These maple cinnamon waffles bring warm cinnamon, pure maple syrup and hearty oats together in a breakfast that’s crisp on the outside and tender in the middle.
A little applesauce helps keep the waffles soft inside, while maple syrup adds gentle sweetness directly to the batter. That means they already have plenty of flavor before anything goes on top.
They’re easy enough for an ordinary morning but still feel like somebody remembered it’s the weekend. 😂
Why You’ll Love These Maple Cinnamon Waffles
- Warm maple flavor: Pure maple syrup adds sweetness directly to the batter.
- Crisp outside, tender inside: A hot waffle iron gives them those golden edges.
- Hearty texture: Rolled oats add a little more substance than flour alone.
- Simple ingredients: Everything comes from familiar refrigerator and pantry staples.
- Freezer friendly: Make extras and save yourself some work later.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1¾ cups unsweetened plant milk
- ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, ground flaxseed, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the plant milk, applesauce, maple syrup, olive oil and vanilla.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. A few small lumps are fine.
- Let the batter rest for 5 minutes so the oats and flaxseed can absorb some moisture.
- Lightly grease the waffle iron if needed.
- Add the amount of batter recommended for your waffle maker and close the lid.
- Cook until the waffle is golden brown and releases easily from the iron. Cooking time will vary by waffle maker.
- Transfer the finished waffle to a wire rack rather than stacking it immediately. Repeat with the remaining batter.
- Serve warm with fresh fruit or a light drizzle of pure maple syrup.
Yum’s Tips for Maple Cinnamon Waffles
Preheat the waffle iron completely. A properly heated iron helps create crisp golden surfaces instead of pale, soft waffles.
Don’t overmix the batter. Stir only until the wet and dry ingredients come together.
Let the batter rest. Those five minutes give the oats and flaxseed time to absorb moisture and help the batter settle.
Use a wire rack. Stacking hot waffles traps steam between them and can soften those crisp surfaces you just worked for.
Go easy on extra syrup. There’s already maple syrup in the batter, so taste a waffle before automatically giving it a maple bath. 😂
Maple Cinnamon Waffle Variations
Add apple: Fold finely diced apple into the batter for an apple-cinnamon version.
Try pecans: Sprinkle chopped unsalted pecans over the finished waffles for extra crunch.
Bring in more spice: Add a small pinch of nutmeg or ginger alongside the cinnamon.
Top with fruit: Fresh berries, sliced pears or bananas add sweetness without needing more syrup.
Change the flour: Replace up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole-wheat flour for a heartier texture.
Storage & Meal Prep
Let leftover maple cinnamon waffles cool completely before storing them. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, place cooled waffles between pieces of parchment paper and freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Frozen waffles can go directly into a toaster or toaster oven until hot and crisp. That’s one of the reasons waffles earn their keep around here—they can become homemade toaster waffles for another morning.
Avoid microwaving them when crispness matters. The microwave will warm them, but it won’t do those golden edges any favors.
Nutrition Highlights
Rolled oats and ground flaxseed contribute fiber, while the combination of flour and oats provides carbohydrates for morning energy.
Using applesauce adds moisture to the batter without requiring a large amount of oil.
Pure maple syrup provides the sweetness, and because some is already baked into the waffles, you may find you need less syrup at the table.
Perfect Pairings
Fresh berries, sliced apples, pears or oranges make an easy companion to warm waffles.
For a more substantial breakfast, pair them with yogurt or another protein-rich food.
Coffee or tea is always welcome, especially when cinnamon and maple are already making the kitchen smell like somebody put considerably more effort into breakfast than we actually did. 😂
Yum’s Note
Waffles don’t need a mountain of toppings to be worth making. I like putting flavor directly into the batter, and these maple cinnamon waffles already bring maple, cinnamon and vanilla to the table before the toppings even arrive.
For another warm breakfast idea, try Yum’s Mediterranean Breakfast Skillet when you’re in the mood for something savory. For more Yum recipes and practical ideas, Join Yum’s Kitchen.
If you make these Maple Cinnamon Waffles, leave a comment and tell me what you put on top.