Pumpkin Waffles

Pumpkin waffles are perfect for fall! They’re lightly spiced and made with real pumpkin puree for a cozy special breakfast.

It’s fall and that means: cue the pumpkin recipes! It’s our goal to turn just about everything imaginable into a pumpkin flavored version of itself. Of course, that extends to hummus, pasta, coffee, pancakes, soup, oatmeal…and waffles! These Pumpkin Waffles are the ideal fall breakfast, featuring cozy spices and pumpkin puree. They’re just sweet enough and topped with a little pure maple syrup…let’s just say they went over like a charm over here.

Ingredients for pumpkin waffles (just enough pumpkin!)

Here’s the thing. Pumpkin is very dense, so adding the stuff to waffles can make them thick and weighty. This pumpkin waffles recipe uses just enough pumpkin to bring in a light orange hue, but not so much that each bite is weighed down with vegetable puree. Here are the ingredients you’ll need for these pumpkin waffles:

• All purpose flour: If you prefer GF pumpkin treats, go to our healthy bread or oatmeal.
• Brown sugar: While we typically sweeten waffle batter with maple syrup, the consistency is better with sugar here. Trust us!
• Pumpkin puree: Make sure it’s puree, not pie filling.
• Pumpkin pie spice: Use purchased or homemade!
• Eggs: These help hold the batter together and give it a little lift.
• Milk: Use your milk of choice. Non-dairy milk makes these dairy-free waffles.
• Baking powder, salt and oil: The usual suspects to round it out.

Use Pumpkin Pie Spice or individual spices

As you probably know, most of what people love about pumpkin are the spices: not the actual pumpkin itself! Pumpkin is pretty bland and bitter right out of the can. Our favorite way to flavor it is with our homemaker spice blend, which makes a large batch. But you can also mix up the individual spices just for this recipe. Here’s what to do:

• Make a batch: Mix up this Pumpkin Pie Spice: it makes ¼ cup, which is enough for 4 pumpkin waffles recipes
• Substitute these spices: For the 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice in the recipe, use 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, and ¼ teaspoon each cloves and nutmeg.

Standard waffles vs Belgian waffles

You can make these pumpkin waffles two ways: using a standard waffle maker or make them into Belgian waffles. Our top choice? Belgian. They’re taller and fluffier than standard waffles, and just plain more fun to eat. Here are the differences between the two:

• Belgian waffles are twice as large as regular waffles: they’re thicker with a deeper grid pattern. They look more impressive and have a fluffier texture. Remember a serving size is ½ of the waffle, because it’s double a standard waffle.
• Standard waffles are thinner: about 1/2-inch thick. If you’re making a standard waffle, the serving size is 1 waffle.

Looking for a waffle iron? Here’s a Belgian waffle iron we use and love!

Make ahead instructions for pumpkin waffles

Don’t want to do all the work every time? Make a double batch of these pumpkin waffles and save more for later!Here’s what to do:

• To store: Make the waffles, then let them cool completely on a wire rack. Once they’ve cooled, stack the waffles in a freezer-safe baggie. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.
• To reheat: Pop them into the toaster and cook them on a low setting for just a few seconds, repeating it two or three times. Or, warm them on an oiled baking sheet in a 300 degree oven (make sure to oil the sheet or the waffles will stick!).

Toppings for pumpkin waffles

Once you’ve whipped up a batch of pumpkin waffles, the fun begins! Top them up to make them into a healthy or no so healthy breakfast. Here’s what we used, and a few more ideas:

• Almond butter: This is our top pick for pumpkin waffles because it offsets the sweet with richness, and adds a hit of plant-based protein.
• Chopped pecans or walnuts: These nuts both go well with pumpkin! Make toasted pecans or toasted walnuts to bring out their flavor even more.
• Greek yogurt with maple syrup: Mix ½ cup Greek yogurt with 1 tablespoon maple syrup and ½ teaspoon vanilla and use it for dolloping.
• Make it dessert: ice cream! Turn this pumpkin waffle into dessert by topping it with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. Wow!

More pumpkin breakfast recipes

There are so many ways to eat pumpkin as a fall breakfast idea! After you make these pumpkin waffles, you absolutely must try:

• A bowl of Cozy Pumpkin Oatmeal
• A creamy and delicious Pumpkin Smoothie
• A big pan of Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal or Pumpkin Baked Steel Cut Oats
• A slice of Healthy Pumpkin Bread slathered with almond butter
• A stack of Pumpkin Pancakes covered in maple syrup
• A Pumpkin Muffin for a mid-morning treat or fancy brunch

This pumpkin waffles recipe is…

Vegetarian and dairy-free.

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More waffles recipes

Waffles we reserve for special occasions…they’re the best breakfast treat! Here are a few more waffles recipes to try:

• Go classic with our Perfect Waffle Recipe
• Start your day with these plant-based and Vegan Waffles
• Douse your Strawberry Waffles in strawberry sauce
• Make magically Fluffy Gluten Free Waffles
• Try the most cozy, best Blueberry Waffles with blueberry sauce
• Nestle up to some light and Sweet Cornbread Waffles