Introduction

These Homemade Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts are a delightful twist on traditional apple fritters. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, they are bursting with cinnamon-spiced apple pieces and topped with a sweet glaze. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, they bring cozy flavors to your waffle iron.

A close-up of three stacked apple fritter waffle donuts placed on a white marbled surface, each with a rough, golden brown texture and visible chunks of cooked apples embedded in the dough. The donuts are thick and layered, with a glossy, light brown glaze poured generously over them, dripping slowly down the sides, adding a shiny and sticky look. The top donut shows deeper ridges and a slightly darker, crispier edge, while the apples on the middle and bottom donuts appear soft and caramelized, blending with the glaze. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cooking spray or extra melted butter for waffle iron
For the glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons milk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spoon or spatula until just combined. A few lumps are okay; do not overmix.
Step 4: Fold in the finely diced apples until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Step 5: Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly grease the waffle plates with cooking spray or melted butter.
Step 6: Spoon about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of batter (depending on your waffle maker size) onto the hot waffle iron. Close the lid and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Step 7: Carefully remove the waffle donut from the iron and transfer it to a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining batter, greasing the iron between each batch.
Step 8: While the waffle donuts are still warm, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk if needed, one teaspoon at a time, to reach your desired drizzling consistency.
Step 9: Drizzle the warm glaze generously over each apple fritter waffle donut before serving. Enjoy immediately!

Tips & Variations

For softer apples, lightly sauté the diced apples in butter with a pinch of cinnamon before folding them into the batter.
Add a pinch of ground ginger or allspice to the batter for a more complex spice flavor.
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Use a non-stick waffle iron and grease well to ensure easy removal and perfect shape.

Storage

Store any leftover waffle donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them briefly in a toaster oven or regular oven set to 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving, as it may make them soggy.

How to Serve

Three apple fritter waffle donuts are stacked on top of each other on a white marbled texture. Each donut has a golden-brown color with a slightly crunchy texture and is filled with small chunks of cooked apples. A shiny glaze lightly covers the donuts, dripping down the sides and making them look sticky and sweet. The donuts' unique waffle shape has deep, irregular pockets that catch the glaze and apple pieces well. The lighting softly highlights the texture and glaze, making the donuts look fresh and tempting. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute with other firm apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji, but Granny Smith apples provide a nice tart contrast that balances the sweetness well.

Can I make these waffle donuts dairy-free?

Absolutely! Use a plant-based milk such as almond or oat milk, and substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative. The texture and flavor remain delicious.

Homemade Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 88 reviews

These Homemade Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts combine the crispy, golden texture of waffles with the sweet, spiced flavors of classic apple fritters. Made with finely diced Granny Smith apples and aromatic cinnamon and nutmeg, these waffle donuts are cooked in a waffle iron until golden brown and crispy, then drizzled with a smooth vanilla glaze. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, they offer a delightful twist on traditional apple fritters with a convenient waffle shape.

Author: Ella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 8–10 waffle donuts 1x
Category: Dessert, Breakfast
Method: Waffling
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts Batter

2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cooking spray or extra melted butter for waffle iron

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside to prepare the wet ingredients.
Mix wet ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
Combine wet and dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently with a spoon or spatula until just combined. Some lumps in the batter are okay; avoid overmixing to keep the waffles tender.
Fold in apples: Gently fold the finely diced Granny Smith apples into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout.
Preheat waffle iron: Heat your waffle iron according to its manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly grease the plates with cooking spray or melted butter to prevent sticking.
Cook waffles: Spoon about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of batter onto the hot waffle iron depending on its size. Close the lid and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the waffle donuts are golden brown and crisp on the outside.
Remove and repeat: Carefully remove each waffle donut from the iron and place on a wire rack. Repeat cooking with the remaining batter, greasing the waffle plates between batches.
Prepare glaze: While the waffle donuts are warm, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. Add milk gradually, one teaspoon at a time, to reach your desired glaze consistency.
Glaze and serve: Drizzle the warm glaze generously over each waffle donut. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor enjoyment.

Notes

For an extra indulgent treat, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Add a pinch of ground ginger or allspice to the batter to enhance the spice profile and complexity.
If you prefer softer apple pieces, lightly sauté the diced apples in butter with cinnamon before folding into the batter.
Use Granny Smith apples for a tart contrast; other apple varieties may alter the flavor balance.
Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep waffles tender and fluffy.

Keywords: Apple fritter waffle donuts, homemade waffle donuts, apple cinnamon waffles, breakfast desserts, glazed waffle donuts, apple fritters