Some people love breakfast for dinner . . . I love dinner for breakfast. Most mornings you can find me at the table with kale soup or a breakfast burrito with collard green leaves standing in for tortillas.
My kids, on the other hand, make sure to request “something special” for every possible occasion – Christmas, birthdays, Tuesday. These gluten-free waffles made with almond flour were at the top of their list this year at Cousin Camp, which is a family tradition we celebrate each summer.
Crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside, they’re easy to whip up in about twenty minutes total. Several of you asked for the recipe after I mentioned them in my newsletter, so here it is!
Why I ♥ This Waffle Recipe
Unlike the waffle recipe I used growing up, it’s not necessary to whip the egg whites to make these waffles light and airy. The number of waffles made will vary based on your waffle maker – in mine it makes four to five – but you can easy cut the recipe in half or double it based on the number of people at your table.
If you have any left over – and that’s a big if – you can pop them in the toaster the next day for a quick meal. We love ours drizzled with the traditional staple, maple syrup, but if you’re looking for something a little different here are some suggestions:
Waffle Topping Ideas (For Any Occasion)
- Homemade whipped cream or whipped coconut cream
- Chocolate chips and sliced banana
- Homemade Nutella
- Nut butter and homemade strawberry jam (or blackberry, or peach)
- Homemade ice cream
- Fresh berries such as blueberries, raspberries or strawberries
- Bacon, eggs, and cheese (make it a sandwich with two gluten-free waffles or slice a large Belgian waffle in half)
- Sliced turkey, apple, and bacon
- Fried egg, avocado, and homemade salsa
Easy Gluten-Free Waffle Recipe Made With Almond Flour
Equipment
- large bowl
- Waffle Maker
- medium bowl
- Whisk or wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 2 cups blanched almond flour (packed)
- 1 ½ cups arrowroot flour (tapioca starch will also work)
- 4 tsp baking powder (how to make your own baking powder)
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 4 large eggs
- ⅔ cup melted butter (substitute melted coconut oil or avocado oil if dairy-free )
- ⅔ cup milk (buttermilk, almond milk, coconut milk and water will also work)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract (how to make vanilla extract)
Instructions
- Preheat your waffle iron.
- Combine dry ingredients (almond flour, arrowroot flour, baking powder and salt) in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients – eggs, butter/oil, milk, vanilla.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk together until well-combined.
- Cook waffles in the preheated waffle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- If needed, reheat the waffles in a toaster.
Notes
Nutrition
Want more breakfast recipes?
Here are a few of my favorites:
- Breakfast Egg Muffins – They’re like mini-quiches, only with a bacon “crust” instead of a traditional crust.
- Maple Sausage – Sweet and savory, this easy sausage recipe is a family favorite.
- Almond Flour Pancakes – This recipe is simple enough for busy weekday mornings, but they’re great for a leisurely Saturday brunch, too.
What’s your favorite “special breakfast” recipe?
Zeffie
I made these this morning for five kiddos and they were a hit. Even at dinner, my niece was talking about how good the waffles were at breakfast. I’ve tried a few grain free waffle recipes before and this was the best. They held together, were fluffy and had a nice crispness on the outside. Perfect!
Sharon
We love to use waffles as stand-ins for sandwich bread. So fun for our little girl to open her lunchbox and find a nut butter sandwich on “waffle bread.” What waffle iron do you use? Sadly, we’re still using old school non-stick.
Carol L
Darn! 35 carbs! I’m on KETO, and I guess it’s the arrowroot that does it.
Penny Sidoli
I was very surprised also at 35g of carb. Psyllium fiber, one scant tablespoon, can replace the arrowroot. 9g carb. One T should not cause bloating or intestinal distress. You can experiment with 2/3rds of a T, ie, 2 teaspoons or even one teaspoon, the psyllium makes the almond flour fluff up, rise. Then you can lessen or eliminate the baking powder. It’s unnecessary., as it has no effect on almond flour.
Carol L
Thank you for the option, Penny!
Anu
Do you have a recommendation for a waffle iron?
Carol L
For those of you inquiring, When this was written, there weren’t many (if ANY) options to teflon or nothing. Now, there is ceramic waffle irons. I recently purchased an Oster* waffle iron with ceramic inserts that can be removed for cleaning. It is also one of those swivel machines, that you turn over to finish cooking (like in some breakfast option motels). So far haven’t used it, but now woith the substitution that Penny made, I’ll be trying it out soon!
