Gluten-Free Buckwheat Waffles
This simple, 100 percent buckwheat flour recipe yields light and crisp waffles that are nice and fluffy on the inside! Extra waffles freeze well for later.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on September 5, 2024
I have high standards when it comes to waffles. They must be:
- crisp on the outside,
- fluffy on the inside,
- light but made with whole grains, so they stick with me for longer than a couple of hours.
These 100 percent buckwheat waffles meet all of those qualifications and then some.
They possess buckwheat’s rich, nutty flavor, which makes them more unique than my go-to oat waffles.
Plus, I can share them with my gluten-free friends since they’re made with buckwheat flour. You can also make them dairy-free with two simple adjustments (see the recipe notes). I think you’ll love them.
These waffles freeze well for future breakfasts. Pop them in the toaster until warmed through.
Don’t have a waffle maker? Try some buckwheat pancakes or crepes instead!
More Gluten-Free Breakfast Recipes
Here are a few gluten-free favorites from my breakfast recipes:
- Almond Flour Pancakes
- Easy Gluten Free Oat Waffles
- Gluten-Free Banana Oat Waffles
- Gluten-Free Banana Muffins (Made with Almond Flour)
- 3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes (choose the oat or buckwheat flour option)
Please let me know how your waffles turn out in the comments! I love hearing from you.
Gluten-Free Buckwheat Waffles
This simple, 100 percent buckwheat flour recipe yields light and crisp waffles that are nice and fluffy on the inside! This recipe yields waffles for two to three people, so multiply the recipe as needed.
Ingredients
- 1 cup buckwheat flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar (I used coconut sugar)
- 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 ¼ cups buttermilk, shaken (see notes to learn how to make your own with any kind of milk)
- ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) melted butter or coconut oil
- 1 large egg
- Topping suggestions: maple syrup, almond butter and/or fresh banana slices
Instructions
- Preheat your waffle iron. If desired, preheat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit to keep waffles warm until you’re ready to serve.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the buckwheat flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
- In a liquid measuring cup or another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, melted butter and egg. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir them together until there are only a few small lumps remaining. Give it a few more stirs if you see any liquid that hasn’t fully incorporated. Commenter Monisha says her waffles turn out lighter and more crispy if she lets the batter rest for 5 to 10 minutes, so you might want to give that a try.
- Pour batter onto the hot waffle iron plates, close the waffle iron and cook until the waffles are barely letting off steam and they are lightly crisp to the touch (this might take longer than your waffle iron suggests). Carefully lift waffle out of the waffle iron and serve immediately or place in the oven to keep warm. Avoid stacking the waffles or they will lose their crispness. Repeat with remaining batter as necessary. Serve with maple syrup, almond butter and/or sliced banana on top.
Notes
Recipe adapted from my buckwheat pancakes.
How to make your own buttermilk: Measure 1 tablespoon + ¾ teaspoon vinegar into a 2-cup capacity liquid measuring cup. Pour in any variety of milk until you reach the 1 and ¼ cups line (regular cow’s milk, almond, soy, oat, rice, low-fat coconut milk should all work). Let the “buttermilk” rest for 5 minutes before using.
Make it dairy free: Make your own buttermilk with non-dairy milk and use coconut oil instead of butter.
Storage suggestions: These waffles freeze very well in sealed, freezer-safe bags. Just pop them in the toaster to warm them up.
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.
Ahh how fun!! I’m a little jealous since it’s gross and rainy here in WI today, so soak up the sun and eat allll the tacos for us up here in the Midwest : )
Try adding some ground cardamom and top with lingonberries!!
Yum!
Oh wow!! You girls are going to have a flipping blast!! Gah, I definitely need to get away from the cold too. Today is brutal!! Waffles would make my life better for sure :)
Austin is so fun! I lived 30 miles away in San Marcos while in college, so a good amount of my time was spent in Austin. I live in Houston now, whish is also awesome in a different way, but my brother now lives in Austin, so we visit often. Enjoy!!
