Gluten Free Waffles

How many gluten free peeps do we have reading this today? Being gluten free can be quite unfortunate but for most of us we have started the lifestyle because of how it improves our health. I made the switch a little over a year ago after being told several months prior I needed to because of food allergy testing. (It showed I was allergic to both gluten and wheat.) 

Several months later, I finally decided I was ready to make the lifestyle change. After a week and a half of being gluten free, I was already seeing a difference in my health. I had increased energy, decreased headaches, and my stomach was not bloated like it usually was. I had lost five pounds in two weeks time even though I was indeed still eating (just not gluten!).

Granted, there were things I missed and even though there are gluten free alternatives, even a year ago the options were not as open and they did not taste as good as the glutinous version. ;) Plus, gluten free options tend to cost sometimes 50% more.

Many of you are probably saying that I could BAKE gluten free versions which are cheaper and tastier than what you can buy in the store. True. I LOVE to cook. I mean, I do. I LOVE to cook. But here's the problem....I don’t like baking. Maybe it is because when I went through a bread baking stint years ago, the flour would make me go into a sneezing fit and often my nose would start bleeding afterwards. (Or maybe it's all the measuring and with cooking, I can do my own thing more easily.)

However, today I am sharing a very simple (as is most things in my life) gluten free recipe for waffles. Waffles were one thing I missed when I started eating gluten free. My family loved having them for supper with bacon and fruit.

Several months ago, I wanted to bake some waffles and realized my overly expensive gluten free baking mix had less than a half cup. I did a quick online search and came across a recipe I changed up a bit. If you are gluten free and do any kind of baking, then chances are you already have the flours required for this simple recipe. Check it out!

Gluten Free Waffles
Get your ingredients out. Preheat your waffle iron.

I get my flours at a local Mennonite bulk food stores.

In a large bowl with a whisk, mix together 1 cup rice flour (brown or white), 1/2 cup potato starch (NOT potato flour), 1/4 cup tapioca flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup oil, 2 eggs, 1 1/2 cups milk or buttermilk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

If you don't have buttermilk (I don't!), you can make your own with milk and vinegar!

For my waffle iron I use a 1 cup measuring cup and fill it about 3/4 full. I have found it's the perfect measurement to fill both sections. If you have a larger waffle iron then it'll take more, obviously, but learning how much your waffle iron holds makes it easier and less messier to cook your waffles.

Add any additional fillings. Our favorites are semi-sweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and butterscotch chips. Close the waffle iron and let it bake.

Lookin' good already with that chocolate added!

Make sure you have the REAL stuff to top these delicious waffles.

Top with a pat of butter, maple syrup, and/or any other additional toppings. Other favorites are fruit, whipped cream, confectioner's sugar, chocolate or caramel syrup, and more chocolate chips. Enjoy your dessert breakfast!

Yields 5 servings (10 waffles for my waffle iron)

Notes: This recipe doubles easily. They also freeze well. To freeze waffles, bake just until golden. Let cool and stack in a freezer bag with parchment paper in between waffles. Reheat in a toaster oven where they will brown and cook the rest of the way (about 5-10 minutes at 300 degrees) or simply toast in a toaster.

Gluten Free Waffles - PRINTABLE RECIPE HERE!

My waffle iron works great and I paid $20 or less many years ago. When it goes out one of these days, I have my eye on something this or this one.. They both have great reviews!

Do you have other toppings or fillings you like to add to your waffles? I'd love to hear what you and your family enjoys.