Apple Pancakes with Cinnamon Apples
Fall mornings call for cozy breakfasts, and nothing hits the spot quite like warm, fluffy Apple Pancakes. These delightful pancakes combine the sweetness of fresh apples with a hint of cinnamon, creating a comforting dish that’s perfect for a weekend brunch or a special family breakfast.
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Apple Pancakes Recipe
Breakfast is the best meal of the day, and fall breakfasts are the best breakfasts of the year. My favorite Apple Pancakes are the ultimate fall comfort food, bringing the essence of fall right to your breakfast table. Bursting with fresh apple flavor and a warm hint of cinnamon, these pancakes are not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make.
Perfect for slow weekend mornings or holiday brunches, they can be customized with your favorite toppings, from maple syrup to whipped cream. Plus, they offer a delightful way to use up any apples you might have on hand. Serve them with pumpkin muffins for the ultimate fall brunch spread.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Whether topped with maple syrup or a cinnamon apple topping, these pancakes are sure to become a seasonal favorite!
- If fall had a flavor, it would be these apple pancakes. So good!
- They are incredibly easy to make — perfect for weekends.
- The cinnamon apple topping is so decadent and lovely.
Ingredients
You don't need pancake mix or anything special for these Apple Pancakes — just pantry ingredients you can get at your local grocery store.
All-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, butter, eggs, vanilla extract and milk are essential.
To add the apple flavor, you'll want to snag some unsweetened applesauce (we love to make homemade applesauce) plus some fresh apples. Honey crisp, Gala and Fuji are my favorite, but you could use any kind of apple. Granny Smith apples will be more tart, but that is kind of nice too!
You'll also want some ground cinnamon or apple pie spice for that signature flavor.
Substitutions and Variations
There are lots of ways you can mix this recipe up!
Apple genius: Try this recipe with red and/or green apples. Red apples are sweeter, whereas green ones are more tart. Sometimes I do a mixture of both! You could also try it with pears for a totally different spin, or go bold by making some bacon pancakes!
Vegan version: You can make a few substitutes. Swap the butter for a plant-based butter; the milk for a non-dairy milk; and an egg replacer for the egg.
You can use a gluten-free 1:1 flour substitute, such as King Arthur Measure for Measure Flour, to make this recipe without gluten.
How to Make Apple Pancakes
Let's make some apple pancakes!
- Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a large mixing bowl. This is your dry mix.
- In a separate bowl, combine the applesauce, melted butter, egg, and milk until everything is well blended.
- Next add the grated apples and stir into the wet ingredients to combine.
- Make a little well in the center of your dry mix and pour in the wet ingredients. Stir it all together gently; it's okay if the batter is a bit lumpy!
- Preheat your skillet or griddle over medium heat, and give it a light greasing with butter or cooking spray to keep those pancakes from sticking.
- For each pancake, pour a small amount of batter onto the skillet. Cook until you see bubbles forming on the surface and the edges starting to look set—then it's time to flip! Cook the other side until it’s golden brown.
- Keep repeating with the remaining batter, adjusting the heat if needed to prevent burning. Enjoy your pancakes warm and delicious, topped with cinnamon apples, maple syrup or whatever your heart desires!
Cinnamon Apple Topping
We love to make a cinnamon apple topping to go on these apple pancakes. They make it feel kind of like you're eating apple crumble for breakfast! So fun.
- Start by cutting your apples into chunks, leaving the skin on for extra flavor and texture. (It's okay to peel them though if you prefer!)
- In a small pot, steam the apple chunks with just a little bit of water until they’re slightly tender—this will help them cook through nicely.
- Once the apples are ready, add some butter to a pan and let it melt over medium heat.
- Sprinkle the steamed apples with ground cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and a dash of vanilla. Make sure everything is coated well for that delicious flavor.
- Now, pan-fry the apple chunks, stirring occasionally, until they turn golden brown and get that lovely caramelized look. They’ll be the perfect sweet topping for your pancakes!
What to Serve with Apple Pancakes
Apple pancakes are so good on their own. If you don't want to make the apple topping, you could use pure maple syrup or cinnamon maple syrup. Honey is also delicious with apples! Whipped cream, chopped nuts or a sprinkle of powdered sugar would all be great too!
These apple pancakes are also great with some breakfast sides like bacon and eggs or a big slice of breakfast casserole. We like to make breakfast potatoes too!
Tips for Success
Here are some tips and tricks for making this recipe:
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples, such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, for added flavor complexity. Fresh, crisp apples will enhance the taste and texture of your pancakes.
- Go light on the stirring. When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. A few lumps are okay but overmixing can lead to tough pancakes.
- If you want to enjoy these pancakes later, cook them in advance and store them in the fridge. Simply reheat in a skillet or microwave before serving for a quick and satisfying breakfast. You can also freeze them!
FAQ
Sweet apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji or Gala work well for pancakes, while tart apples like Granny Smith add a nice contrast. A combination of both can enhance the flavor.
Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them by placing parchment paper between each pancake and sealing them in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
More Fall Breakfast Ideas
Apple Pancakes with Cinnamon Apple Topping
Equipment
Ingredients
Apple Pancakes
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 3½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons applesauce
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 large egg
- 1½ cups milk
- 2 apples peeled and grated
Cinnamon Apple Topping
- 1 medium apple cut into ½-inch chunks
- 1 tablespoon butter unsalted
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For the pancakes
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, mix the applesauce, melted butter, egg, and milk until well combined.
- Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Stir until just combined. The batter may be slightly lumpy. Gently fold the grated apples into the batter.
- Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly grease the cooking surface with butter or cooking spray.
- Pour a small amount of batter onto the skillet for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set. Flip the pancake and cook the other side until golden brown.
- Repeat with the remaining batter, adjusting heat as needed to prevent burning.
For the cinnamon apples:
- Cut apples into chunks, leaving the skin on.
- Steam the apple chunks in a small amount of water until slightly tender.
- Add butter to the pan and melt.
- Sprinkle ground cinnamon over the apples, salt and vanilla over the apples and coat completely.
- Pan-fry the apple chunks, stirring occasionally, until they're golden brown and coated.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was chosen as a favorite at the Weekend Potluck.
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Such a gorgeous stack of pancakes! Can't wait to make this for breakfast!
Hey Gayle! They're so delicious for breakfast—I hope you love them! Thanks for the sweet comment!