3-Ingredient Pumpkin Waffles (with Pancake Mix!)
Make breakfast gourmet with these super easy pumpkin waffles. It’s the perfect fall breakfast or brunch!
Whether it’s pumpkin season or not, these waffles are a joy to have on the breakfast table. This is one of the simplest waffle recipes I know, but it gets big results. Literally. These waffles are extremely fluffy, and full of delicious pumpkin flavor.
While traditional waffles require you to whip egg whites to get that fluff, these easy waffles use kitchen shortcuts to create a perfect consistency that you can toss together in under 5 minutes. It’s an easy breakfast you can put on the table fast. And you don’t have to sacrifice flavor or enjoyment along the way!
What’s in 3-ingredient Pumpkin Waffles?
This easy recipe uses simple ingredients and kitchen shortcuts to create perfectly fluffy pumpkin waffles.
- Pancake Mix: Using just-add-water pancake mix as your base is the shortcut to fluffy waffles with crispy edges. This also makes the recipe super versatile. A change to the mix won’t change how your waffles cook, but you can adjust the flavor. It also makes this recipe special diet friendly — you can use a gluten-free mix to keep this recipe gluten-free, our vegan friends can use a vegan one, and the keto folks can enjoy their keto mixes.
- Vanilla Greek Yogurt: While you can use any flavor of greek yogurt, including plain greek yogurt, in this recipe, the vanilla adds a lovely touch of sweetness that really showcases the pumpkin flavor. If you use plain greek yogurt, I would recommend adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract or maple syrup to enhance your waffles.
- Pumpkin Purée: Be careful when buying this — there is a difference between canned pumpkin purée and pumpkin pie filling. You want the pure pumpkin puree, which is sometimes sold as just “pure pumpkin.” You will not use an entire can of pumpkin purée in this recipe, but I can recommend this delicious pumpkin fluff to use up the leftovers. If you prefer to make your purée from scratch, this recipe is fantastic!
Making Perfect Pumpkin Waffles
Step 1 | Make the Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine the pancake mix, pumpkin, and greek yogurt. Stir it with a wooden spoon. The batter will be very thick and fluffy, just like your finished waffles will be!
Step 2 | Cook the Waffles
Preheat your waffle maker. Once it’s ready, spray the iron with cooking spray, then use a spoon to drop the waffle batter into the center of the hot waffle iron. Unlike many waffle batters, this one will not flow into the grooves. However, when you squish the top down, it will push that lovely fluffiness out the sides, filling the entire press.
I let mine cook for about 3 minutes. The waffles are done when they are slightly browned and can be removed from the iron without sticking.
Step 3 | Enjoy!
These waffles are best served warm. Homemade waffles are fantastic with just butter and maple syrup, but you can also add any favorite toppings. Pecans, whipped cream, a sprinkling of brown sugar or cinnamon, chocolate chips, or even some peanut butter are all delicious ideas!
If you don’t want to eat your waffles right away, they can always be reheated later in the microwave, toaster, or toaster oven.
Substitutions
While this pumpkin waffle recipe is fantastic as written, you can make some adjustments to make this recipe your own!
- For the pancake mix: You can use homemade pancake mix, or any variety of mix you can buy at the store.
- For the greek yogurt: You can use buttermilk, sour cream, silken tofu, or coconut milk in place of the greek yogurt. Be aware that these substitutions will change the consistency and taste of the batter and waffles.
- For the pumpkin puree: Mashed bananas or applesauce can be used in place of the pumpkin puree. Of course, at this point, you’re not making pumpkin waffles any more, but your banana or apple waffles might be a big hit!
Variations
Ready to branch out on flavor? Here are a few tried-and-true ideas:
- Pumpkin Spice Waffles: Add a teaspoon of pumpkin spice mix to your batter. These warm spices really enhance the fall flavors! You can also make your own homemade pumpkin spice mix from cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ginger, and ground cloves.
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Waffles: Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips to your waffle mix before cooking. Nothing beats melted chocolate morsels!
- Pumpkin Pancakes: Instead of cooking your batter in a waffle iron, simply cook it in a griddle pancake-style to create homemade pumpkin pancakes.
- Protein Pumpkin Waffles: While the original recipe is high in protein due to the greek yogurt, you can increase the protein content by adding a scoop of vanilla or tasteless protein powder to the batter.
FAQs
Yes, you can use regular yogurt as a substitute for Greek yogurt in this recipe. However, Greek yogurt tends to be thicker and tangier, so you may need to adjust the consistency and flavor accordingly.
Yes, you can prepare the waffle batter ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, give the batter a quick stir before using it to ensure even consistency.
Yes, you can freeze leftover pumpkin waffles for future enjoyment. Allow the waffles to cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the waffles to freezer bags or a container, separating them with parchment paper to prevent sticking. To reheat, simply toast the frozen waffles in a toaster or toaster oven until heated through.
The waffles are done cooking when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. You can also check for doneness by gently lifting the edge of a waffle with a spatula – if it lifts easily and holds together, it is likely done. Avoid opening the waffle iron too soon to prevent the waffles from sticking or tearing.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pancake mix
- 1/2 cup pumpkin purée
- 1 cup vanilla greek yogurt
Instructions
- Preheat your waffle iron.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the pancake mix, pumpkin, and greek yogurt. Stir until you get a thick waffle batter.
- Spoon the waffle batter onto the heated iron.
- Allow waffles to cook for 2-5 minutes. Waffles are done when they can be removed from the iron without sticking.
Gosh, these 3-ingredient pumpkin waffles were amazing! I can’t wait to make this cozy breakfast again.
A delicious spin on a classic. Our kids loved this too! We topped them with chocolate chips and strawberries and they loved them!
Super idea as written, inspires other creative ideas also.
Ooh! I’d love to hear what you try!
So delicious and love how simple it is to make
It makes such an easy breakfast!
never tried pumpkin batter until today, it turned out amazing 🙂
It is good! Thank you for stopping by!