These Gluten-Free Mini Waffles with Cinnamon Apple Topping are out-of-this-world delicious! These mini waffles are gluten-free, paleo friendly, refined-sugar free, and perfect for meal prep!
Easy Mini Waffle Waffles with Cinnamon Apples
These Gluten-Free Mini Waffles with Cinnamon Apple Topping are the perfect kid-friendly breakfast or treat. But let’s be honest. The adults love them just as much.
The best part? They are freezer friendly for a quick morning meal! Make a batch now and have breakfast or a mid-day treat ready to go all week (or month) long!
Top your waffles with a seasonal and delicious caramelized cinnamon apple topping OR make them churro style by dipping them in cinnamon and sugar. No one will know these waffles are made without flour. They’re incredibly fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Ingredients Needed:
Mini Waffles
- Butter or Cooking Spray: you can use melted butter or a high-heat cooking spray to grease your waffle iron.
- Eggs: give the waffles their structure and helps create that perfect golden-brown color and crispy edge.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: applesauce is a great way to add some natural sweetness…and to add a little extra apple flavor.
- Maple Syrup: our natural sweetener of choice.
- Vanilla Extract: adds flavor depth.
- Flour: our gluten-free flour blend is a combination of almond flour and tapioca flour.
- Baking Powder: keeps the waffles light and fluffy.
- Sea Salt: brings out the flavors.
Cinnamon Apples
- Butter: melted butter coats the apples for that perfect warm flavor.
- Apples: whatever apples you have on hand will work. Be sure to dice them evenly so they cook quickly and at the same rate.
- Cinnamon: gives the apples the perfect sweet spice.
- Lemon Juice: adds a touch of brightness.
- Sea Salt: a pinch of sea salt enhances the flavor and cuts the sweetness.
How to Make Waffle Apple Bites
One of my favorite parts about this mini waffle recipe is that it’s made in just one bowl!
- Make the batter: In a bowl, whisk together all the wet ingredients. Add in the flour, baking soda, and salt, then whisk to combine.
- Cook the waffles: Add 1 tablespoon of waffle mix to each quadrant of your waffle maker and cook until all the batter is used.
- Make the cinnamon apples: In a saucepan, heat butter, then add diced apples, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Mix and cook until the apples are soft and light brown.
- Make them churro style (optional): Combine cinnamon and coconut sugar in a mixing bowl. Melt butter in a separate mixing bowl. Brush the waffles with butter, then dip them in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.
- Serve: Serve your gluten-free waffles warm and with a drizzle of your favorite maple syrup (or whatever toppings your heart desires!)
Other Waffle Topping Ideas
While I do love the cinnamon apple topping in this gluten-free waffle recipe, you can totally swap it out for a number of different things. Here are just a few ideas:
How to Make Mini Waffles “Churro Style”
Once the mini waffles have finished cooking, brush them with butter or coconut oil and dip in a mixture of coconut sugar and cinnamon!
- Coconut Sugar and Cinnamon: the classic churro coating for the sweetest flavor and a bit of crunch.
- Melted Butter: coconut oil will work too.
Serving Suggestions
These gluten-free mini waffles are perfect as-is with the cinnamon apple topping, but you can totally serve them up as part of a big brunch spread!
Serve them alongside Scrambled Eggs, Air Fryer Bacon, Bacon and Sweet Potato Frittata, Baked Egg Cups, you name it.
How to Store
Once cooked, your gluten-free waffles are best served right away. However, leftovers will last in an airtight container or ziplock bag in the fridge for 2-3 days.
To reheat, warm in the oven until heated through.
How to Freeze Waffles
One of my favorite parts about these mini waffles is you can easily freeze them and warm them up in the toaster! Easy meal prep for the win!
To freeze your waffles, cool them completely, then place them flat on a sheet pan and flash freeze them until hardened. Transfer the now hardened waffles to a ziplock bag and store them for up to 3 months.
To reheat, simply throw them in the toaster or in the oven until heated through!
More Waffle/Pancake Recipes You’ll Love
Gluten Free Mini Waffles with Cinnamon Apple Topping
These Gluten-Free Mini Waffles with Cinnamon Apple Topping are out-of-this-world delicious! These mini waffles are gluten-free, paleo friendly, refined-sugar free, and perfect for meal prep!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: approximately 25 waffle bites 1x
For Mini Waffles:
- Melted butter or high-heat cooking spray, for greasing waffle iron
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (48 grams) almond flour
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) tapioca flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of sea salt
For Cinnamon Apples:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 apples, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- pinch of sea salt
To Make “Churro Style”:
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted (or coconut oil)
Instructions
- Pre-heat waffle maker set to low heat and brush liberally with melted butter or high-heat cooking spray.
- In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, apple sauce, maple syrup and vanilla extract until fully combined. Add in the almond flour, tapioca flour, baking powder, and salt whisk to combine.
- Following the directions for your waffle maker, cook four waffles at a time by adding 1 tablespoon of waffle mix to each quadrant. Cook until waffles are light brown and set aside until all of the waffle batter is used.
- Meanwhile, make the cinnamon apples: In a small saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of butter. Add diced apples, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Mix well. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until apples are soft and a light brown color. Taste and adjust cinnamon as needed. Take off heat and set aside.
- To make finished waffles churro style: Add cinnamon and coconut sugar to a small mixing bowl. In a separate mixing bowl, melt the butter. Brush waffles with melted butter and working in batches, carefully dip the waffles into the cinnamon sugar mixture until the waffles are well coated.
- Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup!
Notes
- You can place the finished waffles in an oven set to 200°F to keep warm while you cook the rest of the waffles and prepare the caramelized apples, but this is not necessary!
- To freeze the mini waffles: Place fully cooled waffles flat on a sheet pan and freeze completely, then place in a bag with an air tight seal for longer term storage. Freezing them flat first ensures they keep their shape. Waffles will keep frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat place in a toaster oven until heated through
- Waffles will keep for four days in the refrigerator!