You can borrow my waffle maker if you start to have withdrawls :). Feb is going to be so fun! Crossing my fingers for good weather for you – it’s in the 70’s this week!
So glad you posted these, as I LOVE waffles, but haven’t had one in years due to my gluten allergy. I know there are gluten substitutes (like buckwheat) out there, but rather then spend the brain power on finding them, I’ve just stayed away from baked goods. HOWEVER, looking at these make me want waffles. So on the recipe list they go! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Tara! I hope you’ll give these a try. I also have some oat waffles if you can do GF oats. Love them both!
Austin sounds fun – enjoy! I can’t believe I don’t own a waffle maker. I definitely need to step up my game in this department!
WOWEE these look delicious – yum yum, perfect afternoon snack ey? ;)
Lucky you! I would love to go to Texas right now. The weather is not too pleasant up here in Maine right now. Oh and these waffles look and sound amazing!!
Austin has so much good food! Can’t wait to see what you find here. Torchy’s Tacos is a must as well as the new Fork and Taco. They are making some interesting veggie tacos there.
Thanks, Kathy! Just added your suggestions to my list of things to do in Austin. :)
This is so cool! I’m 100% jealous. And those waffles look stellar. I’m still restocking all my flour from the move (far too many months ago to have this excuse). Buckwheat flour is on the list.
THESE WAFFLES! My boyfriends GF mama is coming in town this weekend and I’m 100% making them for her!! Also, “in town” is Austin…I’d LOVE to meet you ladies for coffee or something while you’re here!!!! There is so much amazing food/fun things to do, I think you’re going to love it. :)
Thanks, Katie! Hope you all love these waffles! Can’t wait to visit, hope we can meet up!
First of all, super jealous that you’re about to spend a month in Austin, especially with those amazing ladies! Secondly, I love love loved your pumpkin waffles, so I’m sure these must be amazing as well. And I ALWAYS love your photography, Kate! It’s so clean and happy.
Thanks, Sara! I can’t wait. I bet you will love these waffles, too!
I hope you have a great time in Austin. I live in Bastrop, a hip little historic town outside of Austin. If you want to get out of the city, maybe take a hike in the lost pines, I’d be happy to meet up and show you around!
Thanks, Erika! Just added your suggestion to my list of things to do in Austin! :)
Oh this is so fabulous. Sounds like a wonderfully fun, sun-filled trip. And I can just imagine all the yummy things you two will be whipping up! Yeah!
These sound delicious, I hope you have lots of fun in Texas! <3
These look amazing, friend! Hope you girls have fun in Texas!!
I love buckwheat! I don’t have a waffle maker, so I may try and turning these into pancakes. And adding blueberries :)
Hey Dani! These waffles were adapted from my buckwheat pancake recipe. Here it is: https://sooka.info/2013/buckwheat-pancakes/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
That’s awesome! I LOVE Austin :) Eat as many street tacos as you can!
mmmm….
Are there such things as savory waffles? I want a pierogi in waffle format. just a thought. ;)
Yes! I haven’t tried savory waffles yet, but they’re on my list. I bet these would be great with some cheese and chives mixed in, maybe with a fried egg on top. I’ve been wanting to try that with my oat waffles!
Very much jealous of your little journey to Austin! I’ve never been but I’ve been dying to go.
In the meantimes, these WAFFLES. These. waffles. though.
So delicious! Pinning for this weekend :)
How exciting! I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time!! Thee waffles looks awesome too Kate! Pinned!
Kathryne, these waffles!! So pretty. I’m thinking girls night breakfast-for-dinner with these buckwheat beauties? ;)
Yes!!! Let’s make waffles soon.
I really need to find a good vegan waffle recipe! These are makingme hungry and I just had a bowl of steel cut oats!
