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These 3 ingredient chickpea flour waffles are a wonder: golden, fluffy, and crispy-edged, they are naturally vegan, oil-free, grain-free & gluten-free.
I love a good waffle, especially if it is golden, fluffy, crispy at the edges, and drizzled with maple syrup. Are you with me?
If your answer is “yes,” then you simply must give my 3-ingredient wonder waffles a try.
Table of Contents
- Recipe Benefits
- Ingredients for the 3 Ingredient Chickpea Flour Waffles
- Step by Step Instructions
- Step One: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
- Step Two: Add the Wet Ingredients
- Step Three: Preheat the Waffle Iron
- Step Four: Add the Batter to the Waffle Iron
- Eat Immediately, Or Store for Later
- Suggested Toppings
- Variations and Add-In Options
- Make a Waffle Sandwich
- FAQ
- Related Posts
- 3-Ingredient Chickpea Flour Waffles (V, GF, Grain-Free, OIl-Free Option) Recipe
Recipe Benefits
These chickpea flour waffles are everything you want in a healthy, delicious waffle. Specially, they are:
- grain-free
- vegan (no eggs, no dairy)
- gluten-free
- sugar-free
- frugal (make that cheap)
- filling
- versatile (add in different spices, extracts, etc)
- super-nutritious
I know, it sounds too good to be true. But trust me, it isn’t!
Ingredients for the 3 Ingredient Chickpea Flour Waffles
The exact amounts of each ingredient are indicated in the recipe card at the end of the post. Toggle between US Customary (volume) and Metric (weights) for preferred measurement option.
- chickpea flour (it may also be labeled garbanzo bean flour, besan, or gram flour)
- baking powder
- Optional: vegetable oil (only a very small amount to help prevent sticking. It can be omitted)
You will also need some regular tap some water and (optional) salt for the basic recipe.
Step by Step Instructions
Note that the complete directions are also in the recipe card below.
These waffles could not be simpler to prepare.
Step One: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a medium or large bowl, whisk the chickpea flour, baking powder and (optional) salt.
Step Two: Add the Wet Ingredients
Stir in the water and (optional) oil to the bowl. Whisk thoroughly to ensure that the batter is completely blended and smooth. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes while the waffle iron preheats.
Step Three: Preheat the Waffle Iron
Preheat the waffle iron to medium-high heat while the batter sits.
Step Four: Add the Batter to the Waffle Iron
Ladle the batter (about 1/2 cup of batter) into the preheated waffle iron and cook according to waffle iron manufacturer’s directions (generally about 2-5 minutes), depending on the type of maker).
That, dear readers, is it!
Eat Immediately, Or Store for Later
Eat the waffles immediately (yes, please!) or refrigerate or freeze ahead for an instant breakfast (simply toast to reheat–no need to defrost if frozen, just head straight to the toaster).
As much as I love eating the waffles hot and plated (hello, maple syrup), the quarters are ideal for portable eats, too!
Suggested Toppings
- Syrups: e.g., warm maple syrup, agave nectar, brown rice syrup, or the liquid syrup / sweetener of your choice.
- Fruits and berries: e.g., blueberries, raspberries, diced strawberries, sliced bananas, diced apples or pears, dice peaches.
- Powdered sugar: (check out my grain-free powdered sugar; it takes a minute to make)
Variations and Add-In Options
Since it is a challenge to eat syrup-coated waffles on the move, consider the following add-in ideas:
Stir-In Ideas
- Sweeteners: (e.g., maple syrup, coconut sugar, xylitol, brown sugar, etc. 1 to2 tablespoons is a good place to start). or finely chopped dried fruit, or mini chocolate chips to waffles you plan to take on the move.
- Flavorings: A splash of vanilla or almond extract, or finely grated lemon zest, orange zest, or lime zest.
- Milk instead of water: To up the nutrition of the waffles, replace the water with an equal amount of the nondairy milk of your choice (e.g., oat milk, coconut milk, soy milk, almond milk).
- Spices: Oh the possibilities! Cardamom, cinnamon, allspice, pumpkin pie spice, or ground ginger ((about 1 teaspoon). Or add a generous pinch of nutmeg.
- Savory herbs and spices: You can also head in a savory direction (lunch! dinner! snacks!) with the addition of chopped fresh herbs, savory spices, black pepper, sriracha or hot sauce.
Add-In Ideas
I suggest you do not add extras directly to the batter, since it is a thin batter (the add-ins will sink). Instead, ladle in the batter as described in step 3, and sprinkle with a heaping tablespoon (more or less) of your chosen addition. Close the lid and cook!
- Miniature dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- Finely chopped nuts or seeds
- Finely chopped dried fruit
Make a Waffle Sandwich
And lest any of us forget, waffles are quick bread, which means this is also a recipe for the easiest, most amazing, grain-free bread recipe. Bring on the sandwiches!
Hungry? Me too! I’m off to make a waffle sandwich… 🙂
FAQ
- How should I store the waffles? Store the completely cooled waffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days, or the freezer for up to 6 months. Rewarm the waffles by toasting (pop-up toaster or toaster oven).
