Description

Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts are a delightful twist on classic apple fritters, combining the crispness of waffle donuts with warm, spiced apple chunks and a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfectly soft on the inside and slightly crispy outside, these donuts are infused with cinnamon and nutmeg for a cozy flavor ideal 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

Other Ingredients

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

Glaze Ingredients

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

Instructions

Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and dice apples into small chunks. Set aside to incorporate 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 to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, buttermilk, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the waffles tender.
Fold in Apples and Nuts: Gently fold in the diced apples and optional chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter, ensuring they are well distributed.
Preheat Waffle Iron: Preheat your waffle iron according to manufacturer instructions and lightly grease it with nonstick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
Cook Waffle Donuts: Spoon about ¼ cup of batter onto the waffle iron for each donut. Close the lid and cook until the waffle donuts are golden brown and crisp, approximately 3 to 5 minutes depending on your waffle iron.
Cool Waffle Donuts: Carefully transfer the cooked waffle donuts to a wire rack to cool slightly and maintain their crisp texture.
Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable. Adjust milk quantity for desired consistency.
Glaze and Finish: Drizzle the glaze over the slightly cooled waffle donuts and dust with extra powdered sugar for an added touch of sweetness and decoration.
Serve: Serve the apple fritter waffle donuts warm or at room temperature for best flavor and texture enjoyment.

Notes

You can substitute buttermilk with regular milk plus 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice as a homemade buttermilk alternative.
For a nuttier flavor, feel free to add pecans or walnuts; omit nuts for a nut-free version.
These waffle donuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Reheat gently in a toaster or oven to restore crispiness before serving.
Adjust the glaze thickness by adding more or less milk according to your preference.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
Method: Baking in waffle iron
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 waffle donut
Calories: 230
Sugar: 14g
Sodium: 210mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: apple fritter, waffle donuts, breakfast donuts, cinnamon apple donuts, spiced waffle donuts, homemade donuts