Apple Spice Waffles (Paleo + Gluten Free)

Waffles are my favorite, how about you?! They’re crispier than pancakes and have all those little nooks to hold the syrup (and let’s be honest, lots of butter or ghee) and when isn’t that appreciated?! These Apple Spice Waffles have been in my recipe rotation for almost a decade and they come out every single Fall season! Warmly spiced cassava flour batter, dried apples that caramelize right inside the waffle iron as it cooks, and a cinnamon butter syrup that is simply perfection. I kid you NOT, this syrup alone is almost reason enough to make them. Almost!

The secret ingredient here is the Bare Snacks dried apple chips. I know it might seem like an unusual choice versus fresh apples, but trust me on this one. Raw apples release moisture as they cook and you end up with soggy waffles, and that’s a hard pass for me since waffles are known for a crispy outside! Dried apples, on the other hand, caramelize into an almost jammy, chewy little pocket of apple flavor that is honestly one of my favorite things in any waffle batter. By the time that waffle iron beeps, those apples have transformed into something really special.

Why You’ll Love These Apple Spice Waffles

These are the kind of waffles that make people stop mid-bite and ask what’s in them. The batter comes together in two bowls in about 15 minutes, the spice blend is warm and layered with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and an optional pinch of cloves that makes the whole kitchen smell like fall. And then there’s that cinnamon butter syrup, just maple syrup, salted butter (sub ghee as needed), and a little cinnamon warmed together until silky and glossy. It’s the chef’s kiss on these luscious waffles. Gluten free, grain free, and dairy free optional, so nobody has to feel left out at my table!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a quick look at what goes into these apple spice waffles. Full amounts are in the recipe card below.

For the Waffles

Otto’s Naturals Non-GMO Cassava Flour is the base here and it’s what keeps these paleo and grain free without any of the gumminess you can sometimes get with other GF flours. Baking powder for lift, salt, and coconut sugar for a little warmth. The spice blend is ground cinnamon (a generous two tablespoons because cinnamon reigns supreme!), nutmeg, ginger, and optional ground cloves. On the wet side: melted butter (ghee or avocado oil work great as subs), pure maple syrup, water or your milk of choice, vanilla extract, one room temperature egg, and of course those Bare Snacks dried apple chips folded right into the batter.

For the Cinnamon Butter Syrup

This three ingredient syrup is pure magic. Pure maple syrup, salted butter (or ghee), and a pinch of cinnamon warmed together in a small saucepan while the waffles cook. That’s it! It’s silky, glossy, and makes every waffle feel like a special occasion breakfast. Does maple syrup also work here, of course! I do recommend still warming it up to accent the warm waffles because pouring cold syrup on a piping hot waffle just doesn’t make sense!

How to Make Apple Spice Waffles

Start the cinnamon butter syrup first so it can warm low and slow while you make the batter. Combine maple syrup, butter, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over the lowest heat and stir occasionally. It just needs time to let the butter melt and let that cinnamon mingle, that’s breakfast magic right there.

Whisk all the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl, then whisk all the wet ingredients together separately. Pour wet into dry, stir until just combined, then fold in the dried apple pieces. Preheat your waffle iron, spritz generously with avocado oil (follow manufacturer directions for your waffle iron), pour in the batter, and cook until golden and crispy. Serve immediately with that warm cinnamon butter syrup drizzled generously over the top. I highly recommend you do not hold back on the syrup here!

Tips for the Best Apple Spice Waffles

Dried apples are non-negotiable here. Raw apples release too much moisture as they cook and make the waffles soggy. The dried apples caramelize beautifully as the waffles cook and that texture and flavor is what makes this recipe so special. I reach for Bare Snacks organic every time since they’re the right texture and thickness.

Room temperature ingredients matter. Make sure your egg, maple syrup, and water are all room temperature before mixing. Cold ingredients can cause the melted butter to seize up and the batter won’t come together as smoothly.

Spritz the waffle iron generously. This may vary depending on your waffle iron, but keep in mind that sometimes batter can stick if the iron isn’t well greased. A good spritz of avocado oil before every single waffle is the move here.

Serve immediately for maximum crispiness. These waffles are at their absolute best right off the iron. If you’re making them for a crowd, keep finished waffles in a single layer on a baking sheet in a 200 degree oven while you finish the batch.

How to Freeze and Reheat

These apple spice waffles freeze beautifully and make a great make-ahead breakfast for busy fall mornings. Let them cool completely on a wire rack, then freeze in a single layer on a sheet pan before transferring to a freezer bag. Reheat in a toaster or in a 375 degree oven for 5 to 7 minutes to restore that crispiness. They come out wonderfully!

More Fall Breakfast Favorites

• Apple Cider Pie Filling – scrumptious as a waffle topper too!
• Cran-Apple Snack Cake
• Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Bake
• Browse all Back Porch Paleo breakfast recipes

Apple Spice Waffles (Paleo + Gluten Free)

Recipe by Michelle

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: BreakfastDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

5

minutes

waffles with a kiss of Fall in every bite

Ingredients

• 1 cup Otto’s Naturals Non-GMO Cassava Flour

• 1.5 tsp Baking Powder

• 1/2 tsp sea salt

• 2 Tbsp Coconut Sugar (can sub granulated or maple sugar)

• 2 Tbsp Ground Cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg

• 1/8 tsp Ground Cloves (optional)

• 1/8 tsp Ground Ginger

• 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter, melted (can sub ghee or avocado oil)

• 1/4 cup Pure Maple Syrup, room temperature

• 1 cup Water, room temperature (can sub milk of choice)

• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

• 1 whole Egg, large and room temperature

• 3/4 cup Dried Apple Chips, Bare Snacks organic (roughly broken if large)

• cinnamon butter syrup

• 1/2 cup Pure Maple Syrup

• 1/4 cup Salted Butter (can sub ghee)

• 1/4 tsp Ground Cinnamon

Directions

• Start the cinnamon butter syrup first: combine maple syrup, butter, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over the lowest heat. Warm while preparing waffles, stirring occasionally.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together cassava flour, baking powder, salt, coconut sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
• In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, maple syrup, water, vanilla, and egg until well combined.
• Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until just combined. Fold in dried apple pieces.
• Preheat waffle iron per manufacturer’s directions and spritz generously with avocado oil. Pour batter and cook until golden and crispy.
• Serve immediately with warm cinnamon butter syrup drizzled generously over the top.

Notes

• Dried apples are non-negotiable here — raw apples release too much water and make the waffles soggy. The dried apples caramelize beautifully as the waffles cook!
• Spritz the waffle iron generously with avocado oil before every waffle. These freeze well — cool completely, freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a bag. Reheat in a toaster or 375°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness.

If you make these Apple Spice Waffles I’d love to see them! Tag me on Instagram or drop a comment below. They’re one of those fall recipes I genuinely look forward to every single year and I hope they find a cozy spot in your kitchen too. 🍎

Recipe card coming below. Add your new photos and publish when ready!