Easy Gluten Free Oat Waffles
These crispy and fluffy oat flour waffles are the very best! They're light, healthy and gluten free. Best of all, they only require one flour—oat flour!
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on September 5, 2024
I’m pretty particular about my waffles. I want light, whole grain, crisp-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside, Belgian-with-deep-pockets, quintessential WAFFLES. No soggy waffles allowed! Bonus points if they freeze well so I can pop them in the toaster like Eggo’s.
These waffles meet all of the aforementioned qualifications. After tweaking five batches of these waffles, I can confirm that oat flour waffles are the waffles I’ve been searching for all along. Oat waffles are the waffles of my dreams.
Best of all, these waffles are gluten free! That means that I can share them with all of my friends.
This gluten-free waffle recipe is so simple that I have it memorized. It only requires one flour—oat flour—which is the easiest flour to make at home. Just toss some old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats in your blender or food processor and blend until they are a fine flour.
Watch How to Make Gluten Free Waffles
The secret to these waffles’ success is letting the batter rest for 10 minutes while your waffle iron heats up. The resting time gives the oat flour time to soak up some of the moisture, so you get crisp, fluffy waffles when it’s go time. I learned this trick with my banana oat pancakes, a recipe that has quite a few fans.
I love these waffles so much that I included this recipe in my cookbook. I’m re-sharing the recipe today with better photos in case this recipe has slipped by you over the years.
If you, like me, have been disappointed by other gluten-free waffle recipes in the past (or waffle recipes in general, really), give these a try! They’re just right. Please let me know how they turn out in the comments.
Oat Waffle Variations
You can also make flavored versions of these waffles—check out my Gluten-Free Banana Oat Waffles and Gluten-Free Pumpkin Oat Waffles.
Oat-Based Pancake Recipes to Try
If you don’t have a waffle iron at home, you can make oat pancakes in a regular skillet. Try these recipes:
Easy Gluten Free Oat Waffles
These light, crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside, gluten-free waffles are my favorite waffles! They’re heart healthy, too. This waffle recipe requires just one flour, oat flour, which you can easily make yourself (see note). Recipe yields 3 to 4 round, 7-inch Belgian waffles, or 6 small, square Belgian waffles (the size shown here).
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (128 grams) oat flour*, certified gluten-free if necessary
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Pinch of cinnamon, optional
- ¾ cup room temperature milk of choice (light coconut milk, nut milk, cow’s milk)
- ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil or 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: oat flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. In another bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: milk, melted coconut oil or butter, eggs, maple syrup and vanilla extract. (If your coconut oil solidifies on contact with cold ingredients, gently heat the wet mixture in the microwave in ten seconds intervals, until it melts again.)
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir with a big spoon until just combined (the batter will still be a little lumpy). Let the batter rest for 10 minutes so the oat flour has time to soak up some of the moisture. Plug in your waffle iron to preheat now (if your waffle iron has a temperature/browning dial, set it to medium-high).
- Once 10 minutes is up, give the batter one more swirl with your spoon. Pour batter onto the heated waffle iron, enough to cover the center and most of the central surface area, and close the lid. Once the waffle is deeply golden and crisp, transfer it to a cooling rack or baking sheet. Don’t stack your waffles on top of each other, or they’ll lose crispness. If desired, keep your waffles warm by placing them in a 200 degree oven until you’re ready to serve.
- Repeat with remaining batter. Serve waffles with maple syrup and nut butter, or any other toppings that sound good!
Notes
Recipe based on my oat pancakes and coconut waffles recipes.
*Make your own oat flour: Simply blend old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats (be sure to buy certified gluten-free oats if necessary) in a food processor or blender until they are ground into fine flour. You’ll need to blend roughly 1 ½ cups oats to make enough flour for these waffles (you will probably end up with a little extra). Once you’ve blended the flour, measure it using the spoon and swoop method.
Make it egg free: You can omit the eggs. The waffles will be slightly more delicate, but they’ve turned out great for me.
Make it dairy free: Use non-dairy milk and coconut oil.
Make it vegan: Use non-dairy milk, coconut oil and omit the eggs.
Freeze it: These waffles freeze beautifully. Just store in freezer-safe plastic bags and pop individual waffles into the toaster until warmed through.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
This is just amazing! So taste, light, crunch, easy to make and, of course, it’s real food.
First time trying the recipe it stuck to the waffle iron! In the end made pancakes with the mixture but tasted a bit bitter iIthink it was the bicarbonate soda
Needs much more milk, possibly an extra egg. Doesn’t mix, still floury
Hi Kate,
I made these again on my grill pan but still thinking about purchasing another waffle maker since I threw mine out. Which caphalon model do you have? There is one for sale call intelli crisp with 5 settings and ceramic non stick coating? Is that the model you own?
