To make these irresistible Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Waffles, you will need the following:

• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps with browning.
• Buttermilk: Crucial for tender texture and rise.
• Pumpkin Puree: Ensure it’s 100% pumpkin, not pie filling, for pure flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: The structural base of your waffles.
• Granulated Sugar: For sweetness to balance the pumpkin and spices.
• Baking Powder: A primary leavening agent for lift.
• Baking Soda: Reacts with buttermilk for added rise and tender crumb.
• Kosher Salt, Morton’s: Enhances all the flavors.
• Pumpkin Spice: The quintessential fall flavor blend.
• Eggs: Binds the ingredients and adds richness.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Adds pockets of melted chocolate goodness.
• Cinnamon Butter: An optional but highly recommended topping for extra indulgence.
• Maple Syrup: The classic waffle accompaniment.

For precise measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe card. Alternatively, you can use the convenient JUMP TO RECIPE button located at the top of the post to go directly there.

Expert Notes & Tips for Waffle Perfection

Achieving perfectly crisp yet fluffy pumpkin waffles is easy with a few insider tips. These insights will help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure your autumnal breakfast treat is a resounding success, every single time.

First and foremost, heed the warning about the buttermilk: when warming it with the melted butter, your aim is just to reach a gentle warmth, enough to keep the butter fully liquid and smoothly integrated. It should never boil or even simmer vigorously. If the buttermilk does accidentally boil, its proteins will curdle, and its temperature will be too high. Using boiling buttermilk directly will cook the flour upon contact, creating a gummy, rubbery batter and subsequently, tough waffles. Should this happen, simply remove it from the heat and allow it to cool completely to room temperature before incorporating it into your dry ingredients. Patience here pays off immensely in the final texture of your waffles.

Another critical step often overlooked is allowing the waffle batter to rest for at least 10 minutes after you’ve mixed it. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a vital part of the process. Resting the batter allows the flour to fully hydrate, absorbing all the liquid, and gives the gluten strands a chance to relax. This relaxation is what prevents your waffles from becoming dense and chewy. Instead, it contributes significantly to that coveted light, airy, and fluffy interior with a delicate crumb. Whether you’re making pancakes or waffles, achieving a light and airy texture is always the ultimate goal, and resting the batter is key.

When it comes to your waffle iron, practice makes perfect. Different models have different heating elements and plate designs. Experiment with your iron’s settings to find the sweet spot for a golden-brown exterior and a fully cooked interior. A good indicator that your waffle is done is when the steam coming from the iron significantly reduces, signaling that most of the moisture has cooked out, leaving you with a wonderfully crisp shell.

Don’t let any leftover waffles go to waste! Store them in an airtight container or a zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For the best reheating experience, skip the microwave, which can make them soggy. My favorite method for bringing them back to life is using a toaster or toaster oven. This allows them to regain their delightful crispness on the outside while warming through beautifully, tasting almost as fresh as they did right off the iron.

Customizing Your Pumpkin Waffles: Delicious Substitutions

This pumpkin waffle recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing for various substitutions to accommodate dietary needs or simply to experiment with different flavors. Here’s how you can adapt it without sacrificing taste or texture:

If you’re looking to make this recipe dairy-free or vegan, the butter can easily be swapped. You can replace the 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter with an equal amount of your favorite vegan or plant-based butter substitute. Alternatively, for a slightly different flavor profile and texture, you could use ½ cup of vegetable oil or coconut oil in place of the butter. If using coconut oil, ensure it’s melted before adding it to the buttermilk.

Replacing buttermilk might seem tricky, but it’s quite simple. For every 1 cup of buttermilk required, combine 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar with 1 cup of your preferred non-dairy milk (almond, soy, oat, or cashew milk all work well). Stir it gently and let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes. During this time, the milk will curdle slightly, mimicking the acidity and texture of real buttermilk. This acidity is crucial as it activates the baking soda and contributes to the waffles’ signature light and airy lift.

A crucial substitution note regarding pumpkin: always ensure you are using pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie mix. Pumpkin pie mix contains added sugar, spices, and sometimes other ingredients, which will alter the flavor balance of this recipe. For the freshest taste, you can even make your own roasted pumpkin puree from scratch, though canned 100% pumpkin puree works perfectly well.

For those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, making these waffles gluten-free is straightforward. Simply use a quality cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend. I’ve found that specific blends are designed to behave much like traditional all-purpose flour in baking, ensuring your waffles maintain their delicious texture and rise. Always choose a blend that specifically states it’s a “cup-for-cup” or “1:1” substitute for best results with this recipe.

When it comes to chocolate chips, the world is your oyster! I typically enjoy using semi-sweet chocolate chips or adorable mini chocolate chips for an even distribution of chocolatey goodness. However, if you prefer a less sweet waffle to let the pumpkin and spices shine, swapping in dark chocolate chips is an excellent choice. You could also experiment with milk chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamier touch, or even white chocolate chips for a different visual and flavor contrast. Feel free to mix and match to find your perfect chocolate complement!

More Pumpkin Breakfast Goodness to Savor This Fall

If you find yourself with a little extra time and a craving for more pumpkin-infused delights, consider whipping up these spectacular Pumpkin Spice Sticky Buns. They are a truly gorgeous pairing of tender pumpkin dough, warm spices, and crunchy pecans, making them absolutely perfect for a special Thanksgiving breakfast or a cozy weekend treat. The aroma alone will fill your home with the essence of fall.

For those mornings when you need a quick yet utterly satisfying breakfast, my easy Pumpkin Scones are just the ticket. They come together effortlessly and offer a delicate texture with a burst of pumpkin flavor, making them a delicious and convenient fall treat that pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea.

While my classic brioche French toast is undeniably amazing and a favorite year-round, for a truly seasonal experience, you simply must try this incredible Pumpkin French Toast recipe. It takes the beloved breakfast classic and infuses it with a pumpkin twist that is absolutely out of this world, offering a rich and comforting flavor profile that’s perfect for autumn.

If you’re looking for something with a little more substance to fuel your morning, my friend’s recipe for Mini Pumpkin Coconut Muffins is an excellent choice. These delightful muffins are packed with flavor and provide a wonderful energy boost, making them ideal for a grab-and-go breakfast or a midday snack.