The Best Gluten-Free Frozen Waffles (Ranked by Real People Who’ve Tasted Them)
If you’ve ever bitten into a gluten-free waffle and immediately knew it was gluten-free—in the not-so-good way—you’re not alone. That telltale aftertaste, the dry texture, the weird chew… it can be a letdown.
Just like regular foods, all gluten-free waffles are not created equally. My family and I tested three popular brands in a blind tasting to find out which freezer waffle delivers the most flavor, best texture, and overall best experience. Spoiler alert: one of these might just become your new breakfast staple.
Our Gluten-Free Frozen Waffle Taste Test Method
Just like in my gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies taste test and gluten-free crispy chocolate chip cookie test, we kept things fun and fair. No one knew which waffle was which. Each waffle was labeled A, B, or C and scored based on:
- Taste
- Texture
- Appearance
We used a 5-point scale for each category, then averaged the results. I also asked testers to write down their honest reactions—some of which were hilarious. We have three gluten-loving people and one person who gluten hates (that’s me). My goal is always to test gluten-free foods with people who eat gluten because the best gluten-free products taste just like regular food.
Gluten-Free Frozen Waffles We Tested
I picked three of the most widely available, highly rated brands (Photo above showing these left to right):
- Brazi Bites Homestyle Waffles
- 365 Gluten Free Homestyle Waffles
- Birch Benders Paleo Waffles
All waffles are gluten-free and frozen, and one is Paleo-friendly.
Which Gluten-Free Frozen Waffle Tastes the Best?
Winner: 365 Gluten Free Homestyle Waffles
Runner-Up: Brazi Bites Homestyle Waffles (note: needs extra toasting!)
Lowest Score: Birch Benders Paleo Waffles
Waffle-by-waffle Review
365 Gluten Free Homestyle Waffle
- Taste: Doesn’t taste obviously gluten-free; mild and less sweet than others; good flavor; could go well with both sweet and savory toppings.
- Texture: Crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy or cake-like on the inside; some described it as chewy.
- Appearance: Looks like a typical freezer waffle; indistinguishable from regular (gluten) waffles; visually appealing with color variation.
Overall Impression: Would buy again
Positive reactions overall, including enthusiastic praise (“YUMMY!”); considered better than even traditional wheat waffles.
If you’ve ever bitten into a gluten-free waffle and immediately knew it was gluten-free it’s a bummer. But these waffles? Total surprise.
Our blind taste testers had a lot to say, and the consensus was clear: these waffles don’t taste gluten-free. One person said they “don’t taste gluten free immediately”—and that’s a compliment! The flavor was described as good, mild, and even eggy, with just the right balance of sweetness (less sweet than some others, which made them versatile). A few tasters said they’d be amazing with savory toppings—maybe even better than with syrup!
The texture got high marks too: crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy or cake-like on the inside. “A nice crisp on the outside, but soft on the inside,” one person wrote. Another simply said: “yuuummyy and chooy” (which I think means chewy— these are ratings from my kids after all).
And appearance? These waffles passed the look test. One taster said, “It looks like a normal gluten waffle. It was YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMY!!!!!!!!!!” And yes, the all-caps excitement was real. Multiple people commented that the waffles looked “normal,” like what you’d expect from a typical freezer waffle—not a specialty gluten-free option.
So if you’re hunting for a gluten-free waffle that won’t leave you missing the gluten, this one might be your new go-to. Crisp, soft, and versatile—whether you’re in the mood for sweet maple syrup or a savory brunch twist, these waffles deliver.
Birch Benders Paleo Grain Free Toaster Waffles
- Taste: Mostly negative—described as bland, flavorless, or like “chewed up cardboard.” A few found it off-putting or “disgusting,” while one person noted it started to grow on them in a strange way. Another said it was “good, normal waffle flavor” with an interesting aftertaste.
- Texture: Criticized for being too crumbly and dry (“sucks the spit out of your mouth”). Some noted it was soft and easy to chew, but not chewy.
- Appearance: Described as dense, pale, and uninspiring. Multiple people mentioned it looked like it was gluten-free (and not in a good way). Shape and size were on par with a standard freezer waffle.
Overall Impression: Pass unless you need a Paleo waffle.
Not every gluten-free product can be a winner—and this waffle reminded us of that in a big way.
From the first bite, the reviews were, well… rough. Descriptions ranged from “bland with a weird smell” to “like chewed up cardboard.” One taster asked the question we were all thinking: “What does cardboard taste like?” Unfortunately, we might now have an answer.
Flavor was the biggest letdown. While one reviewer said it had a “normal waffle flavor” with an interesting aftertaste, most didn’t agree. Another summed it up bluntly: “It is… disgusting.”
