Ultimate Fluffy & Crispy Vegan Banana Waffles: Your Perfect Dairy-Free Breakfast
Transform your breakfast or brunch with these super fluffy vegan banana waffles! Crispy on the outside and wonderfully light and soft on the inside, you’d never guess they’re completely eggless and dairy-free. This recipe delivers the ultimate plant-based indulgence, perfect for any morning.
These vegan banana waffles are an absolute game-changer, offering a delightful way to utilize those forgotten overripe bananas sitting on your counter. They effortlessly create an amazing, indulgent breakfast or brunch experience that caters to all dietary preferences, proving that plant-based can be just as, if not more, delicious!
Every bite of these homemade vegan waffles offers a harmonious blend of textures: an irresistible crispiness on the exterior yielding to a remarkably light and fluffy interior. Infused with a delicate banana flavor and a comforting hint of warming spices, they are not only incredibly tasty but also surprisingly quick and easy to whip up – a definite win for busy mornings or leisurely weekends.
I personally adore serving these fluffy vegan banana waffles with extra slices of fresh banana, a sprinkle of crunchy chopped pecans, and a generous drizzle of rich maple syrup. However, the versatility doesn’t stop there! Imagine them drenched in a luscious vegan chocolate sauce for an extra decadent treat, or even alongside a scoop of creamy vegan vanilla ice cream if you’re truly looking to elevate your dessert-for-breakfast game!
And for those occasions when you crave classic, plain vegan waffles without the banana, my tried-and-true fluffy vegan waffles recipe is always a fantastic option to have in your repertoire!
Why You’ll Love These Vegan Banana Waffles
- Incredibly Fluffy & Crispy: The perfect contrast of textures that makes every bite satisfying. The precise balance of ingredients ensures a golden-brown exterior and a tender, airy crumb.
- Naturally Sweetened & Flavorful: Overripe bananas provide natural sweetness and a lovely mild fruity flavor, complemented by warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Eggless & Dairy-Free: Ideal for those with dietary restrictions or anyone following a plant-based lifestyle, these waffles prove you don’t need animal products for an amazing breakfast.
- Quick & Easy Preparation: With simple steps and common pantry ingredients, you can have these delicious homemade waffles on your table in under 30 minutes.
- Versatile Topping Canvas: From fresh fruit and nuts to decadent sauces and vegan whipped cream, these waffles are a perfect base for all your favorite toppings.
- Uses Overripe Bananas: A fantastic solution for those dark-spotted bananas, turning them into a delectable treat instead of letting them go to waste.
Key Ingredients for Perfect Vegan Banana Waffles
Crafting the perfect vegan banana waffle comes down to understanding the role of each ingredient. Here’s a closer look at what makes these waffles so special:
- Very Ripe Banana: This is the star! An overripe banana (the more brown spots, the better) not only provides natural sweetness but also acts as a binder, replacing eggs, and contributes to the moist, tender texture.
- Neutral Oil: Essential for achieving that coveted crispy exterior and preventing sticking to the waffle iron. Opt for sunflower, vegetable, canola, mild olive, or melted coconut oil. Don’t be tempted to skip it!
- Non-Dairy Milk & Cider/White Wine Vinegar: When combined, the acid in the vinegar reacts with the baking soda to create “vegan buttermilk.” This chemical reaction is crucial for activating the leavening agents, resulting in an incredibly fluffy and light waffle. Soy or oat milk work beautifully.
- Plain (All-Purpose) Flour & Cornflour (Cornstarch): The combination of these flours is key for texture. All-purpose flour forms the base, while cornflour contributes to the waffles’ delicate crispiness and light interior. If you don’t have cornflour, you can substitute it with an equal amount of plain flour, though the texture might be slightly less crisp.
- Light Brown Soft Sugar: Adds a touch more sweetness and a subtle caramel note that complements the banana and spices. Granulated sugar can also be used.
- Baking Powder & Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda): These are the leavening powerhouses. Baking powder provides the initial lift, while baking soda reacts with the vinegar to create extra airiness.
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These warm spices elevate the banana flavor, adding depth and a comforting aroma that makes these waffles truly irresistible.
- Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
How To Make Irresistible Vegan Banana Waffles: A Step-by-Step Guide
(For precise measurements and full instructions, refer to the detailed recipe card below)
Step 1: Prepare the Banana Base
Start by mashing your very ripe banana thoroughly in a large mixing bowl. The goal here is to achieve a consistency that is as smooth as possible to ensure your waffles are uniformly textured and free of lumps. A fork works well for this, but for extra smoothness, you can use a potato masher or even a food processor.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients
To the mashed banana, add the neutral oil, non-dairy milk, light brown soft sugar, vanilla extract, and vinegar. Whisk these ingredients together diligently until they are thoroughly combined and the mixture is homogenous. This creates the essential liquid base for your waffle batter.
Step 3: Introduce Dry Ingredients
Next, carefully sift in the plain flour, cornflour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt directly into the wet mixture. Using a balloon whisk, gently fold and whisk the ingredients together until they are just combined. This step is crucial: avoid over-mixing the batter, as excessive whisking can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tough, dense waffles rather than the desired light and fluffy texture.
Step 4: Rest the Batter
Once your batter is mixed, set it aside to rest for a few minutes. This resting period allows the flour to fully hydrate and the leavening agents to begin their work, contributing to an even lighter and fluffier waffle. While the batter rests, take this time to heat up your waffle iron according to its manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 5: Cook the Waffles
Before adding the batter, lightly spray your preheated waffle iron with cooking spray or brush it with a little oil. Then, carefully ladle in the appropriate amount of batter – the quantity will vary depending on the size and design of your specific waffle machine. Close the lid and cook until the waffles are beautifully golden brown and steam largely stops emanating from the waffle maker. Cooking times differ between machines, so keep a watchful eye on them.
Step 6: Finish & Serve
Continue cooking the remaining batter, remembering to re-oil your waffle iron lightly between each batch to prevent sticking. To maintain the crispiness of your cooked waffles while you prepare more, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and keep them warm in a low oven. This prevents them from steaming and losing their delightful crunch. Serve your freshly made vegan banana waffles immediately with your favorite toppings!
Top Tips for the Best Fluffy & Crispy Vegan Banana Waffles:
- Don’t Skip the Oil: The oil in the batter is absolutely essential for achieving wonderfully crispy waffles and also plays a key role in preventing them from sticking to your waffle maker. Do not omit it!
- Cornflour for Crispness: Cornflour (cornstarch) is a secret weapon for a truly light and crispy texture. If you don’t have it, you can substitute it with an equal amount of plain (all-purpose) flour, but expect a slightly less crisp result.
- Go for Overripe Bananas: For the most flavor and natural sweetness, always use very ripe bananas – the ones with plenty of brown spots are perfect! They are easier to mash and sweeter.
- Avoid Overmixing the Batter: This is a golden rule for all waffle and pancake recipes. Overbeating the batter develops gluten, which can lead to tough, chewy waffles instead of light and fluffy ones. Mix until just combined.
- Generously Oil Your Waffle Maker: Waffles, especially eggless ones, can be prone to sticking. Ensure your waffle maker is well-oiled before the first batch, and re-oil it lightly between each batch. Always follow your specific machine’s instructions.
- Patience is a Virtue (Don’t Peak!): Resist the urge to open the waffle maker too early! This can cause the waffles to deflate or tear. Wait until they are fully cooked.
- Listen to the Steam: The best indicator that your waffles are done is when the steam coming out of the waffle iron significantly reduces or stops altogether. If your waffle maker has a “ready” light or beep, still rely more on the steam method for optimal crispiness.
- Gentle Opening: When the waffles are ready, open the waffle maker slowly. This allows any residual steam to escape and gives the waffles time to gently release from the grids, preventing them from tearing.
- Keep Waffles Crispy: To ensure your waffles remain crisp while you cook the rest of the batch, place them in a single layer on a baking tray in a low oven (around 100°C/200°F). Avoid stacking them, as this traps steam and will make them soft.
Can I Freeze These Vegan Banana Waffles for Later?
Absolutely! While these delicious vegan banana waffles are at their absolute best served fresh off the iron, they are also excellent for meal prepping. You can store them well in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of days, or freeze them for up to a few months for a quick breakfast option. Make sure they are well wrapped to prevent freezer burn.