Hi DE! Unfortunately, it looks like my model is no longer available.I know some love their All Clad waffle maker, but I haven’t tried it and it’s on the more expensive side.
The oat flower is definitely a new and creative accent to a very classic recipe, first trial was too wet but it can easily be learnt how much milk to add.
Hi! Did you let the batter rest at all?
This is the only recipe I use. I made a double batch this time around to freeze and to have on hand as a quick snack. I’m gluten free, husband is not, and these waffles make us both happy :)
Can I use whole or quick cooking oats instead of oat flour?
No, I’m afraid those won’t work. It’s very easy to make oat flour in a food processor or blender.
I had been searching for a healthy fluffy waffle recipe for my husband and I and this one is the best! My husband says that it’s best one he’s ever had! The waffles are very light, fluffy,and very delicious! And they’re very easy to make in our waffle iron! Thank you Kate! I’ve even tried some of your delicious cookie recipes! Yum!
Hi Miss Kate, would you please be so kind in telling about the wonderful waffle iron you purchased? When I tap on the link, it takes me to lots of waffle irons. It appears that the “Fancy-Pants” waffle iron might not be available anymore.
Thank you, Linda
Hi Linda, sorry! It looks like mine is no longer available. I have a Caphlon waffle maker.
Thank you, Kate. I’ll keep looking for a nice one!
I don’t have a picture of the Oat Waffles to send, but they are delicious and you are correct in that they freeze really well. I’m very pleased with the results. Thanks for sharing your recipes with us!
Absolutely delicious! Thanks for posting this recipe. I added chocolate chips because I was making them for my son and they were like eating chocolate chip cookies. I also substituted the maple for mostly Agave syrup because I didn’t have enough maple. My son has celiac and I’ve been looking for a good waffle recipe, but all have been fails. Thanks again!
These held together on the waffle iron so well! I made a double batch and my boys ate ALL of them and proclaimed them the nest waffles yet. Thanks for the super easy and tasty recipe.
ouch……followed instructions but my waffles turned out hard and not browned and crispy on the outside. new waffle iron so maybe it needs more priming or perhaps because it is a non stick surface? :(
any advice?
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear that. Was your setting set too warm perhaps?
Hello Kate,
Love these waffles, so yummy. Thanks for sharing. Give Cookie a big hug for me. She is so cute.
Linda
Such a great recipe! Delicious! Enjoyed by the family today and I will be making them again.
Absolutely amazing! My husband makes them on Sunday mornings! Thank you, we love them!
OMG I tried it today and I loved it so much! Yummy!
Wonderful, Rosanna!
it was really good. simple and good. I’ll do it on a regular basis now. thank you!!!!
very good and seemed more nutritious with the oat flour. Not as crispy for the first batch.Second was . I have an Avengers waffle iron so always liked by the grandkids .used almond milk. Grandson is gluten intolerant
This is one I have printed out to use again
These are so good! The GF waffle recipe I’ve searching for. I’ve made them a bunch of times and my family loves them. Thanks for you’re hard work on this blog!
Just tried these and they were amazing!! I did not have eggs so I substituted with chia seed ‘egg’. Will be making these lots I am sure :)
Love this recipe .. sooooo yummy and good fluffiness.. we made this a bunch of time and always love it… thanks for sharing a healthy tasty option..
Hi,
I’ve been trying to step up my waffle game. Although I think I need to invest in another waffle iron according to my critics these waffles were a success!
I was searching hi and low for a recipe and was failing miserably. My son has a wheat allergy and Id like to be more plant based so this was a “W” for us.
I prepares these waffles and my sister rated her brunch a 5 out of 5. I will say I did put the waffle in the oven after taking it off the waffle iron at 200 for a bit. It didnt seem done in the center like I wanted in the center and that worked well. I warmed up some vegan butter in maple syrup. I drizzled that goodness on top and she was floored when I said they were vegan and gluten free! TADOW!
Oh my goodness, these are good. I ground the oat flour myself and I ended up with a very small amount of nubbly texture to my waffles, which I liked. This recipe is definitely one that I plan to make again, and it’s hard for me to find really good GF recipes. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us.
I must being doing something wrong.!Followed recipe, they wouldn’t hold together. We used the rest of the batter & made pancakes. They also were very fragile. Flavour was great.Any suggestions? I make many of your recipes & they have always been fantastic.
Hi Gabriele, I’m sorry to hear it! Did you allow the batter to rest for 10 minutes before using, as suggested in the recipe? That makes a big difference. I have made this recipe countless times with good results!
Hi, do you think I could use olive oil instead of butter, and cocounut oil.
thx!
Yes, you can use olive oil. They turn out great
This is a great recipe – I’ll be turning to it frequently! I accidentally put too much of my almond/coconut milk mixture in the batter so I threw in some almond flour, which gave the waffle additional texture.
