Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts: The Ultimate Dessert Recipe

Introduction

Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts combine the best of two beloved treats: crispy waffles and tender apple fritters. With warm spices and a sweet glaze, these donuts make an irresistible dessert or special breakfast treat that’s easy to prepare at home.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced into 1/4-inch pieces (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
• Vegetable oil, for greasing the waffle iron
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk (or more, as needed)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• Chopped walnuts or pecans
• Caramel sauce
• Sprinkles

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
3. Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
4. Step 4: Gently fold in the diced apples.
5. Step 5: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the batter rest for 15-20 minutes (optional but recommended).
6. Step 6: Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly grease both the top and bottom plates with vegetable oil.
7. Step 7: Pour the batter onto the hot waffle iron, using about 1/2 cup of batter per donut, depending on the size of your waffle iron. Be careful not to overfill.
8. Step 8: Close the waffle iron and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the donuts are golden brown and cooked through.
9. Step 9: Carefully remove the cooked donuts from the waffle iron and place them on a wire rack to cool slightly.
10. Step 10: Repeat with the remaining batter.
11. Step 11: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon (if using) until smooth. Start with 1/4 cup of milk and add more, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
12. Step 12: Adjust consistency: If the glaze is too thick, add a little more milk. If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
13. Step 13: Dip each donut into the glaze, coating both sides.
14. Step 14: If desired, sprinkle the glazed donuts with chopped walnuts or pecans, drizzle with caramel sauce, or add sprinkles.
15. Step 15: Place the glazed and topped donuts back on the wire rack and let the glaze set for about 10-15 minutes before serving.
16. Step 16: Serve the Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts warm or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

• Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweetness and tang.
• For extra flavor, add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice to the batter.
• Try swapping maple syrup for the glaze for a richer finish.
• Toast nuts lightly before sprinkling to enhance their crunch and flavor.
• Make mini donuts by using a smaller amount of batter per cook for bite-sized treats.

Storage

Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat gently in a toaster oven or microwave to retain softness. The glaze is best fresh but can be reapplied if it softens.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh juice instead of buttermilk?

Fresh juice is not recommended as a substitute. To mimic buttermilk, mix 1 3/4 cups of milk with 1 3/4 teaspoons of lemon juice or white vinegar and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before using.

How do I prevent the apples from sinking in the batter?

Coat the diced apples lightly with a bit of flour before folding them into the batter. This helps suspend them evenly throughout the batter while cooking.

Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts: The Ultimate Dessert Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 59 reviews

These Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts combine the comforting flavors of classic apple fritters with the fun shape and texture of waffles. Made with diced apples, warm spices, and a tender waffle batter, these donuts are cooked in a waffle iron and finished with a sweet vanilla glaze, nuts, caramel drizzle, and sprinkles for the ultimate dessert experience.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8–10 waffle donuts 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Fruit

• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced into 1/4-inch pieces (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)

For Cooking and Glaze

• Vegetable oil, for greasing the waffle iron
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk (or more, as needed)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Toppings (Optional)

• Chopped walnuts or pecans
• Caramel sauce
• Sprinkles

Instructions

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until evenly combined.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, lightly beaten eggs, melted cooled butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
3. Mix Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the batter tender.
4. Fold in Apples: Gently fold the diced apples into the batter ensuring they are evenly distributed without breaking them up.
5. Rest Batter: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the batter rest for 15-20 minutes to hydrate and improve texture (optional but recommended).
6. Preheat Waffle Iron: Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions and lightly grease both plates with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
7. Cook Donuts: Pour approximately 1/2 cup of batter per donut onto the hot waffle iron, being careful not to overfill to avoid overflowing.
8. Close and Cook: Close the waffle iron and cook for 3-5 minutes or until the donuts are golden brown and cooked through.
9. Remove and Cool: Carefully remove the donuts from the waffle iron and place them on a wire rack to cool slightly before glazing.
10. Repeat: Continue cooking the remaining batter in batches until all donuts are made.
11. Prepare Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and optional cinnamon. Start with 1/4 cup milk and add more 1 tablespoon at a time until desired glaze consistency is achieved.
12. Adjust Glaze Consistency: If glaze is too thick, add more milk. If too thin, add more powdered sugar. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
13. Glaze Donuts: Dip each donut into the glaze ensuring both sides are well coated.
14. Add Toppings: While glaze is wet, sprinkle chopped nuts, drizzle caramel sauce, or add sprinkles as desired.
15. Set Glaze: Place glazed donuts back on the wire rack and allow the glaze to set for 10-15 minutes.
16. Serve: Serve the Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

• Resting the batter helps to hydrate the flour and improves the texture of the waffles.
• Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweetness and tang.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 3/4 cups milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar and let sit 5 minutes before using.
• Don’t overfill the waffle iron to avoid batter overflow and uneven cooking.
• The glaze thickness can be adjusted to your liking by varying the milk and powdered sugar quantities.
• For a nut-free version, skip the nuts and use sprinkles or caramel sauce only.
• These waffles are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day.

Keywords: apple fritter waffle donuts, apple waffle donuts, apple fritter recipe, waffle donut recipe, glazed waffle donuts, apple dessert waffles