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    Home - Breakfast

    Published: Sep 22, 2014 · Modified: Jan 10, 2023 by Amanda Powell · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Fluffy Apple Pancakes

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These fluffy apple pancakes are a delicious and fun way to start your mornings. They are quick to put together and taste just like apple pie!

    apple pancakes stacked on a white plate

    Why you'll love them

    These are super fluffy pancakes swirled with apple pie filling and chopped nuts, then topped with even more apple.

    It's the perfect way to use up any left over apples, especially if you have some leftover from making apple crumble, homemade apple cider, or apple cinnamon rolls.

    Although these pancakes are flavorful, light, and fluffy just on their own, the addition of apples turns this into the perfect autumn breakfast.

    The recipe is a family-favorite, which is perfect because it makes enough to feed everyone!

    hot breakfast flapjacks on white plate topped with apples

    Key ingredients

    This easy breakfast requires some pantry staple ingredients, so it is likely you'll have all or most of the ingredients in your kitchen. Let's review some of the key ingredients and anything important you might need to know.

    • Flour - For light, fluffy pancakes, I highly recommend using all-purpose flour. You can add some cornstarch (a teaspoon or two) to the flour to lighten it up further.
    • Sugar - I used brown sugar in this to boost the autumn flavors of the pancake, but you can use granulated sugar instead.
    • Buttermilk - This helps make the pancakes light and give it a subtle tang. If you don't have any on-hand, you can make homemade buttermilk.
    • Apples - I recommend Granny Smith, or any other firm, tart apple. It holds up to cooking, and the tartness balances out the sweetness of the sugar.
    Fluffy apple pie pancakes | @cookiedesire

    How to make

    These cinnamon apple pancakes are so simple to make, which is perfect for when you don't want to spend a lot of time making your weekend breakfast a little more special.

    1. Apple topping and filling - Make your apple pie topping and filling, then set it aside.
    2. Dry mixture - Mix all the dry ingredients for the pancakes in a large bowl, then set aside.
    3. Wet ingredients - Mix together all the wet ingredients into another bowl.
    4. Combine - Mix together the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until just barely combined. Lots of lumps are encouraged at this stage.
    5. Swirl - Add in some of the apple pie filling mixture, making sure not to mix too much.
    6. Cook - Heat a skillet or griddle on medium-low and cook for a couple of minutes on each side.
    close up of fork with pancakes

    Pancake variations

    This is a delicious base recipe. You can omit the apples and the spices and add in so many different things to customize your pancakes.

    You can toss in chocolate chips, fresh or frozen fruits, eat them plain, or use another kind of pie as inspiration!

    Serving suggestions

    These tasty apple pancakes are the perfect main for your breakfast. Here are some other delicious things you can serve with your pancakes.

    • Bacon
    • Cinnamon honey butter
    • Eggs
    • Potatoes
    • Salted caramel sauce
    Fluffy apple pie pancakes | @cookiedesire

    Recipe FAQs

    What's the secret to amazing pancakes?

    Do not overmix! Lumps in your batter are actually a good thing in pancake batter. The more you mix, the more likely you will develop gluten which will give you tough, chewy pancakes.

    Can I use any kind of apple?

    While I recommend Granny Smith, anything that cooks well will work. You can even use any leftover apple pie filling, so long as you cut it down to small bite-sized pieces.

    Can I double the recipe?

    Absolutely! If you are planning to cook for a crowd, this is great for doubling or tripling.

    Don't have time to make these delicious apple pancakes now? Pin them for later!

    Fluffy apple pie pancakes | @cookiedesire

    Apple Pie Pancakes

    Amanda Powell
    These fluffy apple pie pancakes are a delicious and fun way to start your mornings. They are quick to put together and taste just like apple pie!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 322 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Apple Pie Filling and Topping

    • 1 large apple I recommend Granny Smith
    • ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
    • ¼ teaspoon allspice
    • pinch of salt

    Batter

    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 ½ tablespoons baking powder
    • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
    • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon ginger
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 4 tablespoons sugar
    • 2 ½ cups buttermilk room temperature
    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
    • 2 large eggs room temperature
    • ⅓ cup 67 g chopped lightly roasted walnuts, plus more for topping

