Red Lentil Waffles

❤️ Why you’ll love it

I absolutely love how the red lentils and gluten-free flours come together to give these waffles a beautiful, crispy texture that is just irresistible.

The secret to getting the perfect crisp on the outside is my little trick of leaving the waffle maker closed for a few minutes after it has finished cooking. This allows the waffle to continue cooking through and develop a delicious, crunchy crust.

Red lentils add a boost of plant-based protein and are a great way to sneak in some extra nutrients into your waffles. The best part is that you can prepare the batter the night before and have it ready to go for a quick and delicious breakfast in the morning.

🧾 Key ingredients

This waffle recipe is not only delicious, but it is also made with simple, plant-based ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store.

Red lentils and white rice flour are the stars of this recipe. Red lentils, when soaked and blended, add a protein-packed, earthy flavor to the waffles. White rice flour, on the other hand, helps to keep the waffles light and crispy.

Buckwheat is another essential ingredient, which adds a nutty flavor and a hearty texture to the waffles. It is a great gluten-free option that pairs well with the other flours.

Coconut sugar and cornstarch are the key sweeteners and binding agents in this recipe. They help to sweeten the waffles and give them a lovely, crisp exterior.

Dairy-free milk and apple cider vinegar are essential liquid ingredients. The dairy-free milk, when combined with the apple cider vinegar, helps to mimic the tangy flavor of buttermilk, resulting in waffles that are both sweet and tangy.

🛒 You can find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

🥘 Equipment

For this vegan, gluten-free red lentil waffle recipe, a high-quality waffle maker is essential. I recommend using a non-stick waffle maker that allows you to easily remove the waffles once they are cooked.

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Preparing the ingredients

STEP 1
Soak the red lentils in water for 1-2 hours. If you prefer, you can also soak them overnight.

STEP 2
After soaking, discard the water and rinse the lentils.

STEP 3
In a blender, combine the soaked red lentils, non-dairy milk, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.

STEP 4
Add the gluten-free flours, cornstarch, baking powder, and coconut sugar (or your choice of sweetener) to the blender.

STEP 5
Blend the ingredients until the batter is smooth.

Making the red lentil waffles

STEP 1
Preheat your waffle maker. If it is a non-stick waffle maker, you can still coat it with oil spray to prevent sticking.

STEP 2
Pour ½-⅓ cup of the batter onto the waffle maker, depending on its size.

STEP 3
Close the lid and cook the waffles until they are crispy and golden brown.

STEP 4
For a crispier texture, turn off the waffle maker but leave the lid closed for an additional 2-3 minutes. This will ensure that the waffles are cooked all the way through while developing a dry, crispy crust.

🔄 Variations

Add a fruity twist with fresh blueberries. They will not only bring a pop of color but also a burst of freshness in every bite. The juicy blueberries will complement the slightly sweet and nutty flavor of the waffles beautifully.

If you have a sweet tooth, consider mixing in some dairy-free chocolate chips. They will melt into the waffle as it cooks, resulting in delicious pockets of chocolate throughout. This is a great way to add a touch of decadence to your breakfast or brunch.

Incorporate a variety of textures with chopped nuts. Whether you prefer walnuts, pecans, or almonds, nuts will add a satisfying crunch to your waffles. They are also a great source of plant-based protein and healthy fats, making your waffles even more nutritious.

🥣 Serving ideas

Red lentil waffles are a versatile and delicious option for a plant-based breakfast or brunch. They can be enjoyed with a wide variety of toppings to suit your tastes and dietary preferences.

For a sweet and satisfying option, consider topping your waffles with a drizzle of maple syrup or agave syrup. Add a dollop of vegan butter for a rich and creamy finish.

Fresh fruit is also a great choice for topping your waffles. Try them with a quick strawberry puree, mixed berries, or sliced bananas. A dollop of coconut whipped cream adds a light and refreshing touch.

If you prefer a more decadently sweet option, consider topping your waffles with a vegan chocolate frosting. You can also add a drizzle of chocolate sauce or caramel sauce for an extra-indulgent treat.

❄️ Storing tips

Storing and reheating these red lentil waffles is a great way to enjoy them over a few days, even though they are best when fresh.

To store, allow them to cool completely. Once cooled, place them in a single layer in an airtight container. You can store them at room temperature for up to 24 hours. If you want to store them for a longer period, it is best to freeze them.

To freeze the waffles, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer. Once they are frozen solid, you can transfer them to a resealable freezer-safe bag. They will stay good in the freezer for up to three months.

To reheat, you can use a toaster or toaster oven. Reheat them until they are warm and crispy. If you do not have a toaster, you can reheat them in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the waffles on a baking sheet. Reheat them for 10-15 minutes, or until they are warm.

🤔 FAQs

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Crispy Red Lentil Protein Waffles (Vegan, Gluten-free)

Emese Maczko

Are you looking for a delicious and crispy waffle recipe without eggs, or dairy, but with naturally added protein? These vegan waffles are no ordinary ones, as they contain high-protein red lentils instead of protein powder. The best part is that the taste of the red lentils in these waffles is absolutely hidden.

5 from 16 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Soaking time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Servings 8 waffles

Calories 193kcal

Equipment

• our Vitamix A2300
• Waffle iron
• Cup measure set
• Pancake batter dispenser

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ ½ cup Red lentils soaked for at least an hour or overnight
• ▢ ¾ cup White rice flour
• ▢ 1 cup Buckwheat flour
• ▢ ⅓ cup Coconut sugar
• ▢ 1 Tbsp Corn starch
• ▢ 1 Tbsp Baking powder -> list of gluten-free brands
• ▢ 1+½ cup Dairy-free milk (homemade cashew milk)
• ▢ 1 Tbsp Apple cider vinegar -> list of gluten-free brands
• ▢ 1 tsp Vanilla extract
• ▢ pinch of salt

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Instructions

 

• Soak red lentils for 1-2 hours in water. If you would like to have them for breakfast, then soak them overnight no problem. If you worry about lectins (see above for more explanation) then you can also cook them first in plain water. 
• When you are ready to make your vegan waffle batter, discard the water and blend the soaked red lentils with non-dairy milk, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
• Stop the blender and add the dry ingredients: the gluten-free flours, the corn starch, the baking powder, and the coconut sugar (or the sweetener of your choice). Blend it until nice and smooth.  
• Now you are ready to heat up your waffle maker and add ½-⅓ cup of batter depending on your equipemnt. Cook until it is nice, crispy, and golden brown. (See Notes below on how to cook the waffles crispy)

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Notes

I am pretty sure that all waffle makers are different, but to get extra crispy waffles with mine I follow these steps:

1. Turn the waffle maker on and wait for it to heat up completely.
2. Even if they said that it is a non-stick one, I coat it with oil spray generously.
3. Pour the waffle batter, but just enough so that it doesn’t overflow. Mine works with less than ½ cup.
4. Close the lid and wait for 2-3 minutes, then turn the waffle maker off but leave the lid closed for another 2-3 minutes. This way it is not over-cooked (dark brown) but cooks all the way through while getting a drier, crispier crust.

Original recipe: I used 2 cups of oat flour (185 g) instead of 1 cup buckwheat flour and ¾ cup white rice flour. 

Video

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Crispy Red Lentil Protein Waffles (Vegan, Gluten-free)

Amount Per Serving (1 waffle without toppings)

Calories 193 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Fat 2g3%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Sodium 197mg9%

Potassium 270mg8%

Carbohydrates 38g13%

Fiber 5g21%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 178IU4%

Vitamin C 4mg5%

Calcium 164mg16%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.