Not only are quinoa waffles extremely simple to make, they are also gluten-free and dairy-free with no added sweeteners, leaveners, or salt! These are the perfect breakfast treat for anyone with food sensitivities!
Recipe post by my sister, Olivia.
For many years I have struggled with food intolerances and health problems.
My diet is incredibly limited, and I rarely find a recipe I can make without majorly altering the ingredients.
Since I don’t follow any specific diet plan, I have had to create many of my own recipes, which has been a fun challenge!
Can you believe that 1-ingredient waffles taste amazing?
This recipe for 1-ingredient waffles was created during a season of desperation!
I was postpartum, dealing with a low milk supply, and had a baby who couldn’t tolerate any type of formula or donor breast milk. Not to mention I was losing too much weight and waking up countless times in the night with a fussy baby.
Every person is different, but I found that consuming these quinoa waffles every day (and sometimes multiple times a day!) greatly increased my milk supply.
Now that my baby is eating solids, he loves eating the waffles too! And it’s basically like I’m feeding him a bowl of quinoa, only it’s in a fun texture and so much easier since it makes very little mess. (I usually cut them into small bites, and he picks them up and feeds himself.)
These Quinoa Waffles are gluten-free (and perfect for anyone with multiple food sensitivities!)
This recipe contains no gluten, no dairy, no sweeteners, no leaveners, and no salt. If you can tolerate quinoa, you can handle them!
One thing unique about this recipe is it contains no leaveners. Since I can’t tolerate yeast, baking powder, or baking soda, this is the only bread-like recipe I have ever been able to eat. These quinoa waffles would be a great breakfast recipe for those who celebrate Passover!
Ingredients for Soaked Quinoa Waffles
- 4 cups white quinoa
- 8 cups water (divided)
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
How to Make Soaked Quinoa Gluten-Free Waffles
1. Measure 4 cups of quinoa into a large glass bowl or jar (you don’t need to rinse it yet).
2. Pour 5 cups of water and apple cider vinegar over quinoa and cover with a clean towel (I used a clamp jar without the seal.)
3. Let this mixture sit at room temperature overnight or up to 24 hrs.
4. Empty the jar into a mesh strainer, and thoroughly rinse quinoa with fresh water.
5. Place rinsed quinoa in a blender or Vitamix, along with 3 cups water.
6. Blend about 10-15 seconds or until smooth.
7. Preheat a waffle maker to high heat.
8. Pour 2/3 cup of waffle batter on the waffle iron and cook until done (about 3-5 minutes).
9. Top with your favorite fruit, butter, or syrup — or enjoy plain.
I like these waffles all sorts of ways— frozen, toasted, warmed in the microwave, plain, with butter, dipped in flax oil, or topped with fresh fruit or date syrup.
Frequently Asked Questions for Soaked Quinoa Waffles
Quinoa is an excellent balance of macronutrients (low glycemic carbohydrate, a complete protein, and complemented with fats). It also boasts amazing micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, etc.).
Greenfit Organic White Quinoa is my favorite brand of quinoa. The taste is the least bitter, it seems the freshest, and it sprouts after a couple of hours of soaking, making it easier for me to digest. While it may not be as clean as other brands, I have found it to work the best for this recipe.
Nope! The apple cider vinegar is simply to help reduce phytic acid — which is found in grains and legumes and inhibits the absorption of essential nutrients, such as magnesium, iron, and calcium.
Soaking quinoa (or any other whole grain) activates the enzyme phytase. This enzyme then works to break down phytic acid, which binds minerals like iron, calcium, and zinc. As phytase does its magic, it releases minerals in whole grains and makes them easier for your body to absorb — win win!
I find a regular waffle maker works better than a Belgian waffle maker. You can use a Belgian but they won’t be as pretty. I use this one and love it.
Yes! I like to make a big batch, freeze them on cookie sheets, and then put them in ziplock bags read to pull out and reheat for quick meals.
1-Ingredient Soaked Quinoa Waffles
Equipment
- large bowl or glass jar
Ingredients
- 4 cups quinoa white works best
- 8 cups water
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Measure 4 cups of quinoa into a large glass bowl or jar (you don’t need to rinse it yet).
- Pour 5 cups of water and apple cider vinegar over quinoa and cover with a clean towel (I used a clamp jar without the seal.)
- Let this mixture sit at room temperature overnight or up to 24 hrs.
- Empty the jar into a mesh strainer, and thoroughly rinse quinoa with fresh water.
- Place rinsed quinoa in a blender or Vitamix, along with 3 cups water.
- Blend mixture for 10-15 seconds, or until smooth.
- Preheat a waffle maker to high heat.
- Pour 2/3 cup of waffle batter on the waffle iron and cook until done (about 3-5 minutes).
- Top with your favorite fruit, butter, or syrup — or enjoy plain.
Notes
Nutrition
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More Waffle Recipes
- Whole Wheat Pumpkin Waffles
- Carrot Cake Waffles
- Red, White, and Blue Waffles
- Gluten-Free Dairy-free Waffles
Psst! You might also find this post helpful on how to buy special diet foods on a budget!
Do you have any other favorite recipes for gluten-free waffles? Let us know in the comments!
Reader Interactions
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I was very excited to try this as my husband is on a pretty restricted diet, but it kind of just felt like we could have just poured maple syrup on regular quinoa haha. I think it is wonderful for a change up if you eat a ton of quinoa though! It got me thinking about using it more as a fun kid-friendly dinner item and incorporating spices and vegetables?? We’ll have to give it a try!
Haha, I guess that’s true! I’m not a huge fan of the texture of Quinoa, so that’s why I like the waffles more. That’s a great idea to incorporate spices and vegetables! You’ll have to tell me what you come up with and if it turns out! -Olivia, MSM Team
Have you tried making quinoa pancakes instead of waffles with this recipe? Do you think it would work?
Hi Jodi! I have not. I’m guessing they would be very flat since the recipe does not have any leaveners in it. If you try it, you’ll have to let me know how it works! -Olivia, MSM Team
My dairy free one year old loved these! Thank you so much for creating and posting!!
Oh I’m so glad to hear that! You are welcome, Chrissy! -Olivia, MSM Team
I am excited to try this recipe!
I wonder if you could handle sweet potato flat bread? Just boiled, peeled, and mashed sweet potatoes mixed with equal parts gluten free flour. Plus more flour for rolling. Roll out into tortillas and fry in coconut oil.
Extra tasty if you add minced onion and salt. They work great for wraps too.
I hope you like it! 🙂 Unfortunately I cannot have sweet potatoes (or coconut oil and onions) but that sounds amazing! I will have to keep it in mind if I ever am able to handle those things again! Thanks so much for sharing! -Olivia, MSM Team
I would love to see more recipes like this. My daughter has food restrictions and these waffles sound perfect. Can the linked waffle maker be used without oil to grease it?
Hi Renae! Yes, I never use any oil to grease the waffle maker, and then don’t stick to it at all! Thanks for your encouragement! -Olivia, MSM Team
This is such a great idea, thank you!
You’re so welcome, Monica! -Olivia, MSM Team
I would love to see you post more recipes like this! I have a son with severe food allergies that doesn’t follow the typical top nine or top ten. I can’t wait to try this with him!
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Dovey! I’m so sorry about your son’s allergies. I hope he likes the waffles and it gives him something new to eat!