Vegan Pecan Waffles

Saturday mornings are my favorite time to make these pecan waffles, especially when we’re being a little lazy and breakfast happens closer to brunch. There’s just something about slowing down, firing up the waffle iron, and enjoying a breakfast you don’t have to rush through. And the pecans are what really make these waffles for me—they add the most delicious nutty flavor and a little texture in every bite!

If leisurely weekend breakfasts are your thing too, we have plenty more vegan breakfast and brunch recipes to try. These Cornmeal Blueberry Pancakes are another sweet favorite, and if you’re craving something savory, our Cheezy Hashbrown Casserole is always a winner.

Why You’ll Love These Vegan Pecan Waffles

There’s so much to love about these homemade pecan waffles! They’re hearty and satisfying with just the right amount of sweetness and plenty of nutty flavor in every bite.

• Warm, nutty flavor – Chopped pecans, cinnamon, vanilla, and maple syrup make these waffles taste extra special. I love regular vegan waffles and have a great recipe for them, but these are definitely my favorite!
• Made with oat flour – Oat flour creates a wholesome, tender waffle while keeping the recipe naturally gluten-free when certified gluten-free oats are used.
• Oil-free – No butter or oil is needed for delicious waffles with golden, lightly crisp edges.
• Great for meal prep – Make a batch ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze the extras for an easy breakfast later in the week.
• Weekend-worthy but easy – They feel like a special Saturday-morning breakfast but are simple enough to make anytime.

Why Oat Flour Is Perfect for These Vegan Pecan Waffles (Gluten-Free)

One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it’s made with oat flour. Not only does oat flour give these waffles a wonderfully tender texture, but it also makes them naturally gluten-free (just be sure to use certified gluten-free oats if needed).

You don’t even have to buy oat flour. Simply make your own oat flour by blending old-fashioned rolled oats in a blender until they become a fine flour, and you’re ready to bake. It seriously takes seconds!

One great thing about making your own oat flour is that you can prepare as much or as little as needed without having to store extra bags of specialty flour that get used infrequently. Making this gluten-free flour is super simple and inexpensive and great to have on hand for making recipes like banana oat pancakes. You can even use it to make a gluten-free vegan pie crust.

Ingredients You’ll Need

🌾 Oat flour – Gives the waffles a hearty, tender texture and makes a great whole-grain base.

🌱 Ground flaxseed – Combined with hot water to make a flax egg that helps bind everything together.

🥛 Unsweetened almond milk – Adds moisture and creates the right batter consistency. Other plant milks work well too.

🍁 Maple syrup – Adds natural sweetness and a hint of maple flavor that pairs perfectly with the pecans.

🤎 Brown sugar – Adds a little extra sweetness and depth of flavor. See the substitutions section for alternatives.

🥜 Pecans – Finely chopped pecans add wonderful nutty flavor and texture throughout the waffles.

Easy Variations & Substitutions

These pecan waffles are easy to customize with ingredients you already have on hand or to fit different dietary preferences.

• Plant milk: I use unsweetened almond milk, but soy, oat, cashew, or rice milk should work well too. I recommend using an unsweetened variety so the waffles don’t become overly sweet.
• Sugar: If you’re avoiding granulated sugar, try replacing the brown sugar with additional maple syrup, agave nectar, or date syrup. Because these add extra liquid to the batter, you may need to slightly reduce the plant milk to maintain the right consistency.
• Nuts: Pecans are my favorite because of their rich, buttery flavor, but chopped walnuts or pistachios would also be delicious.
• Nut-free: Skip the pecans and use pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for a little crunch. Be sure to choose a nut-free plant milk, such as oat, soy, or rice milk, as well.
• Spices: Cinnamon is delicious with the pecans, but you could add a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or pumpkin pie spice for a slightly different flavor. If you love the fall warm flavors, we have a delicious vegan pumpkin recipe that you might want to try as well!

How to Make Vegan Pecan Waffles

STEP #1: Make a flax egg. In a small bowl, combine the boiling water and ground flaxseed. Stir well and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it thickens into a gel-like consistency.

STEP #2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the oat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Use a whisk or spoon to mix well.

In a smaller bowl, whisk together the flax egg, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and almond or oat milk until smooth.

STEP #3: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.

STEP #4: Gently fold in the chopped pecans. Allow the batter to rest for 3–5 minutes. This gives the oat flour time to absorb the liquid, creating a thicker batter and fluffier waffles.

STEP #5: Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Pour in the batter and cook until the waffles are golden brown and lightly crisp on the outside.

STEP #6: Serve the waffles warm with maple syrup, extra chopped pecans, fresh banana slices, macerated berries, or a sprinkle of cinnamon for the perfect breakfast.