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- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/3 cup granulated sugar - 1 cup buttermilk - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted - 2 large apples, peeled and diced (preferably Granny Smith) - Vegetable oil for frying - Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract When making Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts, you need good ingredients. The dry ones form the base. Start with the all-purpose flour. It gives the donuts structure. Baking powder makes them rise and fluff up. Cinnamon and nutmeg add warmth and spice, while salt enhances flavor. The sugar gives a nice sweetness. For the wet ingredients, buttermilk is key. It keeps the batter moist. Eggs add richness and help bind everything together. Vanilla extract gives a lovely aroma. Don’t forget the melted butter for a nice, rich taste. Now, let’s talk about the apples. Diced Granny Smith apples work best. They have a tart flavor that balances the sweetness. You’ll also need some vegetable oil for frying. This ensures a crispy outside. To finish, prepare a simple glaze. Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for a smooth coating. This mix of ingredients creates a delicious treat. Each one plays a role in making the donuts soft, sweet, and full of apple flavor. {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. First, take a large bowl. Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/3 cup of granulated sugar. Whisk these dry ingredients together until they are mixed well. 2. In another bowl, mix 1 cup of buttermilk, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1/3 cup of melted unsalted butter. Stir this wet mixture until smooth. 3. Slowly add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined. This means some lumps are okay. 4. Next, take 2 diced apples, preferably Granny Smith, and fold them into the batter. Make sure the apple pieces are evenly spread. 1. Preheat your waffle maker according to the manufacturer's guide. 2. Once it’s hot, lightly grease the plates with cooking spray or a small amount of oil. 3. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter into the center of the waffle maker. Don’t overfill it! Close the lid and cook for 3-4 minutes. Check for a golden brown color. 4. Carefully take the waffle out and let it cool slightly on a wire rack. This helps it stay crisp. 1. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C) for frying. 2. Take each cooled waffle donut and fry it for about 30 seconds on each side. Look for a golden brown color. 3. While frying, mix 1 cup of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract in a small bowl. Stir until smooth. This is your glaze. 4. Once fried, place the donuts on paper towels to drain. Dip each warm donut into the glaze, letting the extra drip off. 5. Set the glazed donuts back on the wire rack to let the glaze set. To get the best waffle texture, use fresh ingredients. Measure flour precisely. Too much flour makes them dense. Use a kitchen scale for accuracy. The right balance makes a light, fluffy waffle donut. For a smooth glaze, mix powdered sugar and milk well. Use a whisk for a lump-free mix. Dip each warm waffle donut into the glaze. Let the excess drip off before placing them on a rack. Add toppings like chopped nuts or sprinkles for extra flavor. Serve your Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts on a rustic platter. Drizzle extra glaze on top. A sprinkle of cinnamon adds a nice touch. Pair them with coffee or apple cider for a perfect snack. Enjoying them with vanilla ice cream is a great option too. Pro Tips Choose the Right Apples: Granny Smith apples are ideal due to their tartness, which balances the sweetness of the donuts, but feel free to mix in other varieties for added flavor. Don't Overmix the Batter: To ensure light and fluffy waffles, mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined. A few lumps are perfectly fine! Control the Frying Temperature: Maintaining the oil temperature at 350°F (175°C) is crucial for achieving a crispy exterior without overcooking the inside. Let the Glaze Set: Allow the glazed donuts to rest on a wire rack for a few minutes to let the glaze harden slightly for a beautiful finish. {{image_2}} You can easily change the taste of your Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts. Adding nuts gives them a nice crunch. Chopped walnuts or pecans work great. You might also try adding other fruits. Berries can add a sweet twist. Dried fruit, like raisins, can add a fun flavor too. Spices can also change the game. You can use cardamom or ginger for a warm touch. Try adding a pinch of allspice for depth. Each spice brings a unique flavor. So, mix and match to find your favorite blend! If you need gluten-free options, it's easy to make them work. Substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour. This swap keeps the texture light and fluffy. Just make sure to use a blend that works well in baking. For vegan substitutions, replace eggs with flaxseed meal. Mix one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit for five minutes to thicken. Use plant-based milk instead of buttermilk. Almond or oat milk works well. Your waffle donuts will still taste great! You can also make these delights in smaller sizes. Miniature versions are fun for parties. Just use less batter in the waffle maker. They cook quickly and are perfect for snacking. For a unique twist, try making waffle donut cakes. Stack several waffles to create layers. Add frosting or glaze between the layers. This style is impressive and perfect for special occasions. Enjoy experimenting with these variations! To keep your Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts fresh, place them in an airtight container. This helps to lock in moisture and flavor. You can stack them, but place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. If you have a lot, use a bigger container or split them into smaller ones. To reheat, use an oven for the best taste. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the donuts on a baking sheet and heat for about 5-7 minutes. This keeps them crisp. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them soggy. Always check them to ensure they don’t overcook. You can freeze the donuts before or after frying. If you freeze them before frying, place the batter in a freezer-safe container. If you freeze them after frying, let them cool first. Wrap each donut in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. For thawing, leave them in the fridge overnight. Reheat them in the oven for the best taste. Apple fritter waffle donuts are a fun twist on classic apple fritters. They mix the flavors of apples and spices into a waffle shape. The result is a sweet, soft treat that you can fry and glaze. This dessert combines the best parts of donuts and waffles. They became popular because they are easy to make and fun to eat. Plus, who doesn’t love the taste of warm apples and cinnamon? Yes, you can prep apple fritter waffle donuts in advance. You can mix the batter a few hours before cooking. Just keep it covered in the fridge. If you want to fry them later, cook them fresh. For storage, keep any leftover donuts in an airtight container. They taste best when served warm, so reheat them in an oven. For this recipe, I recommend using Granny Smith apples. They add a nice tartness that balances the sweetness. Other good choices are Honeycrisp or Fuji apples. Each apple brings a different flavor and texture. Granny Smith gives a firm bite, while Honeycrisp is juicy and sweet. Experiment with different types to find your favorite! In this post, we explored how to make delicious apple fritter waffle donuts. We covered the right ingredients and shared step-by-step instructions. Cooking techniques and tips for perfect texture were also included. You can even make variations to suit your taste or dietary needs. Finally, we covered how to store and reheat your treats. With these tips, you can enjoy tasty waffle donuts anytime. Get cooking and enjoy this fun twist on a classic treat!

Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts

Delicious waffle donuts infused with apple and spices, glazed to perfection.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 0.33 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large apples, peeled and diced (preferably Granny Smith)
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 0.33 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • for frying vegetable oil
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
  • 2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
  • 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and granulated sugar until combined.
  • In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter until smooth.
  • Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
  • Gently fold in the diced apples until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  • Preheat your waffle maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Once preheated, lightly grease the waffle maker with cooking spray or a small amount of oil. Pour a portion of the batter (about 1/4 cup) into the center of the waffle maker, making sure to not overfill. Close the lid and cook until the waffles are golden brown and crisp, roughly 3-4 minutes, depending on your waffle maker.
  • Carefully remove the waffle from the maker and let cool slightly on a wire rack.
  • While the waffle donuts are cooling, prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and pourable.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C) for frying. Carefully slip each cooled waffle donut into the oil and fry for about 30 seconds on each side, until they are golden brown and crisp.
  • Remove the fried waffle donuts from the oil and drain on paper towels. Dip each donut into the prepared glaze while still warm, letting the excess drip off.
  • Place the glazed donuts back on the wire rack to allow the glaze to set.

Notes

Serve on a rustic wooden platter, drizzled with extra glaze and sprinkled with cinnamon.
Keyword apple, dessert, donuts, waffles