These easy Coconut Flour Waffles are crispy on the outside and light and fluffy inside.
They’re perfect for breakfast or brunch and can even be frozen!
Plus they’re gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, nut-free and Paleo.
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Why this recipe works
Light and crispy waffles are a classic breakfast option for a reason.
Cover with pockets to collect all the butter and syrup poured over them, they’re fun and indulgent.
But if you have to avoid things like gluten, grains or dairy, regular waffles can pose a problem.
So that’s why I made these Paleo waffles with coconut flour. They’re similar to the regular version but without all the troublesome ingredients.
Coconut flour and arrowroot starch replace all-purpose flour, while ghee or coconut oil replaces the butter usually found in waffle recipes.
And instead of milk, this version uses coconut milk. A lot of Paleo waffle recipes use almond milk, but by using coconut milk, these waffles are also nut-free!
I also make sure to include more vanilla than most recipes because let’s face it, as fun as waffles are, sometimes they’re kinda bland.
And these are coconut flour waffles with no baking powder (which often has cornstarch and corn is a no-no on the Paleo diet).
Instead, we’re using baking soda for leavening.
But none of that matters once you taste them. You’ll just be glad you made them.
What you need for Coconut Flour Waffles
Ingredients:
- 1 cup full-fat unsweetened coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup ghee or coconut oil
- 1/2 cup coconut flour
- 1/2 cup arrowroot starch/flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- a cooking spray, such as avocado, coconut or olive oil spray
- your favorite toppings, such as ghee, maple syrup, chopped, toasted nuts, jam or jelly, whipped coconut cream, etc.
Equipment:
- a waffle iron
- measuring spoons
- measuring cups
- a measuring glass
- a large mixing bowl
- a medium mixing bowl
- a microwave-safe bowl for melting the ghee/coconut oil
- a whisk
- a spatula (the kind for stirring, not flipping)
- a cooling rack
How to make Coconut Flour Waffles
Step 1: In a measuring glass, mix together the coconut milk and apple cider vinegar and let this sit for 10 minutes. This will give the waffles a “buttermilk”-like flavor.
Step 2: Melt the ghee/coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl. I find this usually takes about 30 seconds. Let cool as you prepare the rest of the recipe.
Step 3: Heat your waffle iron to medium heat.
Step 4: In a large bowl, whisk together the coconut flour, arrowroot, baking soda and salt.
Step 5: In a medium bowl, whisk together the coconut milk/vinegar mixture, the cooled melted ghee/coconut oil, eggs, maple syrup and vanilla.
Step 6: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a spatula until everything is combined. Then whisk the mixture to get out most of the lumps. If there are a few lumps remaining, that’s fine.
Step 7: Lightly grease the waffle iron with your cooking spray.
Step 8: Pour the batter onto the waffle iron. It’s hard to give exact measurements as every waffle iron is different. Cook the waffles according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 9: Once one batch is done, remove them to a cooling rack. This will help them stay crisp (if they sit on a plate or baking sheet, the bottom gets soggy). Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Pro tip: While this recipe produces crispy coconut flour waffles, if you want them really crispy, you can also pop the cooked waffles in your toaster on medium heat for a 1-3 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
You canNOT replace the coconut flour with anything else. Coconut flour is a very unique ingredient that behaves differently than any other flour.
You can replace the arrowroot with tapioca starch.
You can use palm shortening in place of the ghee/coconut oil.
You can use grass-fed butter in place of the ghee/coconut oil but then it won’t be completely dairy-free.
You can use any dairy-free milk you like but then the waffles might not be nut-free depending on your choice.
You can replace the maple syrup with honey.
You can replace the apple cider vinegar with lemon juice.
These coconut flour waffles can be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days.
I like to reheat my waffles in the toaster on medium heat. This helps re-crisp them a bit.
Yep. Place the waffles on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until frozen through. Then add them to a freezer-safe container or baggie with a small square of parchment between each waffle so they don’t stick together.
