Crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, whole wheat Apple Cinnamon Waffles are perfectly spiced and bursting with chunks of sweet, tender apples...and as a bonus, they make your whole house smell heavenly as they bake!
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 25 minutesminutes
Total Time 45 minutesminutes
Servings 6large round waffles (slightly more or less, depending on the size/shape of your waffle maker)
2 ½cupsHomemade Whole Wheat Waffle Mixsee NOTES below if not using mix
2teaspoonsground cinnamon
¼teaspoonground nutmeg
1 ¼cupbuttermilk
½cupunsweetened applesauce
¼cup(4 tablespoons) buttermelted and slightly cooled
2eggs
2tablespoonspure maple syrup
1teaspoonpure vanilla extract
1large applepeeled & diced
For the Cinnamon Apples:
3large applesthinly sliced
2tablespoonsbutterplus additional as needed
Cinnamon sugarsee NOTES
Instructions
Preheat waffle iron. Measure Homemade Whole Wheat Waffle Mix into a large bowl. Whisk in cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.
In another bowl or large measuring cup, combine buttermilk, applesauce, melted butter, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla. Pour wet ingredients into flour mixture and stir until all ingredients are incorporated, but do not over-mix (a few lumps are fine). Fold in diced apples and allow to rest for a few minutes.
Cook the waffles according to your waffle iron's directions. Remove waffles to a cooling rack (in a single layer) and serve immediately, or keep warm by placing directly on the oven rack (again, in a single layer) in an oven that's been heated to 200°F and then turned off.
While the waffles are cooking, make the Cinnamon Apples by setting a large skillet over medium heat and adding the butter. Once the butter has melted, swirl to coat the pan and add the apples, tossing them in the butter to coat. Allow the apples to cook for about 3 minutes until they begin to soften, stirring occasionally. Generously sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, stir, and repeat until the apples are well coated. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally and adding more cinnamon sugar as desired. Add an additional pat of butter during the cooking process if needed, and cover the pan for a few minutes if you wish to speed up the softening of the apples. Apples are done once they are as tender as you like, with sugar that has started to caramelize. Serve apples hot over warm waffles with a drizzle of pure maple syrup, if you wish.
Notes
If not using Homemade Whole Wheat Waffle Mix, use the following dry ingredients in its place: 2 ¼ cups whole wheat PASTRY flour, 2 tablespoons cornmeal, ¾ teaspoon baking soda, and ¾ teaspoon salt.
Homemade waffle batter works best if all of the ingredients start out at room temperature. Otherwise, the melted butter may re-solidify in little shards once the cold buttermilk hits it. But if I don't have time, I hurry the room temperature thing along by putting my whole eggs in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes and zapping the other cold ingredients in the microwave for just a few seconds.
Because of the apples inside, these waffles may be prone to sticking, so I recommend lightly spraying your waffle iron with a non-stick cooking spray. I've avoided cooking spray for a long time because I don't want the propellants ending up in my food, but there are now all-natural cooking sprays available without propellants. I typically use a coconut oil version when baking. Or you can always just brush your waffle iron with melted butter.
I make my own Cinnamon Sugar by mixing ¼ cup sugar + 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and storing it in a shaker