Jamie Oliver Vegetarian Waffles

There’s something about waffles that just makes a morning feel more intentional. Like, “Yes, I am the sort of person who starts the day with golden, crisp-edged waffles and berries.” Even if I’m still in my pyjamas and haven’t brushed my hair yet. These ones in particular? Total comfort. Warm vanilla notes, a touch of banana sweetness, that light crisp bite when they’re fresh off the iron — then all the creamy, juicy, syrupy toppings to pile on.

I first made these on a lazy Sunday when I had one sad banana and zero patience for fussy recipes. Everything went in the blender, the waffle maker did the hard bit, and I ended up with something that felt way fancier than the effort deserved. Honestly, they’re now part of my “treat myself” rotation — even on a Tuesday. Life’s too short.

Why You’ll Love It

• Everything goes in the blender — no whisking, no bowls, no mess
• Naturally sweetened with banana (and it makes them extra fluffy too)
• Vegan without even trying — no eggs, no dairy, just goodness
• Perfect base for toppings — berries, yoghurt, maple, peanut butter… go wild
• Crispy outside, soft inside — proper waffle texture
• Freezer-friendly if you want to batch ’em

Ingredients

• 300ml unsweetened plant-based milk (oat, almond, soy — your call)
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or extract)
• 275g plain flour
• 2 level tsp baking powder
• 1 ripe banana
• Vegan Greek-style yoghurt, to serve
• 320g mixed seasonal berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries)
• Maple syrup, for drizzling

How to Make It

Blend the batter:

Pour the milk into a blender. Add the vanilla, flour, baking powder, and the peeled banana. Blitz for 30–60 seconds until smooth — scrape down the sides if you need to. It should be pourable, like pancake batter.

Heat up your waffle maker:

Get your waffle iron preheated — you want it nice and hot before adding the batter. Grease it if your machine isn’t non-stick.

Cook the waffles:

Ladle in some batter (don’t overfill — they will overflow and you’ll cry). Close the lid and cook according to your waffle maker’s instructions until golden brown and crisp.

Repeat with the rest:

Keep going until all the batter’s used up. You can keep finished waffles warm in a low oven while you work through the batch.

Add your toppings:

Plate your waffles with a big spoon of vegan yoghurt, a generous handful of fresh berries, and a messy drizzle of maple syrup. Maybe add some toasted nuts if you’re feeling extra.

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

Why are my waffles soggy?
Your waffle iron wasn’t hot enough. Let it fully preheat and don’t peek while they’re cooking — steam = soggy.

My batter’s too thick/thin — what do I do?
Bananas can vary! If it’s too thick to pour, add a splash of milk. Too thin? A spoon of extra flour usually fixes it.

The waffles stuck!
Make sure your iron is hot and greased (unless it’s genuinely non-stick). Banana helps, but a little oil spray never hurts.

They taste bland.
Check your vanilla and banana! If your banana wasn’t ripe, you’ll lose a lot of flavour. You can always add a pinch of cinnamon or extra sugar to taste.

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge: Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days
• Freezer: Let waffles cool completely, then freeze in a single layer. Toast from frozen or microwave briefly
• Reheat: Pop into a toaster or oven at 180°C for 5–7 minutes — they crisp right back up

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the batter ahead of time?
Yes — store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours, but give it a quick stir before using.

What if I don’t have a blender?
Mash the banana really well and whisk everything together by hand. It’ll be a bit lumpier, but still works.

Can I make pancakes instead?
Absolutely! Use the same batter and cook in a pan — just pour, flip, and go.

Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes, just use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Check that your baking powder is GF too.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

• Calories: 290
• Fat: 4g
• Carbs: 56g
• Protein: 6g
• Sodium: 180mg
• Sugar: 14g (not counting extra syrup!)