Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts Recipe
These Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts combine the best of two classic treats: the crispy, flavorful apple fritter and the light, fluffy waffle. Infused with cinnamon-spiced caramelized apples and topped with a smooth vanilla glaze, these donuts are perfect for a cozy breakfast or a sweet snack.
- Author: Caleb
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 waffle donuts 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Waffle Iron Cooking, Stove-top Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Apple Mixture
- 1 medium apple (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and diced small
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Caramelize the Apples: In a small skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the diced apple, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Cook for 5–7 minutes until the apples are tender, caramelized, and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. This ensures the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, large egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
- Make the Batter: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined to avoid overmixing. Carefully fold in the caramelized apple mixture to incorporate the apple chunks evenly throughout the batter.
- Preheat and Grease Waffle Iron: Preheat your waffle iron according to manufacturer’s instructions and lightly grease it with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Waffle Donuts: Spoon the batter into the center of each waffle mold, filling them without overflowing. Close the waffle iron and cook for 3–4 minutes, or until the waffles are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the waffle donuts carefully and place them on a wire rack to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if too thick, or more powdered sugar if too thin.
- Glaze the Waffle Donuts: When the waffle donuts are warm but not hot, dip the tops into the glaze or drizzle it over them using a spoon. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of sweetness and acidity.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter; a few small lumps are fine to keep the waffles tender.
- The glaze can be customized by adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavor.
- If you don’t have a waffle iron designed for donuts, you can use a regular waffle iron and cut the waffles into donut-shaped pieces after cooking.
- Serve fresh for the best texture; leftover waffle donuts can be reheated in a toaster or oven to regain crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 waffle donut
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: apple fritter waffles, waffle donuts, caramelized apple donuts, breakfast waffles, cinnamon apple waffles