Wake up to these vegan Pumpkin Waffles with Maple Cashew Cream. Spiced to perfection and slathered in sweet, creamy, custard, these vegan waffles are the perfect autumnal breakfast for the whole family.
I've been baking up a storm over here. A couple of weeks ago, I published this vegan pumpkin donuts recipe. Once I took one bite into those gloriously autumnal pastries, it was all over. The pumpkin baking had begun and there was no stopping it.
I have quite a few pumpkin recipes on the blog. There is the pumpkin bread with candied pecans, the BEST pumpkin muffins, the even better cream cheese swirl pumpkin muffins, and of course, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. But one of the first pumpkin baked goods I ever made for this blog has long since been lost in the archives and it was high time to revive them.
Friends, let me introduce you to my vegan pumpkin waffles with maple cashew cream.
Recommended Ingredients & Equipment
This waffle recipe is perfectly seasonal, super straight forward, and made without refined sugar. This nearly fool-proof recipe turns out perfect every time.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- All-Purpose Flour - For healthier flour options, you can use 1:1 gluten-free flour blends, buckwheat, or spelt flour.
- Baking Powder and Soda
- Salt
- Spices - You will need ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves
- Non-Dairy Milk - I recommend almond, soy, or cashew milk
- Pumpkin Puree - Make sure to use canned pumpkin and NOT pumpkin pie filling.
- Maple Syrup
- Oil - I recommend a non-hydrogenated oil such as avocado or melted coconut oil. Olive oil also works but adds a slightly savory flavor.
- Vanilla Extract
- Maple Cashew Cream (Optional) - This optional topping is made from raw cashews, water, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon.
Recommended Equipment
When it comes to pancakes, I highly recommend getting a good waffle maker. Waffle makers are fairly affordable and if you don't have one yet, I highly recommend you get one.
In addition, you need a mixing bowl and basic kitchen utensils. I also recommend using an ice cream scoop to evenly and cleanly scoop your batter. (<<affiliate links)
Check out the full list of my recommended kitchen tools and gadgets.
How to Make Vegan Pumpkin Waffles
Step One: Make the Batter
Start by combining your dry ingredients – that’s your flour, baking powder and soda, salt, and salt – in a large bowl and set aside.
Next, combine the wet ingredients – that’s the pumpkin puree, non-dairy milk, oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry, mixing gently, until a thick uniform batter has formed.
Step Two: Cook the Waffles
Getting an even cook on your waffles is crucial. You want to get both sides of the waffles lightly golden and crispy while making sure that the center is cooked. This can be difficult so it's important to get a high-quality waffle maker to do the job.
Make sure to generously spray your preheated waffle maker and pour about ½ cup of batter onto the waffle maker per waffle (this will vary slightly depending on your waffle maker). Cook the waffles until your waffle maker indicates they are ready (usually with a green light) and gently remove.
Place the pumpkin waffles on a cooling rack while you continue to cook the rest of the batter.
Serving and Storing
Serving - Serve the waffles immediately with cashew maple cream, maple syrup, and, if you’re feeling very decadent, chocolate chips.
Storing - If you do have leftover waffles, you can tightly wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or the freezer for 2 months. Gently reheat them in the oven or microwave to enjoy.
Tips and Tricks
- Take care that the waffle batter is not over-mixed. When combining the ingredients mix until the batter is evenly hydrated; a few lumps are always okay. The less you mix, the more tender and delicate the texture of the waffles will be.
- Preheat the waffle maker and spray it between each batch. This is important in getting that golden crispy outside. When the batter hits the hot oiled griddle, it should immediately start to form a crust which gives the waffle it’s perfect texture while it cooks.
- Eat waffles immediately. After 10-15 minutes, they start to lose their lightly fried crispy outsides and get soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these waffles oil-free?
Yes, if you want to make these pumpkin waffles oil-free, you can substitute apple sauce for the coconut oil. However, I do recommend that you spray the waffle maker between each waffle to prevent it from sticking to the pan.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
I have made these waffles gluten-free. For that, I recommend using a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix like this one from Bob's Red Mill.
Do I need to make the maple cashew cream?
No. These waffles are great with just a bit of vegan butter and maple syrup. Or if you're feeling decadent, add some coconut whipped cream and chocolate chips.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
More Vegan Griddle Recipes
Pumpkin Waffles with Maple Cashew Cream
Ingredients
Pumpkin Waffles
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 ¼ cup almond milk
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 3 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Maple Cashew Cream (Optional)
- ½ cup raw cashews
- 2 tbsp. water
- 2 tbsp. maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of cinnamon
Instructions
- In a bowl combine flour, baking powder and soda, salt, and spices. In a separate bowl whisk together pumpkin puree, almond milk, maple syrup, oil, and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix together until just combined. A few lumps are okay.
- Cook batter in waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions.
- While the waffles baking, make the maple cashew cream (optional). In a high-powered blender combine all the ingredients and process until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Serve the waffles warm with Maple Cashew Cream or coconut whipped cream, toasted pecans or hazelnuts, and maple syrup.
