Deliciously Easy Cornbread Waffles Gluten Free Recipe

You ever just crave something warm and cozy, but you’re sick of the same old gluten-free pancakes and toast? Cornbread Waffles Gluten Free Recipe is my go-to for those mornings (or let’s be honest, sometimes lazy dinners) when I want something different but don’t want to fuss with a million dishes. The texture is killer — crispy on the edges, soft and crumbly in the center, exactly like you remember real cornbread but ready in a snap. If you’re bored with eggs, try these instead. Seriously, my picky nephew even eats these, which I never thought would happen. And if breakfast is your thing you might love these easy gluten-free crepes or you could switch it up and check out my easy gluten-free chicken taquitos for later.

WHY YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE THIS RECIPE

Look, gluten-free waffles are everywhere now but finding a cornbread waffles gluten free recipe that holds up to your best memories is a whole different game. These aren’t the dry, sad ones that crumble into sand at first bite. You get a hint of sweetness, loads of corn flavor, and the kind of crispiness that makes you go “oh wow” after the first forkful. I’ve made these for so many family get-togethers I’ve lost count, and every time someone asks for the recipe. If you’re tired of recipes over-promising and boring the pants off you, just know this one keeps it real and keeps it tasty. And it doesn’t take a five-star restaurant skill set — if you can measure, stir, and push a button on a waffle maker, you’re golden.

I’d honestly given up on gluten-free waffles before I tried these. My kids ask for them at least once a week. They’re even better the next day in the toaster!

NOTABLE INGREDIENTS & SUBSTITUTIONS

The best part about this cornbread waffles gluten free recipe? You don’t need to hunt down strange stuff from four specialty stores. The star is, obviously, cornmeal — make sure it’s a medium grind if you want that old-school texture. For flour, a basic 1-to-1 gluten-free blend works, nothing fancy. Don’t have buttermilk? Toss a splash of vinegar into your milk and let it sit a minute — trick from my grandma, works like a charm. Need dairy-free? Swap milk and butter for your favorite plant versions. I use almond milk and vegan butter when my cousin visits and honestly… no one can tell. Oh, and an egg, but if you’re vegan flax eggs actually do the job, no joke. The sweet spot for sugar is a tablespoon or two, but nobody’s gonna judge if you add a little more for breakfast or cut back when you’re feeling savory.

Egg allergy in the family? Use a mashed banana or even applesauce instead. I’ve pulled this off during a grocery emergency and wasn’t mad about it. Cornbread is forgiving.

HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN-FREE CORNBREAD WAFFLES

Here’s the deal. You don’t need any chef-y moves. Just basic stuff:

1. Mix the dry stuff. Cornmeal, gluten-free flour, baking powder, a touch of salt, and maybe a pinch of sugar if you want bright flavor.
2. Dump in the wet things. Buttermilk (or the “fake” version), melted butter (or oil or vegan sub), and your egg or whatever you’re using instead.
3. Stir gently. Not until it’s smooth, just until combined! Lumpy batter = tender waffles. Trust me on this.
4. Heat the waffle iron. Spray it a little. Spoon in the batter (don’t overfill, learned this the hard, dripping way).
5. Wait for crispy goodness. Mine beep after 4–5 minutes. If you like crunchier, give it another minute. If you like soft, pull them early.

No waffle iron? Use a grill pan or sandwich maker. It’s not perfect. It’s still good.

HELPFUL HINTS

Don’t wander off while these are cooking. The sugar in the batter makes them brown fast — sometimes scary fast. If your waffle iron is old and cranky, lower the heat just a touch and peek at 3 minutes instead of waiting for the light. Want to stack them for a crowd? Pop finished waffles on a wire rack in a warm oven. Don’t stack hot-out-of-iron waffles on a plate or the bottoms go soggy. Not ideal. For the crispiest edges, use real butter if you can.

If you need more gluten-free breakfast ideas, try my delicious gluten-free pastries or maybe some dairy-free chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Your table, your rules.

SERVING IDEAS

You’ll want to eat these a hundred ways, but here are my favorites:

• Top with chili for a “brunch for dinner” thing. Seriously, so satisfying.
• A fried egg, some avocado, salsa, and you’ve got a breakfast fiesta.
• Butter and maple syrup— classic, you just can’t go wrong there.
• Sometimes I do pulled pork and coleslaw right on top. Sounds wild, but try it once.

Let your pantry and leftovers inspire you. Sometimes I just grab leftover roasted veggies and pile them on — not fancy, but so good.

Common Questions

Do these taste like traditional cornbread?
Yup, pretty dang close. Maybe just a touch softer inside, which I like.

Will this recipe work if I double it?
Yep. Only thing, you might need to add a tablespoon or two of extra liquid since gluten-free flours dry out fast.

Can I freeze them?
Absolutely! Let them cool, pop in a bag, freeze. Toss in toaster or oven to revive that crisp.

Is cornmeal gluten free?
Most plain cornmeal is, but always double-check the label for “certified gluten free” if you need to be careful.

What if I have no buttermilk?
Do the milk-with-vinegar trick (1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice in 1 cup milk, let sit a few minutes). It’s what I use most of the time!

Ingredient	Quantity	Substitution
Cornmeal	1 cup	N/A
Gluten-Free Flour	1 cup	Almond flour or coconut flour (adjust liquid)
Buttermilk	1 cup	1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar
Butter	1/4 cup, melted	Coconut oil or vegan butter
Egg	1 large	1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water
Sugar	1-2 tbsp (to taste)	Honey or maple syrup (adjust sweetness)

Why This Easy Cornbread Waffle Is About to Be Your New Favorite

So, if you’re after a breakfast (or lunch or dinner, really) that’s crunchy, fluffy, and totally gluten-free, this recipe is just a no-brainer. Pull out your waffle iron, mix a few simple ingredients, and make something the whole family will devour. There are awesome resources for more inspiration like these Gluten-Free Cornbread Waffles, or check out the twist in GLUTEN-FREE CORNBREAD WAFFLES – Brand New Vegan, or even play around with different textures thanks to Cornmeal Waffles – At Home With Shay – Gluten Free or Corn Waffles (Gluten-Free) – Domestic Dreamboat. If you want some extra savory ideas, check out the bold flavors in Gluten-Free Savory Cornbread Waffles | Lemons and Basil. Once you try these, let me know what wild toppings you land on, ‘cause honestly? The sky’s the limit when breakfast tastes this good.

Print