Easy Pumpkin Waffles Recipe (+ Gluten-Free Option!)
What’s tasty, filled with warm spices, and orange all over? Pumpkin Waffles! These delicious, perfectly crispy waffles are the perfect easy fall morning delight!
As the leaves begin to change color and the air turns crisp, it’s time to embrace pumpkin season. And there’s no better way to celebrate the flavors of fall than with delectable pumpkin waffles.
Rich in color, nutrients, and warmth, these mouthwatering breakfast treats have become a seasonal favorite in our family for good reason. Not only are they filled with delicious pumpkin spice flavor, but they also fill the house with an inviting aroma that instantly brings to mind cozy autumn mornings (and busy weekday mornings too!).
With just a few simple ingredients, you can easily whip up your own pumpkin homemade waffles at home any time of year. But make no mistake – these healthy pumpkin waffles are the perfect fall breakfast item.
Don’t forget to dress them up with your favorite toppings, such as maple syrup, whipped cream, or even a dollop of vanilla yogurt, for the perfect (filling) morning treat.
Love pumpkin goodness? Check out some of our other pumpkin recipes: Decadent Pumpkin French Toast, Easy Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pancakes, and Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal!
Discover Pumpkin Waffles
What makes pumpkin waffles so popular? Here are a few reasons why they’ve quickly become a fan favorite (even with picky eaters):
- Seasonal delight: Pumpkin waffles are synonymous with the fall season. As the leaves change color and the air becomes crisp, the craving for warm, comforting, and pumpkin-infused treats tends to grow.
- Flavorful and moist: The combination of pumpkin puree and spices gives these waffles a unique and delicious flavor. Plus, the pumpkin puree keeps the waffles moist for a wonderful texture that sets them apart from other waffles.
- Customizable: Pumpkin waffles can be easily customized to suit your preferences. Add chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit to the batter, or experiment with various toppings like caramel sauce or chopped fruit.
- Easy to make: With a waffle iron and simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of homemade pumpkin waffles in no time.
Ingredients for Pumpkin Waffles
To begin making your delicious pumpkin waffles, you’ll first need to gather your ingredients.
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Brown sugar
- Pumpkin puree ( any brand )
- Oat milk
- Olive oil (and a bit more for brushing onto the waffle maker)
- Large eggs
- Melted butter
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Vanilla extract (optional)
NOTE: Please refer to the handy printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the recipe details!
How To Make Pumpkin Waffles
Here’s the entire waffle-making process for the best from-scratch fluffy pumpkin waffles that are nearly as delicious as my pumpkin bread!!
Step 1
Whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg) in a medium bowl.
Step 2
Next, whisk together the wet ingredients (eggs, milk, olive oil, and pumpkin purée) in a separate large bowl using an electric mixer. Beat the pumpkin mixture for about 1 minute or until smooth.
Step 3
Add melted butter slowly.
Add dry ingredients to the mixture, and continue whisking but don’t overdo it. It’s ok if the texture is a bit lumpy, but overmixing will make your waffles dense, heavy, and chewy.
Step 4
Preheat a waffle maker and brush the surface with a little bit of olive oil.
Step 5
Pour about ½ cup batter per waffle. Cook the waffle until crispy (usually until steam doesn’t come out anymore) for about 5-6 minutes, but it depends on your waffle maker.
Step 6
Serve with desired toppings like maple syrup, whipped cream, walnuts, cinnamon, jam, or your favorite fruits!
How To Serve Pumpkin Waffles
When your pumpkin waffles are golden and crispy, remove them from the waffle iron and keep them warm until you’re ready to serve. For a classic serving option, you can choose to top them with butter and maple syrup.
However, if you want to take your easy pumpkin waffles to the next level, consider adding:
- Whipped cream
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
- A drizzle of honey or caramel sauce
- Fresh fruit like apples or berries (my favorite way!)
- Yogurt
- Peanut butter
- Favorite flavor of jam
- Nutella
- Sprinkle of cinnamon or powdered sugar
- Savory options like fried eggs and bacon
Remember, pumpkin waffles are best enjoyed right away, so serve them while they’re still warm and crispy! Yum!
Variations of Pumpkin Waffles
Need to go gluten-free or vegan? I’ve got you covered with these variation ideas for your fall waffles.
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Waffles
To accommodate gluten sensitivities, you can easily make gluten-free pumpkin waffles. Simply substitute the regular all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. There are many gluten-free flour blends available in stores.
Just make sure it contains xanthan gum for better texture.
When following a gluten-free pumpkin waffle recipe, you may also need to adjust the liquid ingredients, such as milk, to ensure the batter consistency is just right. Start by adding the liquid ingredients in small increments until the batter reaches a pourable but thick consistency.
Vegan Pumpkin Waffles
Vegan pumpkin waffles can be made by replacing the traditional dairy and egg ingredients with plant-based alternatives.
For example, although this particular recipe calls for oat milk instead of regular milk, you could use almond milk, rice milk, soy milk, or any other non-dairy milk of your preference.
The egg component can be substituted with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water), a commercial egg replacement product, or applesauce (1/4 per egg).
Additionally, you can use vegetable oil as a substitute for butter if needed.
Expert Tips for Perfect Waffles
Everyone loves a warm, fluffy pumpkin waffle on a crisp autumn morning! Here are some friendly expert tips to help you create the perfect pumpkin waffles.
