If you’re looking for a delightful breakfast treat that feels cozy and fresh all at once, then this Easy Apple Pancakes Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a wonderful way to incorporate juicy, grated apples right into fluffy, tender pancakes, creating a perfect balance of sweet, warm cinnamon, and the natural tartness of green apples. Whether you’re cooking for family or brunch guests, these pancakes come together quickly and promise a comforting dish that feels like a little celebration on your plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward yet essential, each playing a key role in delivering the perfect texture and flavor. They combine classic pancake staples with fresh apples and a touch of cinnamon to elevate this recipe.
- All-purpose flour: The base that provides structure and tenderness.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to complement the apples.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Leavening agents that help the pancakes rise and become fluffy.
- Fine sea salt: Enhances all the other flavors beautifully.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses the pancakes with a warm, cozy spice.
- Low-fat buttermilk: Adds moisture and tang, keeping pancakes soft and flavorful.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together while adding richness.
- Vanilla extract: Gives a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb.
- Green apples (peeled and coarsely grated): Brings freshness, texture, and a slight tartness that balances the sweetness.
- Light olive oil: For sautéing pancakes to a golden perfection without overpowering flavors.
How to Make Easy Apple Pancakes Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Start by combining all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. This includes your flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Whisking these together evenly distributes the leavening agents and spice, which is vital for the perfect rise and taste in every bite.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended. The combination of these adds moisture and richness that keeps the pancakes tender and flavorful.
Step 3: Bring It All Together
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and whisk gently, just until moistened. While whisking, slowly stir in the melted butter. Then, fold in the grated apples carefully — don’t overmix because your batter should remain a bit lumpy to keep the texture light and fluffy.
Step 4: Prepare Your Cooking Surface
Heat your skillet or griddle over medium to low heat and brush on a bit of the olive oil. This ensures the pancakes cook evenly without sticking or burning. If you’re preparing pancakes in batches, warming your oven to 200˚F is a smart move so you can keep finished pancakes perfectly warm.
Step 5: Cook the Pancakes
Spoon about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake onto the skillet. Cook each side for 2-3 minutes, flipping once you notice that golden brown color and bubbles forming on the surface. Adjust the heat if the pancakes begin to brown too fast; slow and steady wins the race here for beautifully cooked pancakes.
Step 6: Keep Warm Until Serving
Transfer cooked pancakes to a baking sheet and place them in the preheated oven. This step keeps them warm and ready to serve without drying out as you finish the batch.
How to Serve Easy Apple Pancakes Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your Easy Apple Pancakes Recipe with a drizzle of pure maple syrup or a light dusting of powdered sugar. For a bit of texture and flavor contrast, add chopped pecans or walnuts on top. Fresh apple slices or a sprinkle of cinnamon can give it a beautiful finishing touch that looks as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
Complement your pancakes with a side of crispy bacon or sausage for a savory balance. Fresh fruit such as berries or orange slices add bright, juicy freshness, while a dollop of Greek yogurt or whipped cream can introduce a creamy, tangy element that pairs beautifully with the sweet apples.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking your pancakes high and layering between them a smear of cinnamon butter or apple compote for a decadent twist. For a brunch party, serve mini pancakes on skewers alternating with pieces of apple and cinnamon-spiced cream cheese for a fun and unexpected presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover pancakes cool completely and then can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This makes it easy to enjoy this breakfast favorite even on busy mornings without any extra prep time.
Freezing
You can freeze your cooked Easy Apple Pancakes Recipe by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then stacking them with parchment paper between each pancake in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months, meaning you always have a quick breakfast waiting.
Reheating
Reheat frozen or refrigerated pancakes in a toaster, oven, or microwave. The toaster works great for crisp edges, while the oven at 350˚F for about 10 minutes warms them through evenly. Microwave reheating is fastest but can soften the texture slightly.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of apple for this recipe?
Absolutely! While green apples provide a tart contrast that’s wonderful here, sweeter apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp will also work well, giving a milder, sweeter flavor to your pancakes.
Do I need to peel the apples?
Peeling helps achieve a smoother texture in the pancakes, but if you don’t mind extra texture and some color flecks, you can leave the peel on. Just be sure to wash the apples thoroughly.
Can I make these pancakes gluten-free?
Substituting with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend can work, but you may notice slight differences in texture. Make sure your baking powder is gluten-free as well for the best results.
Is it necessary to use buttermilk?
Buttermilk adds tang and helps activate the baking soda for fluffier pancakes. If you don’t have it, you can make a substitute by mixing milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar and letting it sit for 5 minutes before use.
Can I prepare the batter the night before?
It’s best to make the batter fresh to keep the apples crisp and prevent browning, but you can prepare the dry and wet ingredients separately ahead of time and combine them just before cooking.
Final Thoughts
Nothing beats waking up to a stack of these Easy Apple Pancakes Recipe beauties, bubbling with warm cinnamon and fresh apple flavor. They’re simple to make, delightfully satisfying, and guaranteed to bring smiles around the breakfast table. Give this recipe a try—you might just find your new favorite breakfast tradition.
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Easy Apple Pancakes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings (about 20 medium pancakes)
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easy Apple Pancakes are a delightful twist on classic pancakes, featuring coarsely grated green apples folded into a fluffy batter. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or brunch, they offer a balance of sweet and slightly tart flavors with a hint of warm cinnamon. Cooked on the stovetop to golden perfection, these pancakes are tender, moist, and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 2 cups low-fat buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
Other Ingredients
- 2 green apples (or 1 lb, peeled and coarsely grated, about 2 cups)
- 2 Tbsp light olive oil (plus more as needed to sauté)
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until evenly mixed. Set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and blended.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk gently until just moistened. Avoid overmixing to keep the batter light.
- Add Butter and Apples: While stirring, add the melted unsalted butter and fold in the coarsely grated green apples. The batter should remain lumpy; do not overmix.
- Heat Pan and Prepare to Cook: Preheat a large heavy-bottomed skillet, cast iron pan, or griddle over medium-low heat (325-350°F). Add 2 Tbsp light olive oil to grease the cooking surface. If you want to keep pancakes warm, preheat the oven to 200°F.
- Cook Pancakes: Scoop about 1/4 cup or a 2 oz ice cream scoop of batter for each pancake onto the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, flipping when the edges are set, bubbles form and begin to pop, and the bottom is golden brown. Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.
- Keep Warm: Transfer cooked pancakes to a baking sheet and place in the preheated 200°F oven to keep warm up to 45 minutes until ready to serve.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter; lumps are okay as they help the pancakes stay fluffy.
- Use green apples like Granny Smith for a nice tart contrast; you may substitute with any crisp apple variety.
- Adjust the heat to medium-low to cook pancakes evenly without burning the exterior.
- The oven-warming step keeps pancakes warm and helps maintain texture if cooking multiple batches.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute buttermilk with a plant-based milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
