Gluten free waffles are a wonderful choice for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert. This easy gluten free waffle recipe uses simple ingredients you may already have in your kitchen, and the batter comes together quickly. The secret ingredient is sour cream, which gives the waffles a soft, fluffy texture and a lightly tangy flavor. The result is a stack of golden waffles that are crisp on the outside, tender inside, and delicious with both sweet and savory toppings.
Recipe Ingredient Notes
Gluten Free Flour: This gluten free waffle recipe works best with a reliable gluten free flour blend. Different blends can behave differently because they contain varying amounts of starch, gums, and whole grain flours. A blend that is too starchy may create a gummy batter and leave a starchy aftertaste. For the best texture, use a blend you trust for baking.
Milk: You can use any percentage of dairy milk in this recipe. Dairy-free milk, such as almond milk or oat milk, can also be used. Low-fat milk works well because the sour cream already adds richness to the batter.
Sour Cream: Sour cream is the key ingredient in these gluten free waffles. Its acidity helps create a lighter texture, while also adding a gentle tang that makes the waffles more flavorful. If needed, you can substitute full-fat Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
Butter: Melted butter adds richness and a classic waffle flavor. Vegetable oil also works well in this recipe, so you can use oil instead of butter if that is what you have available. You may also use half butter and half oil.
Kitchen Tools Needed to Make Gluten Free Waffles
You will need a waffle iron to make this recipe. Waffle makers vary in size, shape, heat level, and cooking time, so the final yield and appearance of the waffles may depend on the model you use.
Other helpful tools include an electric hand mixer or stand mixer, two mixing bowls, a separate bowl for the dry ingredients, a whisk, a cookie scoop or measuring cup for portioning the batter, a fork for removing the waffles from the iron, and a cooling rack. A cooling rack is especially useful because it helps keep freshly cooked waffles from becoming soggy.
How to Make Gluten Free Waffles
This gluten free waffle batter is simple to prepare. For the best results, use room-temperature ingredients. To bring eggs to room temperature quickly, place them in a bowl of warm water for about 10 minutes. If your milk is cold, warm it briefly in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
Step 1: Melt the unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl. This usually takes 30 to 45 seconds. Set the butter aside to cool while you prepare the rest of the batter.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour, kosher salt, and baking powder. If you enjoy a little warmth in your waffles, you may add a small pinch of cinnamon. Set the dry ingredients aside.
Step 3: Separate the eggs. Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large mixing bowl. Add the egg yolks to a separate mixing bowl.
Step 4: Add the room-temperature milk, granulated sugar, sour cream, and vanilla extract to the bowl with the egg yolks. Whisk until smooth and combined.
Step 5: Add the cooled melted butter to the egg yolk mixture. Make sure the butter is not hot, as hot butter can seize and create small lumps in the batter.
Step 6: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk until the batter is well blended.
Step 7: Whip the egg whites with a pinch of kosher salt until medium-stiff peaks form. The peaks should hold their shape but still bend slightly at the tips. The egg whites should look glossy and creamy. Avoid overmixing, as overwhipped egg whites can become dry and dull.
Step 8: Return to the bowl with the egg yolk and flour mixture. If the batter has thickened, give it a few quick whisks. Add about one-third of the whipped egg whites and gently fold them in to loosen the batter. Add the remaining egg whites and fold carefully until the batter is light and airy. Do not overmix.
Step 9: Preheat your waffle maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If your waffle iron is not nonstick, keep nonstick cooking spray nearby.
Step 10: Portion the batter onto the center of the preheated waffle iron. A small cookie scoop works well for mini waffles, while a medium scoop is useful for regular waffles.
Step 11: Close the waffle iron and cook according to the instructions for your machine. Cooking time can vary, but most waffles take about 1 to 3 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crisp.
Step 12: Carefully remove the waffles and place them on a cooling rack. If you plan to serve them immediately, place them on a plate, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy. Repeat with the remaining batter.
How to Keep Waffles Warm
Waffles taste best soon after they come out of the waffle iron. The batter can sit at room temperature for about 15 to 20 minutes while you cook the batches.
To keep cooked waffles warm, preheat the oven to 200°F. Place a cooling rack on a baking sheet and transfer the waffles to the rack as they finish cooking. Keep them in the warm oven until ready to serve. This method helps maintain their texture without drying them out.
Serving Ideas
Gluten free waffles are very versatile and can be served with many different toppings. They work beautifully as a classic breakfast, a special brunch dish, or a dessert.
Powdered Sugar: A light dusting of powdered sugar is simple and elegant. It is especially good on warm waffles.
Maple Syrup: Serve the waffles with butter and maple syrup for a classic breakfast combination.
Fresh Berries: Add strawberries, blueberries, bananas, or seasonal fruit. A spoonful of whipped cream makes them extra special.
