Crispy, fruity, carnival-style breakfast treats
These Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts bring together the best of all worlds—warm cinnamon apples, the crisp edges of waffles, and the soft, doughnut-like center everyone loves. They’re a cozy, fall-inspired treat you can whip up in minutes, making them perfect for busy mornings, weekend brunch, or a fun dessert night. Using a waffle iron means no deep frying and way less mess while still delivering that nostalgic apple-fritter flavor. If you’re looking for a recipe that’s simple, delicious, and totally Pinterest-worthy, this one hits all the marks with sweet apple chunks, warm spices, and a glossy glaze that makes them irresistible. 🍂✨
⏱️ Time Breakdown
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8–10 waffle donuts
📝 Ingredients
For the Apple Fritter Batter
- 1 large apple, peeled & diced
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp vinegar)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp melted butter
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Waffle iron (round or mini)
- Mixing bowls
- Small skillet
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Cooling rack
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Cook the apples. In a small skillet, melt butter, then add diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook 3–4 minutes until apples soften and smell amazing. 🍎
- Mix dry ingredients. In a bowl, whisk flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk egg, buttermilk, vanilla, and melted butter.
- Combine. Add wet mixture to dry and stir gently. Batter should be thick, not runny.
- Add apples. Fold the cinnamon apples into the batter.
- Cook. Lightly grease the waffle iron. Spoon batter into each cavity (donut shapes if your waffle maker has them). Cook 2–3 minutes or until golden with crisp edges.
- Glaze them. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Dip warm waffle donuts in glaze or drizzle over the top. 🍩✨
- Serve. Let them set for a couple minutes on a cooling rack—if you can resist eating them right away!
💡 Pro Tips
- Storage: Store at room temp for 1 day or refrigerate up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze without glaze up to 2 months; thaw and glaze fresh.
- Mix-ins: Add chopped pecans for crunch or a dash of nutmeg for extra warmth.
- Extra crisp edges: Let them cook 30–60 seconds longer for that fritter-like texture.