Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I Love These Waffles Because They’re Packed With Bold Indian Spices, Completely Plant-Based, And Naturally Gluten-Free. They’re crunchy on the outside, soft inside, and incredibly versatile. I Can Top Them With Chutneys, Curries, Or Even Salsa Depending On What I’m In The Mood For. Plus, They’re Easy To Make And A Great Way To Use Leftover Potatoes Or Quinoa.
Ingredients
(Here’s A Tip: Check Out The Full List Of Ingredients And Measurements In The Recipe Card Below.)
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2 Medium Potatoes (Russet Or Yukon Gold)
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¼ Cup Quinoa, Uncooked (Or ¾ Cup Cooked)
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1 Hot Green Chili (Like Serrano), Finely Chopped
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⅓ Cup Finely Chopped Onion
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2 Tsp Minced Ginger
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½ Cup Chopped Cilantro
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½ Tsp Cumin Seeds (Or Heaping ¼ Tsp Carom Seeds)
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½ Tsp Cayenne (Use Less For Less Heat)
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½ Tsp Ground Coriander
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⅛ Tsp Baking Soda
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¾ Tsp Salt
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1 Tsp Oil (Plus More For The Waffle Iron)
Directions
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I Start By Peeling The Potatoes And Cutting Them Into Small Pieces. I Rinse The Quinoa And Drain It Well.
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I Add The Potatoes And Quinoa To A Pressure Cooker With 3 Cups Of Water And Pressure Cook For 3 Minutes. After 5 Minutes, I Quick Release.
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If I’m Using A Saucepan, I Cook The Potatoes And Quinoa Together Over Medium Heat For 15–20 Minutes Until The Potatoes Are Soft.
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I Drain Everything Well And Let It Cool Slightly. If I Have Pre-Cooked Potatoes And Quinoa On Hand, I Use Those To Save Time.
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Once Cooled, I Mash The Potato And Quinoa In A Large Bowl. I Mix In The Chopped Chili, Onion, Ginger, Cilantro, Cumin Or Carom Seeds, Cayenne, Ground Coriander, Baking Soda, Salt, And Oil. I Taste And Adjust Seasoning If Needed.
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I Heat My Waffle Iron And Lightly Grease It With Oil. I Scoop About ¼ Cup (Or More) Of The Mixture Into The Iron And Press It Closed.
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I Let The Waffles Cook Until They’re Golden Brown On Both Sides—this Can Take A Bit Of Time Depending On The Waffle Iron And The Moisture In The Potatoes.
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If I Want A Firmer Texture, I Mix In ¼ Cup Of Flour Or Breadcrumbs Before Cooking.
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Once Cooked, I Serve Them Hot With Chutney, Ketchup, Or Even A Chickpea Or Lentil Curry On Top.
Servings And Timing
This Recipe Makes 8–10 Mini Waffles, Which Serves About 4 People. It Takes 10 Minutes To Prep And 35 Minutes To Cook, So I Can Have This Flavorful Meal Ready In About 45 Minutes.
Variations
I Sometimes Add Vegan Cheese Shreds To The Batter For Extra Flavor And Crispiness. For An Italian Twist, I Swap The Spices With Italian Seasoning And Serve With Marinara Or A Savory Vegan Gravy. I’ve Also Topped These Waffles With Avocado, Salsa, Or Tofu Scramble For A More Filling Brunch.
Storage/Reheating
I Store Leftover Waffles In The Fridge For Up To 3 Days. When I’m Ready To Reheat, I Pop Them Back Into The Waffle Iron, Oven, Toaster Oven, Or Even The Air Fryer To Bring Back Their Crispy Texture. I Also Keep Cooked Waffles Warm In A Low Oven Until Ready To Serve If I’m Cooking In Batches.
FAQs
Can I Use Leftover Mashed Potatoes?
Yes, Leftover Mashed Potatoes Work Well In This Recipe. I Just Make Sure They’re Not Overly Moist And Adjust The Mixture With A Bit Of Flour Or Breadcrumbs If Needed.
What Type Of Quinoa Should I Use?
I Use White Quinoa Most Often, But Red Or Tri-Color Quinoa Adds Great Texture Too. As Long As It’s Cooked, Any Variety Works.
Can I Make These Without A Waffle Iron?
I Can Shape The Mixture Into Patties And Pan-Fry Them Like Aloo Tikki Instead. They Won’t Be Waffle-Shaped, But They’ll Still Be Crispy And Delicious.
Are These Waffles Gluten-Free?
Yes, They Are Naturally Gluten-Free If I Don’t Add Breadcrumbs. If I Do Use Breadcrumbs, I Make Sure They’re Gluten-Free To Keep The Recipe GF.
Can I Freeze The Waffles?
Yes, I Freeze Cooked Waffles Between Layers Of Parchment Paper. To Reheat, I Toast Them Directly From Frozen In The Toaster Or Oven Until Heated Through And Crispy.
Conclusion
These Indian Spiced Vegan Potato Quinoa Waffles Are A Flavor-Packed, Crispy, And Satisfying Twist On A Classic Indian Snack. They’re Easy To Make, Full Of Bold Spices, And Perfect For Brunch, Lunch, Or Even A Fun Appetizer. Whether I Top Them With Chutneys Or Curry, These Waffles Always Bring Comfort And A Burst Of Flavor To My Table.
Print
Indian Spiced Vegan Potato Quinoa Waffles
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 mini waffles (serves 4)
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Inspired by Aloo Tikki, these crispy vegan waffles combine spiced potatoes and quinoa for a savory, protein-rich brunch you’ll love hot off the waffle iron.
Ingredients
Base:
2 medium potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold), peeled and chopped
1/4 cup quinoa, uncooked (or 3/4 cup cooked)
Veggies & Aromatics:
1 hot green chili (such as serrano), finely chopped
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
2 tsp minced ginger
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Spices & Seasoning:
1/2 tsp cumin seeds (or a heaping 1/4 tsp carom seeds)
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/8 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp oil (plus more for greasing waffle iron)
Optional Add-Ins:
1/4 cup flour or breadcrumbs for a crispier texture
Vegan cheese shreds for added flavor
Instructions
Cook Potatoes & Quinoa:
Rinse quinoa and drain. In a pressure cooker, add chopped potatoes and quinoa with 3 cups of water. Cook under pressure for 3 minutes, then quick release after 5 minutes.
For stovetop method: Simmer in a saucepan over medium heat for 15–20 minutes until tender.
Drain & Cool:
Once cooked, drain thoroughly and allow to cool slightly.
Mix Batter:
In a large bowl, mash the potato-quinoa mixture. Add green chili, onion, ginger, cilantro, spices, baking soda, salt, and 1 tsp oil. Mix until well combined.
Optional: Add flour or breadcrumbs for sturdier waffles.
Cook Waffles:
Heat waffle iron and grease lightly with oil. Place 1/4 cup (or more) of the mixture onto the waffle iron. Close and cook until golden brown and crisp — this may take longer than standard waffles due to the potatoes.
Serve:
Serve hot with green chutney, ketchup, chickpea curry, or salsa. Store in a warm oven until ready to eat.
Notes
For added crisp, mix in vegan cheese shreds.
Best enjoyed fresh.
Store leftovers in fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in waffle iron, oven, toaster oven, or air fryer.
Flavor twist: Add Italian seasoning and serve with marinara!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Waffle Iron
- Cuisine: Indian, American