The Best Pumpkin Waffles Made With Real Pumpkin Puree

I’m one of those people who loves making breakfast, and waffles are a favorite in my household. But regular waffles can become a little boring after a while.

So, I’ve developed arguably my favorite pumpkin light and fluffy waffles just in time for pumpkin season.

Craving more waffle goodness? Dive into our delightful Sloppy Waffles and savor a new level of deliciousness!

These pumpkin waffles are made with real pumpkin puree and a simple pumpkin pie spice mixture. The versatility comes in how you serve them. I made these this morning with chocolate chips, maple syrup, and toasted pecans. I know, not the healthiest, but sometimes breakfast can be dessert!

I also included a gluten-free and vegan alternative for any special dietary needs.

Feel free to test these out and share your thoughts in the comments section! And don’t forget to check out some of my other amazing fall recipes. I know you will love these Crispy Fried Apple Rings.

Ingredients You Will Need

• All-Purpose Flour: A versatile foundation lending structure and texture to the waffles.

• Baking Powder: Acts as a leavening agent, ensuring your waffles are perfectly fluffy and light.

• Brown Sugar: Introduces a molasses-infused sweetness, enhancing the richness of the pumpkin.

• Pumpkin Purée: The quintessential component, infusing the waffles with autumnal warmth and flavor.

• Oat Milk: A delightful, plant-based liquid, it contributes to the waffle’s moistness, complementing the pumpkin flavor harmoniously.

• Olive Oil (+ extra for brushing): Imparts a subtle richness and aids in preventing sticking.

• Eggs: Work as binding agents, creating a unified, cohesive batter.

• Melted Butter: Enhances flavor and texture, providing a luxurious mouthfeel.

• Cinnamon and Nutmeg: These spices add aromatic warmth, elevating the pumpkin essence.

How to make the Pumpkin Waffles

1. Swiftly whisk together dry ingredients in one bowl.

2. Then combine eggs, oat milk, olive oil, and pumpkin purée in another.

3. Gradually blend in melted butter and integrate the dry mixture, avoiding overmixing. Aim for a slightly lumpy batter.

4. Preheat your waffle maker and brush with olive oil.

5. Pour ½ cup of the batter per waffle and allow to cook until crispy, about 5-6 minutes, adjusting based on your appliance.

7. Serve these elegant waffles with a plethora of toppings like warm maple syrup, whipped cream, crunchy walnuts, and fresh fruits, and relish the harmonious fusion of autumnal flavors and textures.

Choosing The Best Pumpkin Purée To Make Pumpkin Waffles

Next, you can also choose canned pumpkin puree. These will have a slightly less pumpkin-like flavor but offer a ton of convenience. You can also sometimes find canned pumpkin puree with pumpkin pie spice already incorporated in the mixture.

Whichever you choose, make sure that it isn’t too watery. This will affect the wet-to-dry ingredient ratio of your pumpkin spice waffle recipe and ultimately, the texture of them once cooked in the waffle iron.

Can You Make Your Own Pumpkin Spice?

Making a pumpkin pie spice mix from scratch is honorable, but not necessary. There are many pumpkin spice mixes out there already that have a fantastic flavor.

If you do feel up to the challenge, you need to, at the very least, include ground ginger, ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves. This is a basic mixture that works for all pumpkin recipes, including my pumpkin waffles.

If you love a recipe that have enough species, try the Chicken Soup.

How To Make Vegan Pumpkin Spice Waffles

For the melted butter, you can opt for melted margarine or a different kind of plant-based butter, like almond butter. You can also use coconut oil.

I’ve already incorporated oat milk in this recipe, not necessarily to make it vegan, but because it compliments the pumpkin flavor and pumpkin spice flavor very well.

You can use other kinds of plant-based milk like almond milk, cashew nut milk, or coconut milk.

There are some ingredients that you should double-check. You’d be surprised to find how many plant-based ingredients have been processed using animal products and animal by-products.

Check the brown sugar, baking powder, and wheat flour. You should also read the ingredients in your canned pumpkin. Some brands include animal-based stabilizers and flavor enhancers.

How To Make A Gluten-Free Waffles With This Pumpkin Waffle Recipe

For these pumpkin waffles, I used regular all-purpose wheat flour. I also often use whole wheat flour as a healthier alternative. Obviously, both of these contain a ton of gluten in there.

So, to make these pumpkin spice waffles gluten-free, substitute the flour with gluten-free flour like coconut flour or almond flour. Keep in mind how the change may affect the pumpkin waffles’ flavor.

