Making his first appearance of the season, the Republic of Ireland international staked a claim for a starting spot for the trip to Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday.
Stoke have garnered just a point from their opening two league fixtures this season, but this win at the Britannia Stadium will come as a welcome boost ahead of the daunting trip to the champions at the weekend.
Walters claimed his first goal shortly after the quarter-hour with a close-range finish, before he was well set up by debutant Victor Moses at the start of the second half to double his tally.
Stoke dominated proceedings throughout - visiting goalkeeper Paul Jones making a number of fine saves to keep the scoreline down - although he was beaten again when former Portsmouth man Peter Couch added a third with a trademark header in the final minute.
Mark Hughes made nine changes from the side that started Sunday's 1-1 draw at Hull City, including a first appearance for Robert Huth since suffering a knee injury in November.
Following a quiet start, Stoke went ahead in the 16th minute as Walters nipped in front of Jones and prodded Marc Muniesa's cross into the net.
Jones performed more heroics on the stroke of the interval by somehow keeping out Huth's close-range effort as the visitors were grateful for the half-time whistle.
Though a sprawling Jones denied Walters a hat-trick, he could do nothing to keep Crouch's late header out as Stoke added gloss to the result.
