Transform Basic Waffles Into An Easy Fall Breakfast With Apple Pie Filling

With its buttery crust, hearty fruit filling, and warming spices, you'd be forgiven for wanting apple pie for breakfast. But if morning is too early for dessert, try giving a classic morning treat an apple-tastic twist instead. Apple pie stuffed waffles are a fluffy, crispy, and fruity delight that toes the line between an indulgent fall dessert recipe and a satisfying breakfast.

To make this easy dish, you only need a waffle iron, plain waffle batter, and apple pie filling. The batter and filling can either be store-bought or made from scratch. Try our buttermilk Belgian waffle recipe for the homemade route, or turn to one of the best boxed waffle mixes to make your morning simpler. For a quick apple filling, just stew the diced fruit with warm spices like cinnamon, a sweetener like brown sugar or maple syrup, and some optional cornstarch to thicken the juices.

To get cooking, preheat the waffle iron, then ladle in about half the amount of batter you would use to make one waffle. Quickly spoon the apple pie filling on top, then pour on the remainder of the batter to cover the fruit. Close the iron, let the waffle cook until golden-brown, and carefully transfer to a plate. Repeat this process for as many waffles as you like, then dig in. The tender, syrupy, spiced apples encased in dough will satisfy both your apple pie and waffle cravings.

Apple pie stuffed waffles taste sensational with nothing more than syrup and butter, but for a luxurious brunch, you can dress them up to the nines. A scoop of vanilla ice cream is always welcome, but consider more creative apple pie toppings like crème anglaise or whipped cream infused with spices or a shot of bourbon. If you're a fan of sweet and savory breakfast foods, don't sleep on a scattering of bacon crumbles or a slice of cheddar cheese. The sharp, savory cheese will balance the sweet, juicy apples and add a melty finish to the crisp waffle.

A drizzle of salted caramel, shower of crunchy pecans, or slathering of apple or pumpkin butter would make your waffles extra autumnal, while a topping of southern fried apples is perfect for true apple fanatics. To get more ambitious, consider stuffing your waffles with extra ingredients. Traditional stuffed waffles often use a combo of fruit and cream cheese filling. Mix some softened cream cheese with sugar and dollop it into your waffles alongside the pie filling for a burst of sweet, tangy, creamy richness. Peanut butter, caramel sauce, or marshmallow fluff would also make for wonderfully gooey additions.

Do you much prefer flapjacks to waffles? You can transform basic pancakes into a similar fall treat using just apples, cinnamon, and sugar. Any sweet additions that work with apple pie waffles will also taste splendid on your fluffy pancakes.