Gluten Free Pumpkin Waffles

Fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside, these Gluten Free Pumpkin Waffles are loaded with spiced pumpkin goodness. They’re easy to make from scratch with an amazing vanilla pecan maple syrup to go with them!

Easy Pumpkin Waffles with Vanilla Pecan Maple Syrup

Breakfast food and fall munchies are two of my very favorite things. So you probably won’t be surprised when I say these waffles make a great breakfast, lunch or dinner! Although they’re full of fall spirit, you can enjoy them any time of year when you’re craving something sweet but want to keep things healthy.

Even the flour for these waffles is made from scratch – but don’t worry – it’s incredibly easy. You just have to grind up some gluten-free oats in your food processor. These waffles also use coconut oil instead of butter and a low-calorie sweetener instead of sugar to further boost their nutritional value.

The pumpkin puree not only adds flavor, but also keeps your waffles ultra moist. They have a beautifully light and airy texture while still developing that crispy crust that makes many of us choose waffles over pancakes. Once you pour on your homemade vanilla pecan maple syrup and take a bite, you’ll fall in love for the first time all over again!

What You’ll Need

With their simple ingredient lineup, these waffles are easy enough to replace your favorite store-bought mix. Just keep your fridge and pantry stocked with the following items.

For the Pumpkin Waffles

• Gluten-Free Oats: Use either rolled oats or quick oats rather than steel cut oats.
• Splenda: You’ll need the brown sugar blend.
• Baking Powder: Not baking soda.
• Salt: This will enhance your other flavors.
• Ground Cinnamon: Remember that spices start to lose their flavor after about 9 months.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: This fall must-have combines ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice.
• Eggs: Adding eggs to waffle batter ensures fluffiness.
• Pumpkin Puree: If you’re using homemade puree, be sure to drain it very well.
• Coconut Oil: Melted.
• Vanilla Extract: Use a high-quality brand for the best results.
• Lactose-Free Milk: If you’re dairy-free for reasons other than lactose intolerance, use your favorite plant-based milk instead.

For the Vanilla Pecan Syrup

• Pecans: Roughly chopped.
• Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup is the way to go. Artificial varieties tend to be quite unhealthy.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: This gives you amazing vanilla flavor, and the little specks of vanilla bean are a nice touch.

How to Make Gluten Free Pumpkin Waffles

This waffle batter comes together quickly – you just have to make the flour, mix the wet and dry ingredients in separate bowls and then combine them together. The syrup is ready to go in minutes after being brought to a gentle simmer.

Make the Waffles

• Make the Oat Flour: Add the gluten-free oats to a food processor. Blend until the oats turn into a powder, about 3-5 minutes. You may need to stop the food processor and move the oats around a bit to make sure they all get ground up.
• Combine Dry Ingredients: Transfer your gluten-free flour to a large bowl. Add the Splenda brown sugar blend, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. Stir the dry ingredients together and set the mixture aside.
• Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs, pumpkin puree, coconut oil, vanilla extract and milk to a medium-sized bowl. Use a whisk to stir everything together.
• Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients: Pour the combined wet ingredients into the dry ingredient mixture. Use a spatula to combine the wet and dry ingredients until they are thoroughly mixed.

• Let Rest & Heat Waffle Iron: Allow the pumpkin waffle batter to sit untouched for 2-3 minutes. While it’s resting, heat a waffle iron to high heat.
• Cook Waffles: Spray the waffle iron with cooking spray and pour about 1 cup of batter into the waffle iron. Cook until the waffle is crispy on the outside, about 3-4 minutes. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Make the Syrup

• Simmer Ingredients: While the waffles are cooking, add the chopped pecans, maple syrup and vanilla bean paste to a small saucepan. Stir and bring the mixture to a simmer.
• Pour over Waffles: Remove your syrup from the heat and drizzle it over each waffle.

Tips for Success

Make your pumpkin waffles perfect by following the simple tips and guidelines listed below. You’ve got this in the bag!

• Don’t Use Pumpkin Pie Filling: Pumpkin puree (also labeled as canned pumpkin) is not the same thing as pumpkin pie filling, which has added sweeteners and flavorings. Be sure to purchase plain old pumpkin puree if you’re going the canned pumpkin route.
• Let the Batter Sit for a Bit: In order for your batter to reach the proper consistency, you’ll want to let it rest for at least 2 minutes before you pour it into your waffle iron. This allows the oat flour to soak up all the liquid.
• Grease the Waffle Iron Well: The last thing you want is waffles that can’t be removed from the waffle iron. To avoid this, you may need to grease it before cooking each one. I like to use cooking spray to prevent missing any areas.
• Don’t Boil the Syrup: Remove your syrup from the stovetop as soon as it comes to a gentle simmer. You’ll know it’s ready when you see the occasional bubble pop on the surface of the liquid. If you let it fully come to a boil, your syrup will start to crystallize.

Serving Suggestions

Syrup is just the beginning when it comes to serving your pumpkin waffles. Here are some other topping ideas to play around with!

• Add Whipped Cream: Whipped cream on top of waffles is like icing on a cake! It only adds to the yumminess. I recommend topping your waffles with my super easy whipped cream recipe.
• Drizzle with Peanut Butter: I’m a big fan of adding peanut butter to my waffles for added flavor and an extra boost of protein. You can spread it on with a butter knife or microwave it in 15-second intervals (stirring after each) for drizzling.
• Top with Sliced Bananas: Bananas and pumpkin go together like a dream! You’ll love how fresh banana slices taste on top of these festive waffles.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Waffles

You can make these waffles in advance or store leftovers for later if you’d like. Simply cool the waffles on a wire rack, then transfer them to a resealable bag with all the air squeezed out. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Waffles can be reheated in the microwave, but in order for them to crisp back up, I recommend warming them up in the toaster. If you have a toaster oven, use that instead.

Can I Freeze These?

Yes! These pumpkin waffles freeze beautifully. Just make sure the bag you store them in is freezer-friendly. It’s also a good idea to place a sheet of parchment or wax paper in between each waffle so they don’t get stuck together. Frozen waffles last for up to 3 months and should be thawed in the fridge before they’re reheated.

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More Healthy Homemade Breakfasts

Need more yummy dishes for the most important meal of the day? Check out the recipes below.

• Easy Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
• Egg White Vegetable Breakfast Casserole
• Moist Orange Cranberry Bread
• Smoky Bacon Sweet Potato Hash & Eggs