Medically reviewed by Shahzadi Devje, Registered Dietitian (RD) & Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)
All the best flavours — for any time of the day. Bust out your waffle maker and make these fluffy masala chai vegan waffles! Easy to make, healthy and utterly delicious. Infused with aromatic spices and topped with three sumptuous plant-powered toppings that everyone will love: maple-baked pears, strawberry chia jam and coconut caramel. Crisp-edged with a fluffy interior, they're ready in no time! This vegan waffle recipe is made with zero added sugar, and the toppings contain no refined sugar.
Let me commence this post by saying that these are the best vegan waffles I've ever had. They're an enamoured reminder of cherished masala chai moments with family.
I decided I need to make more sweet recipes; we need nostalgic treats in our life with everything going on. And so it happened this past weekend, I went on a dessert spree, and what was supposed to be a single recipe of easy vegan waffles turned into four Desi~licious creations. And the response from the Devje crew was so fine that I devoted the entire weekend to making plenty of waffles. It was glorious, and I loved every second of it.
So this easy vegan waffle recipe is a cinch; in fact, we refer to it as blender bliss. All the ingredients are whipped up in a blender and poured onto the waffle plates. Besides the easy clean-up, the consistency of the batter is smooth and velvety.
Plus, there's plenty of room for swaps, so you can use what you have on hand. Master IK (the guy with the biggest sweet tooth!) hinted we make a big fresh batch for Sunday morning and then freeze a bunch. We did and then simply popped them in the toaster for a quick, smart and delicious breakfast this week.
Waffle Ingredients — With Simple Swaps
- Strong masala chai – Make the desi masala chai ahead of time; make sure it's cooled down before adding to the dry waffle ingredients. You could substitute masala chai with two cups of plant-based milk + a ripe banana.
- Oat milk – Use soy, coconut, almond, cashew, or any other kind of pant-based milk to replace oat milk. However, the creaminess of oat and soy milk work best.
- All-purpose white flour – The waffles taste best with white flour; however, you can make them with wholewheat flour (they're quite dense) or a combo. Gluten-free flour also works.
- Baking powder
- Medjool dates – You could also use cane, coconut, or brown sugar. I love to use fruits to bring sweetness.
- Olive oil – If you prefer, you could use coconut oil or melted vegan butter.
How To Make Vegan Waffles - Step By Step
- Start by making masala chai, and set aside to cool. Remove the tea bags only, and retain the spices and date (Image 1).
- Preheat your waffle maker according to instructions and in a large blender, add flour, oil, dates, baking powder and cooled masala chai (with the spices and date). Blend until creamy. Avoid over-blending (Image 2).
- According to your waffle iron instructions, pour the right amount of batter onto the hot waffle iron plate (Image 3).
- Cook, as directed. The waffle should be golden brown on both sides (Image 4).
- Remove carefully and top with any one of the following toppings. Enjoy hot (Image 5).
- Repeat with the remaining batter (Image 6).
Top Tips To Make The Best Vegan Waffles
- Stick to creamy plant-based kinds of milk to create the best waffles. Oat and soy milks work like a charm.
- Always remember to preheat the waffle maker to ensures your waffles do not stick to the plates.
- Avoid over-blending the waffle batter. Mix until the date and spices have mixed well.
- If your waffle maker is not non-stick, make sure you spray some oil on the plates; otherwise, your waffles will stick.
- Respect your waffle maker and follow its instructions. Avoid opening the lid too early and listen for the beep.
- Serve hot to enjoy the crispiness.
- Don't forget to clean your waffle maker (once it's cooled!) to ensure the cleaning process hassle-free. Plus, the machine will be ready for your next batch of waffles.
- Enjoy your vegan waffles with any or all of the incredible toppings 🙂
Vegan Waffle Toppings
Maple Baked Pears With Pecans
Ingredients:
- 2 pears (ripe), washed, cored and halved
- 1.5 tbsp maple syrup
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup pecans, plain, chopped
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 380 degrees Fahrenheit
- Place the pear halves in an oven=proof dish and drizzle with 1 tbsp of maple syrup. Send to bake for 30 minutes (high/middle oven shelf)
- After the 30 minutes, sprinkle with cinnamon, top with nuts, and drizzle ½ tbsp maple syrup over the nuts. Broil for 1-2 minutes until golden. Be careful not to burn the nuts.
