Apple Cider Waffles
If apple cider doughnuts are your favorite fall treat, then these apple cider waffles will be your new favorite fall breakfast! They’re delightfully crispy on the outside, super fluffy, and every bite is infused with cozy flavor.
For those of us who live in the Midwest, going to the apple orchard is a sure sign that fall is here. Picking your own apples is a fun day out (except for the bees—why are there always so many bees?!), but when you’ve filled your bushel and can’t lug around anymore apples, it’s always a treat to go to the barn and pick up some warm apple cider doughnuts. These apple cider waffles are just like those warm, apple-infused doughnuts, but in waffle form.
About this apple cider waffle recipe
Like their doughnut counterparts, these fluffy fall waffles are made with apple cider (NOT apple cider vinegar!!!) and cinnamon for that cozy spiced flavor. We fold diced apples into the batter too, which get perfectly tender and juicy after a few minutes in the waffle iron. For even more apple-y goodness, top these babies with apple butter, apple compote, or fried apples. Oh yes.
You can use these apple cider waffles in a fall brunch board, but they’re easy enough that you don’t need a special occasion to whip them up. They’re perfect for a weekend breakfast—perhaps the day after you’ve hit up your favorite local apple orchard for apples and freshly pressed cider?
What you need
No weird or strange ingredients needed!
- Wet ingredients: Egg, apple cider, oil. You can also use melted butter for a more buttery flavor.
- Dry ingredients: All-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, salt. Nothing unusual! If you want to switch it up a little, you can use apple pie spice instead of cinnamon.
- Also: Honeycrisp apples. Granny smith or gala apples are also great choices for this recipe. Be sure to choose an apple that’s firm and either tart or sweet-tart. A sweet, soft apple won’t add much to this recipe in terms of texture or flavor.
How to make them
Mix the wet and dry ingredients. Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
In another bowl, mix the egg, apple cider, and oil.
Finish the batter. Form a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients.
Whisk just until combined, then fold in the apples.
Preheat the waffle maker. Turn on the waffle maker and let the batter sit as it warms up. This allows the batter to thicken, resulting in fluffier waffles.
Note: This recipe was developed for a mini waffle maker, but you can use a regular waffle maker if that’s what you have. You’ll get about half the finished waffles with a full-size waffle maker.
Cook the waffles. Coat the plates of the waffle maker with nonstick cooking spray. Add the batter (about ⅓ cup for a mini waffle maker) and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the waffle maker indicates that the waffle is done.
Repeat with the remaining batter.
FAQs
Apple juice is more processed; it’s heated, which changes the color and flavor, and it’s strained to remove pulp and sediment. Apple cider is raw apple juice, so it has a more complex flavor.
There are alcoholic apple ciders, but the kind you pick up in jugs from the apple orchard or in the refrigerated section at the grocery store are non-alcoholic.
Yes, letting waffle batter rest is important! You’ll get fluffier, chewier waffles with that resting time.
How to make these apple cider waffles your own
Here are some ideas for customizing and topping your apple cider waffles:
- Go for the full doughnut experience. Once the waffles are done cooking, dust them with cinnamon sugar. Just like the doughnuts!
- Make them for dessert. Top them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, candied pecans, fried apples, and a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce.
- More topping ideas. Try these waffles with cinnamon whipped cream, maple cinnamon butter, apple butter, pumpkin butter, almond butter (so many butters!), vanilla Greek yogurt, granola, or classic pancake syrup.
- Just for kids! These adorable bat-shaped Halloween waffles will thrill children and adults alike. Chocolate bat-shaped waffles with a cute chocolate-dipped strawberry bat face are easy to make and so adorable.
Make Ahead Ideas
Apple cider waffle batter will keep in the fridge for 2 to 3 days in an airtight container.
Storage Suggestions
You can store apple cider waffles in an airtight container or large zip-top bag in the fridge for up to 3 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating Tips
The best way to reheat these waffles is in a toaster or toaster oven—this will revive some of that crispy exterior. The microwave works too, but they’ll be a little softer.
More waffle ideas
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Waffles
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 honeycrisp apples, diced
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl whisk together dry ingredients and set aside. In a separate bowl blend together egg, apple cider, and oil. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add in wet ingredients.
- Mix together wet and dry with a whisk until just combined. Add in diced apples, and gently fold. Allow batter to sit at room temperature while your waffle maker heats up. Spray waffle maker generously and add batter. Do not overfill,only use about 1⁄3 cup of batter.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until your mini waffle maker says it is done.
Notes
- Apple cider waffle batter will keep in the fridge for 2 to 3 days in an airtight container.
- You can store cooked apple cider waffles in an airtight container or large zip-top bag in the fridge for up to 3 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat waffles in a toaster or toaster oven—this will revive some of that crispy exterior. The microwave works too, but they’ll be a little softer.