SO CERAMIC WAFFLE IRONS ARE WHAT I’D RECOMMEND
Devyn
Would love to know what waffle iron you use? Most of the ones I’ve seen have Teflon.
CarolL
UPDATE: THEY now have ceramic coated waffle irons. I just got a beautiful red one that flips! LOVE it!
Devyn
To my understanding the ceramic ones are a coating and it varies by company what that coating is comprised of. It also seems to always be proprietary so I can never really know what it is. It would be awesome if they would be more transparent about it but until then I still don’t use ceramic coated stuff. I have heard mixed reviews on the cast iron waffle maker. I’m unsure about taking the plunge.
Carol L
Yes, they all have teflon. I have an ancient one and it also has teflon. I finally broke down and purchased a camping one made of cast iron. NO teflon!!! Of course it isn’t super easy and you have to hold it over the burner, but I figured it was worth it. I wish there were other options for the regular waffle irons, but I haven’t found any so far.
Sorry!
Lindsey
These look amazing! I’ve been looking for a healthy waffle iron but haven’t found one without Teflon. Any suggestions?
Carol L
Lindsey (and others who have asked for a waffle iron without Teflon); As far as I know, and I have looked a lot, there are NO waffle irons without Teflon. I finally bought a camping waffle iron that goes on the campfire, that you hold made from cast iron, but you do have to hold it and turn it manually. That is what I finally did. I even have an ancient one that I got over 45 years ago that is also Teflon. Back then we didn’t know it was so awful. I guess, since most waffle irons today are for the thicker, deeper Belgian waffles, they assume that people won’t be able to get the waffle out and it will stick and people will be upset. Wish someone would make one without it, though!!!
Carol L
I stand corrected: there IS a ceramic coated one on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Presto-Ceramic-FlipSide-Belgian-Waffle/dp/B000TYBWIG/ref=sr_1_3?hvadid=78683853959074&hvbmt=bb&hvdev=c&hvqmt=b&keywords=waffle+maker+teflon+free&qid=1569878303&sr=8-3
I have not looked into the ceramics and if they are totally safe. But there appears to be several models that do have Ceramic non stick coating and also titanium….not sure about that either.
I guess when I did my search, I saw the “non stick” part and didn’t read further.
Carol L
OK, well I guess I’ve visited this post several times, and commented several times! Sorry for the repeated comments!!
Looking forward to trying this with the psyllium fiber per Penny on my ceramic waffle iron.
Allyson Boan
Question – what waffle maker do you use? All the ones I’ve seen around are nonstick, and we’re avoiding the chemicals in nonstick kitchenware. Help!
Lisa
A friend has an old European electric cast iron waffle maker that he uses a plug adapter to run in his American kitchen, and I did manage locate one online for sale years ago at a VERY steep price so I didn’t buy it. We gave up on waffles and just make pancakes on All-Clad stainless steel or cast iron, and the only brands of cast iron we use are Lodge (not the enameled; their enamelware is coated in China), Le Creuset naked or enameled, or our vintage Belgian cast iron which is also lead- and other nasties-free like the other two brands we use. Many waffle recipes bake up well in American made stoneware mini muffin pans. If all you have for muffins is aluminum, use a quality and clean paper liner like If You Care brand. And please don’t use nonstick at all because the Teflon materials off-gas whether you use paper or not. It kills pet birds, so it really can’t be good for us.
Lisa
“Ceramic” coated waffle irons are also toxic, as they use polymers in the coating. No waffles for us, sadly. I tried the cast iron waffle pans and the ones that didn’t stick were sodden with grease, and very thin (we are chefs so we know how to use cast iron). 😓
Carol L
OK, I have been doing some research:
The website below actually lists the waffle iron I purchased as non toxic. I assume they tested or researched to make sure that the chemicals/polymers were not present and that it is non toxic.
https://detoxandprosper.com/detox-your-home/housewares/non-toxic-waffle-makers/
FROM THE OSTER WEBSITE:
(I have a request in for possible chemicals/polymers that are present in this product)
“This extra-durable, super-hard surface won’t flake or peel. Natural Titanium Infused DuraCeramic™ is PFOA and PTFE free”
Are ceramic waffle makers safe?
Yes, they are. Ceramic waffle makers are a much more reliable and healthier alternative to traditional Teflon-based waffle makers.
