Introduction

Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts combine the best of two beloved treats: the crispy, tender texture of apple fritters with the classic shape and convenience of waffles. Bursting with cinnamon-spiced apples and finished with a sweet glaze, these donuts are perfect for breakfast or an indulgent snack.

A stack of three small golden brown waffles sits on a white plate, each waffle’s surface showing a crispy texture with deep grid patterns. The top waffle is drizzled with glossy white icing that drips gently over the edges and is sprinkled with fine white powdered sugar which also lightly dusts the other two waffles. The white plate rests on a white marbled texture surface with soft natural light highlighting the warm, inviting colors and textures of the waffles and icing. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
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
1½ cups peeled, diced tart apple (such as Granny Smith)
Optional: ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Extra powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

Step 1: Peel, core, and dice apples into small chunks. Set aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
Step 4: Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined.
Step 5: Fold in diced apples and nuts if using.
Step 6: Preheat waffle iron and lightly grease with nonstick spray or butter.
Step 7: Spoon ¼ cup batter onto waffle iron for each donut. Close lid and cook until golden and crisp, about 3–5 minutes.
Step 8: Transfer cooked waffle donuts to a wire rack.
Step 9: To make the glaze, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
Step 10: Drizzle glaze over slightly cooled waffles and dust with extra powdered sugar.
Step 11: Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweetness and acidity that complements the spice.
For added crunch, include chopped pecans or walnuts in the batter.
If you don’t have buttermilk, combine milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice and let sit for 5 minutes.
Adjust the glaze consistency by adding more or less milk to reach your desired thickness.
Serve with a side of maple syrup for extra sweetness and flavor.

Storage

Store leftover waffle donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat gently in a toaster oven or microwave to restore their crispness before glazing again if desired.

How to Serve

Three small golden waffles with a crisp texture are stacked close to each other on a white cloth. Each waffle has a thick layer with a grid pattern on top, showing the golden-brown cooked surface. White icing is drizzled over the waffles in thin, uneven lines, and powdered sugar is lightly dusted on top, adding a soft white contrast against the warm brown of the waffles. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with soft natural light highlighting the textures and colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples?

Yes, you can substitute with other firm apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji. Keep in mind that sweeter apples will reduce the tartness of the finished donuts.

Do I need a special waffle iron for the donut shape?

While a donut-shaped waffle iron works best to achieve the classic look, you can also use a regular waffle iron and cut the waffles into rings if desired.

Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 117 reviews

These Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts combine the warm spices and tender apple chunks of classic apple fritters with the fun shape and crispy texture of waffle donuts. Made in a waffle iron for quick cooking, they are topped with a sweet vanilla glaze and extra powdered sugar for a delightful breakfast or snack treat.

Author: Elias
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 8–10 waffle donuts 1x
Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

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

Add-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

For Dusting

Extra powdered sugar

Instructions

Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and dice the apples into small chunks. Set aside to use in the batter.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly combined.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, buttermilk, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with dry ingredients. Stir gently just until combined; avoid overmixing to keep the batter light.
Fold in Apples and Nuts: Carefully fold in the diced apples and, if desired, the chopped pecans or walnuts to incorporate them evenly into the batter.
Preheat Waffle Iron: Preheat your waffle iron and lightly grease it with nonstick spray or softened butter to prevent sticking.
Cook Waffle Donuts: Spoon about ¼ cup of batter onto the center of the waffle iron where the donut shape will form. Close the lid and cook until the waffles are golden and crisp, approximately 3 to 5 minutes depending on your waffle iron.
Cool on Rack: Remove the cooked waffle donuts carefully and transfer them to a wire rack to cool slightly while you prepare the glaze.
Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (start with 2 tablespoons and add more if needed), and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
Glaze and Finish: Drizzle the glaze over the warm waffle donuts, then dust them with extra powdered sugar for a lovely finishing touch.
Serve: Enjoy the apple fritter waffle donuts warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

Use a tart apple variety such as Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweetness and tartness that holds its texture when cooked.
If you don’t have buttermilk, substitute with regular milk mixed with 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice, and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
Do not overmix the batter to keep the waffles tender and light.
Grease the waffle iron well to ensure easy removal of the donut waffles without breaking.
Adjust glaze consistency by adding more milk if too thick or more powdered sugar if too thin.
These waffle donuts are best served on the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Optional nuts add a nice crunch but can be omitted for nut-free version.

Keywords: apple fritter waffle donuts, waffle donuts, apple fritters, breakfast waffles, apple cinnamon waffles, glazed waffle donuts