1. 1. Prepare Your Waffle Iron: Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly spray the cooking plates with cooking spray or brush with a little melted butter to prevent sticking.

2. 2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, vanilla protein powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps and the ingredients are well combined.

3. 3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the large egg, milk, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully incorporated.

4. 4. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredient mixture. Stir gently with a whisk or spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few small lumps are perfectly fine and often lead to tender waffles. Overmixing can result in tough waffles.

5. 5. Fold in Apples: Gently fold in the finely diced apple pieces into the batter. Distribute them evenly throughout the mixture.

6. 6. Cook the Waffles: Pour about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of batter (or the amount recommended by your waffle iron’s instructions) onto the preheated waffle iron. Close the lid and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the waffle is golden brown and steaming stops. Most waffle irons have an indicator light that signals when it’s done.

7. 7. Serve Immediately: Carefully remove the cooked waffle from the iron and place it on a plate. Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.