Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 cup milk

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 cup peeled and diced apples (about 1 large apple)

Vegetable oil for frying

1 cup powdered sugar

2–3 tablespoons milk (for glaze)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon.

Step 2: In another bowl, combine the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract, then mix in the melted butter.

Step 3: Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 4: Fold in the diced apples gently. The batter should be thick.

Step 5: Preheat your waffle iron and lightly grease it with vegetable oil or non-stick spray.

Step 6: Spoon about 1/3 cup of the batter into each section of the waffle iron. Close the lid and cook until the waffles are golden brown and crispy.

Step 7: Remove the waffles and repeat until all the batter is used.

Step 8: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the glaze. Adjust milk to achieve desired consistency.

Step 9: Once the waffles have cooled slightly, cut them into donut shapes using a round cutter.

Step 10: In a deep pan, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).

Step 11: Fry each waffle “donut” for about 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Step 12: Dip the warm waffle donuts into the glaze, allow excess to drip off, and place on a rack to set.

Step 13: Serve immediately and enjoy these delightful Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts.

Tips & Variations

Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweetness and tang.

If you don’t have a waffle iron, you can cook the batter like pancakes and then fry them similarly.

For a spicier glaze, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the powdered sugar mixture.

Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying to avoid greasy donuts.

FAQs

Can I bake these instead of frying?

Yes, you can bake the waffle donuts at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-12 minutes until golden. However, frying gives them their classic crispy finish.

What type of apples work best for this recipe?

Tart apples like Granny Smith hold up well during cooking and add a nice contrast to the sweet batter. You can also use sweet apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp depending on your preference.