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!
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!
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.
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.
- Apple topping and filling - Make your apple pie topping and filling, then set it aside.
- Dry mixture - Mix all the dry ingredients for the pancakes in a large bowl, then set aside.
- Wet ingredients - Mix together all the wet ingredients into another bowl.
- Combine - Mix together the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until just barely combined. Lots of lumps are encouraged at this stage.
- Swirl - Add in some of the apple pie filling mixture, making sure not to mix too much.
- Cook - Heat a skillet or griddle on medium-low and cook for a couple of minutes on each side.
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
Recipe FAQs
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.
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.
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!
Apple Pie Pancakes
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!
Trish says
YUM! These look so delicious!
kelley says
Wow these look soon amazing!!! Going to make them this weekend for sure!
Amanda says
I hope you like them as much as we do!
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
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:)
Amanda says
Haha yes, you are in a safe place here, my friend! Maybe I should make apple pie waffles. 😉
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
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!
Corina says
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.
Kat from curlsnchard.com says
I love pancakes! I never though about putting cookie crumbles or pulverized almonds into mine - that's really something I have to try 🙂
Amanda says
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 🙂
365hangers says
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
Nutmeg Nanny says
These do look super fluffy! So comforting for fall.
Renee says
Halleluja! Apple pie pancakes; soooooo good!
Amanda says
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy 🙂
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I definitely want a stack of these for breakfast!
Kristen says
These are just the prettiest pancakes!! What a great idea for this season.
Amanda says
Thank you!
Inspiring Kitchen says
Looks delicious. Perfect for season.
Amanda @The Kitcheneer says
These pancakes. These pancakes are TOTALLY happening at my house this weekend!
Amanda says
Yes! Let me know how you like them!!
Angela |Mind Over Batter says
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.
Amanda says
Waffles are the best! Although, these pancakes pretty much rule my life right now!
Broma Bakery says
ANNA AND ELSA?! That's amazing.
These look fantabulous.