Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Oat Waffles
gluten-free | dairy-free | tree nut free
by Alexa Lehr | The Pioneer Chicks | Feb. 27, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. See our Disclosure for more information.

Want to know the surest way to make the best waffles ever? Add chocolate chips! These gluten-free chocolate chip oat waffles are the perfect combination of breakfast and dessert. They are crispy on the outside and loaded with gooey, melted chocolate chips on the inside. Whether you chow into them straight from the waffle maker or take the time to add additional toppings…. these gluten-free waffles will be a hit with modern pioneers of all ages!

a pan of gluten-free chocolate chip oatmeal waffles

Modern Pioneer Recipe

This waffle recipe is a modern pioneer recipe since I don’t think the early pioneers were making waffles. Pancakes? Yes! Waffles? Probably not. I don’t think they were hauling a waffle iron around in their chuckwagon. But nonetheless, waffles are a great addition to the modern homestead… especially when they are made with wholesome, simple ingredients!

From Scratch– These waffles are made completely from scratch. From grinding your own oats to making your own dairy-free milk… these waffles give you the experience that no boxed waffle mix could ever provide. The sweeteners used in this recipe are also natural and less-refined.

If you’re looking to ditch the boxed pancake and waffle mixes, then you will definitely want to check out my basic grain-free pancakes recipe and my basic gluten-free waffle recipe!

Allergy-Friendly– Since these gluten-free oat waffles are a modern pioneer recipe, they have to be allergy-friendly to at least some extent. They are not grain-free (they contain oats) or egg free, but they are….

  • gluten-free
  • dairy-free
  • nut free
  • soy free
  • corn free
  • refined-sugar free options

Make Ahead– Lastly, you will love these waffles because they are super easy to make in big batches and make ahead of time! They can be stored in the freezer and pulled out whenever you need a quick breakfast. But more on that next…

the modern pioneer checklist challenge free printable
gluten-free chocolate chip waffles made with oat flour and dairy-free chocolate chips

How to Make Homemade Toaster Waffles

These gluten-free chocolate chip oat waffles make perfect toaster waffles! I’ve had gluten-free boxed toaster waffles a few times and was certain that I could create a homemade version instead of buying them. They are a super easy breakfast option, especially for busy mornings or when you need easy breakfast meals to pack on RV camping trips.

And these gluten-free oat waffles fit the bill perfectly! They are super easy to make and can even be made in several batches so that you have many meals worth of waffles. Here’s the process of creating your own toaster waffles:

  1. Make the Waffles: Make the gluten-free oat waffles as outlined in this recipe. You can double or triple the batch, or make several batches and create different flavors with each batch by subbing out the chocolate chips for other flavor options.
  2. Cool the Waffles: As the waffles are done cooking, place them on cooling racks. Allow them to cool to room temperature.
  3. Freeze the Waffles: Place the waffles in freezer bags or freezer containers and place them in the freezer. You may want to place pieces of parchment paper between waffles if you have to stack them.
  4. Serving: When you need a quick breakfast, pull a freezer waffle (or two) out of the freezer and pop it in the toaster oven. Allow it to toast until the outside is crispy. Toasting times may vary depending on your toaster.

Toaster waffles are usually thin and round, but with this recipe, you can make them any way you want and they will still toast fine. I have a flip Belgian waffle maker that makes thick Belgian waffles. I made this recipe in that waffle maker, froze the leftovers, and they still toasted perfectly despite being thick!

a crispy gluten-free oat waffle studded with chocolate chips

Oat Waffle Recipe Questions

Can I use store-bought oat flour in this recipe? What oats work best to make homemade oat flour?

This recipe calls for 2 cups + 1 tablespoon of whole oats that have been ground into flour. That means you are measuring out the oats and then grinding them, not measuring out the flour after the oats have been ground. However, this is a fairly forgiving recipe and I think you should be able to use 2 cups + 1 T. of oat flour in place of grinding the oats. Just pay attention to the batter consistency and add more liquid if necessary.

When choosing oats to grind for this recipe, I have only ever made this recipe by grinding whole, rolled oats. I have not tried quick oats. Quick oats do have slightly different absorbency factor, so if you do try using quick oats, pay attention to the batter consistency and adjust the liquids if needed.

What’s the best way to grind the oats for this recipe?

You can grind the oats in a food processor or a high-power blender. A high-power blender will get you a finer oat flour and result in a smoother waffle texture. A food processor will give you a more coarsely ground oat flour which will yield waffles with slightly more texture to them.

