The best vegan store-bought waffles and recipes from Belgian to Egos

Are you Team Pancake or Team Waffle?

Both of these staple breakfast items have their merits, but there’s no denying the textural variety and sweet-meets-savory versatility of a waffle. By its design, arguably, there’s more going on with a waffle than a pancake. Thanks to the crispy square-shaped indentations, the waffles are perfect containers for maple syrup and a pat of vegan butter on those squares perfectly. And let’s not forget the savory side of waffles – there are few food combinations more delightful and indulgent than the iconic chicken and waffles.

Let this article be a reason to dust off that waffle maker gathering dust in the back of the cupboard, or if you’re gadget-less, try the store-bought alternatives below. Here are seven vegan waffle recipes and six stellar store-bought options to celebrate Team Waffle. But first, here’s why it’s important to always double-check ingredients before buying them, because, unfortunately, waffles aren’t always vegan.

Why aren’t all waffles vegan?

A waffle is a humble dish made from a very simple batter. Traditionally, they are made with flour and water or milk, eggs, oil, sugar, baking powder or baking soda and a pinch of salt. Eggs provide structure and leavening while cooking, and milk helps turn a dry mixture into a liquid batter that can easily be poured into every corner of your waffle iron.

But, of course, this classic recipe is not limited to those who abstain from animal products. However, the same delicious scientific response can occur with the right vegan swap.

What are vegan waffles made of?

If you want to make vegan waffles, first, swap out the dairy milk with a non-dairy alternative, such as oat, soy or almond. (For more information on the different types of vegan milk, you can find our guide to choosing the best vegan milk for you here.) Next, you’ll need to replace the eggs with a vegan egg replacer, such as aquafaba. (Again, for more information, you can find our guide to egg substitutes here.)

Proof that waffles can easily be made vegan And Delicious taste? Then follow one of these vegetarian recipes below!

Best Vegan Waffle Recipes

Drina Burton

1 Perfect gluten-free vegan waffles

Gone are the days when gluten-free was synonymous with cereal. These waffles are perfectly fluffy without a touch. Made with dairy-free yogurt, mashed bananas, and almond and oat flours, the recipe can also be naturally refined sugar-free. Go ahead, stack them high!
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Ayinday Howell

2 Mexican Hot Chocolate Waffles

Normally, we don’t eat waffles without some kind of topping, but these spicy chocolate rich waffles are an exception. The secret is homemade Mexican hot chocolate sauce swirled in batter. Of course, an extra drizzle of vegan whipped cream or chocolate sauce doesn’t hurt.
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3 Spicy Belgian Waffles with Blood Orange Sauce

If you own a Belgian-style waffle maker, now is the time to use it. This recipe will work for any type of waffler, but the deeper the crack, the more blood orange sauce these waffles can hold! Lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, this is the recipe to make when you want to impress the brunch crowd.
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4 Vegan Savory Waffles with Cheddar Fondue

There are many ways to make waffles delicious. Instead of adding fried vegan chicken, recipe developer Dustin Harder doses a very mildly sweet waffle with homemade vegetable ragout and a thick dairy-free cheddar fondue sauce. Brunch, lunch or dinner—virtually any meal is fair game.
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Jane Claiborne

5 Vegan Chicken and Waffles

Consider it the gourmet route to vegan chicken and waffles. You can buy a pack of frozen vegan waffles and pair them with your favorite frozen vegan chicken tenders, or you can make your own with this sweet potato soul-satisfying recipe. The chicken is topped with fried, meaty oyster mushrooms and served on top of a hearty whole wheat thin and crispy waffle. Follow the author’s notes and drizzle liberally with maple syrup and a touch of hot sauce.
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Crumbs and caramel

6 Vegan Churro Waffles

These cinnamon sugar-coated waffles fall firmly into the “dessert waffle” category. Unlike their inspiration, there’s no frying involved in making churro waffles at home. Honestly, the jump between a regular waffle and a churro waffle only requires one extra (and relatively quick) step. While delicious piping hot and straight from the iron, these waffles reach a whole new level when served with vegan ice cream and scoops of chocolate sauce.
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Hi Thomas

7 Fried Pear and Ginger Waffles

On its own without mix-ins or toppings, the waffle’s flavor is overwhelmingly one-note. Jazz up any basic batter by infusing it with the caramel-y notes of fresh ginger and coconut sugar. Top with sticky-sweet fried pears and crunchy almonds, and you’ll never go back to plain waffles again.
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6 Store-bought vegan waffles

One could argue that the waffle and pancake mix is ​​a variant of the store-bought waffle. However, we’re thinking of everyone out there who doesn’t own a waffle maker. For this reason, we are focusing specifically on frozen, ready-to-eat waffles. For a list of stellar waffle mixes, check out our 15 Vegan Breakfast Staples.

Van Foods

1 van food

Introducing “Snacking Waffles”. The line of vegan-friendly frozen waffles errs on the healthy side—many are gluten-free and packed with whole grains, making the ideal waffle to slather with peanut butter to beat the mid-afternoon slump. Plant-based varieties include gluten-free blueberries, apple cinnamon, original and ancient grains; Protein core Waffles; and multigrain waffles. Thin, round, and crispy, think of Van’s Waffles as the equivalent of the classic Eggo.
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dry

2 Incogmeato’s & Eggo’s Chick’n & Waffles

Kellogg’s beloved Eggo brand has partnered with Morningstar’s Incogmeato line to launch frozen vegan chicken and waffles. The box comes complete with two plant-based frozen sandwiches made with a vegan chicken patty and Eggo Lee’s-style waffles. No, you can’t pop it in the toaster, but the novelty is worth bringing to the air fryer (recommended heating method).
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Food with Marita

3 nature’s way

From toaster pastries to instant oatmeal to frozen waffles, this vegetarian-friendly brand has most breakfast basics covered. Whether you’re grain-free, gluten-free, or simply a vegetarian looking for a light and not-too-sweet waffle, Nature’s Way delivers. The Dark Chocolate Chip, Homestyle, and FlaxPlus varieties have been around for a while, but we recently came across a new kid line featuring endangered animals. A percentage of sales from the Envirokidz line goes toward protecting endangered species like polar bears and penguins. Kids and adults alike will be a hit with the beet-colored polar berry blueberry and cinnamon-spiked penguin party waffles.
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Cough

4 Cough

The makers of your mom’s favorite cereal didn’t stop with diet-friendly flakes and clusters—Kashi makes an extensive line of frozen waffles, most of which are vegetarian. Protein Waffles contain eggs and dairy, but the main line and gluten-free range are completely animal-free. Choose from Blueberry, 7-Grain, Gluten-Free Cinnamon and Gluten-Free Original. These round waffles are slightly thicker than your typical egg, making them satisfyingly fluffy on the inside. Allow the maple syrup to flow freely.
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whole foods

5 Whole Foods 365

Leave it to Whole Foods to carry a vegetarian version of everything. The grocer’s 365 range offers vegan homestyle waffles in regular and mini sizes. Blueberries, multigrain and mini blueberries are also plant-based. Stock up and treat yourself to a thick and fluffy waffle whenever the craving calls on a random Wednesday morning. Pro tip: Mini waffles are great for making a crowd-pleasing breakfast board.
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simple truth

6 simple truth

Kroger’s Best-For-You Simple Truth line is reliably vegan-friendly, proving that quality plant-based options have hit the mainstream conventional market. Check out the Organic Blueberry Waffles and Gluten-Free Homestyle Waffles during your next shopping trip to Ralphs. Use them as a container for your favorite waffle toppings, from fresh fruit to nut butter to powdered sugar (or try all three at once).
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