I absolutely love cozy breakfast recipes that feel indulgent but are actually nourishing, and this Paleo Pumpkin Waffles with Coconut Flour Recipe hits that sweet spot perfectly. Whenever the leaves start turning or I just want a warm, comforting bite in the morning, these waffles come to the rescue with their tender crumb and that irresistible pumpkin spice aroma.
You’ll find that the magic here is the blend of coconut flour and arrowroot starch that makes the waffles light yet satisfyingly fluffy without any graininess. Plus, it’s a smart choice if you’re following a paleo lifestyle or just want to avoid gluten and refined sugars while still enjoying a treat. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll quickly become your go-to fall breakfast or weekend brunch favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Paleo-Friendly Ingredients: Made with coconut flour and arrowroot, it fits perfectly into paleo and grain-free diets.
- Perfect Pumpkin Spice Flavor: The cinnamon and nutmeg create that cozy fall vibe you’ll crave year-round.
- Easy & Quick to Make: You’ll have breakfast ready in under 30 minutes, with minimal fuss and simple tools.
- Mini Waffle Format: The smaller waffles are great for portion control and are just the right size for dipping or topping.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients work beautifully together to create a light, tender waffle that’s packed with pumpkin flavor and just the right hint of sweetness. Plus, they’re pretty common paleo staples, so you might already have them in your pantry!
- Coconut Flour: This is your gluten-free base, super absorbent so you’ll need less of it than regular flour.
- Arrowroot Starch: It helps give the waffles a nice light texture and crisp edges.
- Coconut Sugar: Adds natural sweetness without the blood sugar spike of refined sugars.
- Paleo Baking Powder: Make sure to check your brand is aluminum-free and paleo-friendly for best results.
- Cinnamon: A must for pumpkin recipes to bring warmth and spice.
- Nutmeg: Adds a subtle depth and nutty hint that pairs beautifully with pumpkin.
- Salt: Balances out the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- Eggs: The protein and fat from eggs give structure and richness.
- Pumpkin Puree: Use canned or fresh pumpkin for that moist, flavorful punch.
- Avocado Oil: A neutral oil that keeps waffles moist without overpowering flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the batter with subtle sweetness and aroma.
Variations
I love making this Paleo Pumpkin Waffles with Coconut Flour Recipe my own by swapping in mix-ins or adjusting the spice level to match the season or mood. Feel free to experiment—you might discover a new family favorite just like I did!
- Chocolate Chips: Adding a handful of paleo-friendly chocolate chips makes these waffles feel like a special treat—my kids go wild for this variation on weekends.
- Maple Syrup Sub: For natural sweetness, swap the coconut sugar with a bit of maple syrup, but be mindful it might change the batter thickness slightly.
- Nut Butter Swirl: Stir in spoonfuls of almond or cashew butter just before cooking for a rich, nutty surprise inside the waffles.
- Spice Levels: Increase cinnamon and nutmeg or add cloves for a deeper fall spice flavor when you want to cozy up your breakfast even more.
How to Make Paleo Pumpkin Waffles with Coconut Flour Recipe
Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients Thoroughly
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together coconut flour, arrowroot starch, coconut sugar, paleo baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until evenly combined. I like doing this first so the spices and leaveners are distributed well, which helps avoid any clumps in the final batter.
Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients and Blend
Whisk in the eggs, pumpkin puree, avocado oil, and vanilla extract until you get a smooth, thick batter. I’ve learned from experience that letting the batter sit for about 5 minutes after mixing helps coconut flour absorb the moisture fully and creates a perfect waffle texture.
Step 3: Preheat and Cook Mini Waffles
Plug in and preheat your mini waffle iron while also heating your oven to 200°F, where you’ll keep finished waffles warm. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter per waffle, close the lid, and cook until set and golden (usually a few minutes). I always place cooked waffles on a wire rack inside the warm oven to keep them crispy and ready all at once.
Step 4: Repeat & Serve
Keep repeating the process until you’ve used up all the batter. These mini waffles are great for portion control and freeze well if you want to make extra ahead. Serve warm with your favorite toppings and enjoy that seasonal pumpkin goodness!
Pro Tips for Making Paleo Pumpkin Waffles with Coconut Flour Recipe
- Let Batter Rest: Sitting for 5 minutes lets the coconut flour soak up moisture, giving you fluffier waffles that aren’t dry or crumbly.
- Use a Mini Waffle Iron: Mini waffles cook faster and balance cook-time with crispiness – a trick I’ve found keeps them perfectly tender.
- Keep Waffles Warm: Placing waffles on a wire rack in a low oven prevents sogginess, so every waffle you serve stays crisp until you’re ready.
- Check Your Baking Powder: Using paleo-certified baking powder ensures proper rise without any weird flavors that can happen with conventional powders.