10-minute Strawberry Chia Jam
Ingredients:
- 2 cups frozen strawberries
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
Instructions:
- In a small pan, heat the berries over medium-high heat until soft and mushy. You may need to stir a few times to ensure the fruit does not stick to the bottom of the pot. Use a masher to break down the berries. This typically takes 5-7 minutes. Once done, switch off and remove from heat source.
- Add lemon juice and maple syrup along with chia seeds and stir to mix well. As the jam cools, it will thicken.
- Once cooled, transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to a week.
1-ingredient Coconut Caramel
Ingredients:
- 1 can of sweetened condensed coconut milk. Ours is sweetened with cane juice.
Instructions:
- Shake the condensed coconut milk.
- Remove the lid and paper label from the can. Cover the top of the can with foil.
- Pour 4 cups of water into your Instant Pot.
- Place foil-wrapped can on top of the trivet in your Instant Pot.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid and program to steam for 30 minutes. Then let it sit until the pressure is released. This takes an additional 30 minutes.
- Open the Instant Pot and carefully remove the can and discard the foil. If there's any excess oil on the surface, remove it. You will notice that it will be transformed into a thick caramel consistency.
- Stir the coconut caramel and serve. As it cools, it will thicken.
- Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Nutritional Highlights Of Masala Chai Waffles:
This masala chai vegan waffle recipe:
- Contains no added sugar
- Is a source of fibre
- Is a good source of calcium and iron
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
More Vegan Breakfasts You May Like:
What's your favourite way to sweeten the day? Which one of those toppings tickles your taste buds? Share in the comment section below!
If you try this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment, rate it, or share a photo and hashtag with #desiliciousrd on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Can't wait to see your photos.
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Masala Chai Vegan Waffles
Ingredients
- 2 servings masala chai Use all the chai: https://shahzadidevje.com/masala-chai-recipe/
- 2 cups white flour wholewheat, gluten free flours also work
- 3 Medjool dates super-soft and pitted
- ⅓ cup olive oil extra virgin, light
- 1 tsp baking powder
Instructions
- Start by making masala chai, and set aside to cool. Remove the tea bags only, and retain the spices and date.
- Preheat your waffle maker according to instructions.
- In a large blender, add flour, oil, dates, baking powder and cooled masala chai (with the spices and date). Blend until creamy. Avoid over-blending.
- According to your waffle iron instructions, pour the right amount of batter onto the hot waffle plate. Cook, as directed. The waffle should be golden brown on both sides. Remove carefully.
- Top with any one of the following toppings. Repeat with the remaining batter. Enjoy hot.
Notes
- Stick to creamy plant-based kinds of milk to create the best waffles. Oat and soy milks work like a charm.
- Always remember to preheat the waffle maker to ensures your waffles do not stick to the plates.
- Avoid over-blending the waffle batter. Mix until the date and spices have mixed well.
- If your waffle maker is not non-stick, make sure you spray some oil on the plates; otherwise, your waffles will stick.
- Respect your waffle maker and follow its instructions. Avoid opening the lid too early and listen for the beep.
- Serve hot to enjoy the crispiness.
- Don't forget to clean your waffle maker (once it's cooled!) to ensure the cleaning process hassle-free. Plus, the machine will be ready for your next batch of waffles.
- Enjoy your vegan waffles hot with any or all of the incredible toppings.
Please note the nutritional analysis values are estimates and suggestions. This nutrition facts table does not know your life - your body, including your hunger and satiety cues, change daily. It's okay to eat more or less. Say no to food guilt and instead embrace mindful eating.
Shahzadi is an award-winning registered dietitian (RD) regulated by the College of Dietitians of Ontario and certified diabetes educator (CDE), approved by the Canadian Diabetes Educator Certification Board. A YouTuber and notorious foodie, she's dedicated to helping you end your cooking wars, transform your health, and be the best version of yourself! Shahzadi is an on-air nutrition expert for CTV Your Morning and a regular contributor for Global News and other national media outlets.
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