- Can I substitute another flour for the chickpea flour? No, this recipe only works with chickpea flour.
Related Posts
3-Ingredient Chickpea Flour Waffles (V, GF, Grain-Free, OIl-Free Option)
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups chickpea flour
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder, (certified GF, as needed)
- 1.33 cups water
- Optional: 2 tablespoons (30 mL) vegetable oil, (your choice of type; sub with more water for oil-free)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the chickpea flour, baking powder and salt.
- Add the water (and optional 2 tablespoons oil, or additional 2 tablespoons water), whisking until blended and smooth. Let stand for 10 minutes.
- Preheat a standard waffle maker to medium-high heat.
- Spray the plates of the waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray (no need to do this if the waffle iron is nonstick). Ladle or pour in about 1/2 cup (118 mL) batter.
- Cook the waffle according to waffle maker directions (for most makers, until a light changes color). The waffles should be a deep golden color (adjust settings as needed).
- Remove waffle and repeat with remaining batter.
OH JOY!!! I finally found a waffle recipe that makes crispy waffles! I need gluten free, but I’ve never found a good crispy w. recipe even w regular flour. It’s a little plain, even though I added the salt and oil, but I can always add vanilla and cinnamon in the future. Once I put on syrup, fruit or an egg, I don’t mind the mild flavor. It doesn’t brown, but that’s okay.
Wonderful, Susan! I am so glad you like the recipe!
I just had a lovely sandwich and waffle “taco” made with this recipe. Most delicious thanks. I love your blend, pour and bake crackers too 🙂
Ooh, yum, Sally! So glad you are enjoying the recipe (and the crackers, too 😉 )
Very good waffles. Thank you
You are very welcome, Renata! Glad you like them 🙂
I might be addicted to these chickpea waffles! They are delicious when made with added cinnamon and a hint of sweetness. They can also be savory by incorporating various herbs and spices! I cook them on my mini waffle machine. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Hooray! That makes me so happy, Jesse, I am so glad you like these, too! I am with you about using these for bread, they make a great sandwich. Cheers 🙂
We absolutely need these waffles. They come out perfect. I ran out of chic pea flour and added some eikorn flour . Worked well. Thank you
Hi Andi and Harold,
What a greta save with the einkorn flour! So glad to hear these were a success 🙂 Cheers.
Unfortunately this recipe did not work out. First off it only makes 2 regular sized Belgium waffles. Second , it is dry and not very interesting at all. Granted it’s quick and simple but with a little more effort could be so much better
I’m sorry you did not like the recipe Lena. I have never made these in a Belgian waffle maker, but it sounds unusual that it only made 2 waffles (the recipes makes 3 cups of batter— that would be 1.5 cups batter per waffle). Yes, the recipes makes is intentionally basic, so that readers have flexibility to keep it simple, or follow any of the many suggestions for enriching or flavoring the batter, and/or adding nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, etc. it’s up to you to decide.
My go-to waffles! I use almond milk in place of the water and add tablespoon of coconut oil and a few drops of vanilla. Sometimes I add spices, too. They always come out perfect!
I’m so glad to know this is a favorite, Harry. Your additions sound great 🙂
1.3 C water is way too much. It made a thin soupy batter. Please correct this recipe
Hi Martha,
I am sorry that you found the batter too soupy. Did you use it to make the waffles? Also, did you let the batter stand for 10 minutes (as noted in the recipe) before using? This batter is meant to be “soupy,” especially compared to traditional waffle batters. I make this all the time (for quick “breads,” for sandwiches) as well as breakfast–the 1 and 1/3 cups of water is the correct amount.
Love these. Make multiple batches and freeze in packs of 2. This means when wanted i just take a pack out, pop them in the toaster, top with cream cheese and a yummy plum jam.
Ooh, that all sounds soooo good, Sue. I am loving imagining these with the plum jam you mention (we had a plum tree growing up and my mom would make massive batches of plum jam, so good!) Cheers!
I made these today to use as buns with Dr. Praegers veggie burgers. First batch stuck in my Dash waffle maker. I sprayed with non aerosol olive oil for the second batch and they came out easily. I added some garlic powder and Italian seasoning to the batter and they were good. We will try to use them to make mini pizzas in the air fryer next. I froze half the batch and will pop in the toaster to defrost. Thank you!
You are very welcome, Zoey!
Unfortunately, when I followed the recipe, the “batter” came out like play sand. I added the optional oil. No luck. I added more water. It just became fluffier play sand. There was no way it would “pour” into my top-loading waffle maker.
I gave up, rolled it out about 1/3” thick and am currently baking it at 400 degrees to avoid wasting the expensive flour. Will see what happens.
Hi Liz,
I’m so sorry the waffles did not work out. It sounds like there was a measurement issue along the way. Did you weigh the flour? 1.5 cups of chickpea flour mixed with 1.33 cups liquid definitely forms a batter, not a wet sand consistency. I hope you do giving them another try. Cheers.
Hi,
I’m having the same problem and definitely measured with dry measuring cups for the floor then pyrex measuring glass for the liquid. I wonder if it’s a different type of chickpea flour? Very thick batter , wish I could send a photo.