Savory Brunch Idea: Try these gluten free waffles with savory toppings such as smoked salmon, cream cheese, and capers.
Waffle Sundae: For dessert, serve warm sour cream waffles with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge sauce, crushed nuts, or mini chocolate chips.
Storage & Freezing
If you have leftover waffles, allow them to cool completely before storing. Place cooled waffles in an airtight container or zip-top bag. They can be kept at room temperature for 1 to 2 days.
To reheat, use a toaster or toaster oven. This helps bring back some of the crispiness, especially if you made smaller waffles.
Freezing waffles is a great way to keep a quick breakfast ready for busy mornings. Let the waffles cool completely before freezing. If warm waffles are frozen, they can develop ice crystals and may become soggy. Arrange the cooled waffles in a single layer on a baking sheet or plate, making sure they do not touch. Freeze for 1 to 2 hours, or until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
To reheat frozen waffles, use a toaster, toaster oven, or oven for the best texture. A microwave can be used, but it may make the waffles soft instead of crisp.
FAQ – Gluten Free Waffles
Egg whites may not whip properly if there is fat, moisture, or residue in the bowl or on the utensils. Cold eggs, old eggs, over-whipping, or adding sugar too quickly can also cause problems. For the best results, use clean, dry equipment and room-temperature eggs.
Yes. Pancakes are usually softer and fluffier with a more even texture. Waffles are typically crispier on the outside because of the waffle iron’s grid pattern, while the inside stays soft and tender.
Yes, chocolate chips can be added to the sour cream waffle batter. Keep in mind that melted chocolate may make the waffle iron a little messier to clean.
Note About Salt in My Recipes
This recipe uses kosher salt. If you use a different brand or type of salt, adjust the amount as needed because some salts taste saltier than others. Morton’s Kosher Salt, for example, has smaller and denser granules and can taste saltier by volume.
Baking in Grams
This recipe lists ingredients in grams because baking by weight is the most accurate method, especially for gluten free baking. Gluten free flours can vary greatly in weight and texture, so measuring with a digital scale helps produce more consistent results. Small amounts, such as spices and leavening agents, may still be listed in teaspoons.
Note About Ovens and Oven Temperatures
This waffle recipe is cooked in a waffle iron, but if you use the oven to keep waffles warm, make sure it is set to a low temperature. A temperature of about 200°F is enough to keep the waffles warm without drying them out.
Substitutions and Modifications
Ingredient substitutions may change the final texture, flavor, and appearance of the waffles. For the best result, follow the recipe as written and use the ingredient notes as a guide when making adjustments.
More Gluten Free Breakfast Recipes to Try
- Gluten Free Pancakes
- Gluten Free Dutch Baby
- Gluten Free Monkey Bread
- Gluten Free Blueberry Scones
📖 Recipe
Gluten Free Waffles
These gluten free waffles are fluffy, flavorful, and easy to make. Sour cream gives the batter a tender texture and a subtle tang, making these waffles perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
15 minutes
15 minutes
30 minutes
Ingredients
Gluten Free Waffles
- 140 grams gluten free flour
- 1 ¾ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 55 grams unsalted butter, can be cold
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 120 grams milk, at room temperature
- 60 grams sour cream, at room temperature
- 30 grams granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
How to Make Gluten Free Waffles
- Melt the unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 to 45 seconds. Set aside to cool.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour, kosher salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
- Separate the eggs. Place the egg whites in a stand mixer bowl or large mixing bowl, and place the yolks in another mixing bowl.
- Add the milk, granulated sugar, sour cream, and vanilla extract to the egg yolks. Whisk until combined.
- Add the cooled melted butter to the egg yolk mixture and whisk again.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk until well blended.
- Whip the egg whites with a pinch of kosher salt until medium-stiff peaks form. The egg whites should look glossy and creamy.
- If the batter has thickened, whisk it briefly. Fold in about one-third of the whipped egg whites to loosen the batter, then gently fold in the remaining egg whites. Do not overmix.
- Preheat the waffle maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use nonstick cooking spray if needed.
- Scoop the desired amount of batter into the center of the preheated waffle iron.
- Close the waffle iron and cook for 1 to 3 minutes, or until the waffles are golden brown and crisp. Cooking time may vary by machine.
- Carefully remove the waffles and place them on a cooling rack to prevent sogginess.
- Repeat with the remaining batter and serve with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Recipe Yield: This recipe makes about 4 regular-sized waffles. The exact yield depends on your waffle maker and how much batter you use for each waffle.
Waffle Maker: Waffle makers vary, so cooking time and appearance may differ depending on your model.
Butter: Butter adds rich flavor, but vegetable oil can be used instead. You may also use half butter and half oil.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 340
Nutrition information is an estimate.