Spiced Pumpkin Waffles with Candied Pepitas
If there was ever a waffle recipe that screamed fall, it’s these delicious Spiced Pumpkin Waffles with Candied Pepitas. Made with pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin puree, these waffles are so soft, buttery, and have just the right amount of sweet pumpkin flavor. But then, there’s the crispy candied pepitas to top them with. The pumpkin seeds are made sweet with melted sugar and a splash of vanilla, plus a pinch of salt to round out those absolutely amazing Fall flavors! There’s also an option to generously finish these waffles with Chantilly Cream, and of course, plenty of maple syrup too. There’s really nothing not to love about these Fall treats. Perfect for the weekend or even the upcoming Thanksgiving breakfast. Or just whenever you really need a deliciously sweet, pumpkin-y, nutty, spiced waffle!
About The Recipe
Who doesn’t love waking up to waffles in the morning? Especially when they’re these spiced pumpkin waffles with candied pepitas (or, pumpkin seeds!). There’s just something about a waffle, you know? I’m a huge pancake lover…but these waffles have me thinking else-wise!
It might be the mixture of pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin in these super easy waffles, the melted butter, or just the fact that it’s a fluffy and delicious waffle that can’t be beat!
There’s also candied pepitas on top of these. Seriously. Candied. Pumpkin seeds.
You might be thinking, “why the pumpkin seeds?” when you really should be asking yourself, “why not?!“.
They make these easy waffles seriously impressive.
Oh, and they add the best-ever nutty crunch that is so needed. It’s not even that hard to make, promise! Just a little sugar, salt, and vanilla to have something that’s irreplaceable.
They also just make for just a great grab-and-go snack.
Whether you’re looking for a great breakfast, brunch, holiday feast, or just for the weekend… These waffles will be absolutely perfect!
Equipment Needed
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
- Waffle Iron
- Small Pot
- Rubber Spatula
- Sheet Pan
- Parchment Paper
- Cooking Spray
Ingredients
For The Pumpkin Waffles:
- All-Purpose Flour
- Sugar
- Salt
- Baking Powder
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Pumpkin
- Eggs
- Milk
- Melted Butter
- Vanilla
For The Candied Pepitas:
- Pepitas
- Sugar
- Salt
- Vanilla
Instructions
In a small pot, combine sugar and salt. Over a low heat, stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the sugar completely dissolves. Remember to work quickly! The sugar will keep cooking, even if you turn the heat off.
Add in the pepitas and vanilla. Stir until the seeds are thoroughly covered.
Turn out onto a lined baking sheet and press down until flat. Let cool. Once they have cooled, break them up and set aside. You may have some larger chunks, and that’s okay!
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside.
In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
Pour the pumpkin mixture into the dry ingredient and whisk together.
Spoon in desired amount of batter into the pre-heated and greased waffle iron. From here, follow your waffle iron’s cooking instructions.
Top with Chantilly Cream and the candy pepitas! Serve.
What To Serve With These Pumpkin Waffles…
Got a lot of people coming over? Just need a few ideas for toppings? Don’t worry! We got you covered. Here are a few recipes to get you started.
For Topping:
Breakfast/Brunch Serving Ideas:
- Spiced Pumpkin Pecan Bread
- Glazed Pumpkin Pecan Scones
- Orange Cranberry Scones
- Brown Butter Cinnamon Apple Dutch Baby
- Cinnamon Spiced Baked Donuts
- 15-Minute Stovetop Vanilla Granola
- Easy Cinnamon Rolls
- Sourdough Biscuits
- Sausage and Grits Casserole
- Strawberry Pecan Oatmeal Bake
- Bacon Cheddar and Chive Scones
How To Store
If you have some left-overs after the day is over, no big deal! Just store the waffles in a sealable, freezer safe bag and freeze for up to one month. To thaw, just set in the microwave for a few seconds or leave them out to come to room temperature. But…one of my favorite things to do after reheating, put them in the toaster! This allows the waffle to get nice and crispy on the outside, while saying soft and fluffy on the inside.
Substitutions
- No pumpkin pie spice? No problem! You can use cinnamon instead.
- If you don’t have or can’t find pepitas, you can really use any kind of nut you prefer!
- You can use your favorite vegan products, but we haven’t tested it, and can’t tell you for sure how well it’ll work. Adjustments may need to be made.
Expert Tips
- When melting the sugar for the pepitas, be sure to remember that the sugar keeps cooking! You need to keep an eye on it because it can burn very easily.
- This recipe stores and reheats really well!
- Be sure not to overfill your waffle iron.
- Check the pumpkin! This recipe needs pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
When you make these Spiced Pumpkin Waffles with Candied Pepitas, leave a comment down below! We love hearing from you and answering any questions you might have! Also, be sure to tag us on social media and hashtag it #BakersTable.
Spiced Pumpkin Waffles with Candied Pepitas
Ingredients
Candied Pepitas
- ½ cup sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup raw pepitas
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Waffles
- 1 cup pumpkin
- 1 ¾ cup milk
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 ¾ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
Candied Pepitas
- Combine sugar and salt in a small saucepan.
- Cook over medium low heat until sugar melts completely and just starts to boil.
- Stir in pepitas.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Turn out onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
- When cool, break into pieces.
Waffles
- In a medium bowl, mix pumpkin, milk, eggs, butter, and vanilla until combined. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients.
- Stir until combined.
- Spray waffle iron with cooking spray.
- Ladle batter into waffle iron, filling forms completely.
- Close lid and cook until light golden brown. Repeat steps until no more batter remains.
- Dollop with Chantilly cream and sprinkle tops with candied pepitas.
Notes
- No pumpkin pie spice? No problem! You can use cinnamon instead.
- If you don’t have or can’t find pepitas, you can really use any kind of nut you prefer!
- You can use your favorite vegan products, but we haven’t tested it, and can’t tell you for sure how well it’ll work. Adjustments may need to be made.
- When melting the sugar for the pepitas, be sure to remember that the sugar keeps cooking! You need to keep an eye on it because it can burn very easily.
- This recipe stores and reheats really well!
- Be sure not to overfill your waffle iron.
- Check the pumpkin! This recipe needs pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
EQUIPMENT
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.