How to Serve Paleo Pumpkin Waffles with Coconut Flour Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these waffles with a dollop of coconut yogurt or a drizzle of pure maple syrup to keep it paleo-friendly. Adding toasted chopped pecans or walnuts adds a lovely crunch, and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top really brings out the spice notes. Fresh berries also brighten it up beautifully and offer a nice color contrast.
Side Dishes
To round out breakfast, I often pair these waffles with crispy turkey sausage or scrambled eggs for a protein boost. A side of sautéed greens or roasted sweet potatoes also complements the pumpkin flavors nicely, making it a balanced and satisfying meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like stacking the mini waffles into a pumpkin waffle tower layered with cinnamon-spiced whipped coconut cream. Adding a dusting of powdered coconut sugar and a cinnamon stick garnish turns breakfast into a festive experience that always impresses guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled completely, I store leftover waffles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Layering waffles with parchment paper helps prevent sticking, and they hold their texture surprisingly well when refrigerated.
Freezing
Freezing is super easy—just flash freeze the waffles in a single layer, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag. This way, they last up to 2 months and you can pull out individual waffles whenever you want a quick paleo pumpkin breakfast fix.
Reheating
I reheat frozen or refrigerated waffles either in a toaster or under the broiler for a couple of minutes to bring back crispiness. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that perfect texture, though it’s okay in a pinch!
FAQs
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Can I use regular flour instead of coconut flour in this Paleo Pumpkin Waffles with Coconut Flour Recipe?
While you technically can substitute regular flour, keep in mind that coconut flour absorbs much more liquid, so you’ll need to adjust the flour and liquid ratios significantly. This recipe is optimized specifically for coconut flour, so swapping flours will change the texture and may require a different recipe altogether.
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What other flours can I use if I don’t have coconut flour?
If you’re looking for paleo-friendly alternatives, almond flour is a great option, but it won’t behave the same as coconut flour, so the batter will be looser and waffles denser. You may need to look up a specific almond flour pumpkin waffle recipe for best results.
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Can I make these waffles vegan?
Because eggs provide structure and moisture here, making this exact recipe vegan is tricky. However, experimenting with flax or chia egg substitutes might work if you adjust the texture carefully. The result may be different, but worth a try for a plant-based version.
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How do I know when the waffles are done?
Cook until the waffle iron’s indicator suggests it’s ready or the steam stops escaping, and your waffles look set and lightly golden. If you try to lift too early, they might stick or fall apart, so patience is key!
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Is arrowroot starch necessary?
Arrowroot starch helps give the waffles a lighter, crispy edge and balances coconut flour’s density. If you can’t find it, tapioca starch is a good substitute, but skipping it altogether might make waffles denser and more crumbly.
Final Thoughts
This Paleo Pumpkin Waffles with Coconut Flour Recipe truly feels like a cozy hug in waffle form, and I’m so glad I discovered it to share with you. It’s easy enough to whip up on weekday mornings or special weekends, and just the right balance of pumpkin spice and nutrition that you don’t have to feel guilty enjoying. Give it a try — I promise once you taste that tender, warm waffle, you’ll be making it again and again!
PrintPaleo Pumpkin Waffles with Coconut Flour Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 7 miniature waffles
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Delicious and nutritious Paleo Pumpkin Waffles made with coconut flour and arrowroot starch, flavored with warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. These miniature waffles are perfect for a healthy breakfast or snack, offering a gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo-friendly option that’s naturally sweetened and full of autumn flavors.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1/3 cup coconut flour (40g)
- 1/4 cup arrowroot starch (35g)
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1 tsp paleo baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (120g)
- 2 Tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Waffle Iron: Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit to keep waffles warm after cooking. Then plug in your mini waffle iron to preheat it while you prepare the batter.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the coconut flour, arrowroot starch, coconut sugar, paleo baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to create an even base for the batter.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Whisk in the eggs, pumpkin puree, avocado oil, and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and fully incorporated.
- Thicken Batter: Let the batter rest for 5 minutes. This waiting period allows the coconut flour to absorb moisture and thicken the batter for better waffle texture.
- Cook Waffles: Pour about 1/4 cup of the batter onto the preheated waffle iron. Close and cook according to your waffle iron’s instructions until the waffle is fully cooked and golden brown.
- Keep Waffles Warm: Transfer cooked waffles to a wire cooling rack placed in the preheated oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit to keep them warm and crisp while you finish cooking the remaining batter.
- Repeat: Continue cooking the remaining batter in 1/4 cup portions until all waffles are made. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- These waffles freeze well; simply reheat in a toaster or oven for a quick breakfast.
- Using a mini waffle iron will yield about 7 small waffles; adjust batter quantity for larger irons accordingly.
- For extra flavor, top waffles with nut butter, fresh fruit, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
- If you don’t have arrowroot starch, tapioca starch can be substituted.
- Ensure pumpkin puree is pure and unsweetened for best flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 miniature waffle
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
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