The pieces of apples and the sweet glaze on these Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts will have you reaching for more in a hurry. They're the perfect fall snack to enjoy with your afternoon cup of coffee.
The post for mini apple fritter waffle donuts was first published in August 2018. It was updated and republished in August 2025.
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Waffle Donuts
When we lived in Indiana, we would go to a bakery that made the best apple fritters. These fritters were enormous and would melt in your mouth. They inspired me to make these fun little apple waffle donuts.
I always keep plenty of apples in our fridge during the fall for snacking and baking. We use them in everything from apple bundt cake to caramel apple granola bars.
The other day, I found our mini waffle iron in the pantry. I decided to mix donuts, waffles, and fritters into one fun treat. It was the best idea of the week!
These mini apple fritter waffle donuts are a delicious fall treat. We enjoyed them for breakfast, snack, and dessert. Trust me, and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to a few.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Amazing fall flavors. Warm apple chunks, spices, and a sweet glaze will make your kitchen smell amazing.
- No oil is needed! The waffle donuts have the same warm, cozy taste as an apple fritter, but without the hassle of hot oil.
- That glaze! It fills every little waffle pocket, which means sweet, sticky goodness with every bite.
- Kid and family approved. Trust me, they disappeared faster than I could make them.
Key Ingredients
With just a few basic ingredients and a bag of apples, you can have donut batter ready in minutes. Meanwhile, the glaze is easy to make while the donuts cool.
- Spices: I like to use warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to enhance the apple flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the batter.
- Cornstarch: This will help to give the waffles a crispy crust.
- Egg: Binds the ingredients together and helps them to rise.
- Milk: This provides the moisture needed to make a soft dough.
- Oil: The added fat helps to keep the batter from drying out as it cooks.
- Apples: I like to shred them so that every bite has apple flavor. Plus, it helps them to cook faster.
- Toppings: Combine confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla until the mixture has a dippable consistency. Cinnamon sugar can also be added.
How To Make Apple Waffle Donuts
Once the apple batter is ready, it's time to cook. The batter comes together so fast, so it helps to preheat the waffle iron ahead of time.
Make the batter. Stir the flour, spices, sugar, and cornstarch in a large bowl, then create a well in the center. Add the wet ingredients and whisk until combined.
Add the apples. Use a food processor to shred the apples with peels. Stir the bits into the batter.
Cook the waffles. Preheat the waffle iron and spray it with non-stick baking spray. Spoon the batter into the center and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, depending on your machine. (Our Dash iron took five minutes for a crispy, golden brown texture.)
Cool and glaze. While the waffle iron doughnuts are cooling, mix the glaze ingredients in a bowl. Drop one at a time into the glaze, flipping it over so both sides get coated. Place back on the wire rack to dry.
BruCrew Tips
For the best results in your kitchen, be sure to follow our recipe tips.
- Preheat your waffle iron. This way, it is hot and ready to cook as soon as you finish the batter.
- Use baking spray generously. For the best texture and easy removal, spray both sides of the iron with nonstick baking spray.
- Use a donut pan if you don't have a waffle iron or if you have limited time. Spoon the batter into a greased donut pan and bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes.
Storage Recommendations
These homemade donuts are best eaten the day you make them. If you have leftover waffle donuts, place them in a loosely sealed container and keep them in the refrigerator.
To serve, reheat briefly in the microwave for a few seconds.
FAQs
They are exactly what they sound like: donuts cooked in a waffle maker. You get the fun texture of waffles with the flavor of donuts, plus glaze in every pocket.
These glazed waffles are delicious warm or cold, although I prefer them warm. It really makes the apple and spice flavor pop more.
More Easy Apple Recipes
- Apple Nachos
- Apple Cider Donut Holes
- Puff Pastry Apple Tart
- Strawberry Applesauce
- Butter Pecan Apple Skillet Cake
Do you love a recipe you tried from Inside BruCrew Life?
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Recipe
Mini Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts
The pieces of apples and the sweet glaze on these mini Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts will have you reaching for a few more in a hurry. It's the perfect afternoon snack to enjoy with a cup of coffee.
Ingredients
For the Waffle Donut batter
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup milk
- ½ tablespoon oil
- 1 ½ cups shredded apples
For the Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- cinnamon sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your waffle iron.
- Stir together the dry ingredients. Whisk in the egg, milk, and oil.
- Gently stir in the shredded apples.
- Spray the waffle iron with nonstick spray. Drop the batter by Tablespoon onto the waffle iron. Cook 3-5 minutes, depending on the temperature of your iron. (I used a small Dash waffle iron and cooked each one for 5 minutes.)
- Place the waffle donuts on a wire rack to cool.
- Whisk together the glaze ingredients. Dip each waffle donut in the glaze.
- Flip it around and let the excess drip off. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, if desired. Let set.
Notes
- Preheat your waffle iron. This way, it is hot and ready to cook as soon as you finish the batter.
- Use baking spray generously. For the best texture and easy removal, spray both sides of the iron with nonstick baking spray.
- Use a donut pan if you don't have a waffle iron or if you have limited time. Spoon the batter into a greased donut pan and bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes.
- These are best served the day they are made. If you need to store them, place them in the refrigerator in a loosely sealed container. Reheat in the microwave for 5-7 seconds to get that fresh-from-the-waffle-iron taste.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 91Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 49mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 17gProtein: 1g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Shelby B says
Can I use just a regular waffle iron? And maybe larger apple pieces, liked maybe minced/diced instead of shredded? Looking forward to trying these!
Jocelyn says
This batter should work fine in a regular waffle iron as well. And yes, the smaller diced pieces should be fine too. I hope you enjoy the fritter donuts!
Shelby B says
Great thank you! Would you still recommend 5 min? Our waffle maker cooks regular waffles to a beautiful golden brown within about 60 seconds
Jocelyn says
It will really depend on your waffle maker. I would do a test one to figure out how quickly or slowly they cook. Are you making them large or small like the fritters in the pics? These are made to be more like apple fritters in a waffle shape. If you are looking for an actual apple waffle, I do have this recipe as well. https://insidebrucrewlife.com/spiced-apple-waffles/
Brenda says
Now I'm drooling. I always make a generous recipe of waffles at one time. Then I freeze them. When I want one, I put in in my toaster oven on toast setting until it is good and warm/hot. That crisps it up and it tastes like it just came out of the waffle iron.
Debby says
Made these today using a regular round waffle iron. Definitely have to cook them 5 minutes. I ate the first one without icing. They are so good I think I will skip icing for now!
ColleenB.~ Tx. says
Now these look Fantastic.
Using Almond flavoring in the icing will give them a nice special taste
Thanks for sharing the recipe