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
Scale
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.
