Gluten-free Cornbread Waffles

By Chuck Underwood @brandnewvegan

Whether it's a big bowl of beans or my best damn vegan chili, you just gotta have some cornbread to go with! And these gluten-free cornbread waffles are just the ticket! Naturally, they are 100% vegan & oil-free, and now without the gluten!

My original cornbread recipe has been popular for years, but now that my wife is gluten-free, I remade the recipe so she could continue to enjoy it too. It goes great with my vegan soup beans or my best damn vegan chili, and I made them into waffles because.... waffles are FUN!

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WHY YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THIS RECIPE

❤️Vegan: I grew up eating mom's cornbread that she made with buttermilk. Oh mom, all that saturated fat. I know, you didn't know any better. But we do now so there is no dairy used in this recipe. Love ya Mom.

❤️Oil-Free: Again mom used bacon fat, Crisco, or lard to grease everything and we know that stuff isn't good for us. So there is NO oil of any kind in this recipe, not even to coat the waffle iron.

❤️Gluten-Free: Now that my wife has joined the gluten-free wagon, I am happy to say there is no longer wheat used in this recipe. No worries for you wheat lovers, the original recipe is still there.

NOTABLE INGREDIENTS & SUBSTITUTIONS

CORNMEAL

Seeing how this recipe IS for cornbread..... cornmeal is the key ingredient so don't skimp. Get a good, quality brand of cornmeal, preferably organic. I like Bob's Red Mill (RIP Bob).

OAT FLOUR

Oat flour is used to replace the white flour typically found in cornbread recipes so it is another key ingredient. Choose a good quality brand or do as I did - make your own! A spare coffee grinder and some old-fashioned rolled oats make oat flour in seconds. You'll need 1 cup of oat flour. You can also try using any gluten-free flour.

VEGAN BUTTERMILK

I used unsweetened almond milk and apple cider vinegar to create my vegan buttermilk. Any plant milk will work and you can also use lemon juice instead of vinegar to give it that buttermilk tang.

SPICY CHILES

Don't feel you HAVE to use jalapenos or green chiles if you don't like spice. Personally, I like chiles and couldn't taste them at all (but my wife did and boy did she tell me about it).

Feel free to use the little 4oz cans of green chiles you buy in the store as they are extremely mild.

*See the recipe card at the bottom of the page for exact quantities and detailed cooking directions.

HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN-FREE CORNBREAD WAFFLES

Nail this perfectly on your first shot by following these step-by-step instructions with helpful tips. Or you can follow along with the easy-to-print recipe card towards the bottom of this page.

STEP ONE

Mix all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl, the cornmeal, oat flour, baking powder, and salt

STEP TWO

Intro the dry mix, stir in the applesauce, green chiles, and if you are using them... the jalapenos.

STEP THREE

Whisk the plant milk. maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar together

STEP FOUR

Add the milk to the cornmeal mixture and mix thoroughly until you have a smooth batter.

Step 5:

Preheat your waffle iron. Mine makes 4 waffles so ladle 4 even portions onto your waffle iron and close the lid. Set a timer for 10 minutes.

💡HELPFUL HINTS:

Do NOT open the lid until you get close to the 10-minute mark or they may stick. If they do, simply close the lid and allow them to finish cooking.
Once you remove that first batch of waffles, close the lid and allow your waffle iron to heat back up again before ladling on your next batch.

After 10 minutes they should be golden brown and lift cleanly out of your waffle iron.

SERVING IDEAS

You can use these waffles in place of cornbread the next time you make a pot of chili or 15-bean soup.

How about ladling some of that chili on top followed by my amazing vegan cheese sauce for the ultimate comfort-food meal?

In the photo, I drizzled some New Mexican Red Chile Sauce on top and garnished it with cilantro and green onions.

RECIPE FAQS

How Many Waffles Does This Make?

My waffle maker is nearly 50 years old and makes four (4" x 4") waffles at a time. This recipe will make 8 waffles.

Can You Freeze Them?

Absolutely. You can probably pop them into your toaster to reheat too.

I Don't Like SPICY FOODS!

Then simply leave the green chiles and jalapenos out. Or use the little 4oz cans of green chile you buy in the store as they are pretty mild.

I Don't Own A Waffle Iron!

Then I would make them as pancakes in a skillet or on a griddle. I know my original recipe is great in a cast-iron skillet but I have not tried baking this version yet. If you do, let me know how they turn out!

MY FAVES TO SERVE WITH THIS CORNBREAD:

  • Chipotle Chili Beans
  • Cheesy Mexican 3-Bean Soup
  • Mexican Beans and Greens
  • Best Damn Vegan Chili Ever

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GLUTEN-FREE CORNBREAD WAFFLES RECIPE

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  • Author: Chuck Underwood
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 20 min
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 waffles
  • Category: Breads
  • Method: Waffle Iron
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

Whether it's a big bowl of beans or my best damn vegan chili, you just gotta have some cornbread to go with! And these gluten-free cornbread waffles are just the ticket! Naturally, they are 100% vegan & oil-free, and now without the gluten!


Ingredients

Units
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup oat flour
  • 1 Tbs baking powder
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 4 oz can green chiles
  • ½ diced jalapeno (optional)
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 Tbs maple syrup
  • 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
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Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix the cornmeal, oat flour, baking powder, and salt.
  2. Add the applesauce and any chiles you want to use and stir to combine.
  3. In a measuring cup, whisk the plant milk, maple syrup, and vinegar together.
  4. Pour the milk into the dry ingredients and mix well to make a smooth batter. 
  5. Heat your waffle iron - mine has a light that will go out when it is ready
  6. Ladle equal portions onto our waffle iron and close the lid
  7. Cook for 10 minutes.  

Notes

To avoid sticking:  Avoid lifting the lid to peek.  Also, once the first batch is removed, close the lid and allow to reheat before adding the next batch of batter.

Like This Recipe?  Your Tips and Donations Are Always Greatly Appreciated!

Keywords: gluten-free cornbread waffles

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