If you use, for example, almond flour, use almond milk as well. This will help create a harmonious blend of pumpkin flavors.

How To Properly Use A Waffle Iron And Waffle Maker For Any Waffle Recipe

Many people confuse a waffle iron with a waffle maker. While the terms can technically be used interchangeably, a waffle iron is usually a handheld tool used over an open flame. A waffle maker is usually an electronic appliance with automated cooking settings.

Either way, the tips for making the best pumpkin waffles (any kind of waffle recipe really) remain the same.

The trick to making the best light and fluffy waffles is to preheat the waffle iron and waffle maker. You can brush them with some unsalted butter before you pour batter into the grooves.

The melted butter will help prevent the pumpkin waffle batter from sticking while the waffles cook.

Once the pumpkin pie spice waffle batter has been added to the preheated waffle iron, you should leave it closed for at least 4 minutes. This ensures the batter becomes crispy on the outside and won’t deflate when you open the waffle iron.

Once you are sure that your pumpkin spice waffles have been cooked completely, it takes about 5-6 minutes for this pumpkin waffle recipe. You can carefully open and remove them.

Keep the pumpkin waffles warm while you make the rest of the batter in a preheated oven on a lined baking sheet.

A similar dish to waffles is the Crispy and Fluffy Churros.

How To Serve These Delicious Pumpkin Waffles

Serving delicious pumpkin waffles is a delightful way to embrace the flavors of a fall breakfast. This delicious recipe is extremely versatile and these are only some of my favorite ways to serve my favorite waffle recipe.

When it comes to toppings, there’s a world of possibilities to enhance both the flavor, texture, and presentation of your pumpkin waffles.

Classic options include a generous dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of warm maple syrup, and a sprinkling of chopped nuts, such as toasted pecans or walnuts. You can also incorporate chopped pecans into your batter if you don’t want to serve it as garnish.

Fresh fruit like cranberries or blueberries can bring a burst of freshness and vibrant color to your plate. You can also serve them in a separate bowl for picky eaters.

A topping that just makes sense with pumpkin spice waffles is a light dusting of ground cinnamon or nutmeg, which can intensify the pumpkin spice flavor and create an inviting aroma. Powdered sugar is also a good option as it adds a touch of sweetness.

I’m sure your loved ones will enjoy the Christmas Pancakes as an alternative.

Expert Tips And Tricks To Make Pumpkin Pie Spice Waffles With A Waffle Iron

• Do not substitute the brown sugar with white sugar. Brown sugar adds a slight caramel flavor that compliments the pumpkin spice waffles nicely.

• You can add some chopped pecans of chocolate chips to your pumpkin pie spice waffle batter. These add flavor and texture.

• You can also simply add some vanilla extract for a more wintery sweet flavor.

• You can use a waffle iron (handheld) or waffle maker for these pumpkin waffles. Either way, always ensure that you use a hot waffle iron. This helps get the pumpkin waffles crispy on the outside while remaining fluffy on the inside, but well cooked. See my tutorial above on how to use a waffle iron and waffle maker for the best fluffy pumpkin waffles.

• This pumpkin waffle recipe is best made fresh. However, you can make the pumpkin puree batter a day or two in advance and store it in the fridge. Whisk the batter well before adding it to your waffle iron.

Prepare the Waffles One Day in Advance

Crafting waffles a day in advance is a feasible endeavor. Post-cooking, allow the waffles to cool under a towel; they might feel soft initially but fret not. A quick microwave bake will rejuvenate their crispy texture.

How To Store Leftover Fluffy Pumpkin Waffles

If you have any leftover pumpkin pie spice waffles, simply store them in an airtight container inside the fridge. They will keep well for 2-3 days.

To reheat, you can use a preheated waffle iron or re-crisp them in a preheated oven. Make sure to use a medium temperature so the pumpkin waffles don’t dry out. Some maple syrup will help add moisture back into every bite.

FAQs

What is the difference between waffle mix and pancake mix?

They both start with a common base but diverge in ingredient ratios. Pancake mix leans on extra baking powder for a fluffy result, while waffle mix adds more butter and eggs, delivering crispiness outside and moisture inside.

Pancakes are perfect for breakfast; try the Sweet Potato Pancakes or Supreme Oreo Pancakes next time.

How do you make waffles more moist?

The secret to moist waffles lies in the augmentation of eggs in the batter, bestowing upon them a crispy shell encasing a succulent interior.