If you’re looking for the ultimate fluffy, crispy breakfast, these easy vegan banana waffles are exactly what you need. Imagine cutting into a warm, golden waffle that delivers a light, pillowy interior with a perfectly crisp outer shell—all without needing eggs or dairy.
When I first started working on creating this recipe, I made mine in my mini waffle maker, but a regular sized one can be used. Honestly, I don’t know why it took me so long to buy a waffle maker, but I’m glad I finally did! This being a vegan waffle recipe isn’t set in stone, though. If you’re not vegan, it’s no problem at all. You can easily substitute the dairy-free milk for regular milk, and you’re good to go! Best of all, this simple method keeps your clean-up process completely stress-free.
Team Vegan Banana Waffles or Team Pancakes: The Great Breakfast Debate
Now, there’s always a big debate on which morning treat is better—pancakes or waffles. Personally, I honestly don’t prefer one over the other. Both have a unique texture that’s hard to resist. But if I may ask, do you prefer one over the other?
I have to admit that I do find myself making pancakes a bit more than waffles on quiet mornings. It’s not that pancakes are easier to make. Maybe it just has something to do with getting out that barely used waffle maker from the back of the pantry, perhaps? However, once you taste the distinct, crispy ridges of a homemade waffle baked to a perfect golden-brown, you’ll realize it’s completely worth the extra minute of setup.
The Science of Why Cornstarch and Applesauce Create the Perfect Texture
In traditional baking, waffles rely on whipped egg whites to build an airy structure and melted butter to crisp up the exterior. When you’re making eggless or vegan waffles, you have to use a little kitchen science to get that same restaurant-quality bite. That’s why our ultimate texture secret is adding a small measure of cornstarch.
Cornstarch prevents excessive gluten from forming in the batter. When the high heat of the waffle iron hits the cornstarch, it creates a faint, crisp outer crust that holds its shape beautifully. To replace the traditional butter and keep things healthy, we use unsweetened applesauce. It may seem weird to add it to a waffle recipe. But here’s the secret: In this recipe, the applesauce acts as a powerful natural moisture retention, keeping the interior soft and fluffy without needing a drop of heavy oil.
The Wholesome Ingredients for Crispy Vegan Waffles
It doesn’t take a lot of ingredients to bring this simple recipe to life. All you really need is a large mixing bowl, a separate small bowl for your wet mix, and your everyday utensils. You probably have most of these basics on hand already:
The Balanced Flour Blend
The recipe calls for a blend of spelt flour and all-purpose flour. The spelt adds a wonderful, rustic whole-grain quality, but you can choose to use just all-purpose flour if you’d like.
Smashed Ripe Banana
You’ll need 1 medium ripe banana. Make sure the banana you use is very ripe with plenty of brown spots because it’ll be much easier for you to mash it into a smooth, sweet puree.
Unsweetened Applesauce and Dairy-Free Milk
We use unsweetened applesauce to lock in moisture and replace the heavy fats. Combine this with your favorite dairy-free milk, or regular milk if you aren’t vegan.
Leavening and Warming Spices
A precise measure of baking powder and baking soda ensures the batter puffs up the second it hits the hot iron. We also add just a small amount of salt to bring out the flavor, along with a dash of cinnamon and a trace amount of nutmeg for a hint of cozy spice.
How to Make Crispy Banana Waffles (Step-by-Step)
1. Heat the Iron and Mash the Fruit
Before even attempting to make the batter, I advise you to get your waffle maker heating up right away. This helps save on time, and you can add the batter straight away after preparing it. In a separate small bowl, go ahead and mash up your ripe banana with a fork and set it aside. Doing little things in the beginning sets you up for better time management later on!
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In your large mixing bowl, measure and combine your spelt flour, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisking the dry layers together first ensures there are no unnecessarily large lumps in your final batter.
3. Emulsify the Wet Base
In your separate small bowl, stir together the mashed banana, unsweetened applesauce, dairy-free milk, and pure vanilla extract until the mixture is completely smooth.
4. Combine and Rest the Batter
Add your wet ingredients into the large mixing bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir with your sturdy fork or spoon just until the flour pockets disappear. Don’t over-mix the batter, or your waffles can turn out tough. Let the batter rest for 3 minutes on your counter to let the leavening agents activate.
5. Bake Until Golden-Brown
Lightly brush your hot waffle iron/maker with a tiny drop of avocado oil or cooking spray. Measure your batter into the center of the iron—the exact amount will vary based on your machine size, but it’s about 1/3 cup for a mini size. Close the lid and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Don’t open the lid too early! You’ll know they’re done when the steam stops escaping from the sides of the iron and the edges look dry and golden-brown. Lift out gently and serve warm!
Frequently Asked Waffle Questions
- Why are my vegan waffles sticking to the iron?
Waffles without eggs can stick if the iron isn’t hot enough or lacks grease. Make sure your iron is fully preheated before adding the batter, and always use a quick wipe of oil between every single batch to ensure they pop out cleanly. - How do I keep my waffles crispy for a crowd?
Never stack hot waffles on top of each other on a plate, or the trapped steam will make them turn soft and soggy! Instead, place a wire rack inside your oven heated to 200°F (93°C). Slide the cooked waffles onto the rack to keep them warm and super crispy while you finish baking the rest of the batter. - If you love comforting, fruit-filled breakfast treats, make sure to check out my Scrumptious Oat Flour Pancakes or my vibrant One-Bowl Strawberry Applesauce Snack Cake next! For your busy workweek dinners, you can pair these with my high-protein Traditional Glazed Turkey Meatloaf or my fast One-Skillet Creamy Tomato Garlic Turkey Melt to keep your meals clean and nutrient-dense all week long.
Vegan Banana Waffles
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup spelt (or regular all-purpose) flour
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 mashed very ripe banana
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
- 3/4 cup dairy-free or regular milk
Instructions
- Preheat your waffle maker. In a large bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients (flour-cinnamon).
- In a medium bowl, combine all of the wet ingredients together (mashed banana-milk). It’s easier to use a fork to do this.Afterwards, add the combined wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined.
- You’re now ready to make some waffles according to your mini or regular-sized waffle maker instructions. Enjoy!
