Cinnamon Apple Empanadas Waffles

Name: Cinnamon Apple Empanadas Waffles
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Yield: 8

waffles apple cinnamon empanadas fusion breakfast brunch fall

Breakfast

These creative fusion waffles capture all the flavors of traditional apple empanadas in a crispy Belgian waffle format, complete with cinnamon-spiced apple filling and a dulce de leche drizzle.

Recipe Details

Units:

Metric Imperial

Servings:

Prep: 25 Cook: 20

Ingredients

250g2 cups all-purpose flour
60g1/2 cup fine cornmeal
10ml2 tsp baking powder
2.5ml1/2 tsp baking soda
5ml1 tsp salt
10ml2 tsp ground cinnamon
1.25ml1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
50g1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 large2 large eggs, separated
360ml1 1/2 cups buttermilk
60g1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
5ml1 tsp vanilla extract
3 medium3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
30g2 tbsp unsalted butter (for filling)
100g1/2 cup brown sugar (for filling)
5ml1 tsp ground cinnamon (for filling)
15ml1 tbsp lemon juice
10ml2 tsp cornstarch
120ml1/2 cup dulce de leche, warmed
for dustingfor dusting powdered sugar

Instructions

Prepare apple filling: In a large skillet, melt 30g2 tbsp unsalted butter (for filling) over medium heat. Add 3 medium3 medium Granny Smith apples, 100g1/2 cup brown sugar (for filling), 5ml1 tsp ground cinnamon (for filling), and 15ml1 tbsp lemon juice. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender but still hold their shape.
Mix 10ml2 tsp cornstarch with 15ml (1 tbsp) water to create a slurry. Add to apples and cook 1-2 minutes until thickened. Set aside to cool slightly.
In a large bowl, whisk together 250g2 cups all-purpose flour, 60g1/2 cup fine cornmeal, 10ml2 tsp baking powder, 2.5ml1/2 tsp baking soda, 5ml1 tsp salt, 10ml2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1.25ml1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, and 50g1/4 cup light brown sugar.
In another bowl, whisk egg yolks from 2 large2 large eggs with 360ml1 1/2 cups buttermilk, 60g1/4 cup unsalted butter, and 5ml1 tsp vanilla extract.
In a clean bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Gently fold in 240ml (1 cup) of the cooled apple filling, then fold in beaten egg whites.
Preheat waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions. Lightly grease if needed.
Pour batter into waffle iron (amount depends on your waffle maker size) and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes.
Keep finished waffles warm in a 95°C (200°F) oven while cooking remaining batter.
Serve waffles topped with remaining warm apple filling, a drizzle of 120ml1/2 cup dulce de leche, and a dusting of for dustingfor dusting powdered sugar.

Ingredients

id: flour_waffles metric: 250g imperial: 2 cups name: all-purpose flour
id: cornmeal metric: 60g imperial: 1/2 cup name: fine cornmeal
id: baking_powder_waffles metric: 10ml imperial: 2 tsp name: baking powder
id: baking_soda_waffles metric: 2.5ml imperial: 1/2 tsp name: baking soda
id: salt_waffles metric: 5ml imperial: 1 tsp name: salt
id: cinnamon_waffles metric: 10ml imperial: 2 tsp name: ground cinnamon
id: nutmeg metric: 1.25ml imperial: 1/4 tsp name: ground nutmeg
id: brown_sugar_waffles metric: 50g imperial: 1/4 cup name: light brown sugar, packed
id: eggs_waffles metric: 2 large imperial: 2 large name: eggs, separated
id: buttermilk_waffles metric: 360ml imperial: 1 1/2 cups name: buttermilk
id: butter_melted_waffles metric: 60g imperial: 1/4 cup name: unsalted butter, melted
id: vanilla_waffles metric: 5ml imperial: 1 tsp name: vanilla extract
id: granny_smith_apples metric: 3 medium imperial: 3 medium name: Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
id: butter_filling metric: 30g imperial: 2 tbsp name: unsalted butter (for filling)
id: brown_sugar_filling metric: 100g imperial: 1/2 cup name: brown sugar (for filling)
id: cinnamon_filling metric: 5ml imperial: 1 tsp name: ground cinnamon (for filling)
id: lemon_juice_apples metric: 15ml imperial: 1 tbsp name: lemon juice
id: cornstarch_filling metric: 10ml imperial: 2 tsp name: cornstarch
id: dulce_de_leche metric: 120ml imperial: 1/2 cup name: dulce de leche, warmed
id: powdered_sugar metric: for dusting imperial: for dusting name: powdered sugar

Instructions

Prepare apple filling: In a large skillet, melt {butter_filling} over medium heat. Add {granny_smith_apples}, {brown_sugar_filling}, {cinnamon_filling}, and {lemon_juice_apples}. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender but still hold their shape.
Mix {cornstarch_filling} with 15ml (1 tbsp) water to create a slurry. Add to apples and cook 1-2 minutes until thickened. Set aside to cool slightly.
In a large bowl, whisk together {flour_waffles}, {cornmeal}, {baking_powder_waffles}, {baking_soda_waffles}, {salt_waffles}, {cinnamon_waffles}, {nutmeg}, and {brown_sugar_waffles}.
In another bowl, whisk egg yolks from {eggs_waffles} with {buttermilk_waffles}, {butter_melted_waffles}, and {vanilla_waffles}.
In a clean bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Gently fold in 240ml (1 cup) of the cooled apple filling, then fold in beaten egg whites.
Preheat waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions. Lightly grease if needed.
Pour batter into waffle iron (amount depends on your waffle maker size) and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes.
Keep finished waffles warm in a 95°C (200°F) oven while cooking remaining batter.
Serve waffles topped with remaining warm apple filling, a drizzle of {dulce_de_leche}, and a dusting of {powdered_sugar}.

Tips

Apple Choice: Granny Smith apples hold their shape well when cooked and provide nice tartness to balance the sweet waffles. Honeycrisp or Braeburn also work well.

Cornmeal Addition: The cornmeal adds a subtle crunch reminiscent of empanada dough. For a more traditional waffle, you can omit it and use all flour.

Make-Ahead Apple Filling: The apple filling can be made up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated. Reheat gently before serving.

Egg White Technique: Folding in beaten egg whites creates lighter, crispier waffles. Don't overmix or you'll deflate them.

Dulce de Leche Substitute: Make a quick version by simmering a can of sweetened condensed milk (unopened) in water for 2-3 hours, or use caramel sauce.

Freezer Friendly: Cooked waffles freeze beautifully. Cool completely, then freeze in a single layer before stacking. Reheat in toaster straight from frozen.

Serving Variations: Top with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or crème fraîche. Add toasted pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.

Savory Twist: These also work with sharp cheddar cheese added to the batter - serve with the apple topping for a sweet-savory combination.