A Short Story About the Recipe

I have always loved the comforting taste of warm apple fritters from the bakery, with their crispy exterior and tender, cinnamon-spiced apple filling. One day, while experimenting in my kitchen, I thought – why not take this classic treat and give it a fun, modern twist? That’s when I discovered the magic of turning apple fritter batter into waffle-shaped donuts. The result was incredible: a treat that combines the light crispiness of a waffle with the familiar sweetness of an apple fritter. Every time I make them, the house fills with the cozy aroma of apples and cinnamon, and it feels like autumn no matter the season.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

You will fall in love with these Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts because they are quick to prepare and bursting with fresh apple flavor. They have a perfect balance of sweetness and spice, with a soft, tender inside and a satisfying golden crust on the outside. Unlike deep-fried fritters, these are made in a waffle maker, which makes them a little lighter and easier to prepare in small batches.

Versatile

These waffle donuts can be enjoyed at breakfast, as a snack, or as a dessert. You can serve them warm with a simple glaze, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce for a decadent treat. They are great for brunch gatherings, lunchbox treats, or weekend indulgence.

Affordable

This recipe uses pantry staples and a couple of fresh apples, making it very budget-friendly. You do not need special equipment besides a basic waffle maker. It is an excellent way to use up apples that might be getting a bit soft and turn them into something amazing.

Ingredients for the Recipe

2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1 large egg
½ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons melted butter
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

How to Prepare This Recipe

Making these Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts is much easier than it looks. You just need to mix your dry ingredients, fold in the apples, cook the batter in a waffle maker, and glaze them while they are still slightly warm. The whole process takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish, which means you can enjoy them fresh even on a busy morning.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the Apples
Peel, core, and chop the apples into small, even pieces. Place them in a bowl and toss them with a pinch of cinnamon and a teaspoon of sugar. This will enhance their natural sweetness and help them caramelize slightly while cooking. Set the apples aside while you prepare the batter.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and remaining sugar. Mixing the dry ingredients first ensures the baking powder and spices are evenly distributed, which gives the donuts a uniform flavor and texture.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter. The butter should be warm but not hot, to avoid cooking the egg. Once the mixture is smooth, it is ready for the dry ingredients.

Step 4: Make the Batter
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix, as this can make the waffle donuts dense. Fold the apple pieces into the batter until evenly distributed. The batter will be slightly thick, which is perfect for holding the apples in place.

Step 5: Preheat and Grease the Waffle Maker
Plug in your waffle maker and let it preheat completely. Lightly grease the plates with a small amount of butter or non-stick cooking spray. This will help the waffle donuts release easily and give them a nice golden crust.

Step 6: Cook the Waffle Donuts
Spoon about ¼ cup of batter onto the center of each section of the waffle maker. Close the lid and cook for about 3–4 minutes, or until the waffle donuts are golden brown and cooked through. Carefully remove them and place them on a wire rack to cool slightly while you cook the remaining batter.

Step 7: Prepare the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. The glaze should be thick but pourable. If it is too thick, add a few drops of milk until you reach the desired consistency.

Step 8: Glaze the Waffle Donuts
Dip each waffle donut halfway into the glaze or drizzle it generously over the top. Place them back on the wire rack so the glaze can set for a few minutes before serving.

Quick and Easy

These waffle donuts are perfect for mornings when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen. The batter comes together in minutes, and the waffle maker cooks them much faster than traditional frying. You can even chop the apples the night before to save time in the morning.

Customizable

You can easily customize this recipe to suit your preferences. Try adding chopped walnuts or pecans for a bit of crunch, or swap the cinnamon for pumpkin spice to create a seasonal twist. For a slightly lighter version, you can reduce the sugar in the batter and simply dust the waffle donuts with powdered sugar instead of glazing them.

Popular with Many People

Apple fritters are a classic favorite, and turning them into waffle donuts makes them even more appealing. Kids love the fun shape, while adults appreciate that they are not overly sweet. They are also a great conversation starter at brunch or coffee gatherings since they are a creative twist on a familiar treat.

Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts: The Ultimate Fall Breakfast

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These Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts are the perfect mix of crisp waffle edges and soft, cinnamon-spiced apple filling. They are quick to make, budget-friendly, and ideal for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

Author: Lura Skye
Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 15
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 6 1x

Instructions

Peel, core, and chop apples into small, even pieces. Toss with a pinch of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon sugar.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and remaining sugar.
In a separate bowl, whisk egg, milk, vanilla, and melted butter until smooth.
Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
Fold apples gently into the batter until evenly distributed.
Preheat waffle maker and lightly grease with butter or non-stick spray.
Spoon about ¼ cup batter into each section of the waffle maker. Cook 3–4 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
Transfer waffle donuts to a wire rack and let cool slightly.
Prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
Dip each waffle donut in glaze or drizzle glaze over the top. Allow glaze to set for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra crunch, fold chopped nuts into the batter before cooking.

Dust with powdered sugar instead of glazing for a lighter version.

Best served warm, but can be reheated in a toaster oven for a few minutes.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple?
Yes, you can use any apple variety you like. Tart apples such as Granny Smith add a nice balance to the sweetness, while sweeter apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji give a richer flavor.

Can I make the batter ahead of time?
It is best to prepare the batter fresh for the lightest texture. However, you can chop the apples and mix the dry ingredients the night before. In the morning, combine everything and cook right away.

Can I bake them instead of using a waffle maker?
Yes, you can spoon the batter into a greased donut pan and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 15–18 minutes. The texture will be slightly different, but they will still taste delicious.

How do I store leftovers?
Store cooled waffle donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Reheat them in the toaster or oven for a few minutes to restore crispness before serving.

Can I freeze them?
Yes, these waffle donuts freeze well. Place cooled donuts in a freezer-safe bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Reheat in a warm oven until heated through.