If you're looking for a savory vegan snack that's easy, wholesome, and irresistibly crispy, then this Potato Waffles recipe is a must-try! These golden, crunchy waffles are made with simple pantry staples like potatoes, hummus, and spices-and best of all, they're gluten-free and ready in just 30 minutes.
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What are Potato Waffles
Potato waffles are savory waffles made primarily from potatoes-either mashed, grated, or a mix of both. The mixture is seasoned and then cooked in a waffle maker until golden and crispy on the outside, while staying soft and fluffy on the inside. They're a fun and hearty twist on traditional waffles, making them perfect as a snack, appetizer, or even a light meal.
And yes, vegans can absolutely enjoy waffles too! While there are many store-bought vegan waffle mixes, I prefer making them from scratch. It's quick, easy, and so much more flavorful. Whether served for breakfast, brunch, dinner, or even as an evening snack, indulging in a plate of crispy vegan potato waffles is one of the best ways to treat yourself-no eggs or dairy needed!
Love savory waffles
I'm a sucker for savory breakfasts and evening snacks-I almost always reach for something salty over sweet. That's why I'm constantly experimenting with new savory waffle recipes that can double as a satisfying meal any time of day.
After the success of my Dosa waffles, I created this new savory vegan waffle recipe using potatoes. It's a delicious twist, similar to Potato Pancakes-but crispier and more fun to eat!
These fluffy potato waffles are everything I want in a waffle: crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and packed with flavor. Trust me-once you try them, they'll become a family favorite. Plus, snacks like these make your dining table look and feel instantly inviting.
Why make this
- ✔️ Totally customizable - Add your favorite veggies, spices, or herbs
- 🥔 Great use of mashed potatoes - Fresh or leftover, both work perfectly
- 🌱 Vegan, nut-free, soy-free, and gluten-free - Made without eggs, soy, or dairy
- 🧄 Pantry-friendly - Uses simple ingredients you likely already have
- ⏱️ Ready in 30 minutes - Quick, easy, and satisfying
- 🥣 Prep-friendly - Make the waffle batter ahead of time
- 🥄 Uses leftover hummus - A delicious and clever way to reduce waste
- 🍽️ Perfect anytime - Serve for breakfast, brunch, snacks, or dinner
Ingredients needed 🧾
Potatoes
Use starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds for best results. Boil and mash them beforehand. Leftover mashed potatoes also work well in this recipe.
Alternatively, you can use frozen shredded hash browns (thawed) to save time. Just be aware that they may take slightly longer to cook in the waffle maker.
Flours
This recipe calls for a combination of gluten-free all-purpose flour and rice flour. Together, they help create a crispy texture while keeping the waffles gluten-free.
Hummus
Plain gluten-free hummus is ideal, but you can also use flavored hummus for added taste. Homemade or store-bought options both work well.
Vegetables and Herbs
I've used chopped onions and cilantro, but feel free to include other finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or grated carrots based on what you have on hand.
Spices
The basic seasonings you'll need are crushed peppercorns, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and garlic (paste or minced). Adjust the spice level to your taste preference.
Vegan Butter
Any dairy-free butter will work here. For enhanced flavor, try using herb-infused vegan butter or Thecha butter.
Waffle Maker
A waffle maker is essential for this recipe. Use one that gives you even, golden-brown, crisp waffles. I've been using mine for years and love how reliable it is.
How to make it 🔪
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- In a bowl, add boiled potatoes and mash them with a fork. Alternatively, you can even grate them.
- Then add any vegan herb butter, crushed black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Next, add the hummus.
- Then add Italian seasonings and cilantro.
- Now add the all-purpose flour and rice flour to the bowl.
- Add the minced garlic and chopped onions to the bowl.
- Followed by water or vegan buttermilk. Add salt at this point. Mix all these together and make a thick batter. Add more water as needed to do so.
- Preheat the waffle maker, with a cooking spray grease the molds. Pour a ladle full of batter into each mold of the waffle maker. Ensure it spreads evenly and all over. Chef Tip - Cook as per the maker's instructions. Once it gets the desired brown color, take them carefully. It could take 4-5 minutes.
