Description

Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts are a delightful twist on classic apple fritters, cooked in a waffle iron for a perfectly crisp exterior and soft, tender inside. Infused with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, chunks of tart apples, and optionally nuts, these waffle donuts are glazed with a sweet vanilla icing and dusted with powdered sugar, making them an irresistible treat perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

2 large eggs
⅓ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
¾ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Mix-ins

1½ cups peeled, diced tart apple (such as Granny Smith)
Optional: ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Extra powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and dice the apples into small chunks and set them aside to be folded into the batter later.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined, creating a flavorful base for the waffles.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined, taking care not to overmix to keep the batter light and fluffy.
Fold in Apples and Nuts: Carefully fold the diced apples and, if using, chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter to evenly distribute the mix-ins.
Preheat Waffle Iron: Heat your waffle iron to medium-high and lightly grease it with nonstick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
Cook Waffle Donuts: Spoon approximately ¼ cup of the batter onto the waffle iron for each donut. Close the lid and cook until the donuts are golden brown and crisp, about 3 to 5 minutes depending on your waffle iron.
Cool on Wire Rack: Transfer the cooked waffle donuts to a wire rack to cool slightly, which prevents them from becoming soggy underneath.
Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable, adjusting milk quantity as needed for desired consistency.
Glaze and Dust: Drizzle the glaze over the slightly cooled waffle donuts and dust with extra powdered sugar for a beautiful finish.
Serve: Serve the apple fritter waffle donuts warm or at room temperature for the best taste and texture.

Notes

Substitute buttermilk with regular milk plus 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice to mimic acidity.
Use tart apples like Granny Smith for best flavor contrast against the sweet glaze.
Adding chopped nuts is optional but adds a nice crunch and flavor.
Cooked waffle donuts can be kept in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat in a toaster for crispness.
Adjust glaze milk quantity to get a thicker or thinner icing according to preference.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
Method: Waffle Iron Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 waffle donut (approx. 85g)
Calories: 220
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 210mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 4.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 33g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: apple fritter, waffle donuts, breakfast donuts, apple cinnamon waffles, glazed apple donuts, easy breakfast treat