Your trip sounds like so much fun! I would love to go away for a month with one of my best friends and just spend some time exploring a different city! Maybe one day :) Guess I should just plan a weekend to start off with, and what better start could it get than a plate full of these waffles! I love that they are instantly Amy friendly, and I love the taste of buckwheat so much. I can’t wait to follow along with your Texas adventures :)
These look delicious Kate, and what a fun adventure you’ve got ahead! I’m also getting a little cold getaway escape at the end of February, but unfortunately it’s only a few days, not a whole month. Still, a little is better than nothing! I hope you have an awesome time and I can’t wait to hear about it!
I really need to get myself a waffle press!! I honestly can’t remember the last time I had waffles, must’ve been too long ago!
Looks super yum!
I don’t think I’ve ever craved a waffle more, love the almond butter topping. Have a great time in Austin, what a fun trip!
I love that there’s maple syrup AND almond butter :-)
Hopefully we don’t get another cold spell in Austin! It’s great weather this week, but you never know what Austin weather is going to do. Just make sure you bring a coat – just in case ;-).
I normally wouldn’t leave suggestions, but based on your blog posts I think you’d really enjoy these restaurants:
Mother’s Cafe – great vegetarian/vegan food and some stellar vegan pancakes for brunch – http://motherscafeaustin.com/
Casa de Luz – a one-of-a-kind vegan,organic, gluten free buffet-style eatery with a yoga studio – and if you go there for dinner you can check out House Wine afterward.
http://www.casadeluz.org/
http://www.housewineaustin.com/
Kristy, thank you so much! Can’t wait to try those places.
Can I grind buckwheat to get a flour out of it? Or does an actual buckwheat flour need to be purchased?
Yes, I believe you can grind your own! I bought buckwheat flour and it is very fine, so be sure to grind yours well.
Kate, you nearly have me convinced to invest in a waffle maker. One more recipe and I think I’ll be there. I’d love to see a city dining guide when you come back from Austin–it’s on my list of food trips to take!
That’s a great idea, Tessa! Thanks!
How fun! Austin is a great city and they have a bunch of really good vegan/veg friendly restaurants. You should check out Blue Dahlia Bistro. The food is awesome and there’s a couple of cute boutiques next door for shopping. Oh, and I’m sure Cookie and Henry will love strolling around Lady Bird Lake with you.
I’m a big fan of buckwheat flour so these waffles look perfect to me. I love the almond butter/maple syrup drizzle on top.
Thank you, Sarah! I just added your suggestions to my list. Can’t wait!
Have a fun trip! I hear great things about Austin. Love this wg waffle recipe too!
What exciting news, Kate! I’m sure Cookie will have a blast with Henry ;) These waffles look amazing – love that you used buckwheat!
What a fun trip!! You’re going to have such a great time – I can’t wait to see what you all cook together. I’m so giddy with excitement over these buckwheat waffles! I STILL don’t have a waffle maker, but I need one soon now – Can I babysit yours while you’re in Austin;P
You guys are going to have such a blast in Austin! I’m so jealous of all the amazing food (and margaritas!) that you’re going to get to sample ;) As well as the sunshine…
I love buckwheat waffles; they’re my absolute favourite! I can’t wait to try your version.
Thanks, Kathryn! I can’t wait. Hope you give these waffles a try soon, they are my new favorites!
Hi Kate,
Hope you have great fun in Austin! And find some amazing recipes to share. It is that time of the year when things get a little blah feeling, so have been looking for new things to cook. Wish I was going with. Who is Henry? Glad you are taking Cookie.
Thanks, Denise! I will definitely be sampling all the Mexican food I can while I’m there. Recipes coming soon! Meet Henry: http://instagram.com/p/yNNRh0jm-N/?modal=true
Kate:
This post is awesome for two reasons. One: I’m GF and always run out of breakfast ideas. Two: I just road tripped to Austin last weekend. I suggest Elizabeth St. Cafe in SoCo, Rainey St for bar hopping, and of course the origional Whole Foods on 6th is majestic. Have fun! :)
Hope you love these waffles, Mariah! Thank you for the suggestions. I just added them to my Austin list!
So jealous of your trip!! I want to be someplace warm SO BADLY. You are going to have so much fun!