Serving suggestions 🍽
These savory vegan potato waffles are incredibly versatile and can be served at any time of the day-whether for breakfast, as a hearty snack, or even as a light main course. For extra flavor, you can top them with grated cheese (regular or dairy-free), chopped green onions, and diced bell peppers. Sliced avocado, sautéed mushrooms, or fresh salad greens also make excellent toppings that turn these waffles into a complete meal.
Pair these crispy potato waffles with a variety of dips and sauces such as Sriracha, vegan mayo, sour cream, ketchup, hot chili oil, applesauce, pesto, salsa, or chutney. Hummus and green chutney are especially delicious with these gluten-free potato waffles. You can also serve them with a side of fruit salad, Cucumber Salad, soup, guacamole, or a simple yogurt sauce made with plain vegan yogurt, dried garlic, cumin powder, and salt. These flavorful and filling vegan waffles are sure to be a hit at the table-any time of day!
Top recipe tips 💭
Feel free to boost the nutrition of these savory vegan waffles by adding extra veggies to the batter-grated or minced zucchini, carrots, onions, cabbage, or bell peppers. When seasoning, keep in mind that if your vegan butter and hummus already contain salt, adjust the added salt in the batter accordingly to avoid over-seasoning. For a richer flavor and tender texture, you can replace water with plain buttermilk or chaas (vegan versions work well too). Instead of sprinkling cheese on top, you can also incorporate sharp cheddar (or vegan shredded cheese) directly into the batter for an even more flavorful waffle. If you don't have hummus, use tahini.
Recipe FAQs 📖
Choosing the right type of potato is key to getting the best texture in savory waffles. Starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds work best-they mash easily and give the waffles a crisp exterior with a soft, fluffy inside. You can boil and mash the potatoes with a fork or potato masher, or grate them for more texture. This recipe is also a great way to repurpose leftover mashed potatoes or use frozen hash browns (thawed). For a twist, you can even substitute regular potatoes with sweet potatoes to add a slightly sweet, earthy flavor.
While this recipe uses gluten-free all-purpose flour, you can easily swap it out with other flours like whole wheat flour, chickpea flour (besan), or tapioca flour depending on your dietary needs and taste preferences. However, rice flour is essential-it helps give these waffles their signature crispy texture. You can also use a store-bought waffle mix (ensure it's vegan and gluten-free, if needed) as a convenient shortcut. Feel free to experiment to find the flour combination that works best for you.
If your waffle batter is too thick, gradually add water a little at a time until you reach a smooth, pourable consistency. On the other hand, if the batter turns out too thin, mix in a small amount of flour (all-purpose, chickpea, or rice flour) until it thickens to the right texture. For softer, fluffier waffles, consider adding a bit of baking powder to the batter. Just be sure to let the batter rest for about 10 minutes before cooking to activate the leavening and improve the texture.
Every waffle maker is different, so cooking times may vary slightly. Always preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions to ensure even cooking. If your waffle maker isn't non-stick or you're unsure, lightly spray it with cooking oil to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Once you pour the batter in and close the lid, avoid opening it too soon-lifting it prematurely can cause the waffle to tear or stick. Wait until the waffles are golden brown and crisp around the edges before removing them. Most waffle makers will give you a visual or audible cue, but checking for color and crispness is the most reliable method.
While this recipe is designed for a waffle maker, don't worry if you don't have one. You can still enjoy this savory vegan batter by making crispy pancakes or dosas on a non-stick skillet, mini pancake pan, or griddle. Just spread the batter evenly and cook on medium heat until golden brown on both sides. It's a delicious and easy alternative with the same great flavors!
You can easily prepare the savory waffle batter ahead of time. It stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to one week when stored in an airtight container. For longer storage, the batter can also be frozen-just thaw it overnight in the fridge before using it to make fresh waffles. Adjust the consistency as needed.
Cooked waffles can be refrigerated for 2-3 days or frozen for later use. To reheat, simply warm them in a toaster or microwave. While they may not be as crispy as freshly made waffles, they'll still be delicious. For the crispiest texture, though, these vegan potato waffles are best enjoyed fresh off the waffle maker.