Texture didn’t help the case. The waffle was described as too crumbly and dry—one person said it “sucks the spit out of your mouth.” It had some crunch, but not in a satisfying way. A few tasters mentioned it was soft and easy to chew, but lacking that nice chewiness we’d loved in other waffles.
As for the looks? Not great. Several people commented on its pale color and dense appearance. One tester called it “uninspiring,” while another just said: “It looks like gluten-free.” And not in a fool-you kind of way.
But here’s the surprising part: one person admitted that, strange as it was, “it starts to grow on me in a weird way.” So maybe, just maybe, it has a niche audience out there. In all fairness, this is also the only paleo waffle, so perhaps it should be in a different taste test (i.e., paleo freezer waffles) rather than gluten-free freezer waffles.
Final verdict? This waffle might work in a pinch, but it’s probably not your new go-to unless you are Paleo. The texture, flavor, and overall vibe left most of us reaching for something else.
If you’re looking for gluten-free waffles that don’t taste gluten-free, keep scrolling—we’ve got better ones coming.
Brazi Bites Homestyle Waffles
Taste: Good flavor, eggy, sweet and salty balance; mild and slightly sweet—versatile for sweet or savory toppings.
Texture: Soft and chewy; not enough crispness on the outside (possibly due to cooking method); described as “squishy” and “chuy” (chewy).
Appearance: Pale but not unappealing; tan-brown color noted positively; normal waffle size and shape—looks like a typical freezer waffle from the ’90s.
Overall Impression: Would Buy Again
Round three of our gluten-free waffle taste test brought another solid contender to the table—this time with a softer, chewier twist. Tasty and familiar-looking, but some comments pointed to texture variation depending on how it was prepared.
The most common reaction? These waffles are flavorful and comforting. Testers picked up on a noticeably eggy flavor, with a unique balance of sweet and salty. “Great taste, sweet and salty at the same time. Really yummy,” one person noted. Another said simply: “Good flavor, very eggy.”
The texture got mixed (but still pretty positive) feedback. While some wished for a crispier exterior, a few admitted the lack of crisp might be due to how the waffle was cooked. The inside, however, was praised for being soft and chewy—with one taster describing it as having “a good feeling to the tooth.” Words like “chewy,” “squishy,” and even “chuy” came up more than once.
Visually, this waffle delivered. Testers said it had a nice tan-brown color and looked like something you’d find in a box of classic freezer waffles from the 1990s. It was described as “normal size and shape,” and many noted you wouldn’t guess it was gluten-free just by looking at it. One person summed it up best: “Size and appearance as expected—you wouldn’t know it’s GF from looks.”
I cooked all of the waffles for the same amount of time to standardize this testing process. While this waffle may not win the prize for crispiness, it holds its own when it comes to taste and familiarity. It’s the kind of gluten-free product that doesn’t scream gluten-free—and honestly, that’s the goal. Want to dress it up? Reviewers agreed this one would work well with both sweet and savory toppings. Think a drizzle of maple syrup or even a fried egg and avocado. Either way, it’s worth toasting up for your next brunch.
After the taste test was over, I toasted a new Brazi Bite waffle, and this time I toasted it much longer, and it was great. While this subsequent waffle wasn’t part of these reviews, it was my personal favorite.
Questions and Answers
What makes a waffle gluten-free?
Gluten-free waffles are made with flours that don’t contain gluten, such as rice flour, almond flour, or tapioca starch.
Are gluten-free waffles healthy?
Not necessarily. Healthiness depends on the ingredients. Always check the nutrition label for sugar, fat, and calorie content.
Can I make gluten-free waffles at home?
Yes! Many recipes are available online, and you can use a regular waffle iron to make them.
Do gluten-free waffles taste different?
Some do, but many brands come close to the taste and texture of traditional waffles.
Where can I buy gluten-free freezer waffles?
They’re widely available in grocery store freezer aisles and from online retailers.
What kind of toppings did the testers use?
The waffles were tasted plain, but testers suggested toppings in the full reviews.
Would the results change with other Paleo waffles?
Possibly. Different Paleo brands may vary in flavor due to unique grain-free ingredients. Learn more about Paleo diets here.
Let’s Keep the Waffle Chat Going
Have you tried any of these gluten-free freezer waffles? Got a favorite I should try next? Share your thoughts in the comments.
This is a friendly waffle zone—we’re here for honest opinions and shared meals; constructive and on-topic comments are welcome.
Additional information
References:
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023, October 25). Paleo diet: What is it and why is it so popular? Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/paleo-diet/art-20111182
Disclaimers: When writing this post, no financial compensation was derived from any of the sources, products, or people mentioned. For more information about the financials of this blog, please go here.