To reheat, simply pop them directly from the fridge or freezer into a toaster until they are warm through and regain their crispiness. Alternatively, you can warm them under a grill (broiler) or in a preheated oven.
Creative Serving Suggestions for Your Vegan Banana Waffles:
These waffles are wonderful on their own, but they truly shine with the right accompaniments. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Classic Toppings: Maple syrup, fresh banana slices, chopped pecans or walnuts, a dusting of powdered sugar.
- Fruity Delights: A medley of fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), a warm fruit compote (berry, apple, or peach), sliced grilled peaches.
- Decadent Indulgences: Vegan whipped cream, a drizzle of vegan chocolate sauce, a scoop of your favorite vegan vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of vegan caramel sauce.
- Nutty & Buttery: A spread of almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter, topped with extra chopped nuts or seeds.
- Unique Combinations: Try them with a spoonful of vegan yogurt, a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes, or a creative fruit salsa.
More Delicious Vegan Breakfast Recipes to Explore:
If you loved these banana waffles, you’re sure to enjoy these other plant-based breakfast favorites:
- Fluffy Vegan Waffles (the classic, no-banana version!)
- Fluffy Vegan Vanilla Pancakes
- Vegan Chocolate Pancakes with Chocolate Sauce
- Delicate Vegan Crepes
- Basic Vegan Granola
- Hearty PB&J Porridge
- Fluffy Vegan Banana Pancakes
- Seasonal Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes
- Autumnal Pumpkin Spice Granola
- Comforting Banana Porridge with Blueberry Compote
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Print Recipe
Vegan Banana Waffles
Ingredients
- 1 medium very ripe banana (about 110g peeled weight)
- 60 ml (¼ cup) neutral oil (sunflower/vegetable/canola/mild olive/melted coconut)
- 300 ml (1 ¼ cups) non-dairy milk (soy or oat recommended)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cider or white wine vinegar
- 230 g (1 + ¾ cups + 2 Tbsp) plain (all-purpose) flour
- 20 g (2 Tbsp) cornflour (cornstarch)
- 2 Tbsp light brown soft sugar (or granulated sugar)
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
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Mash the banana really well in a large bowl, aiming for a very smooth consistency to prevent lumps in your waffles.
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Whisk in the oil, non-dairy milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and vinegar until all wet ingredients are thoroughly combined.
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Sift in the plain flour, cornflour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Gently whisk with a balloon whisk until just combined. Be careful not to over-beat the batter, as this can make your waffles tough.
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Set the batter aside to rest for a few minutes while your waffle iron preheats to the correct temperature.
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Lightly spray or brush your hot waffle iron with oil. Ladle in the appropriate amount of batter (this will vary depending on your specific waffle machine). Cook until the waffles are golden brown and steam largely stops coming out of the waffle maker. Monitor them closely as cooking times differ per machine.
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Repeat the process with the remaining batter, ensuring to re-oil the waffle iron between each batch. To keep cooked waffles crispy, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet in a low oven until you are ready to serve. Do not stack them.
Notes
- For the absolute best results, it’s highly recommended to follow the recipe closely, particularly using gram measurements with a digital scale rather than cup conversions, which can be less accurate for baking.
- The oil content is vital for crispy waffles and prevents sticking. Do not omit it.
- Cornflour (cornstarch) enhances the light, crispy texture. If unavailable, use an equal amount of plain flour, but the crispiness might be slightly reduced.
- Always use a very ripe banana (with many brown spots) for optimal sweetness and flavor.
- Avoid overmixing the batter; mix until just combined to ensure tender, fluffy waffles.
- Generously oil your waffle maker, especially between batches, as vegan batters can sometimes be prone to sticking. Refer to your waffle maker’s manual for specific instructions.
- Patience is key while cooking! Avoid opening the waffle maker until the waffles are visibly ready.
- A reliable sign that waffles are cooked is when steam stops escaping from the waffle iron. Disregard ‘done’ lights/beeps and trust the steam.
- Open the waffle maker slowly to allow the waffles to release naturally without tearing.
- To keep waffles crispy during cooking, place them in a single layer on a baking tray in a low oven (around 100°C/200°F). Stacking them will make them lose their crispness due to trapped steam.
