Homemade Gluten Free Waffle Cones For Ice Cream

Gluten-free waffle cones are easy to make and a joy to eat. They are crispy and sweet, just like a traditional waffle cone should be. Fill these gluten-free ice cream cones with your favorite dairy-free ice cream or sorbet. They're divine.

Does your local ice cream shop stock gluten-free waffle cones? Sadly, none of ours do. So every time we go out for ice cream, we've had to forgo the fragrant waffle cones (oh my goodness, they smell amazing!) and get the ice cream in a cup.

But now, thanks to this recipe, you can make and enjoy gluten-free ice cream cones at home anytime!

Looking for a delicious topping made from real food ingredients? Try my vegan caramel sauce and hot fudge with cocoa. 

Gluten Free Waffle Cones Recipe

A few weeks ago, on an impulse buy, I ordered a $40 waffle cone maker. The instruction manual included a recipe, so I made a few tweaks to convert it to gluten—and dairy-free. 

Surprisingly, it worked exceptionally well. My girls had not had a sugar cone in 5-7 years (that's a long time!). I filled them with their favorite ice cream; they were utterly thrilled!

Do I Really Need A Waffle Cone Maker

I highly recommend it, especially if you want a thin, crisp, golden-brown texture. The plates of the waffle cone maker sandwich the batter, turning the wafer golden brown on both sides. It's an investment, but something to consider, especially if the whole family will enjoy it. 

Suggested Waffle Cone Makers

• The waffle iron I own is the MasterChef Cone and Bowl Maker (about $40). It does the job, but it could be better (I'd rate it 2-3 stars out of 5). When you close the lid, it doesn't spread the batter out evenly, so one side of the waffle cone is thinner. It bakes unevenly, but that said - I created all the gluten-free waffle cones you see in all the pictures using this machine. It does the job; it could be better.
• The waffle cone iron I wanted, which has received many great reviews, was the ChefsChoice WaffleCone Express, but it's currently out of stock everywhere. 
• If I purchase another waffle cone maker, I would consider buying this ChefsChoice Pizzelle Maker instead (it's about $60). It would make smaller cones (4.75"), but according to the reviews, I think the consistency of this specific pizzelle maker would be more reliable. 
• And if you're super serious about making gluten-free cones, you can purchase a commercial-grade appliance through a restaurant supply store, but those can run you anywhere between $150-600. 

Overview: How To Make Gluten Free Ice Cream Cones

1. Preheat the waffle or pizzelle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions. Some waffle cone makers have a heat setting (mine doesn't). If yours does, you might have to experiment to see what heat setting works best with this recipe.  
2. Make the gluten-free waffle cone batter. 
3. Refer to your waffle cone or pizzelle maker instructions to see how much batter to scoop into the middle of your maker (mine calls for ¼ cup, but it varies from machine to machine). Cooking time depends on your specific appliance (anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes); check your instruction manual for further instructions. 

Forming the Gluten Free Sugar Cones

There is some finesse involved in forming gluten-free sugar cones. It's like gluten-free pie crust; it takes some practice to get it right. When I roll my cones, a few are "less desirable" than the others. Here's how I form the gluten-free ice cream cones:

1. Quickly remove the waffle cone using a silicone or rubber spatula, and place it on a clean kitchen towel, paper towel, or piece of parchment paper (be careful - it will be scalding!).
2. Set the waffle cone form on the wafer so the tip is roughly ¼ inch from the edge. 
3. Fold the upper part of the wafer over the top of the form and keep rolling gradually until you reach the outer edge. 
4. Wet the outer edge and roll the form the remaining way. The water will help the cone seal shut. 
5. Hold the form in the cone, seam side down, until it dries and holds shape.

Other Fun Ideas For Homemade Ice Cream Cones

• Dip the top edges of the cone in melted chocolate, then top with gluten-free sprinkles.
• Make your own delicious homemade ice cream. There are so many fun flavors and recipes that it's hard to choose.

FAQ

Can I use a regular waffle maker/iron? Unfortunately, no. A waffle maker/iron is entirely different from a waffle cone maker. A waffle maker/iron has ½-inch-deep indentions for waffles (which you eat for breakfast), while a waffle cone maker makes thin wafers (like a tortilla).

My gluten-free cones have a big hole in the bottom at the point. So, how do I keep ice cream from dripping throughout the cone? Plug it with a mini marshmallow! 

I don't have an ice cream cone form. What do I do? Make waffle bowls instead! When your cone comes out of the waffle maker, promptly place it on an upside-down bowl (you'll have to find one small enough that the cooked waffle cone can drape down the sides of the bowl). Carefully use your hand or a pot holder to form the waffle around the sides of the bowl. Remove it when it's dry, and it will hold its shape. Alternatively, you could make a form from aluminum foil, but it might be hard to judge what size to make it. 

Storage

You must let air get to the waffle cones and keep them uncovered. I lay my gf cones out on a baking sheet or plate and keep them on the counter in my kitchen. 

If you place the gluten-free sugar cones in an airtight container, they will become soft and lose their crispness.

This recipe was originally published in May 2022. In April 2025, the blog post was updated to include better instructions and notes.

Did you make this recipe? If you did, please give it a star rating and leave a review or comment below! And remember to take a pic and share it on social! Tag @allergyfreeak or #allergyfreealaska on Instagram!