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 200 F.
    • Finely dice the apple and coat with brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Toss in a skillet and cook on medium heat, until the apples are softened. Set aside.
    • In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and sugar. Set aside.
    • In a separate bowl, mix together the buttermilk, butter and eggs, mixing well to combine. Fold in in the dry ingredients and then half of the apple mixture, being careful not to over mix (lumps are your friends).
    • Heat a nonstick pan or griddle on medium-low heat. Pour out ¼ cup (63 ish mL) of batter per pancake (I can fit three pancakes on my griddle). Cook for about 2 - 3 minutes on this side, you will see bubble form and begin to pop. Flip, and cook for an additional 1 - 2 minutes. Place the finished pancakes on a baking sheet and leave in the oven to keep warm while you continue making the other pancakes.
    • Top your stacks of pancakes with the remaining apple pie filling and almonds, plus any other toppings you may like. I love adding some whipped cream!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 322kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 9gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 64mgSodium: 771mgPotassium: 198mgFiber: 2gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 373IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 242mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag me on Instagram! @acookienameddesire #acookienameddesire

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    About Amanda Powell

    Baker, photographer, and sometimes world traveler behind A Cookie Named Desire. Obsessed with helping people live life sweetly with delicious food to share with the special people in your life and creating lasting memories.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Trish says

      October 16, 2015 at 4:46 pm

      YUM! These look so delicious!

      Reply
    2. kelley says

      October 16, 2015 at 3:59 pm

      Wow these look soon amazing!!! Going to make them this weekend for sure!

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        October 16, 2015 at 8:40 pm

        I hope you like them as much as we do!

        Reply
    3. Laura @MotherWouldKnow says

      October 15, 2015 at 2:12 pm

      My family loves pancakes and I'm sure they would love these. Me - I'll stick to waffles and though I wouldn't usually say that in a post about pancakes, with your story, I figured that I'm safe:)

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        October 15, 2015 at 2:39 pm

        Haha yes, you are in a safe place here, my friend! Maybe I should make apple pie waffles. 😉

        Reply
    4. Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says

      September 30, 2014 at 3:19 pm

      I can't believe that you used to hate pancakes!!! Crazy girl! 🙂

      Loving this recipe, its like the ultimate fall breakfast recipe... plus apple pie just makes me happy so this recipe needs to happen!

      Reply
    5. Corina says

      September 25, 2014 at 6:28 am

      These look and sound so good. I am always meaning to make pancakes for breakfast but somehow never seem to have the organisation or time to do them! I would love to have a go at these though.

      Reply
    6. Kat from curlsnchard.com says

      September 24, 2014 at 2:58 pm

      I love pancakes! I never though about putting cookie crumbles or pulverized almonds into mine - that's really something I have to try 🙂

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        September 24, 2014 at 3:07 pm

        You will love it! It's not something I usually do either, but it gives it that pie crust taste in this instance. If you try the recipe, let me know what you think 🙂

        Reply
    7. 365hangers says

      September 23, 2014 at 3:35 pm

      These pancakes look magical and now we know what we're doing this weekend. We'll be drooling until Saturday, that's for sure!! xx

      Reply
    8. Nutmeg Nanny says

      September 23, 2014 at 8:19 am

      These do look super fluffy! So comforting for fall.

      Reply
    9. Renee says

      September 23, 2014 at 3:06 am

      Halleluja! Apple pie pancakes; soooooo good!

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        September 23, 2014 at 7:53 am

        Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy 🙂

        Reply
    10. Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says

      September 22, 2014 at 11:00 pm

      I definitely want a stack of these for breakfast!

      Reply
    11. Kristen says

      September 22, 2014 at 5:31 pm

      These are just the prettiest pancakes!! What a great idea for this season.

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        September 23, 2014 at 7:52 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    12. Inspiring Kitchen says

      September 22, 2014 at 3:29 pm

      Looks delicious. Perfect for season.

      Reply
    13. Amanda @The Kitcheneer says

      September 22, 2014 at 3:01 pm

      These pancakes. These pancakes are TOTALLY happening at my house this weekend!

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        September 22, 2014 at 4:45 pm

        Yes! Let me know how you like them!!

        Reply
    14. Angela |Mind Over Batter says

      September 22, 2014 at 1:11 pm

      Oh, Mylanta - These pancakes look amazing!! I'm more of a pancake girl. To be honest I've never eaten a waffle. I dunno why.

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        September 22, 2014 at 2:54 pm

        Waffles are the best! Although, these pancakes pretty much rule my life right now!

        Reply
    15. Broma Bakery says

      September 22, 2014 at 10:12 am

      ANNA AND ELSA?! That's amazing.
      These look fantabulous.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Amanda! I am the baker and photographer behind A Cookie Named Desire. I'm a world traveler (sometimes) with a major weakness for cookies and cheese. While I'm mostly self-taught, I recently received a degree in Food Science!

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