These gluten-free Pumpkin Cornbread waffles are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They make the perfect cozy Fall breakfast!
Do you remember that scene from Shrek where Donkey was all excited thinking he was Shrek’s new BFF and said, “We can stay up late, swapping manly stories and in the morning…I’m making WAFFLES!”?
That’s exactly what you’ll be saying after seeing this recipe. While you won’t find many manly stories swapped around here (…sorry?), you will find a kick-ass waffle recipe that’s sure to be a new favorite. That counts for something right?
Also, please forget about my ability to quote Shrek like it’s nothing. Let’s talk about more important things, like waffle irons and making waffles that don’t split leaving behind a burnt mess of batter and sadness.
The last few times I used my waffle iron, I wanted to throw it of a window. That was aggressive, but hear me out. I tried multiple recipes only to have them stick horribly to matter how well I oiled the pan. Making gluten-free waffles is tricky because they don’t have gluten (#duh) to help bind the batter, increasing the risk of having a waffle disaster.
Challenge accepted.
This recipe uses a cornmeal base to make the waffles more hearty, helping the batter stand up to the heat of the waffle iron. The cornmeal adds an incredible crispy texture and comforting cornbread flavor to the waffles. Then there’s the pumpkin. Do we even need an explanation for pumpkin anymore?
As you’ll see in the recipe directions below, we also use vegan “buttermilk” (almond milk + apple cider vinegar) to give the waffle a slight tang, and to help the center stay fluffy and tender. The batter holds up beautifully to the heat of the iron, and with a swipe of coconut oil there shouldn’t be any issues with sticking.
So grab that syrup and get ready to dig into your new favorite breakfast. My family happily gobbled these up, and I’m sure your family will love them as well!
- ⅓ Cup Cornmeal
- ⅓ Cup Rolled Oats (gluten-free if needed)
- ⅓ Cup Quinoa Flour
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ Teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- 2 Teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1 Tablespoon Coconut Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil, melted plus more for greasing waffle iron
- 1 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk mixed with 1 Teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar (allow to sit for a few minutes)
- ½ Cup Pumpkin Puree
- 1 Large Egg
- Preheat your waffle iron.
- Combine the pumpkin puree, almond milk and apple cider vinegar mixture, egg and coconut oil in a medium bowl. Whisk until well combined and smooth.
- Add the cornmeal, quinoa flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice and coconut sugar to the pumpkin mixture. Whisk until well combined and a thick batter forms.
- Brush or spray the waffle iron with coconut oil, and ladle batter onto the waffle iron in an even layer. Cooking time will depend on the model of your waffle iron.
- When the waffle is ready, remove from the iron and set aside on a plate while you repeat with the remaining batter.
Your Turn:
- What are your favorite Fall breakfast foods?
Great ingredients. Love everything about this recipe. 🙂
Thanks so much! It was a throw together recipe, but I was really happy with the result!
Yum! I’ll have to try that when I’m at my friends house this weekend. They have a nice waffle maker.
Awesome – I hope you love them!
These look yummy.
Thank you!
Yum, these look so good. Do you have other suggestions if I don’t have quinoa flour?
Ho Hillary! I think any all purpose gluten-free flour blend or white whole wheat for non gf should work!
I love pumpkins and waffles! What a fun dish.
Thanks so much!
These waffles look great! I love the idea of combining pumpkin with cornmeal!
Pumpkin and cornmeal make an incredible combo. 🙂
yum! these look delicious! such a creative recipe!
http://www.footnotesandfinds.com
Thank you so much!
Yum!!! For some reason I’ve been loving cornbread everything lately (obviously why I posted a recipe last week haha), so this sounds delicious! I’m going to try it with a flax egg or something like that and let you know how it works 🙂
Because cornbread is delicious! And it’s just so Fall. Let me know how the flax egg works!
This looks so good! I’m so glad you posted this, my mom is gluten-free and I’m always looking for new recipes that she can have. Thanks!
http://www.paperairplaneblog.com
Thanks so much Chloe, I’m so glad you stopped by! My recipes are usually gluten-free, so please feel free to share them with your mom 🙂
Once you find a magic waffle iron (like my hamilton beach belgium one) every waffle is perfect! I obviously make my GF AND vegan and the waffle always comes out clean! I don’t even clean my iron after 😛
I need a magic waffle maker! My mom’s old 90’s waffle maker used to be able to handle all sorts of health-nut waffle batters with no problem. Then I literally fried it from daily waffle use for years and years lol. I need a magic waffle iron!
This seems like a great way to change up breakfast!
That’s exactly why I made them! 🙂
These look amazing. Need to make ASAP!!! Pinning to pinterest!
xo, c.
The Block is Haute
Thank you so much Cymone! I hope you enjoy them <3
I love waffles!! I couldn’t stop to watch the GIF… lol Looks so delicious!
Thanks so much Ludmilla! And that GIF was really fun to make. I’ve watched it over and over!
LES!!!! These are beautiful. And that GIF just blew my mind. How did you do that?!
Thanks Christina – you da best. The GIF was super easy! Should I do a tutorial?
I have yet to use quinoa flour!…I think I’m gonna I need to pick some up!…I also think waffles are in my near future this weekend! 😉 These look so tasty!
I have only used it for a few recipes, but I love quinoa flour! You shoukd definitely give itna try 🙂
Pumpkin+Cornbread sounds freaking amazing!!! Pinning to try 🙂
Thanks Rachel! They make an excellent combo 🙂
I’ve only made waffles a couple times, but never with cornmeal and rolled oats! Looks fantastic, Les 🙂
Thanks Jess! It was a fun way to mix things up a little 🙂
Hahah omg Les that Gif of pouring the syrup on is making me DROOOL. These look delicious!
Haha thanks Beverly! When I made the GIF I was slightly mesmerized and kept watching it over and over…mmmm syrup.
Will these work as a pancake? I don’t have a waffle iron 🙂
I haven’t tried it personally, but it should! Give it a try and let me know how it works out 🙂