They are absent of nasty PFOA and PTFE chemicals present in conventional non-stick coatings, so no toxic fumes.
Ceramic-coatings are non-reactive and free of harmful metals like lead and cadmium.
Like cookware, ceramic waffle makers use a base metal, usually cast iron, copper, or aluminum, for even heating, and then coat the metal with ceramic.
Silicon or titanium nanoparticles get combined with the ceramic in a gel-like substance coated onto the surface.
This unique process gives these healthy waffle makers their non-stick abilities.
As a result, you get a glass-like, PTFE-free waffle iron without Teflon that lasts 8x longer, saving you money down the way.
Not only that, ceramic waffle makers can safely withstand temperatures way hotter than Teflon.
https://thegoodlifedesigns.com/non-toxic-waffle-makers/
Carol L
My comment was too long, so here is more:
However, there is true ceramic cookware that is made using only water, minerals, and inorganic materials.
Unlike other nonstick materials, the ceramic coating does not contain any toxic materials. Even when you heat the cookware to extremely high temperatures, the cooking will still be safe, and no chemicals will leach into the food.
Is Ceramic-Titanium Cookware Safe?
Yes, ceramic-titanium cookware is safe for cooking. It provides nonstick properties, lightweight pans, and overall top-notch performance.
Titanium has the best safety profile. It is non-corrosive, and you will not have problems when cooking acidic meals.
https://thekitchenpot.com/is-ceramic-titanium-cookware-safe/
Carol L
Ceramic cookware
As and when Teflon based and other metallic cookware where found not to be completely healthy there began a search for alternatives and better alternatives. That is why gradually, people started realizing the importance of ceramic based cookware and its benefits. Ceramic are naturally capable of conducting and distributing heat evenly which is an important property for cooking food uniformly. Also, this ceramic cookware are capable of bearing high temperatures and also does not form any layer on its surface which is difficult to clean unlike metal utensils.
No poisonous coating
There is no poisonous coating on ceramic cookware which can release harmful gases on being heated that can turn the food poisonous and pose a threat to your life. Since there is no such coating, there is no worry of getting scraped out or scratched though ceramic surfaces are prone to scratches but do not lead to any harmful effects and only impacts the looks and appearance of the cookware.
https://cuisinestudy.com/the-safe-non-toxic-healthy-option-ceramic-non-stick-cookware/
Well, I feel that the waffle maker I purchased (https://www.oster.com/cooking/waffle-makers/oster-titanium-infused-duraceramic-flip-waffle-maker-red/SP_529371.html) is safe ad non toxic. If later on, I find differently, I’ll post it here.
I just found another website that speaks about duraceramic:
https://easykitchenappliances.com/what-is-duraceramic-made-of-and-is-it-safe/
Lisa
Regarding “ceramic” cookware:
https://www.foodpackagingforum.org/news/nanoparticles-released-by-quasi-ceramic-pans
Truly ceramic cookware is ceramic through and through, but “ceramic” coated pans and appliances are neither durable nor clean. The fact that legitimate, unsponsored, unbiased info on the materials used in the coatings is so hard to find should give one more than pause. It’s a hard pass for me and my family.
Ally
This is seriously the best gluten free waffle recipe. They are crispy on the outside and soft inside. I freeze the extras and toast them up when I’m ready to eat. I’ve been eating it everyday with almond butter on top, coconut yogurt and fresh peaches. Thank you for an amazing recipe.
Midge Howard
I’m thinking the waffle recipe is not very healthy and I have a suggestion. Try bean oat Waffles They have no eggs in them and are much healthier. Let me know if you want this recipe
Lisa
Not a thing wrong with this recipe, Midge. I hope you’re not advocating for vegan waffles. Those are all terrible, every recipe. I’m a pastry chef so I’ve tried them all over the last two decades.
N
Hi
Which waffle maker do you recommend?
Jan
These are delicious! I wish there was a lower carb version so my husband could enjoy them, but for myself I had one with fresh peaches and a drizzle of maple syrup, and the 2nd one with crushed pineapple and extra toasted coconut (I used coconut oil). Yum. The remaining 2 (I made 1/2 recipe and cooked in our circular Cuisanart waffle iron) will go into the freezer for the future. Thank you! We make waffles so infrequently I’m not worrying about finding another safer waffle iron, just in case someone feels the need to warn me 🙂 Ours is in good condition without scratches and still works well for us.