Our Apple Cinnamon Pancakes are a cozy way to start the morning. Filled with the flavors of fall, this is an easy recipe made with apple butter, fresh apples, and plenty of cinnamon. It comes together quickly with ingredients you probably have in your kitchen.
Whether you are looking for a special recipe for a weekend brunch or a quick weekday treat for your kiddos, this apple filled recipe is sure to become a favorite. If you love fall breakfast recipes, be sure to check out our Light and Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes or our Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- make ahead option - make this batter up the night before and have quick homemade pancakes ready to go anytime
- this recipe is filled with cozy fall flavors - tons of apple flavor and warm cinnamon
- easy and accessible - make this recipe with ingredients that you already have in your kitchen
- the grated apple keeps this fluffy apple pancakes recipe incredibly moist and fluffy
- the whole family will love this apple cinnamon pancake recipe - the kids and the grown-ups
key Ingredients
apple butter - store bought or homemade apple butter both work well for this recipe - if you want to make your own apple butter, try our Slow Cooker Maple Apple Butter
apple - use a firm sweet but tart apple like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for this recipe - you'll want to use your box grater to grate the apple
milk - any milk works for this recipe - I used 2% but you can use whole, skim or a dairy free milk
butter - melted but not so hot that it cooks the egg when you whisk the liquid ingredients together
Variations and Substitutions
gluten free apple cinnamon pancakes - you can use your favorite gluten free baking blend in place of the all purpose flour to make these apple cinnamon pancakes gluten free
apple butter - if you don't have or can't find apple butter, you can use applesauce in its place for this recipe
apple pie spice - swap the cinnamon for apple pie spice for a warmer, more complex flavor in these apple cinnamon pancakes.
If you love apple and cinnamon together for breakfast, don't miss our Apple Coffee Cake Recipe - perfect for cozy fall mornings.
how to make Fluffy apple cinnamon pancakes
Be sure to see the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and detailed recipe instructions.
Combine the dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
Melt the butter. Once the butter is melted, add milk, apple butter, egg and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix until the batter just comes together.
Grate one medium apple into the pancake batter.
Spray your pan with cooking spray. Cook pancakes over medium heat.
Serve pancakes with a dollop of apple batter, some apple slices and warm maple syrup.
Amanda's Top Pancake Making Tips
Don't Over Mix the Batter - when you are making pancake batter, you want to be sure not to over mix it. Use a whisk to mix the wet and dry ingredients together. Some remaining lumps in the batter are okay.
Test Your Frying Pan or Griddle - set the heat to medium and warm your frying pan - the pan is ready when a drop of water sizzles and quickly evaporates.
Wait for the Bubbles - don't flip your pancakes too early! wait for bubbles to form on the surface of the batter
Use Fresh Baking Powder (non aluminum) - fresh baking powder is the secret to fluffy apple cinnamon pancakes - it's what gives them their rise and light texture.
Fluffy apple cinnamon pancakes FAQs
The most common reason for flat or not fluffy pancakes is old baking powder. Be sure to use fresh baking powder that is aluminum free.
This will happen if you have the heat turned up too high on your griddle or cook top. This will cause the pancakes to get dark quickly and not cook all the way through. Test your pan before cooking the pancakes - the pan is ready when a drop of water sizzles and quickly evaporates.
You can add an additional tablespoon or two of milk to the pancake batter if it seems too thick.
Other Apple Recipes to Make
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Fluffy Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- box grater (for the apple)
- whisk
- frying pan or griddle
- spatula
Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup apple butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¾ cup apple, grated (one medium apple)
Instructions
- Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to a medium mixing bowl. Whisk together until well combined.1 cup all purpose flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon salt
- Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter in the microwave or on the stovetop. Set aside to cool slightly (you don't want it hot enough to cook the egg).2 tablespoons butter
- In a large measuring cup, mix the melted butter, milk, apple butter, egg, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth and the egg and apple butter are fully incorporated.½ cup milk, ¼ cup apple butter, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently mix with a whisk until just combined. Don't overmix - a few lumps are okay!
- Use a box grater and grate the apple (peeling is optional) directly into the batter. Gently fold the grated apple into the batter until evenly distributed.¾ cup apple, grated
- Heat a griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease with butter or cooking spray.
- Pour ¼ cup of batter per pancake onto the hot griddle. Cook for 2-3 minutes until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, then flip. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Stack the warm pancakes and serve with maple syrup and an extra dollop of apple butter on top.
Notes
- Storage - Store cooled pancakes in the fridge for up to 2 days, or freeze for longer storage and reheat in a toaster oven. The batter can also be made ahead and stored in the fridge overnight.
- Apple choice - use a firm, sweet-tart apple like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best texture.
- Don't over mix - a few lumps in the batter are fine - over mixing leads to tough pancakes.
- Gluten-free swap - a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend works in place of the all-purpose flour.
Britt says
These pancakes were a great treat on a fall morning. Nice way to use the local apples we picked.