Thaw overnight in the fridge. I like to reheat my waffles in the toaster on medium heat. This helps re-crisp them a bit.
Other recipes you might like:
- Coconut Flour Pancakes (Paleo, nut-free)
- Sheet Pan Pancakes (Paleo, nut-free)
- Crunchy, Chewy No-Bake Breakfast Bars (Paleo, nut-free)
- Coconut Flour Pumpkin Bread (Paleo, nut-free)
Coconut Flour Waffles (Paleo, nut-free)
Ingredients
- 1 cup full-fat unsweetened coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup ghee or coconut oil
- ½ cup coconut flour
- ½ cup arrowroot flour/starch
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- cooking spray, such as avocado, coconut or olive oil spray
Instructions
- In a measuring glass, mix together the coconut milk and apple cider vinegar and let this sit for 10 minutes. This will give the waffles a "buttermilk"-like flavor.
- Melt the ghee/coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl. I find this usually takes about 30 seconds. Let cool as you prepare the rest of the recipe.
- Heat your waffle iron to medium heat.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the coconut flour, arrowroot, baking soda and salt.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the coconut milk/vinegar mixture, the cooled melted ghee/coconut oil, eggs, maple syrup and vanilla.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a spatula until everything is combined. Then whisk the mixture to get out most of the lumps. If there are a few lumps remaining, that's fine.
- Lightly grease the waffle iron with your cooking spray.
- Pour the batter onto the waffle iron. It's hard to give exact measurements as every waffle iron is different. Cook the waffles according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Once one batch is done, remove them to a cooling rack. This will help them stay crisp (if they sit on a plate or baking sheet, the bottom gets soggy). If necessary, spray the waffle iron with the cooking spray between batches. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Hortencia says
Do you think I can use something to substitute the eggs in the recipe? I have an egg allergy at home and would love to make these for school days.
Paleo Gluten Free Guy says
Hi Hortencia,
I have not tried this with any egg substitutes. You can try using a flax egg (mix 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed, sometimes called flax meal, with 3 tablespoons water and let it sit for 8-10 minutes to gel. I’ve used flax eggs in baking recipes and they turn out well.
You can also try a chia egg, using 1 tablespoon chia seeds instead of flax, and 3 tablespoons water. You can also try 1/4 cup applesauce, pumpkin puree or yogurt or 1/2 mashed banana.
If you try any of these, please let me know how it turns out!
Tracie Davis says
Just made these. Absolutely delicious! Will be my go to recipe.
Paleo Gluten Free Guy says
Hi Tracie,
That’s so great! So glad you like them. Thanks for sharing.
Sunrita says
So glad to have finally found a gluten free version for pancakes that uses simple ingredients and yet turns out great! Thanks for the recipe.
Paleo Gluten Free Guy says
Welcome!
jennifer says
Ooooh so perfect for breakfast this morning! I loved all the vanilla in there– such a nice touch!
Paleo Gluten Free Guy says
The vanilla is subtle but it definitely makes a difference!
Paleo Gluten Free Guy says
Thanks, Jennifer!
Stacey says
These have a wonderful texture and taste. I love that they can also be made in advance & frozen.
Paleo Gluten Free Guy says
Thanks! So glad you like them.
Chef Mimi says
I like the buttermilk aspect to this recipe! Interesting. Of course, you could use the batter for pancakes as well. I have no idea why I’m not a waffle fan.
Paleo Gluten Free Guy says
I definitely prefer pancakes to waffles but then again, why not both? 😉
nancy says
just so happens i have a bag of coconut flour that I don’t know what to do with. I made these waffles and everyone went nuts!! it was super tasty!
Janessa says
These waffles turned out so well! Next time I’m going to make a double batch and freeze them for easy weekday breakfasts!
Paleo Gluten Free Guy says
Yay! So glad you liked them.
Shelby says
Love how soft these were inside! Made a double batch and used them for breakfast with the kids the next day. They loved it!
Paleo Gluten Free Guy says
Great! So glad they liked it. Thanks for letting me know.