Additionally, after you have ground the oats, you can add the other waffle ingredients (except the chocolate chips) to the food processor or blender and make the waffle batter in the food processor or blender. Just pour the batter into a mixing bowl to stir in the chocolate chips.

Can I make these waffles egg-free?

I have not tried making these waffles egg-free. The eggs lend moisture and structure to the waffles. You could try egg substitutes, like flax meal eggs or chia eggs, but they may affect the texture of the waffles.

How can I tell when the waffles are done cooking?

The cook time for the waffles may vary depending on your waffle maker. In my flip Belgian waffle maker, it takes about 6 minutes for each waffle to become browned and crispy. Generally, when steam stops coming from the waffle maker, you can check the waffle. If the waffle isn’t golden brown or is sticking to the waffle maker, allow it to cook for longer.

And if you like these chocolate chip oat waffles, then you will definitely want to try my gluten-free strawberry shortcake waffles too!

the trading post
a tray of dairy-free oat waffles served with raw honey and butter

These gluten-free chocolate chip oat waffles are perfectly crispy and studded with loads of chocolate chips! They are delicious when enjoyed straight from the waffle maker or when taken from the freezer and toasted to crispiness!

Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Oat Waffles

Recipe by The Pioneer Chicks
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 5 medium waffles
Author Alexa Lehr

Ingredients

  • 2 cups + 1 T. gluten-free whole oats, ground into flour
  • 3 T. coconut sugar
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp. sea salt
  • 2 organic, pasture-raised eggs room temperature
  • 3 T. maple syrup
  • 3 T. avocado oil
  • 1/2 cup dairy-free milk beverage
  • 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Plug in your waffle maker and allow it to start preheating.
  • In a large mixing bowl with a pour spout, whisk together the ground oats, coconut sugar, baking powder, and salt. Alternatively, you can keep the ground oats in the food processor/blender that you ground them in and add the other ingredients, then pulse/blend to combine.
  • Add the eggs, maple syrup, oil, and milk to your mixing bowl or food processor/blender. Stir or pulse/blend until a smooth batter forms. The batter should be thick but still pourable.
  • If the batter seems too thick, add a little more milk or water. If the batter seems too thin, allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes so that the oats absorb some of the moisture.
  • At this point, if you were making the batter in a food processor or blender, pour the batter into a mixing bowl with a pour spout. Stir the chocolate chips into the batter.
  • Pour some of the batter into your waffle maker. Allow the waffles to cook for about 6 minutes. There should be no steam coming from the waffle maker and the waffle should be golden brown and release easily from the waffle maker.
  • Serve warm or set on a cooling rack to cool. Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. These waffles freeze well! To reheat, simply stick them in the toaster oven for crispy, warm waffles!

Where to Find the Ingredients:

a stack of gluten-free chocolate chip waffles made with oat flour

These gluten-free chocolate chip oat waffles are made with homemade oat flour and homemade dairy-free milk… making them the perfect modern pioneer recipe! They can easily replace store-bought pancake or waffle mixes and are even a homemade substitute for boxed freezer waffles. Don’t plan on buying mixes or freezer waffles anymore… these gluten-free oat waffles are the perfect alternative! Perfectly crispy on the outside and loaded with chocolate chips on the inside, they are a gluten-free breakfast that the whole family will love!

Don’t miss any other modern pioneer recipes! Join our modern pioneer newsletter community and get recipes straight from our chuckwagon!

Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Oat Waffles- these homemade chocolate chip waffles are super easy to make and can easily be used as gluten-free toaster waffles or made as a dairy-free breakfast option! | The Pioneer Chicks | gluten-free waffle recipes | dairy-free waffle recipes | freezer waffle recipes | #glutenfree #dairyfree #waffles
amazon
Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Oat Waffles- these homemade chocolate chip waffles are super easy to make and can easily be used as gluten-free toaster waffles or made as a dairy-free breakfast option! | The Pioneer Chicks | gluten-free waffle recipes | dairy-free waffle recipes | freezer waffle recipes | #glutenfree #dairyfree #waffles
Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Oat Waffles- these homemade chocolate chip waffles are super easy to make and can easily be used as gluten-free toaster waffles or made as a dairy-free breakfast option! | The Pioneer Chicks | gluten-free waffle recipes | dairy-free waffle recipes | freezer waffle recipes | #glutenfree #dairyfree #waffles
Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Oat Waffles- these simple oat waffles are perfectly crispy and loaded with chocolate chips, they can easily be frozen and used as homemade toaster waffles for a quick breakfast idea! | food photography | waffle photography | gluten-free waffle recipes | #foodphotography #glutenfree #dairyfree