Spiced Apple Pancakes
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Bursting with warm flavors, these Spiced Apple Pancakes are the best comforting breakfast for a cozy and chilly morning! Fans of thin and crispy pancakes will love these unique, autumnal apple cinnamon pancakes slathered in melted butter and syrup.
Why You Will Love This Apple Pancakes Recipe
Looking for the perfect fall breakfast? To brace against the autumn chill, fill your kitchen with the delicious aroma of familiar spices and perfectly cooked pancakes!
The combination of apples and cinnamon is a classic and nostalgic flavor pairing that’s ideal for a sweet and filling breakfast that’s reminiscent of apple pie. Just like my Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, this is a hearty morning meal that’s sure to warm you up from the inside out.
Pair it with your favorite breakfast sides like Candied Bacon for a super satisfying morning bite. Apple cinnamon pancakes are also great for brunch and make a tasty option when you’re craving breakfast for dinner!
Ingredients you will need
Dry Ingredients: the batter for apple cinnamon pancakes is made with a classic combination of flour, baking powder, and salt, with brown sugar and cinnamon for sweetness and warmth.
Egg: acts as a binding agent and helps your pancakes stay together as they cook.
Butter: of course you’ll want butter on top of your pancakes, but adding melted butter to the batter infuses them with rich flavor. I recommend giving brown butter a try for more of a nutty flavor!
Milk: feel free to use whatever milk you have on hand, dairy or non-dairy.
Vanilla Extract: pairs well with the autumnal flavors and adds another dimension of sweetness.
Fresh Apples: provide some added moisture and a natural fruity flavor that compliments the cinnamon perfectly!
What are the best apples to use in apple pancakes?
When it comes to using apples in baking (and yes, pancakes count as baking as far as I’m concerned!), Granny Smith apples are always a fantastic option. They bring the perfect amount of tartness to balance out the typical sweetness of baked goods.
If you prefer a sweeter result, you could also go for something like honeycrisp apples, pink lady apples, or gala apples. You’ll want to choose something that’s generally on the firmer side to ensure you don’t wind up with pancakes that are too mushy.
Though I love making apple recipes during apple season when the fruits are at their best, these pancakes are truly good any time of year. Just make sure you get your hands on the best apples you can find and you’re all set!
How to make cinnamon apple pancakes
- Combine dry ingredients. Whisk together the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking powder, a pinch of salt, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.
- Mix wet ingredients. In a separate large bowl, combine the eggs, butter, milk, and vanilla.
- Combine wet and dry. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry and stir just until smooth.
- Add apples. Stir in the grated apple, taking care not to overmix the batter.
- Cook pancakes. Add pancake batter to a hot skillet and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes, then flip and cook another minute or so.
How do you know when to flip pancakes?
To ensure perfectly golden brown pancakes every time, there are a few things to look for. First, if you see small bubbles forming on the surface of the pancakes, that’s typically an indication that it’s time to flip them.
Be aware that if the griddle or pan is too hot, bubbles can form before the pancake is actually ready to flip. Start with medium heat for best results.
In that case, another thing to look out for is solid edges. Defined edges typically mean that the pancake is ready to be flipped. You can also give it a little lift with your spatula to ensure the bottom is golden brown. If any batter still seems uncooked or sticks to the griddle, give it another minute or so.
Why are my pancakes so dense?
If your pancakes turned out dense, this is most likely the result of overmixing the batter. When preparing the batter, you’ll want to mix it until just combined; it’s okay if there are lumps.
Why are my pancakes flat?
In some cases, this is an unwanted side effect of not using enough baking powder, or else using expired baking powder. If you prefer fluffy pancakes, you’ll want to make sure you’re using fresh baking powder.
But in the case of these apple cinnamon pancakes, they’re actually meant to be thin and flat with nice crispy edges!
What to serve with pancakes
To take your apple pancakes to the next level, be sure to top them with a pat of butter and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Other good topping options:
- apple butter
- cottage cheese
- cinnamon syrup
- Greek yogurt
- sour cream
- fresh fruit (adding more apple slices is never a bad idea)
- powdered sugar
- whipped cream
Serving pancakes as part of a holiday breakfast or special brunch? Pair them with something savory like this Vegetable Breakfast Pizza or this super elegant Fig Toast with Whipped Goat Cheese.
You could even turn these pancakes into a fun dessert by serving them with a scoop of ice cream or apple crisp topping!
How to store pancakes
Luckily, pancakes are majorly easy to store. You can pop them in an airtight container or wrap them in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then stick them in the fridge for up to a week.
Can you freeze pancakes?
Absolutely! I like to store mine in a freezer safe bag. This makes it easy to press out any excess air and keep them fresher for longer. Leftover pancakes will last for months in the freezer. You can use some parchment paper or wax paper to separate layers if you want to prevent sticking.
How to reheat pancakes
You can reheat pancakes in a wide variety of ways and get good results. The microwave is a great option if you need something quick! Wrap pancakes in a paper towel to help pull out any excess moisture and avoid soggy pancakes.
Other options include heating them in the air fryer at 350 F for 2-3 minutes, in the oven on a baking sheet for about 5 minutes, or even back on the stove top in a skillet or frying pan.
Pancakes can also be reheated directly from frozen. Just add a few minutes to ensure they’re properly heated through!
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Spiced Apple Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large apples, cored and grated
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In another small bowl, whisk together the eggs, butter, milk, and vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients, and stir gently until just combined and the batter is just combined. Then fold in the grated apple with a spatula.
- Heat about half a tablespoon of butter or olive oil in a non-stick frying pan or griddle. Add ¼ cup of the batter per pancake and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until bubbles start to form on the top of the pancake. Flip and cook an additional 1 minute, or until cooked through. Serve warm with butter and maple syrup.
