As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Make fluffy apple cinnamon waffles (now eggless and dairy-free!). They’re crisp outside, fluffy in the middle, with tender apple throughout – An easy fall breakfast!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Apple and cinnamon are a match made in heaven – as perfect in fluffy apple cinnamon bread as it is for a cozy fall breakfast the whole family will love. I’ve already shared recipes for apple cinnamon oatmeal and apple cinnamon pancakes; now it’s the turn of warming apple cinnamon waffles. They’re cozy, comforting, and you can make a massive batch to store in the fridge or freezer to reheat in the morning.
Perfect for using up an apple-picking bounty or anytime the cravings strike, these apple waffles are tender and fluffy inside with golden brown, crispy edges, a mixture of regular and brown sugar for caramel-like flavor, and fresh apple in every bite. They’re made with only a handful of simple, inexpensive ingredients you likely have on hand – now 100% egg and dairy-free (and you can’t tell!) for everyone to enjoy!
You might also enjoy my vegan pumpkin waffles or healthy protein chocolate waffles.
The Ingredients
This vegan apple cinnamon waffle recipe uses simple ingredients that you’re likely to have on hand. Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients, quantities, and substitutes.
Recipe Variations and Add-Ins
- Spices: Add depth to this apple waffle recipe with nutmeg, ginger (freshly minced works, too!), cardamom, or substitute cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice or chai spice.
- Nut butter: Swirl almond or peanut butter into the batter before cooking it.
- Almond extract: Sub the vanilla for a nutty depth.
- Add–ins: Sprinkle in 1-2 handfuls of chopped nuts, coconut flakes, vegan chocolate chips, or dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, etc.), finely chopped candied ginger, etc.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Waffles
Step 1: First, optionally peel, then grate or finely dice the apple (into 4-inch pieces). Then, preheat the waffle iron. Meanwhile, whisk the warm water and ground flax seeds in a small bowl. Set aside for 10 minutes to thicken/congeal.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk the plant milk, oil, apple, and vanilla, then set aside.
Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk the dry ingredients (flour, sugars, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon). Then, create a well in the center and pour in both wet mixtures, whisking gently until only just combined.
Step 4: Place a scoop of batter onto the waffle iron (optionally brush/spray with oil first for the crispiest edges), following the manufacturer’s instructions to cook. Transfer cooked waffles to a cooling rack (airflow keeps them crispy!). Repeat with the remaining batter, then enjoy!
Be careful not to overwork the waffle batter – a few small lumps are fine.
Cooking Note: Cooking varies based on machine, typically 3-6 minutes, indicated by a light or timer sound. Alternatively, monitor the steam – the waffle is done when the steam stops.
FAQs
Sure, that should work. Simply add the apple and cinnamon to the prepared batter.
You should be able to use a 1:1 ratio of all-purpose gluten-free flour, like King Arthur’s or Bob’s Red Mill, though the waffles may be a little denser.
Waffles cook so quickly that it actually really doesn’t matter whether you use crisp apples vs softer ones – any will do. Choose based on your preferred flavor – sweet (Fuji), sweet-tart (honey-crisp), or tart (Granny Smith or Braeburn).
Pro Recipe Tips
- Adjust apple texture: Shredded apple more evenly distributes in the batter. Chopped apple provides more ‘bite’.
- Don’t overmix the batter: Otherwise, the waffles become dense and rubbery. If you fear it’s overmixed, let it rest for 20-30 minutes.
- Preheat the waffle iron: For evenly cooked cinnamon apple waffles with crispy edges.
- Don’t overfill the waffle maker: Cover about ¾ of the surface area – it will spread when closed. Too much, and it overflows, causing a huge mess.
- For the crispiest waffles: Toast the cooked waffles for a few minutes before serving. This works perfectly when making a large batch.
Apple Waffle Topping Ideas
Just like pancakes, these waffles are made even better with all your favorite toppings:
- Vegan butter and maple syrup/vegan date caramel sauce
- Powdered sugar
- Vegan whipped cream or vegan yogurt
- Apples – Fresh, sauteed apples, apple compote, apple butter, etc.
- Fresh berries
- A scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream (or pecan/caramel ice cream)
- Toasted pecans/walnuts, coconut, vegan chocolate chips, etc.
- Vegan sausage patties/ links or vegan tofu bacon
Storage Instructions
Store: Store the cooled cinnamon apple waffles in an airtight container, layered between parchment paper, for 2-3 days.
Freeze: Leave them to cool. Spread across a tray, not touching, and flash freeze until solid. Then, transfer to a Ziplock/Stasher for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen or thaw overnight in the fridge first.
Reheat: I love how easy it is to toast the apple waffles (from frozen or chilled). You can also microwave them (30-40 seconds, 1-2 mins from frozen) or reheat a stack, wrapped in foil, in the oven (8-10 minutes at 350°F/180 °C, 12-15 mins from frozen).
More Vegan Apple Recipes
Vegan Desserts
Stuffed Baked Apples
Vegan Desserts
The Best Vegan Apple Crumble
Vegan Desserts
Easy Apple Monkey Bread
Vegan Desserts
Apple Crescent Rolls
If you tried this apple cinnamon waffles recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!
Apple Cinnamon Waffles (Eggless)
Video
Ingredients
- 2 ½ tablespoons of warm water
- 1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds
- 1 ¾ cups of vanilla plant-based milk (plain or chocolate will work)
- ⅓ cup of vegetable oil
- 1 honeycrisp apple cored and grated or finely diced, moisture pressed out with a napkin
- 1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour (whole wheat will work)
- 1 ½ tablespoon of granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar , or coconut suga
- 3 teaspoons of baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Turn on your waffle iron.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the warm water and ground flax seeds until thoroughly combined. Set aside for 10 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the plant-based milk, vegetable oil, grated apple, and vanilla extract. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, both sugars, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon.
- Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the vegan milk mixture and flax mixture. Whisk gently, just until combined. Make sure to not overmix.
- Scoop the desired amount of batter onto the preheated waffle iron. Follow your waffle iron instructions to cook. Repeat with the remaining batter until all the waffles are cooked.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the batter: Otherwise, the waffles become dense and rubbery. If you fear it’s overmixed, let it rest for 20-30 minutes.
- Preheat the waffle iron: For evenly cooked cinnamon apple waffles with crispy edges.
- Don’t overfill the waffle maker: Cover about ¾ of the surface area – it will spread when closed. Too much, and it overflows, causing a huge mess.
- For the crispiest waffles: Toast the cooked waffles for a few minutes before serving. This works perfectly when making a large batch.
Can you use apple sauce instead of fresh apples in a pinch? Also, what about mashed bananas or something else, to make it oil free?
Hi! We on the PBOAB team haven’t tried subbing in applesauce for fresh apples so can’t guarantee the results of making that switch. If you end up trying that out, please let us know how it goes 🙂
To make it oil free, subbing in mashed bananas typically works as a great sub but we also haven’t tried out that sub yet for this particular recipe either. We hope you enjoy the recipe if you try it out! It’s a yummy one!
These are now my l favorite waffles I’ve ever had! This is a simple recipe, and it doesn’t take much time to make either. Thank you so much!
So glad you enjoyed these yummy waffles!
Toni, do you think gluten free Bob’s Mill will work or oat flour? Husband gluten intolerant but would love this recipe.
We have not tried this recipe with gluten free flour, but please let us know how it turns out if you do try it!