Ingredients
2 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced into ½-inch pieces
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for batter)
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 large egg, room temperature
1 ¾ cups buttermilk, room temperature
¼ cup melted unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing waffle iron
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
3–4 tablespoons milk (dairy or non-dairy)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until well combined.
Step 2: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. The batter will be slightly lumpy, which is perfectly fine. Do not overmix. Gently fold in the diced apples.
Step 4: Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly grease the waffle iron plates with melted butter or cooking spray, even if it’s non-stick.
Step 5: For each waffle donut, pour or scoop about ¼ to ⅓ cup of batter (depending on your waffle iron size) onto the hot waffle iron. Close the lid and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Cooking time may vary based on your waffle iron.
Step 6: While the waffle donuts are cooking, prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk a teaspoon at a time if the glaze is too thick, or more powdered sugar if it’s too thin. You want a consistency that’s pourable but still coats a spoon.
Step 7: Carefully remove the cooked waffle donuts from the iron and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet (to catch drips). Immediately, while the waffle donuts are still warm, dip each one into the glaze, turning to coat both sides, or generously drizzle the glaze over them.
Step 8: Let the glazed waffle donuts sit on the wire rack for a few minutes to allow the glaze to set. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious Homemade Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts!
Notes
For best results, use a waffle iron with deeper pockets if possible, as it helps contain the apple pieces. Don’t press down on the lid too hard, as the apples need space to cook. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a liquid measuring cup, then filling it with regular milk to the 1 ¾ cup line. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Sweet Breakfasts
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 waffle donut
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: apple fritter waffles, waffle donuts recipe, homemade apple fritters, easy breakfast recipe, apple cinnamon waffles, sweet breakfast, dessert waffles, waffle iron recipe, no-fry donuts
