The BEST Matcha Mochi Waffles

These matcha mochi waffles are so easy to make! Naturally gluten free and egg free, this recipe is also great for those with food allergies. Substitute vegan butter or coconut oil to make these mochi waffles vegan!

I LOVE matcha, mochi, and waffles! So, obviously, I am very much of a fan of this recipe as it combines all three. These mochi waffles are crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and SO GOOD. They’re only mildly sweet with a subtle matcha flavor. Not to mention, it only takes two bowls to whip this together. On top of all that, they’re also naturally gluten free and can be made dairy free as well! I based this recipe off of one I got from our family friend, Donna Won, who is from Hawaii and a master at mochi making. Thanks, Mrs. Won! If these ingredients are new to you, keep reading for some more details.

What is Matcha? What Matcha to Use for Baking?

Matcha is green tea that has been finely ground into a powder. It has a strong tea flavor and some blends can be bitter by itself. However, its flavor is well balanced by sugar in sweets such as ice cream, cakes, and milk teas. It has a bright green color and is often used in Asian desserts.

Like coffee, you can buy different blends of matcha for slightly different flavor profiles. For baking in sweets, I opt for a stronger, more bitter blend of matcha to combat the sweetness from the sugar. Something like Maeda-en matcha is great. But if you’re scared of going too overboard on the matcha flavor, you can use a lighter blend like the Trader Joe’s single serve matcha packets. For more information on matcha, check out my Ultimate Guide to Matcha post!

What is Mochi?

Mochi is a Japanese confection of sticky rice cake made from a short-grain glutinous rice. Despite the misleading name, it is actually naturally gluten free. Traditional mochi is made by pounding rice into a dense, sticky mass. However, many mochi-based desserts can be made using mochiko, which is mochi rice flour. Desserts made with mochiko will typically be dense, chewy, and sticky. Check out my other mochi recipes too!

Still have questions? Take a look at my Ultimate Guide to Mochi!

What Are Mochi Waffles?

Mochi waffles are waffles made with mochiko (i.e. glutinous rice flour, see note on mochiko above). Mochi waffles like the ones featured in this recipe originated in Hawai’i, not Japan. However, Japan does have a version of mochi waffles, also known as moffles, made from plain mochi rice, with no sugar or other ingredients added. See my moffle recipe to compare the differences! The texture of my mochi waffles is crispy on the outside and super chewy and dense on the inside.

Are Mochi Waffles Gluten Free?

This recipe for mochi waffles is gluten free, as are many other recipes I’ve seen. Be careful of other recipes that attempt to mimic more European or Western style waffles, as they may incorporate a blend of flours.

Mochi Waffles With Egg vs. Eggless Mochi Waffles

Typical waffle recipes use eggs, which make the texture slightly cakey on the inside. Without eggs, mochi waffles are denser and chewier, much closer to actual mochi texture. For my personal tastes, I prefer the eggless mochi waffle that has a chewier texture. After having kids with food allergies and knowing many other children with egg allergies, I also appreciate having an eggless waffle recipe. However, if you are craving more of a traditional waffle texture, feel free to add in an egg to this recipe.

Are Mochi Waffles Vegan?

Many mochi waffle recipes are NOT vegan, as they may use eggs and dairy products. This mochi waffle recipe, however, is easy to make vegan, as it already does not use eggs. Simply use a vegan butter or coconut oil where the recipe calls for butter.

Notes about the Recipe:

• If you’re not on a gluten free diet, you can use all purpose flour instead of almond flour.
• Similarly, if you eat dairy, you can use 1/4 cup milk instead of water.
• Coconut oil can be substituted for butter to keep the waffles dairy free.
• This recipe calls for 1 tbsp of matcha for a mild flavor, but you can add 1-2 tsps more if you want a stronger matcha taste.
• If you DON’T like matcha, you can omit it completely for regular mochi waffles.