More savory vegan snacks
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Recipe 📖
30-Minute Vegan Potato Waffles (Crispy & Gluten-Free)
Equipment
Ingredients
to make the waffle batter
- 2 boiled potatoes
- ¾ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup rice flour
- 2 tablespoon melted vegan butter
- 3 tablespoon hummus
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 4 cloves garlic
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasonings
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon crushed black pepper
- 2 cups water
- Salt
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- In a bowl, add boiled potatoes and mash them with a fork. Alternatively, you can even grate them.
- Then add any vegan herb butter, crushed black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Next, add the hummus.
- Then add Italian seasonings and cilantro.
- Now add the all-purpose flour and rice flour to the bowl.
- Add the minced garlic and chopped onions to the bowl.
- Followed by water or vegan buttermilk. Add salt at this point. Mix all these together and make a thick batter. Add more water as needed to do so.
- Preheat the waffle maker, with a cooking spray grease the molds. Pour a ladle full of batter into each mold of the waffle maker. Ensure it spreads evenly and all over.
- Cook as per the maker's instructions. Once it gets the desired brown color, take them carefully. It could take 4-5 minutes.
flowery says
Due to an error in spouse reading shopping list, I had sweet potatoes instead of russets. So, I steamed them, added 2 tbs of maple syrup to the batter and used buttermilk. Left out the cilantro and peppers. My family loved them. I never imagined the idea of adding hummus and it worked really well. Thanks!
Priya Lakshminarayan says
Accidental recipes turn out great sometimes. Glad you liked the idea. Thank you for your feedback. 🙂
Kim says
Thank you♥️♥️♥️
Priya says
🙂 Welcome.
Vidya says
Followed the recipe (except for using regular buttermilk & besan). They turned out super soft in the waffle maker and could not remove them. What did I do wrong? Ended up making pancakes; tasted great, was a hit with the kids too 🙂
Priya says
Yes, you can use the batter to make pancakes as well. But did you add any other flour if not besan? If you skip buttermilk and added water instead, that should not have made much difference. But without besan, there would be no binding.
Vidya says
I only added besan & rice flour. Would have loved to have crispy waffles.
Priya says
Normally if you add rice flour, they turn out crispy. I have made this many times with no issues. Some things I can think of are - ensure the waffle maker is hot when you add the batter. That starts the cooking process immediately. Also, try adding milk/buttermilk along with water to make the batter. Hopefully, that should work.
Noopur says
If using baking powder how much should I use thanks
Priya says
You can add a teaspoon. Add it just before you are ready to make the waffles.
Danielle says
Fantastic waffles for this time of the year. Not only they are tasty but they are absolutely healthy, too. Can't wait for the next breakfast now!
Priya says
Absolutely! I can have savory waffles at any time. Do give it a try and let me know how it turned out for you.
Deanne says
What a fun twist on waffles!!! I love all the variation ideas, too!
Priya says
Thank you. Glad you liked them.
Rebecca says
I NEED these in my life! love this unique take on waffles
Jordin says
Oh wow these look and sound just so amazing! I cant wait to give these a try with the family, I know they are going to love them!
Priya says
Glad you liked it. Yes, do try them out..they are delicious!
Dannii says
What a unique waffle recipes. I love anything with hummus.
Priya says
I know right! They taste amazing..worth a try. Thank you.
Sandi says
What an amazing idea for savory waffles!
Tara says
Such a beautiful breakfast! Those waffles look absolutely incredible. Never thought to add hummus. Yum!
Everyday Sarah Jane says
The addition of mashed potatoes and hummus must make these waffles taste OUT OF THIS WORLD!
Garlic + Zest says
I love savory waffles and this is definitely a unique combination! Your photos are gorgeous!
Priya says
Thank you.
Jenni says
This is such an interesting take on a savory waffle. Beautiful pictures too!
Priya says
Thank you 🙂
Puja says
Hi. This sounds really delicious. I don’t have a waffle maker. Can we make it in anything else?
Priya says
you can make pancakes instead! Thanks. 🙂