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Apple pancakes are a spiced favorite! The lightly sweetened cinnamon batter is quick and easy to whip up, and I love the texture and flavor that the grated fresh apple adds. The pancakes cook quickly and get light and fluffy on the griddle.

I can usually fit at least five pancakes on my griddle at a time, so I can have a pile of hot pancakes in only a few minutes. Top it off with Cinnamon Buttermilk Syrup and you’ll be in heaven!

For more pancakes with fruit, try our White Chocolate Berry Pancakes and Strawberry Pancakes.

Why we think you’ll love it:

  • Coziest breakfast! The warm, cinnamon-spiced apples cooked right into the batter make them feel like a big, cozy hug on a crisp fall morning.
  • Easy to whip up. This recipe uses a simple pancake batter, so you’re not spending a ton of time in the kitchen and can get to the deliciousness faster.
  • Perfectly soft and fluffy. The texture is amazing! You get that classic, melt-in-your-mouth pancake feel combined with the tender sweetness of the apples in every bite.

Apple Pancakes Ingredients and Substitutions

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 medium granny smith apple peeled and grated

How to Make Apple Pancakes

BATTER. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, and milk.

APPLE. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and mix gently until just barely combined (a few small lumps are okay). Gently fold in the grated apple.

COOK. Preheat a griddle or frying pan over medium heat. Pour the batter by ¼ cup scoops onto the hot griddle and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until there are bubbles across the surface of the pancake. Flip and cook an additional 1-2 minutes, or until cooked through.

SERVE. Serve warm with butter and maple syrup.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

  • Be sure the pan is at the right temperature; about 375°F. Too hot and the outside will burn before the center is done. Too cold and the pancake will become tough.
  • Flip when the edges start to cook AND the center batter bubbles.
  • Do not press down on the pancake. It will not help it cook faster and only serves to flatten them.
Close up image of a stack of apple cinnamon pancakes on a white plate.
4.93 from 100 votes

Apple Pancake Recipe

Change up your typical breakfast routine with these light, fluffy apple pancakes filled with grated apples and the perfect hint of cinnamon!
Servings: 12 pancakes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 medium granny smith apple peeled and grated

Instructions 

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, and milk.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and mix gently until just barely combined (a few small lumps are okay). Gently fold in the grated apple.
  • Preheat a griddle or frying pan over medium heat. Pour the batter by ¼ cup scoops onto the hot griddle and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until there are bubbles across the surface of the pancake. Flip and cook an additional 1-2 minutes, or until cooked through.
  • Serve warm with butter and maple syrup.

Notes

Recipe Tips:
  • Be sure the pan is at the right temperature; about 375°F. Too hot and the outside will burn before the center is done. Too cold and the pancake will become tough.
  • Flip when the edges start to cook AND the center batter bubbles.
  • Do not press down on the pancake. It will not help it cook faster and only serves to flatten them.
STORE cooked pancakes in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
FREEZE. Place pancakes in a single layer on a baking pan and freeze for 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight freezer-safe container. Label and freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 221kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 31mg, Sodium: 225mg, Potassium: 276mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 115IU, Vitamin C: 0.7mg, Calcium: 132mg, Iron: 1.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

What are the best apples to use in apple pancakes?

I used a tart Granny Smith apple to make this pancake recipe, but you can use sweeter Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Jongold apples. Be sure to peel and grate them before mixing them into the batter.

How do I get fluffier apple pancakes?

A few tricks to fluffy apple pancakes include sifting all the dry ingredients together first to avoid overmixing, letting the batter rest after you mix it up, using buttermilk in place of regular milk, using fresh baking powder, and not pressing the pancakes down with a spatula while you cook them.

How to store?

Store cooked pancakes in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

How to freeze?

Place pancakes in a single layer on a baking pan and freeze for 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight freezer-safe container. Label and freeze for up to 3 months.

This recipe was originally published September 2017.

About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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4.93 from 100 votes (56 ratings without comment)

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80 Comments

  1. Valli E Barnes says:

    4 stars
    Made these. They were a bit thin for my preference and needed a bit more sweetness and cinnamon, so I added a bit of white sugar – maybe 1 Tbls, about 1/8 C more flour and another 1/2 tsp cinnamon and they were to my taste. Thanks!

  2. Donna says:

    I haven’t made these yet but I was wondering if you could use this recipe to make waffles? My family is mixed about pancakes vs waggles lol

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yes you could give it a try!

  3. Eda says:

    5 stars
    Me and my mom love this recipe!! It tastes like fall! We will definitely use it again! Thank you!🍂🍁

  4. Sam says:

    5 stars
    Great recipe however tend to be on the wet side and also about a TSP too much baking powder. Reduce both and enjoy!

  5. Jenny says:

    5 stars
    These were delicious! Not overly sweet. I served them with honey as the syrup, and bacon on the side. The perfect fall breakfast! Thanks for a great recipe.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      You’re welcome!! Glad you enjoyed the pancakes!

  6. Sharina says:

    5 stars
    Love the hint of cinnamon flavor in these apple pancakes. We enjoyed them! Planning to make these on repeat.

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