Introduction
Oh, the smell of apple fritters! It instantly brings me back to crisp autumn days, bustling farmers’ markets, and that feeling of pure, unadulterated comfort. But let’s be honest, making traditional apple fritters from scratch can sometimes feel like a whole production. That’s why I’m so thrilled to share this incredible recipe with you today: Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts! They capture all the cozy, spiced apple goodness you love, but with a genius shortcut that makes them ridiculously easy and wonderfully quick. Get ready to impress yourself (and anyone lucky enough to share them with you!).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: We’re talking deliciousness in under 30 minutes!
- Easy: Minimal fuss, maximum flavor. Seriously, you’ve got this!
- Giftable: Package them up for a thoughtful, homemade treat.
- Crowd-pleasing: From kids to adults, everyone adores these.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these delightful little treats. Nothing fancy, just pantry staples and a happy apple!
- 1 medium apple: A crisp variety like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala works beautifully.
- 1 large egg: Our binder, keeping everything together.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: The base of our delicious batter.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: For that lovely lift and fluffiness.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Helps with browning and texture.
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar: Adds a touch of molasses sweetness and depth.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon: The star spice that makes apple treats sing!
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens our batter perfectly.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: For that irresistible glaze.
- 1 pinch salt: Just a touch to balance out all the sweet flavors.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances all the other yummy tastes.
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted: Adds richness and a lovely tender crumb.
- 1/2 cup buttermilk: This is key for a tender, moist waffle donut. If you don’t have it, I’ll share a super easy substitute!
- 2 tablespoons milk: To help thin the glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency.
How to Make It
Let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens. Grab your apron, and let’s dive in!
Step 1: Prepare the Apple
First things first, let’s get our apple ready. You’ll want to peel it, core it, and then dice it into very small pieces, about the size of a pea. This ensures you get lovely little bursts of apple in every bite without them being too big to handle in the waffle maker.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Giving them a good whisk ensures everything is evenly distributed, so you don’t end up with pockets of baking soda or salt.
Step 3: Whisk Wet Ingredients
In a separate, larger bowl, whisk the egg until it’s nice and frothy. Then, add the granulated sugar, vanilla extract, melted butter, and buttermilk. Whisk until everything is well combined and smooth.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Now, pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. It’s really important not to overmix here! A few small lumps are perfectly fine. Overmixing can lead to tough waffle donuts.
Step 5: Fold in Apple
Gently fold your diced apple pieces into the batter. Make sure they’re evenly distributed so every donut gets a good apple presence.
Step 6: Prepare Glaze
While your waffle maker is preheating, let’s make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and the 2 tablespoons of milk until you have a smooth, pourable glaze. If it’s too thick, add milk a teaspoon at a time. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
Step 7: Cook in Waffle Maker
Lightly grease your waffle maker (even if it’s non-stick, a little grease helps). Spoon about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of batter per waffle donut, depending on the size of your waffle maker. Close the lid and cook according to your waffle maker’s instructions, usually about 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. I like to cook mine until they’re slightly crisp on the outside. Carefully remove them with a fork or spatula.
Step 8: Dip in Glaze
Once the waffle donuts are cooked and still warm (but not piping hot!), dip the tops into your prepared glaze. Let any excess drip off, then place them on a wire rack set over parchment paper to catch drips and allow the glaze to set.
Substitutions & Additions
Feeling creative? I love this recipe because it’s so adaptable! Here are a few ideas:
- No Buttermilk? No Problem! To make your own buttermilk substitute, simply add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to your 1/2 cup of regular milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it looks slightly curdled.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or a tiny bit of ground ginger to the dry ingredients for an extra warm spice kick.
- Nutty Goodness: Fold in a tablespoon or two of chopped pecans or walnuts with the apples for a delightful crunch.
- Extra Sweetness: If you have a super sweet tooth, you can add a tablespoon more granulated sugar to the batter.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt some chocolate chips and drizzle them over the glazed waffle donuts for an extra special touch.
Tips for Success
A few little secrets to make your Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts absolutely perfect:
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: This is probably the most important tip! Gentle mixing equals tender waffle donuts.
- Dice the Apple Small: As I mentioned, small, pea-sized pieces are best for even distribution and cooking.
- Grease Your Waffle Maker: Even with non-stick surfaces, a light coating of cooking spray or melted butter ensures they release easily.
- Don’t Overfill: Too much batter can spill over and make a mess, plus the donuts might not cook evenly.
- Prep Ahead for Glaze: You can mix the glaze ingredients (minus the milk) ahead of time and just whisk in the milk when you’re ready.
- Warm is Best: These are truly best enjoyed fresh and slightly warm, but they’re still delicious at room temperature.
How to Store It
While these are best eaten the same day they’re made, you can store any leftovers. Once they’ve cooled completely, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They might lose a little bit of their crispness, but they’ll still be tasty!
FAQs
Can I make these without a waffle maker?
While the waffle maker is what gives them their fun shape and texture, you could technically try frying them like mini fritters, but the cooking method would be quite different. The beauty of this recipe is the waffle maker shortcut!
How long do they take to cook?
Each batch in the waffle maker usually takes about 3-5 minutes, depending on your machine. Including prep time, you can have these ready in under 30 minutes!
Can I use frozen apples?
Yes, you can! Make sure to thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before dicing and adding them to the batter.
Are these very sweet?
They are sweet, as expected for a donut treat! The sweetness comes from the granulated sugar in the batter and the powdered sugar glaze. You can adjust the sweetness of the glaze by adding more or less powdered sugar if you prefer.
Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts
Equipment
- Medium bowl
- larger bowl
- Small bowl for glaze
- Waffle maker
- Wire rack set over parchment paper
- apron
- Fork
- Spatula
Ingredients
For the Waffle Donuts
- 1 medium apple crisp variety like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala, peeled, cored, and diced into pea-sized pieces
- 1 large egg whisked until frothy
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.25 cup granulated sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 0.5 cup buttermilk or substitute
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk to thin glaze, add more if needed
Instructions
- Peel, core, and dice the apple into very small pieces, about the size of a pea.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a separate, larger bowl, whisk the egg until it's nice and frothy. Then, add the granulated sugar, vanilla extract, melted butter, and buttermilk. Whisk until everything is well combined and smooth.
- Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. A few small lumps are perfectly fine. Do not overmix.
- Gently fold your diced apple pieces into the batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- While your waffle maker is preheating, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk in a small bowl until you have a smooth, pourable glaze. Adjust consistency with more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
- Lightly grease your waffle maker. Spoon about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of batter per waffle donut. Close the lid and cook according to your waffle maker's instructions, usually about 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Carefully remove them.
- Once the waffle donuts are cooked and slightly warm, dip the tops into the prepared glaze. Let excess drip off, then place them on a wire rack set over parchment paper to allow the glaze to set.