Made these on Sunday, they are very good, we really enjoyed them. Definitely a keeper. Thanks!
So good! My little sister, who is very judgmental of healthy recipes I make, approved these! I didn’t even need to top them with maple syrup, they were flavorful in their own with PB and berries!
Hooray! I’m glad this was a hit.
THE best waffle recipe ever! I’m on a very strict diet (AIP, but have successfully reintroduced oats and more), and can’t have the usual stuff that most AIP-ers can eat, like cassava, tapioca, arrowroot, sweet potatoes, etc, so I struggle with finding baking, and delicious sweet recipes like waffles, pancakes, cookies… These have been a game changer for me, and I’m SO grateful for this amazing recipe! I’ve only ever made them with water instead of milk, and no eggs, and they’re still amazing!! I do add a bit of milled flaxseed, and stevita sweetener instead of maple syrup! 5 stars all the way!
Delicious!! Easy to make and I do t get the bloat from regular waffles with gluten.
These were incredible! So light and fluffy, they basically melted in my mouth. I ground up oats that I had in my pantry and sifted them to get the flour as fine as possible, and it worked great. Thank you for sharing!
I’ve made these a bunch of times with and without substitutions and they are always delicious. Flax egg is a perfect sub for egg, coconut oil and butter are equally delicious and they are always crispy with a lovely texture. Thanks so much!
These were amazing! Blended 2 cups of spinach in and omitted the maple syrup for the kids. Worked like a charm
Yum I really liked this recipe! I had no idea it was so easy to make oat flour. I wasn’t looking specifically for a gluten free recipe I just wanted waffles that had something a little different and stumbled on this one. I used almond milk and butter, and we didn’t have maple syrup so I used honey instead. And then on top I put peanut butter and powdered sugar. I love the texture and flavor the oats give! Thank you!
I made these this evening for “breakfast for dinner.” Big hit with the 3 grandchildren, their parents, and my hubby. I added two scoops of collagen peptides for extra protein. No one even knew. Five stars! Can’t wait to try the pumpkin waffles.
I do enjoy breakfast for dinner. Thank you for sharing, Alex!
LOVED IT. I’ve been looking for a healthy alternative for waffles and this recipe is a winner. I used coconut oil and almond milk for a non dairy option and they were amazing. Will make this again and freeze some for a later day!
This recipe is SO good!!! I blended up more oats to have flour on hand so I can make these waffles more often. We use almond milk and coconut oil and love the texture. As I’m writing this I’m standing here eating a leftover waffle from yesterday (toasted, just as delicious!) Thank you for sharing.
I just made them again using a “chia egg”. I am not vegan and I can confirm they’re just as good!! It feels a little seedy in your mouth like a “healthy” bread but I love it.
This is the first time I used oat-flour, They were delicious and they were all gone. I do admit they are a little heavier than regular waffles and you can really taste the vanilla
Would this work for making waffle pizza?
Waffle pizza? That’s an interesting idea. I’m not quite sure I’m very familiar, sorry!
now this is my favourite way to make waffles, thank you!
Thank you so much for publishing this recipe. I have made it several times and is one of my ‘go to’ recipes.
Leith
England
Since today is National Waffle Day I went to Google in search of a ‘healthy waffle recipe’ and came upon yours! I had all the ingredients so I pulled out the old waffle iron and in no time at all I was eating the best oat waffles I could have hoped for…so, so good. In my kitchen singing Hallelujah!! Will definitely make these again. Absolutely delish!
I omitted the egg and it ruined my waffle maker. They fell apart like sand! You can’t just omitt the egg and not replace it with some sort of binding agent. This was a huge fail!
These are SOOO good.
My one year old just devoured two mini waffles.
How much is a serving size? One Belgian?
I love that! Thank you for sharing, Shani. I appreciate your review!
Fantastic recipe! Thank you for sharing it.
You’re welcome, Sheryl!
We have made these every weekend for the last 4-5 weeks-we love them! My kids (2 and 4) call them ‘biscuit waffles’. They are so easy and require minimal effort, but we all devour them! Thank you SO much for the recipe! We’ve loved every recipe we’ve tried on your site. :)
Made this without eggs and it was total disaster. Don’t recommend anyone try this. Please tweak your Notes section :(
Made these for some friends and they loved it, despite the “weird but crunchy” texture. I might get them to eat healthy yet!
Oh my God!! These are the best oat waffles we have ever tried!! My kids loved them!! Thank you for the recipe!! It will be a weekly breakfast definitely!!
I’m in love with this waffle mix. I used butter milk and I let the batter sit for ten minutes. I thought it was a bit thick so I added about 1/8 cup more of the milk. Absolutely scrumptious. My husband and grandkids gobbled them up. I served them with turkey bacon and orange juice. Can’t wait to prepare them again.