substitutions

Besides the flour, crispy gluten-free oat flour waffles require only kitchen-staple ingredients and a waffle iron. Below are suggested modifications to accommodate different diets and preferences.

• Oat flour – For gluten-free waffles be sure to use certified GF oat flour. You may also make your own flour by placing certified gluten-free oats in a blender and blending into a fine flour. For more tips on how to make oat flour, see the linked resource.
• Sweetener – Use honey, pure maple syrup, coconut sugar, or brown sugar. Also, the sugar may be eliminated completely.
• Milk – Use any preferred milk or non-dairy milk.
• Eggs – Although the eggs help bind the ingredients, they may also be made egg-free. Either omit the eggs, or replace them with a mashed banana or 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce. This will replace some of the moisture.
• Butter / Oil – I prefer melted butter for added flavor, but this recipe also works well with and equal amount of any preferred oil. Try melted coconut oil, canola oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil.

how to make oat flour waffles

(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)

If you are not using pre-made oat flour, begin by making the oat flour. Place the rolled oats in a high-powered blender, such as a Vitamix and process until it becomes a fluffy powder.

Typically I don’t recommend using a food processor for making homemade flours, like oat flour and almond flour because the results are not as fine and large unprocessed specks remain. This makes baked goods, such as oat flour cookies, more course and grainy.

However, for baked goods like oat flour muffins, oat flour bread, and these waffles made with 100% oat flour, the extra moisture, extended rest, and cook time hydrates the grains so there is no grittiness. The results are soft and fluffy no matter which equipment you use!

Next, in a medium mixing bowl whisk together the wet ingredients – milk or dairy-free milk, eggs, sweetener, vanilla extract, and melted butter.

Add stir in the dry ingredients – oat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine. The batter will be thin and pour easily from the spoon.

While the waffle iron preheats, let the batter rest for 10-15 minutes. This allows time for the oats to hydrate and makes the waffle’s texture lighter. A similar technique is used in oat flour cake to make a lighter texture and bind the crumb.

After resting the batter will be thicker and ready to pour onto the preheated waffle iron. Spray the waffle maker generously with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the batter until it covers about three-fourths of the area.

Close and cook until golden brown with crispy edges. If the iron indicates it is “done,” but the waffles don’t release easily, or the exterior is not crispy, close and cook for a little longer. The waffle maker may have to be adjusted to a darker setting as well.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool or place on a baking sheet in a 200ºF oven to keep warm. Enjoy with some of recommended toppings listed below!

Letting the batter rest

Resting batter is helpful for gluten-free baking, or in this case a gluten-free waffle recipe, because it allows time to soften and saturate the starches. Similar to oat flour pancakes, if you cook the waffles straight away you will find them to be dense and gritty.

Ten to fifteen minutes, about the time to heat the waffle maker, is all that is required. If the batter rests too long, the oats will continue to absorb the moisture making the batter too thick and hard to work with.

If this accidentally happens though, simply add a splash of milk to thin the batter back out and continue cooking in batches.

Making oat flour waffles vegan

To make dairy-free, egg-free or vegan oat flour waffles you have a couple easy options! First, replace the milk with your favorite non-dairy option, such as coconut milk, almond milk, or oat milk. In place of the butter use melted coconut oil.

To make the recipe egg-free simply omit the eggs, or even better, replace them with a mashed banana or 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce to replace some of the moisture to the batter. The texture may be a little more delicate, but it does not affect the taste.

Storing, freezing and reheating tips

To keep the waffles warm while cooking, transfer the cooked waffles to a baking sheet in 200ºF oven. Store cooled leftover waffles in the fridge for one week in an airtight container. Alternatively, wrap individually in plastic wrap, transfer to ziplock freezer bag, and freeze up to 3 months.

Rewarm waffles by laying them on a baking sheet and heating for 10 minutes in an 350ºF  oven. They may be reheated from frozen or quickly defrosted and re-warmed in the microwave as well. A toaster oven also works for reheating frozen or refrigerated waffles.

Recommended toppings

The best part of a waffle morning is loading on your favorite toppings! Below are some the best ways to enjoy easy oat flour waffles!

• Stir chocolate chips into the batter or sprinkle on top.
• Spread warm waffles with peanut butter or your favorite nut butter.
• Sprinkle on homemade gluten-free muesli for a crunchy topping.
• Fresh berries and whip cream
• Syrups, such as pure maple syrup, gluten-free pancake syrup, strawberry, or blueberry syrup.
• Stir in fresh or frozen blueberries or sprinkle on for serving.
• Sautéed apples
• Candied pecans
• Bananas
• Toasted coconut

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