Brown Rice Flour Waffles with Almond Butter & Jam
By Amanda Paa – Updated April 25, 2023
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Last weekend we ate these Gluten-Free Brown Rice Waffles on the dock of a lakeside cabin we rented (for road trips, I always bring our waffle maker!), and I joked that I wanted to start a dockside waffle shop. Like a food truck, fly by style. These simple waffles would always be on the menu, (and these too) with the best seasonal fruit and Minnesota maple syrup.
When most days I feel rushed with breakfast, the idea of making and eating these to the tune of slow is a welcomed change of pace – whether that be on vacation or at home. I’ll never tire of the sizzle as the batter hits the hot iron and their warmly spiced, vanilla laced scent drifting through the air.
What is the texture of these gluten-free waffles like?
Made with brown rice flour, these waffles meet my ideal standards that I’ve come to require in this classic breakfast dish. Thatched pockets that are crisp, yet give way to a tender and light inside. I love everything about them, including the outer ridges, left golden and bare.
They rise as they steam between the hot iron, and end up the perfect thickness. And they only take a few minutes to cook.
You’ll taste the sum of all the parts, from the warmly spiced “bread” to the nutty almond butter and blueberry lavender jam, and the finishing touch of maple that sinks into each square valley. These grids are good.
Kefir or buttermilk is one of the ingredients that makes these the best gluten-free waffles I’ve ever made – and a nutritional powerhouse at the same time. Both are proven winners for waffle making because of the acidity, which helps them rise, and moisture to keep their interior soft.
Making Brown Rice Waffles
Brown rice flour is an accessible gluten-free ingredient that you can find at almost any grocery store, or online. It has a neutral flavor that allows the other ingredients to shine, unlike an alternative flour like quinoa.
I love using brown rice flour in combination with tapioca starch to produce a tender waffle, that rivals classic waffles.
What is kefir?
Also known as the cousin of yogurt, kefir is a cultured milk product made with kefir grains, which aren’t actual grains, but made of bacteria and yeast instead that are allowed to ferment. It’s naturally mild, a little tart and tangy.
The difference between the two is that kefir is made by fermenting milk with 10 to 20 different types of bacteria and yeasts, whereas yogurt is usually just fermented with a handful of types. This results in a higher probiotic count in the final product.
More Gluten-Free Breakfast Recipes:
- Rhubarb Almond Flour Muffins
- Easy Paleo Gluten-Free Blueberry Pancakes
- Savory Miso Oatmeal with Jammy Egg
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 102 grams brown rice flour
- 30 grams (1/4 cup) tapioca starch
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons buttermilk (or kefir)
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
- Almond butter jam, and maple syrup to serve
Instructions
- Preheat waffle iron to medium high. In a large bowl, whisk together brown rice flour, tapioca starch, salt, baking powder, and pumpkin pie spice.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together vanilla, maple syrup, kefir, and egg until smooth. Whisk these ingredients into the dry, then whisk in the butter until completely combined and smooth.
- Then add one third, or half (if you want really large waffles) of the batter to the waffle iron. As the batter sits it will get really thick – not pourable. It's totally okay (you can add a tablespoon of milk to thin it a bit if you'd like). Just spread it out on in the middle of the iron, like you would cake batter.
- Seal, and let cook until just golden brown. (do not overcook) *I don’t rely on the timer on my waffle, instead I open lid to look after a few minutes to see how they are coming along. Repeat two more times to makes additional waffles.
- Then top with almond butter, jam, and maple syrup.
Did you make this?
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August 16, 2016
Jane
November 12, 2023
I use this recipe all the time, except I do them as savoury waffles, eliminating the sugar and vanilla and adding grated parmesan and any herbs I have on hand plus a little white pepper. I know I would like them sweet as well but for now I’m hooked on savoury. Thank you for the recipe!
Amanda Paa
November 12, 2023
Oh, that sounds amazing! I’m going to try your savory version. Thank for the note!
Matt
June 4, 2022
Great recipe! Nice and crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. I added a splash of milk to make it slightly looser and easier to spoon out. Also, I think there’s a slight error in the instructions. It doesn’t say to add the vanilla extract anywhere. I did it when I mixed together the kafir etc but it doesn’t actually say that in the recipe. I assume this is a typo. Great recipe though!
Amanda Paa
June 4, 2022
So glad you liked the waffles, Matt! And thanks for the note about when to add the vanilla – mistake that I forgot it in the instructions, added it now!
Michele
August 18, 2016
These have been added to my MUST MAKE list, Im not required to be gluten free, but have noticed I feel bestter when I eat less gluten! The fact that I can still eat these great looking waffles is so exciting!
Tessa | Salted Plains
August 18, 2016
I know for sure these will be making an appearance at my breakfast table very soon. Now that I finally have tried kefir, I am extra excited. I, too, really like using psyllium husk powder – I can’t have xantham gum and feel the same when I see it on the ingredient list.
Also, I so love the thought of packing up the waffle maker for every road trip. I am going to do this from now on – it just makes so much sense to me!! :) xoxo
amandapaa
August 18, 2016
yay kefir! i like it a lot. the plain has that tart tang, and isn’t quite yogurt. i’ve also started using it in some of my sauces.
also, pack that waffle maker and go girl! xo
Ron
March 24, 2023
I don’t see where psyllium powder is mentioned? I’m interested in it’s health aspects.
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado
August 18, 2016
These waffle look like they have the most perfect texture! I agree, most waffles are too cakey, so I love that you made it a point to create the real texture of a waffle! Who knew that kefir would create such a beautiful breakfast!
amandapaa
August 19, 2016
it was a surprise to me too! i’m going to try baking other things with it too. xo!
Catherine
August 17, 2016
And just like the gif, these would disappear before my eyes at the breakfast table. How absolutely gorgeous! I just love your photos…these sound like a marvelous treat and I love that they are gluten free too. xo, Catherine
amandapaa
August 18, 2016
the waffles do tend to have a disappearing effect at the table. :) i’ve also served them to others who aren’t gluten-free and they love them. enjoy!
Taylor Kiser
August 17, 2016
These waffles look perfectly delicious! I’d love to enjoy a plate of these for breakfast!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
August 17, 2016
These waffles are absolute perfection, the perfect density and I LOVE that you used kefir to mimic the buttermilk. It’s been a while since I’ve bought some kefir and I’m not sure why I fell off that bandwagon because I love it!
Samantha @mykitchenlove
August 17, 2016
Looks delicious!
amandapaa
August 17, 2016
is there a better meal that brunch? favorite!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
August 16, 2016
Love that your waffle maker takes priority over your toothbrush. This is why we are friends. We understand the importance of golden, crispy waffles. Love the use of kefir in here. And psyllium husk isn’t an ingredient I’ve used before. I need to check that out!