Only Use Pumpkin Puree
Firstly, it’s essential to use pumpkin puree. Make sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin puree will provide the natural flavor you seek without the added sugars and spices.
You can either purchase canned pumpkin puree or make your own by roasting and pureeing fresh pumpkin.
Mix Ingredients Separately
Next, carefully measure your dry and wet ingredients separately. Mixing the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another helps ensure that the waffles have the proper texture.
When it’s time to combine them, gently mix the two together without overmixing the batter. Overmixing can lead to denser, less-fluffy waffles.
Use The Right Spices
You can use cinnamon and nutmeg (my favorite combo), choose premade pumpkin pie spice, or blend your own mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. This allows you to customize your own pumpkin spice blend to suit your taste!
Preheat Your Waffle Maker
Before pouring the batter into your waffle maker, remember to preheat and lightly grease it with cooking spray or oil. This will help to avoid sticking and ensure even, golden-brown cooking.
Also, keep an eye on the cooking time, as cooking too long can make the waffles dry and overcooked.
Keep Those Pumpkin Waffles Warm
If you need to keep your waffles warm while cooking in batches, use a warm oven (approximately 200 degrees) to maintain their warmth and texture. This will prevent condensation and keep the waffles crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Happy pumpkin waffle making!
Pumpkin Waffles Health Benefits
Pumpkin waffles can offer various health benefits due to the use of nutrient-rich ingredients like pumpkin puree, whole wheat flour, and spices. Here are some potential health benefits:
- High in vitamins and minerals: Pumpkins are loaded with vitamins like A, C, and E, as well as a range of essential minerals. These nutrients support a healthy immune system, good eyesight, and well-being.
- Fiber-rich: By using whole wheat flour instead of refined flour, these waffles provide a valuable source of dietary fiber. Fibers aid digestion, support a healthy gut, and help keep you full for longer periods.
- Antioxidant properties: With pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg, your waffles will be rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help protect the body from cell damage caused by free radicals associated with chronic diseases and aging.
- Customizable with healthy toppings: Pumpkin waffles are versatile and can be topped with a variety of healthy ingredients, such as fresh fruits, nuts, or a drizzle of natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. This allows you to enjoy a nutritious and energizing breakfast.
You can enjoy pumpkin waffles as a tasty and wholesome breakfast option, knowing that they are packed with essential nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants. Remember to experiment with different toppings to add even more nutrition and flavor to your meal!
Pumpkin Waffles FAQs
To make pumpkin waffles without eggs, you can use an egg substitute, such as a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) or applesauce (use 1/4 cup per egg required).
Simply mix your chosen egg substitute with the other wet ingredients and proceed with the recipe. The waffles will still taste delicious and have a nice texture.
To make gluten-free pumpkin waffles, replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to choose one that has a similar consistency to all-purpose flour and includes xanthan gum, as this will help with the structure and texture.
You may need to adjust the amount of liquid in the recipe to achieve the desired batter consistency.
Waffle mix and pancake mix are similar, but waffle mix typically contains more fat (in the form of oil or butter) to make the waffles crispier. Additionally, waffle batter is often slightly thicker than pancake batter.
You can use pancake mix to make waffles, but the texture may not be as crisp.
Yes, you can use pumpkin waffle mix for pancakes. Simply thin the batter with a bit of milk or water until it reaches a pourable consistency.
The pancakes will have the delicious pumpkin flavor and spices from the waffle mix but will be more tender and fluffy.
To make waffles crispy rather than soggy, make sure to preheat your waffle iron and cook the waffles at a high temperature. Also, avoid opening the waffle iron too soon, as this can cause steam to escape and make the waffles less crispy.
Once your waffles are cooked, transfer them to a wire rack rather than stacking them to prevent them from becoming soggy.
If syrup isn’t your favorite topping, there are plenty of other options to try. You can top your waffles with fresh fruit, whipped cream, yogurt, peanut butter, Nutella, or even savory options like fried eggs and bacon. Don’t hesitate to get creative and make your waffles your way!
IF you have leftover waffles (which you can freeze for up to a month or put in the fridge for up to a week), you can reheat them in your toaster or your toaster oven to get them wonderfully crispy again!
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love!
If you love these addictively yummy pumpkin waffles, be sure to also check out these other fall-inspired recipes:
- Air Fryer Apple Chips
- Pear Apple Streusel Muffins
- Streusel Apple Cream Cheese Pie
- Chocolate Caramel Apple Pops
- Apple Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
Pumpkin Waffles
What’s tasty, filled with fall spices, and orange all over? Pumpkin Waffles! These delicious, perfectly crispy waffles are the perfect easy fall morning delight!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tbsp baking powder
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup pumpkin puree ( any brand )
- 1 ½ cup oat milk
- 1 tbsp olive oil (and a bit more for brushing onto the waffle maker)
- 2 eggs
- 1 stick melted butter
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl whisk together dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg
- In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, olive oil, and pumpkin puree using an electric mixer and beat for about 1 minute or until smooth.
- Add melted butter slowly, add dry ingredients to the mixture, and continue whisking but do not overdo it. It's ok if the texture is a bit lumpy
- Preheat a waffle maker and brush the surface with a little bit of olive oil.
- Pour about ½ cup batter per waffle. Cook the waffle until crispy (usually until steam doesn’t come out anymore) for about 5-6 minutes, but it depends on your waffle maker.
- Serve with desired toppings like maple syrup, whipped cream, walnuts, cinnamon, jam, or your favorite fruits
