Best Ever Vegan Waffles

Name: Best Ever Vegan Waffles
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup ground flaxseeds; 1/2 cup water; 3 1/2 cups soy milk; 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour* (or a mix of whole wheat and white flour); 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/3 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup melted vegan butter (or coconut oil, or other oil); 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Weekend mornings call for a stack of the Best Ever Vegan Waffles! They’re perfectly golden and crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. Plus, they’re easy to make with pantry staple ingredients!

If you’re a waffle enthusiast like me, you’ll want to try my Vegan Pumpkin Waffles and my Gluten Free Waffle Recipe as well!

close up on a stack of vegan waffles being topped with a drizzle of maple syrup.

These are seriously the Best Vegan Waffles Ever! They’re golden and crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, as proper waffles should be. No one in my family can resist a stack (including me!).

As a bonus, these easy vegan waffles are a breeze to make in one large bowl using a handful of ingredients that may already be in your pantry. You can even turn to the substitution options in the recipe card if you’re missing one or two of the ingredients.

Make it a brunch to remember by pairing these fluffy waffles with my Simple Vegan Pancakes, a batch of The Best Tofu Scramble, and Vegan Strawberries and Cream Scones on the side!

Why this is literally the best vegan waffle recipe

You won’t believe they’re vegan – You’ll be too distracted by the fluffy, buttermilk goodness! Trust me, one bite of a crispy on the outside and soft on the inside waffle and you won’t be able to stop.
Pantry staple ingredients – These vegan waffles are easy to make with a handful of vegan baking staples, like flour, ground flaxseed, sugar, and oil.
A 5-star recipe – This waffle recipe has over 200 5-star reviews from happy readers! Here’s what some of them are saying:

“These are literally the best waffles I have ever had – vegan or otherwise!! I changed nothing – it was perfect.” – Tory

“Amazing recipe!!! The waffles turned out crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, as if they have eggs in them it’s insane!! 10/10 and can’t wait to make them again.” – Dee

“I love these waffles! They are exactly as described: the best ever.” – Nancy

overhead view of a stack of vegan waffles topped with pats of vegan butter and powdered sugar.

How to make vegan waffles

Find the complete printable recipe with measurements below in the recipe card.

While you preheat the waffle iron, make the flax egg by whisking the ground flax and water together in a small bowl. Set aside to thicken.

Next, combine the soy milk and apple cider vinegar in a large bowl to make the vegan buttermilk. Set aside to curdle.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar together in a separate large bowl.

Add the flax eggs, vegan buttermilk, melted vegan butter/oil, and vanilla to the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined, being careful not to over mix.

Don’t over mix the batter! Mix until everything has just combined for the lightest, fluffiest waffles. If there are lots of lumps, just let the batter rest for 10 minutes so they can dissolve.

a woman's hand using a wooden spoon to stir vegan waffle batter.

Spray the preheated waffle iron with non-stick spray and pour some of the batter onto the iron. Cook until the waffle is golden brown.

Serve the waffles right away with fresh berries, coconut whip, vegan butter, maple syrup, and anything else you desire!

If you’re not ready to serve the cooked waffles right away, keep them in a warm oven (200ºF) until you’re ready to serve. This will keep them crispy and hot.

Topping ideas and add-ins

Now for the fun part… decorating your vegan waffles with ALL of the toppings! Other than a classic drizzle of maple syrup, you can top your waffles with:

Vegan whipped cream
Pats of vegan butter
A dollop of lemon curd
Fresh berries
Sliced bananas
Strawberry sauce
A drizzle of vegan Nutella
Slivered almonds
A caramel drizzle

Or, if you’re a savory person, top the waffles with a few pieces of my Vegan Fried Chicken and some maple syrup for vegan chicken and waffles.

It’s also easy to customize your waffles with add-ins. I recommend using:

Chocolate chips – Fold up to 1 cup of dairy-free chocolate chips into the batter at the end.
Fresh fruit – Fold up to 1 cup of sliced bananas, strawberries, or blueberries into the batter.
Nut butter – Whisk in a heaping spoonful of almond or peanut butter when you add the wet ingredients.
Spices – Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice to the dry ingredients to make the waffles extra cozy.
Protein powder – Add 1 scoop of your favorite vegan protein powder to the dry ingredients and an extra splash of milk to the wet ingredients if you’re craving vegan protein waffles.

a stack of vegan waffles being topped with a drizzle of maple syrup.

Frequently asked questions

Can they be made gluten-free?

Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with an equal amount of spelt flour or a gluten-free flour blend. Or, make my Vegan Gluten Free Waffles recipe instead.

Can I make the waffle batter ahead of time?

You should be able to refrigerate the waffle batter overnight. Remember to take it out of the fridge 20 to 30 minutes before cooking the waffles to allow it to come to room temperature. If the batter thickens overnight, gently stir in a little water to help thin it out.

How do I store the leftover waffles?

Wrap the leftover waffles individually or seal them in a container. Store them in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

Can I freeze them?

Yes, these waffles freeze beautifully! Transfer the cooled waffles to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat them from frozen in a toaster until they’re warmed through and crispy.