It’s a good thing today is Friday and I have all weekend to make these…because I don’t think I could wait much longer than 24 hours!
I love all of your waffle recipes and these are up there in terms of my favs. Just freezed a whole batch to make waffle sandwiches for my preschooler. Yay me!
Hooray! Thanks, Flor!
Just warning you.. once you visit Austin for an entire month, you will want to move here! I did the same as you did back in July and moved back to Austin in September (I lived here previously). It’s a great city!
Take the doggies to Bull Creek park off 360/Capital of Texas Hwy where they can run in the water (which is gorgeous!). Be sure to go to Mount Bonnell and also the lookout over the 360 bridge at sunset (bring a bottle of wine and snacks!). So many awesome things to do in Feb/March. Enjoy!
Thanks, Becky! I added those to our list!
I just made these waffles and they’re perfect. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I’ve been searching for a waffle with protein and low carbs but all the crispy waffles seems to have starches in them. These were easy and I ate them with peanut butter yogurt. Yum.
Well done!!
Excellent! Really happy to hear it. Thanks, Lesley!
Thank you so much for sharing such a delicious waffle recipe!! Even better, I can share these with my gluten free friend.
these were really really wonderful, and they made my favorite leftovers of any waffle recipe I’ve made. They were just so melt-in-your-mouth…I found that they were far better eaten with apricot jam rather than maple syrup. Thank you so much for this recipe!!
Thank you, Chelsey! Glad you’re enjoying them. I actually had some leftover buckwheat waffles for breakfast myself. I’ll have to hunt down some apricot jam!
Hi Kate,
These waffles are amazing! I made them for breakfast this morning and as you mentioned they are light and delicious.
Thank you!!
Samantha
Thank you, Samantha! Happy to hear you enjoyed these waffles!
hello kate!
I’ve been reading for a little while now, but i must break my silence by saying: these waffles are soooo good!
I’m not gluten free, but i love me some buckwheat! I’m a southern girl living in the northwest so these types of things are comforting (buckwheat and whenever i can find okra – not often)!
I made these after i acquired a cool vintage on-stove waffle iron. My husband has requested i make these again and again! They have such an interesting flavor and texture- so much more complex than your average one-note waffle. They’re crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside- delicious! whenever i make a batch it makes about 5 small waffles. All disappear quicker than you can say ‘ready-set-eat’ :)
Thank you, Julie! It’s so nice to know that you’re reading along. Glad to hear that you’re both loving these waffles. Your waffle iron sounds awesome!
Made the Buckwheat waffles this morning – they were so light and crispy ! Thank you ! Do you know if I can use vanilla or almond extract too ?
Thanks, Monisha! Sure, I think you could add a small amount of vanilla and/or almond extract without affecting the outcome.
Looking for Heart Friendly.
Printed out Buckwheat Kind. Stopped printing at page15.
As I see it I will make my own which has been a Success, but substitute with Buckwheat or Oatmeal! Thank You.
Hope you love the pancakes, Tor! Next time, look for the “print” button right above the recipe itself and you won’t have to print so many pages. I’m sorry about that!
My waffles stuck to the iron :( I tried oiling the iron for round two and it still didn’t work out. Maybe because I tried the substitute buttermilk and used a flax egg. The burnt crisps I saved were yummy though!
Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear that, Carolyn! Cleaning waffle grates is just about my least favorite thing to do. :( I am surprised they stuck, given the amount of fat in the recipe.
KATE! I’m a new-ish follower of your blog (this is my first comment…I think haha!). I love it so much! So far, your spinach artichoke enchiladas and quinoa vegetable soup are huge hits in my house! Anyway, what’s that delectable-looking sauce you put on your waffles besides the maple syrup?? Thanks a bunch!
Welcome, Alexis! Thank you for saying hello! So glad you’re enjoying my recipes! That sauce is just almond butter, actually. I buy mine at Trader Joe’s and it’s runny enough to drizzle like that! If yours isn’t and you want to give it a try (peanut butter would be great, too), you could just mix some maple syrup into it until it’s nice and pourable.