Gluten-free Strawberry Shortcake Waffles
gluten-free | dairy-free option | tree nut free | refined sugar free
by Alexa Lehr | The Pioneer Chicks | July 3, 2024
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If strawberry shortcake could get any better than it already is… then these gluten-free strawberry shortcake waffles would be the next step! Super easy to make, perfectly crispy, with just the right sweetness level… these waffles are amazing when slathered with grass-fed butter, dolloped with dairy-free whipping cream, and topped with heaping spoonful of fresh strawberries! These waffles are easy to whip up in the morning, or you can make them ahead of time and keep them in the freezer for when you need a quick, easy, and delicious breakfast on the homestead.
I consider pancakes a pioneer recipe since the early pioneers made many different versions of the classic pancake. Waffles on the other hand… I think those are more of a modern pioneer recipe. Waffles makers probably weren’t one of the kitchen tools pioneers packed into the chuckwagon. Nonetheless, waffles can be a healthy and simple modern pioneer recipe that you can easily enjoy on the homestead!
The goal with these gluten-free strawberry shortcake waffles was to make a recipe that could easily be frozen and re-heated… basically freezer waffles, or toaster waffles, whatever you want to call them. With an oat base and several other simple ingredients, these waffles turned out perfect as freezer waffles!
These shortcake waffles can easily be made into an allergy-friendly breakfast (or lunch, dinner, or snack!). They are made with homemade oat flour, fresh eggs, butter or oil, natural sweeteners, a little leavening agent, and the dairy-free liquid of your choice! This waffle recipe is:
Looking for a simple, no-fail, fluffy pancake recipe? Make sure you check out these grain-free pancakes or this gluten-free banana pancake recipe! Or maybe you want an actual strawberry shortcake recipe? Check out this grain-free strawberry shortcake that is just as good as these waffles!
As I mentioned earlier, I wanted to create a recipe that functioned well as freezer waffles. This recipe fit the bill perfectly. When they initially come out of the waffle maker, they can be on the softer side depending on how long you let them cook. BUT… pop those waffles in the toaster oven for 4-5 minutes and you will have a delicious, crispy waffle breakfast!
So, there are several ways you can use these freezer waffles. You can enjoy them fresh out of the waffle maker for breakfast, or you can make up a batch and save them for later. The waffles will store fine in an airtight container on the counter for 3-4 days. When you are ready to enjoy one, just pop it in the toaster until it gets crispy and enjoy!
For freezer waffles, make up a batch of these shortcake waffles and let them cool completely. Then put them in freezer-safe containers and put them in your freezer (make sure youand date the container!). When you need a quick breakfast, pull out a waffle from the freezer, pop it in the toaster oven, and let it crisp up.
The key with these waffles is getting them crispy. if you want to enjoy them straight out of the waffle maker, let them cook for 8-10 minutes in the waffle maker for crispy waffles. If you plan on toasting them later or using them as freezer waffles, a 6-7 minute cook time will suffice.
Strawberry shortcake waffles are, of course, served with strawberries! But there are also countless other ways you can enjoy these shortcake waffles! Here are some topping ideas to get you started:
My favorite way to have these strawberry shortcake waffles is with fresh strawberries and dairy-free whipped cream… a classic strawberry shortcake pairing! First I toast my waffle until it is crispy, then I spread some grass-fed butter over the waffle. Next comes a scoop of whipped cream and then plenty of fresh slices strawberries. It’s almost like having dessert for breakfast!
Speaking of dessert, these simple shortcake waffles can easily be made into fun desserts too! Try making waffle dessert pizzas using dairy-free frosting, all-natural sprinkles, and a drizzle of melted chocolate. Or, make them into ice cream sandwiches using your favorite dairy-free ice cream!
And since we are on the topic of strawberries and dessert, you have to check out these amazing gluten-free strawberry cookies that make a delicious dessert, snack, or breakfast!
Yes! These strawberry shortcake waffles can easily be made dairy-free! I use butter in the original recipe since that is what classic shortcake is made with, but you can substitute in coconut oil or avocado oil instead of the butter in this recipe.
For the milk in these waffles, any kind of dairy-free milk alternative will work. I have used both oat milk and almond milk in this recipe. Homemade oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk will also work!
How long the waffles need to cook in the waffle maker depends on your waffle maker. For most waffle makers, I have found that a 6-8 minute cook time is sufficient. However, I have let waffles cook for more like 10-12 minutes for crispier waffles! One trick is to watch the steam that comes from the waffle maker. Once the waffle maker stops steaming, the waffles are probably done. Keep in mind, if you want crispier waffles, let them cook for longer. Thinner waffles will also cook for less time than thicker waffles.
This recipe calls for 2 cups + 2 tablespoons of gluten-free whole oats. You can also use gluten-free quick oats instead of whole oats. The oats are combined with the other ingredients in a high-speed blender or food processor. When the ingredients are blended together, the oats also get blended down into flour to create the waffle batter.
However, you can try using pre-made oat flour in this recipe. Just keep an eye on the consistency of your batter. If the batter initially seems too thin, let it set for 5-10 minutes to thicken. If the batter seems too thick, add more dairy-free milk or water to thin down the batter.
You can make this recipe without a high-speed blender or food processor if you are using pre-made oat flour. Since the oats are already ground into flour, you can just mix all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl to create the waffle batter.
Another option that might work is using gluten-free quick oats. Quick oats have been chopped into smaller pieces, so even though they aren’t as fine as oat flour, they may still work in the recipe. You may need to add more quick oats to get the batter to the right consistency since they won’t be as absorbent as oat flour.
The sweeteners in this recipe are pretty flexible. You can use any liquid sweetener in place of the pure maple syrup. Raw honey works well as a substitute! You can also use any granulated sweetener in place of the maple sugar. Organic coconut sugar works well as a maple sugar substitute, it will just give the waffles a slightly darker color.
I have not tried making these waffles egg free. The eggs aid the consistency of the waffles to ensure the texture is not gummy or sticky. You can try using egg substitutes, like flax-eggs or chia-eggs, but I have not tested these alternatives to see how the results turn out.
The consistency of this waffle batter can vary. Oats are very absorbent and the oat flour in the recipe will absorb moisture as the batter rests. Initially, the batter should be thin enough that you can easily pour it, but it shouldn’t be super runny either. If you have made traditional waffles before, the batter should have the same consistency as traditional waffle batter.
As the batter sets, it will thicken. Before you pour the next waffle into the waffle maker, you should use some water to thin down the batter. You can still make waffles with thick batter, just make sure you use a spoon or spatula to spread the batter in the waffle maker. You just don’t want the waffle batter so thick that it won’t pour at all as this will affect the texture of the waffles.
These strawberry shortcake waffles are super easy to make and they taste just as delicious as traditional strawberry shortcake! You can make up a batch of these waffles and freeze them for endless, quick breakfast options for busy homestead days!
Gluten-free strawberry shortcake waffles are made with wholesome, simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand in the homestead kitchen. They make a delicious breakfast option for modern pioneers of all ages, and they are not just limited to strawberries and whipped cream! You can easily turn these into freezer waffles and top them with whatever you like on your waffles. Enjoy them for breakfast, make a waffle sandwich for lunch, snack on them with fresh fruit, or turn them into dessert… these shortcake waffles will keep you happy no matter when you enjoy them!
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