Apple cinnamon waffles are a fall breakfast favorite! The warm aromas of cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla are deeply comforting on crisp-weather days. The buttery, apple topping on these crisp fluffy waffles is irresistible!
If you love grab-and-go cinnamon cupcakes on busy mornings, you’ll really enjoy this upscale mid-week breakfast or special Sunday brunch. It’s the warm caramelized apples and fresh whipped cream that take these cinnamon apple waffles to the next level of goodness! They’re so flavorful.
ingredients
This easy recipe for cinnamon waffles with applesauce comes together quickly. Including the caramelized apple topping. All you need are a few pantry staples with some common ingredients found at local markets.
CINNAMON WAFFLES WITH APPLESAUCE
- All-purpose flour
- Light brown sugar
- Baking powder
- Ground cinnamon
- Sea salt
- Vanilla extract
- Large egg
- Whole milk
- Applesauce
- Butter
CARAMELIZED APPLE TOPPING
- Granny Smith apples
- Light brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Butter
- Sea salt
- Ground cinnamon
RECOMMENDED SYRUP & GARNISH
- Maple syrup
- Homemade whipped cream
easy ingredient substitutions
Missing an ingredient for apple cinnamon waffles? Don’t put on your shoes and head to the store. Instead, head to your pantry and fridge. Check for these easy ingredient swaps!
- ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR: The best swap is self-rising flour. When using this option, omit the baking powder and salt in the waffle recipe.
- LIGHT BROWN SUGAR: If you have brown sugar on hand, use that instead. Otherwise, sub with granulated sugar.
- GROUND CINNAMON: Use apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice. Both these swaps will enhance the flavor of the apples.
- VANILLA EXTRACT: The best sub is vanilla powder. More great options: maple syrup, rum, brandy or bourbon.
- WHOLE MILK: Swap with 2% reduced fat milk, 1% lowfat milk, or a non-dairy milk. Another option: 1/2 cup half and half plus 1/4 cup water.
- APPLESAUCE: Pumpkin puree is a perfect one-to-one replacement. Like applesauce, it adds moisture and flavor to this easy recipe.
- BUTTER: Margarine is the best swap.
- GRANNY SMITH APPLE: Swap with any firm tart apple. These include Fuji, Braeburn, McIntosh, Empire, Jonathan, or Cortland.
BEST TOOLS FOR MAKING WAFFLES
When you invest in a high-quality waffle maker, it can last for years and years. The one here is just like mine. It has great product reviews. Click the image below to buy it through the Amazon affiliate link.
To prevent cold soggy waffles, I use a USA Pan baking tray with rack to store freshly-made waffles in a warm oven. Once breakfast is ready, the whole family can eat together. Grab one through the Amazon affiliate link below.
RECIPE STEPS
CARAMELIZED APPLE TOPPING
RECIPE PREP: Peel, core, and chop apples.
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine chopped apples, brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Stir frequently until the fruit is fork tender, about 15 to 18 minutes. Remove pan from heat.
APPLE CINNAMON WAFFLES
RECIPE PREP: Preheat waffle iron according to manufacturer’s instructions. Select desired browning option.
- STEP 1: Melt butter in the microwave. Put it aside to shed heat. In a large mixing bowl, add the dry ingredients: flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and sea salt. Whisk to combine.
- STEP 2: Add egg, milk, applesauce, melted butter and vanilla extract to the bowl. Whisk until the waffle batter is smooth.
- STEP 3: With a basting brush, grease preheated waffle iron with melted butter or cooking oil. With a 1/4 measuring cup, scoop and pour waffle batter onto the center of the lower grid. Close the cover. Cook until golden brown and crisp, about 3 to 6 minutes depending on the waffle maker and thermostat setting.
- STEP 4: Continue cooking until all batter is used. Between sessions, brush non-stick grid with melted butter. Serve waffles hot with caramelized apple topping, warm maple syrup, and whipped cream.
RECIPE FAQ
These are the mostly commonly asked questions about apple cinnamon waffles, and the best helpful answers for recipe success.
Adding too much flour can result in a dense batch of waffles! Here’s the best method for measuring flour: Inside the bag, FLUFF up the flour with a spoon. By the spoonful, SPRINKLE flour into the measuring cup. With a knife, SWIPE the surface of the measuring cup to level the flour.