Weird
hi Sarah,
I’m so sorry the batter is too thick. No, it is not the type of chickpea flour. It is almost certainly that there was too much flour. If using dry cups to measure chickpea flour, you need to use the same method as for measuring other flours: very lightly spoon the flour into the dry measuring cup and then slide a knife along the top to level it. Otherwise, the flour can get very compacted when you measure it (for example, if the dry measuring cup is used as a scoop to fill the cup). It can add a LOT of extra flour (e.g., one packed cup of flour can have up to 1/3 cup of extra flour). The ratio of liquid to flour in this waffle recipe is only slightly different from a socca batter (chickpea flour flatbread, which is a thin batter. That is a 1:1 ratio). Here the water is slightly less than an equal amount of flour (1.5 to 1.33). It will be medium thin thickness of batter. But too much flour will definitely throw things off. If it happens again, you can alway add a little bit more water to achieve and medium-thin consistency (and add a pinch more baking powder). Cheers.
So easy and good! I made a double batch and froze many of them — they froze well!
Who would have thought this ws possible from ground up chickpeas?! I added vanilla and a few inches of cardamom and ground ginger, served with maple syrup, blueberries and bananas. Heaven!
Made these.. so simple! Turned out well!! I definitely love when I can make a delicious recipee with a few simple ingredients..❤️:)
I am so glad you like them, Sharmin!
Hello! I can’t find notes on the about of mini chocolate chips I should add.
Sorry about that Amanda, They seemed to have disappeared into the ether! I have added the notes back, in the rice card and in the post itself. Thanks for letting me know this was missing!
I made these waffles this morning for my husband, who has blood sugar issues, and they were delicious. Very nice recipe. Thank you.
So glad you and your husband like them, Melissa!
Wonderful waffles! very tasty. I cut the recipe in 1/3 for just me. I have a Dash wafflemaker – 4.5 minutes was a good time.
I’ve been looking for recipes that my boyfriend and I can both eat – He is diabetic and I follow a low oxalate diet (for kidney stones). Chickpea flour is one of two flours that are good for both of us. (He can’t use syrup, but that is another issue)
I used Bob Red Mill Chickpea Flour which is tested at 4.55 mg oxalate per 1/2 cup which is LOW!! Thank you, I had two lovely waffles that were actually good for me.
I will certainly be looking at other recipes of yours.
Thank you
I am thrilled that these were such a success for you and your boyfriend, Beth! I have a host of other chickpea flour recipes, I hope that more will work for you two 🙂
Great and SIMPLE recipe. Thank You. I let it sit for 15 minutes and I thought the batter was going to be too runny, but I trusted the recipe and it came out perfect. Thank you! They’re perfect for my toddler’s wheat sensitivity. Thanks again for a great simple and nutritious recipe. I will definitely try more of your recipes. God Bless.
I am so glad you enjoyed these, Dee!
Hi, may I ask if there is any alternative to using baking powder, such as Vitamin C powder, or whisking the batter? I can’t eat bicarbonate of soda and I know that’s an ingredient in baking soda. I’d love to try baking these waffles and all your delicious breads!
Hi Shel! That must be such a challenge. Vitamin C does not work as a leavener. Can you eat yeast? Instant yeast could be a good alternative. Whipped aquafaba (whipped chickpea liquid. I do not have a recipe but it is easy, you can google it) could work well (I am assuming you cannot eat eggs/ are vegan. But if not, eggs are an option, too). I wish I could be more of a help!
Would a flax egg work (1 T ground flaxseed and 3 T water)?
I like to have a little sweetener in my waffles. What kind would you recommend and how much? Looking forward to trying these!
Hi Danielle! Just about any sweetener you like, but my preferences are coconut sugar or maple syrup. Just a few teaspoons should be just right . A bit of vanilla (1/2 to 1 teaspoon) is great, too 😊
Thank you for the recipe, they were simple and good. The only problem is, it was quite difficult to remove the waffles from the waffle maker, they tended to stick to the iron. I used 2 tablespoons of oil as per the recipe and lightly oiled the waffle irons before making the waffles, and I still had some trouble. But they were still good.
So sorry to hear you had sticking problems, Didina. Glad they still came out ok/
Thanks for this recipe! Made them this morning as pancakes. Added a few mushed chickpeas too. They were great!
That sounds great, Stephanie! I am a chunky bits kind of person (e.g., love chunky nut butters), so I love the idea of adding some mashed up chickpeas 🙂
Hi Camilla, This recipe looks delicious! However, I often find that when I use chickpea flour, my foods end up with a funny flavor. Any idea why? Thanks alot.
Hi Ameena! Chickpea flour does have a flavor, so it can change the flavor of some traditional sweet recipes; it really depends on the recipe. I know, vague answer, annoying! But…it can also have a completely neutral flavor, especially in savory recipes and in sweet recipes with strong flavors (e.g., great with cocoa powder, bold spices). Even though it is the star in this waffle recipe, with no added flavors, I find it to be remarkably neutral, slightly nutty from the waffle iron toasting. Hope this helps!