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Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts: The Ultimate Dessert Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://messykitchenmagic.com/apple-fritter-waffle-donuts-the-ultimate-dessert-recipe/