Notes
- Take care that the waffle batter is not over-mixed. When combining the ingredients mix until the batter is evenly hydrated; a few lumps are always okay. The less you mix, the more tender and delicate the texture of the waffles will be.
- Preheat the waffle maker and spray it between each batch. This is important in getting that golden crispy outside. When the batter hits the hot oiled griddle, it should immediately start to form a crust which gives the waffle it’s perfect texture while it cooks.
- Eat waffles immediately. After 10-15 minutes, they start to lose their lightly fried crispy outsides and get soggy.
- Can I make these waffles oil-free? Yes, if you want to make these pumpkin waffles oil-free, you can substitute apple sauce for the coconut oil. However, I do recommend that you spray the waffle maker between each waffle to prevent it from sticking to the pan.
- Can I make this recipe gluten-free? I have made these waffles gluten-free. For that, I recommend using a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix like this one from Bob's Red Mill.
- Do I need to make the maple cashew cream? No. These waffles are great with just a bit of vegan butter and maple syrup. Or if you're feeling decadent, add some coconut whipped cream and chocolate chips.
Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m a 14-year (and counting) vegan, professionally trained photographer, former pastry chef, founder of My Darling Vegan, and author of the
Meg says
Thank you for offering a gluten free option! I can finally try one of your sweet recipes now. I’m making these tomorrow!
Heather says
I made these as pancakes today...yummy yummy!! Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe with the world!
Sarah says
I'm so glad they were a hit!
Kirianne says
To make these as pancakes did you modify the recipe at all? How did you cook them? I’m in Ireland without my waffle iron but I love this recipe. Hoping I can turn them into pancakes!!! Thanks for any suggestions!
Golden says
These are amazing. I call them pumpkin pie waffles. They definitely seem a little gooey in the middle but I looooove that! Wondering what you would suggest as an alternative to canola oil? I used coconut but had to heat up the batter cause it got all hard and chunky and it was a pain. Thank you so much I'm going to make these a lot! 🙂
Mellissa says
The recipe calls for melted coconut oil. I wonder if you misread the recipe?
Cory says
Great recipe for the maple cream, that's about as good as it gets for a vegan.. I use a different recipe for the waffles, but the maple cream recipe is epic..
Sarah says
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
Sandra says
I made these without the cashew cream. Delicious. A little soy free earth balance and maple syrup were all that was needed. Thanks for sharing!
Denise says
I made this recipe tonight and my waffles came out bad. They did not cook in the middle and stuck to the iron. Help please?? I don't know what I did wrong.
Sarah says
I'm sorry they didn't come out well. Without more information, I'm not sure I can help you. Perhaps your waffle maker requires less batter than some, and so they were too thick. That would be the best guess for why they were not cooked in the middle. In terms of being stuck to the waffle iron, I had no problem with this, so it may just be working it out with your waffle iron - getting it to the right temperature, giving it enough oil. I hope this helps!
Wynne says
These were great. I had a hard time getting them out of my oiled waffle iron, but I think my square machine's more finicky than average. I really liked the balanced flavor and how they crisped up--lots of recipes don't crisp. I'm going to try cooking the batter as pancakes, too.
Dena says
Made these for the family on Thanksgiving. They were a hit! Thank you!
Angela says
I just found out my son is allergic to eggs. We were so sad thinking we wouldn't be able to enjoy waffles and other baked goods... Boy, were we wrong! This will be a staple Saturday morning waffle recipe in the fall. Thank you!!
Homegrown Smoker Vegan BBQ says
Sunday. but just the waffle not the cream sauce. We had them for dinner last night, Yummo!
Homegrown Smoker Vegan BBQ says
Sarah, Would you mind terribly if we use your waffle recipe at our food cart? I wanted to do Chicken and Waffles and wanted the waffle to taste like pumpkin pie. Your recipe sounds perfect! Do they get crisp on the outside? Jeff aka Homegrown Smoker
Sarah says
That would be awesome. I love your cart and I will definitely swing by and try them out if you end up making them. They do get crispy on the outside but they softened up once they sat out for awhile. You can just cook them a couple minutes longer if you want them even more crispy. Let me know if you start making them!
Carrie says
My son asked for pumpkin waffles the other day. So glad to find these vegan ones! They were delicious! It was hard not to eat them all at once.
Food to Fitness says
You have a great blog. Keep up the good work.
Sarah says
Thanks!
Jerilyn says
These look amazing!! I need a waffle maker stat.
Sarah says
yes, you do!
Shannon says
I didn't even make it to the second week of September before I was breaking out the pumpkin. I love it. And I will definitely be making these waffles for breakfast on my next day off!
Sarah says
I usually break it out early in September too, but I felt like my blog became so pumpkin heavy between sept-nov last year that I had to practice patience. (Like I said, once I go pumpkin, it's hard to think of anything else to post about)
Katie @ Produce on Parade says
Oh my goodness. These look fabulous. Thanks for sharing! Yum yum yum.