Apple Slice Waffles
on Sep 11, 2026
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These apple slice waffles are made by dipping thin apple slices in a cinnamon waffle batter, cooking them until golden and fluffy, and coating them in cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm. They’re an easy way to turn fresh apples into a fun breakfast or snack that the whole family can enjoy!
Apple waffles are always a fun fall breakfast, but these are a little different from your typical apple waffle recipe. Instead of mixing chopped or grated apples into the batter, we’re dipping fresh apple slices right into the waffle batter and cooking each slice in a waffle maker. You get a soft, tender apple in the center surrounded by a fluffy waffle coating in every bite.
A cinnamon-sugar coating sticks to the waffles while they’re warm and gives these apple cinnamon waffles the perfect amount of sweetness. They’re perfect for breakfast, an after-school snack, or even packed in a lunchbox for a fun treat.
Looking for more apple recipes to make this fall? You’ll love these cinnamon apple croissants, cinnamon apple oatmeal cookies, and cinnamon apple donut muffins. And if you’re looking for even more cozy treats, don’t miss these applesauce fritters and copycat Starbucks croissants!
Table of Contents
What You’ll Need
Here is what you’ll need to make these apple slice waffles:
- Apple: Use firm, crisp apples that will hold their shape as they cook. Honeycrisp, Cosmic Crisp, or Fuji are all great options.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for the waffle coating.
- Baking Powder: Helps the batter puff up around the apple slices so the waffles are light and fluffy.
- Cinnamon: Adds warm cinnamon flavor to the waffle batter.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness.
- Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the waffle batter.
- Egg: Binds the batter together and adds structure.
- Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter that easily coats the apple slices.
- Oil: Helps the waffles crisp up slightly as they cook.
- Maple Syrup: Naturally sweetens the waffle batter.
- Vanilla Extract: For added flavor.
- *Optional: Cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crisp coating.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Ingredient Substitutions & Additions
- Milk: Can be replaced with any dairy-free alternative.
- Butter: Swap with a neutral oil if preferred.
- Maple Syrup: Can be replaced with honey (if serving to little ones over the age of 1).
- Egg: Replace with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water). Let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes to thicken before adding it to the batter.
Step-by-Step Instructions
STEP 1: Cut the apples into quarters and remove the cores. Cut each quarter lengthwise into thin slices, about ⅛-inch thick, and set aside (Image 1).
STEP 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt (Image 2).
STEP 3: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, maple syrup, oil, vanilla extract, and melted, slightly cooled butter until well combined (Images 3 & 4).
STEP 4: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix (Images 5 & 6). Let the waffle batter rest for 5 minutes as you preheat the waffle maker.
STEP 5: After 5 minutes, give the batter a very gentle stir and dip each apple slice into the batter, making sure it is fully coated on both sides. Lift the slice and allow any excess batter to drip off for a few seconds (Image 7).
STEP 6: Place the coated apple slices onto the preheated waffle maker (leaving a little space between each one if placing more than one slice at a time). Close the waffle maker and cook for about 4 minutes, or until the waffles are golden and cooked through (Images 8 & 9). Repeat with the remaining apple slices.
STEP 7: For optional cinnamon sugar coating: Mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. As soon as the apple slice waffles come out of the waffle maker, toss or sprinkle them with the cinnamon sugar while they are still hot so that the coating sticks (Image 10). If needed, brush a very small amount of melted butter on the waffles to help the coating stick.
Storage Instructions
Let the apple waffles cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in an air fryer, or waffle maker until warmed through. For longer storage, let the waffles cool completely and freeze them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen until warmed through.
Tips For Success
- Slice the apples thinly and evenly and don’t make the apple slices too thick. Thick slices will still be firm in the center by the time the waffle coating is fully cooked. About ⅛-inch thick is perfect so that the apple has time to soften while the waffle coating cooks.
- Let the batter rest. A 5-minute rest allows the flour to hydrate and the batter to thicken slightly, making it easier to coat the apples.
- Make sure your waffle maker is fully preheated. A hot waffle iron helps the outside set quickly and gives the waffles that golden color.
- Add the cinnamon sugar right away. If you’re adding the cinnamon sugar coating, tossing the waffles in cinnamon sugar while they’re hot gives the sugar the best chance of sticking without needing to brush them with additional butter. If the cinnamon sugar isn’t sticking as much as you’d like, you can lightly brush the hot waffles with melted butter before coating them.
- I used a Dash mini waffle maker, but if you prefer to make more than 1 – 2 apple slice waffles at a time, you can use a full-sized waffle maker and cook 1 apple slice in each corner (4 at a time) or use a multi-mini waffle maker to cook multiple slices at a time.
Recipe FAQs
Firm apples that hold their shape when heated work best. Honeycrisp, Cosmic Crisp, and Fuji are all good choices. I love a crisp, naturally sweet apple for this recipe since the waffle batter itself isn’t overly sweet.
Nope! I prefer leaving the skin on. It saves time and actually helps the slices hold their shape.
Aim for about ⅛-inch thick. Thin apple slices soften well in the time it takes the waffle batter to become golden and cooked through.
Other Waffle Recipes You’ll Love
Cinnamon Apple Waffles
Blueberry Banana Waffles
Pizza Waffles
Chocolate Strawberry Waffles
If you tried these Apple Slice Waffles please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below! I love hearing from you!
Apple Slice Waffles
Equipment
Ingredients
For Apple Slice Waffles
- 1 large apple, cored and thinly sliced
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tbsp mild-tasting oil
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For Optional Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Cut the apples into quarters and remove the cores. Cut each quarter lengthwise into thin slices, about ⅛-inch thick, and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, maple syrup, oil, vanilla extract, and melted, slightly cooled butter until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix. Let the waffle batter rest for 5 minutes as you preheat the waffle maker.
- After 5 minutes, give the batter a very gentle stir and dip each apple slice into the batter, making sure it is fully coated on both sides. Lift the slice and allow any excess batter to drip off for a few seconds.
- Place the coated apple slices onto the preheated waffle maker (leaving a little space between each one if placing more than one slice at a time). Close the waffle maker and cook for about 4 minutes, or until the waffles are golden and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining apple slices.
- For optional cinnamon sugar coating: Mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. As soon as the apple slice waffles come out of the waffle maker, toss or sprinkle them with the cinnamon sugar while they are still hot so that the coating sticks. If needed, brush a very small amount of melted butter on the waffles to help the coating stick.
Notes
- Slice the apples thinly and evenly and don’t make the apple slices too thick. Thick slices will still be firm in the center by the time the waffle coating is fully cooked. About ⅛-inch thick is perfect so that the apple has time to soften while the waffle coating cooks.
- Let the batter rest. A 5-minute rest allows the flour to hydrate and the batter to thicken slightly, making it easier to coat the apples.
- Make sure your waffle maker is fully preheated. A hot waffle iron helps the outside set quickly and gives the waffles that golden color.
- Add the cinnamon sugar right away. If you’re adding the cinnamon sugar coating, tossing the waffles in cinnamon sugar while they’re hot gives the sugar the best chance of sticking without needing to brush them with additional butter. If the cinnamon sugar isn’t sticking as much as you’d like, you can lightly brush the hot waffles with melted butter before coating them.
- I used a Dash mini waffle maker, but if you prefer to make more than 1 – 2 apple slice waffles at a time, you can use a full-sized waffle maker and cook 1 apple slice in each corner (4 at a time) or use a multi-mini waffle maker to cook multiple slices at a time.
