Sweet, Fluffy, Golden: The Ultimate Vegan Waffle Taste Test (Our Favorite Brands + Recipes!)

Are you Team Pancake or Team Waffle? Both of these staple breakfast items have their merits, but there’s no denying the textural variety and sweet-meets-savory versatility of a waffle. By its very design, arguably, there’s just more going on with waffles than pancakes. Thanks to the crispy, square-shaped indentations, waffles are the perfect vessels for maple syrup, and a pat of vegan butter nestles into those squares just so perfectly. And let’s not forget the savory side of waffles—there are few food combinations more indulgent and pleasurable than the iconic chicken and waffles.

Let this taste test be reason to try out today’s best storebought options—or to dust off that waffle maker and whip up a few of our favorite waffle recipes. But first, here’s why it’s important to always double-check the ingredients before you buy, because, unfortunately, waffles are not always vegan. 

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Why aren’t all waffles vegan?

A waffle is a humble food made from a very simple batter. Traditionally, they’re made from flour and water or milk, eggs, oil, sugar, baking powder or baking soda, and a pinch of salt. The eggs provide structure and leavening when cooked, and the milk helps to turn a rather dry mixture into a liquid batter that can be easily poured into every nook and cranny of your waffle iron.

But, of course, this classic recipe doesn’t work for those who abstain from animal products. However, the same delicious scientific reaction can occur by making the right vegan swaps.

What are vegan waffles made of?

If you want to make vegan waffles, first, swap out the dairy milk with non-dairy milk, like oat, soy, or almond. Next up, you’ll need to replace the eggs with a vegan egg replacer, like aquafaba. For more information, you can find our guide to egg replacers here.

The best storebought vegan waffles

One could argue that waffle and pancake mix is a form of storebought waffles. However, we are thinking about everyone out there who doesn’t own a waffle maker. For this reason, we are specifically focusing on frozen and ready-to-eat waffles. 

Van’s Foods

1 Van’s Foods

Let us introduce you to the “snacking waffle.” Van’s line of vegan-friendly frozen waffles err toward the healthier side—many are gluten-free and packed with whole grains, making them the ideal waffle to slather with peanut butter to get through the mid-afternoon slump. Plant-based varieties include Gluten-Free Blueberry, Gluten-Free Original, and Protein Original Waffles. Thin, round, and crispy, think of Van’s waffles as a slightly more wholesome equivalent to the classic Eggo. 
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Nature’s Path

2 Nature’s Path

From toaster pastries to instant oatmeal to frozen waffles, this vegan-friendly brand has most breakfast basics covered. Whether you’re grain-free, gluten-free, or simply a vegan looking for a light and not-too-sweet waffle, Nature’s Path provides six vegan waffle options including Dark Chocolate Chip, Homestyle, and FlaxPlus.
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Whole Foods

3 Whole Foods 365

Leave it to Whole Foods to carry a vegan version of everything. The grocer’s 365 range offers vegan homestyle waffles in both regular and miniature sizes. The Blueberry, Multigrain, and Mini Blueberry are also plant-based. Stock up and treat yourself to a thick and fluffy waffle whenever the craving calls on a random Wednesday morning. 
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Six Pack Gourmet Bakery

4Six Pack Gourmet Bakery

Protein-infused everything is all the rage right now, from protein snacks to protein sodas and even candy. So, it’s no surprise protein waffles have popped up on grocery store shelves. Unfortunately, such varieties are usually made with animal ingredients. Luckily, Six Pack Gourmet Bakery offers animal-free frozen waffles. Each serving (two waffles) packs 25 grams of protein. 

Vafels

5Vafels

Vafels is best known for its vegan stroopwafels, thin wafer-style waffles sandwiched with a sweet, sticky syrup. However, the brand recently stepped into those classic soft waffles with its line of Liège Vafels. Simply grab and enjoy on the go, or pop them into your toaster or microwave for an easy breakfast or snack. Choose between Vanilla, Maple, Lemon-Blueberry, and Birthday Cake. 

Best vegan waffle recipes

Want proof that waffles can easily be made vegan and taste delicious? Then make one of these VegNews-favorite vegan recipes.

Dreena Burton

1 The Perfect Gluten-Free Vegan Waffles

Gone are the days when gluten-free was synonymous with grainy. These waffles are perfectly fluffy without a touch of grit. Made with dairy-free yogurt, mashed banana, and almond and oat flour, the recipe also happens to be naturally refined sugar-free. Go ahead, stack ‘em up high!
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Ayinde Howell

2 Mexican Hot Chocolate Waffles

Typically, we’d never eat a waffle without some type of topping, but these spicy chocolate-enriched waffles are the exception. The secret is swirling homemade Mexican hot chocolate sauce into the batter. Of course, a dollop of vegan whipped cream or an extra drizzle of chocolate sauce doesn’t hurt.
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Jackie Sobon

3 Spiced Belgian Waffles With Blood Orange Sauce

If you own a Belgian-style waffle maker, now is the time to use it. This recipe will work in any kind of waffler, but the deeper the crevices, the more blood orange sauce these waffles can hold! Lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, this is the recipe to make when you want to impress the brunch crowd.
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Amy Lanza

4Savory Vegan Cheesy Broccoli Waffles

There’s more than one way to make a waffle savory. In lieu of adding fried vegan chicken, this recipe transforms the cult-favorite cheesy broccoli soup into a standout waffle. Simply toss paprika, garlic, nutritional yeast, vegan cheese, and broccoli into your batter, and pour into your waffle maker. Brunch, lunch, or dinner—virtually any meal is fair game.  
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Jenné Claiborne

5 Vegan Chicken and Waffles

Consider this the gourmet path to vegan chicken and waffles. You could purchase a pack of frozen vegan waffles and pair it with your favorite frozen vegan chicken tenders, or you could make your own with Sweet Potato Soul’s satisfying recipe. The chicken is crafted with fried, meaty oyster mushrooms and served over the top of a hearty whole wheat thin and crispy waffle. Abide by the author’s note and drizzle liberally with maple syrup and a touch of hot sauce.
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Bailey Ruskus

6 Gluten-Free Chocolate Churro Waffles With Strawberry Sauce

These cinnamon sugar-coated waffles fall firmly into the “dessert waffle” category. Unlike their inspiration, there is no frying involved in making churro waffles at home. Truly, the leap between a regular waffle and a churro waffle only requires one extra (and relatively speedy) step. While delicious when piping hot and straight from the iron, these waffles reach a new dimension when served with a scoop of vegan ice cream and strawberry sauce.
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Kerstin Rodgers

7 Poppy Seed Waffles With Blueberries and Orange Zest

On its own without mix-ins or toppings, waffle flavor is underwhelmingly one-note. Zhuzh up any basic batter by infusing it with poppy seeds and vanilla. Top them off with blueberry sauce and orange zest, and you may never go back to plain waffles again.
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