Although milk is the main wet ingredient, applesauce adds extra moisture to the waffle batter. Additionally, applesauce pairs well with cinnamon, giving these waffles a delicious fall flavor.
Butter adds extra richness to the batter. Its savory goodness appeals directly to our umami taste buds. It makes these yummy cinnamon waffles even more enjoyable!
Brush preheated grills with melted butter or cooking oil. Avoid using aerosol cooking sprays! It’s those sprays that cause that yellow build-up of gunky sticky residue. When using our method, clean-up’s a breeze.
Preheat oven to 250°F. Place a baking tray with metal rack in the oven. As each waffle is made, transfer it to the warm oven. They can be stored this way up to 30 minutes.
In addition to warm maple syrup, try salted caramel sauce, light corn syrup, or chocolate sauce.
For a luxurious breakfast, serve with scrambled eggs, sausage links, or strips of crispy bacon. Enjoy with slices of fresh fruit.
Store leftover waffles in an airtight container, or a zip-top freezer bag with the air pressed out. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge with a good texture for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 1 month.
MORE EASY BREAKFAST RECIPES
If you loved these apple cinnamon waffles, you’ll also enjoy these easy breakfast recipes! They’re perfect for weekday meals and Sunday brunch.
- FUNFETTI PANCAKES
- BELGIAN WAFFLE RECIPE
- CHILE RELLENO CASSEROLE
- EGGS IN PURGATORY
- BACON EGG CUPS
- AEBLESKIVER MINI PANCAKES
- SAUSAGE EGG MCMUFFIN
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Family and friends who’ve enjoyed these apple cinnamon waffles for brunch, rave about the flavor and texture of this breakfast favorite.
If you loved this cinnamon waffle recipe, give it a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero. Share it with a friend!
APPLE CINNAMON WAFFLES
- Total Time: 25 Minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
Description
These fluffy apple cinnamon waffles are what breakfast dreams are made of. The delicious aroma of cinnamon, brown sugar and butter is irresistible! The apple compote almost melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
CINNAMON WAFFLES WITH APPLESAUCE
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
CARAMELIZED APPLE TOPPING
- 2 Granny Smith apples
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
RECOMMENDED SYRUP AND GARNISH
- Maple syrup, warmed
- Homemade whipped cream
Instructions
CARAMELIZED APPLE TOPPING
RECIPE PREP: Peel, core and chop apples.
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine chopped apples, brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Stir frequently until the fruit is fork tender, about 15 to 18 minutes.
APPLE CINNAMON WAFFLES
RECIPE PREP: Preheat waffle iron according to manufacturer’s instructions. Select desired browning option.
- Melt butter in the microwave. Put it aside to shed heat. In a large mixing bowl, add the dry ingredients: flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and sea salt. Whisk to combine.
- Add egg, milk, applesauce, melted butter and vanilla extract to the bowl. Whisk until the waffle batter is smooth.
- With a basting brush, grease preheated waffle iron with melted butter or cooking oil. With a 1/4 measuring cup, scoop and pour waffle batter onto the center of the lower grid. Close the cover. Cook until golden brown and crisp, about 3 to 6 minutes depending on the waffle maker and thermostat setting.
- Continue cooking until all batter is used. Between sessions, brush non-stick grid with melted butter. Serve waffles hot with caramelized apple topping, warm maple syrup, and whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Cook Time: 20 Minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Waffle Iron
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Apple Cinnamon Waffles, Cinnamon Waffles, Apple Waffles, Applesauce Waffles
Apple cinnamon waffles > JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Do you enjoy making waffles for breakfast on weekdays or weekends? What do you think about these cinnamon waffles with apple compote? Would you include a dollop of whipped cream on top? Share your thoughts below!
These were so yummy and my entire family loved them. My kiddos are already begging me to make them again.
So Yummy! I am ready for fall recipes and this one tops my list!
★★★★★
My family loves waffles for breakfast. We made this delicious recipe this morning. It now looks like these cinnamon waffles with apple topping is their new favorite!
★★★★★
The apple topping is our favorite part – we enjoyed these waffles this morning. Come fall, I will definitely be making these all season long!
★★★★★
A perfect breakfast! So easy and tasty. My family absolutely devoured these! Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★