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Change up your typical breakfast routine with these light, fluffy apple pancakes filled with grated apples and the perfect hint of cinnamon!

Sometimes I just need a good fruity pancake for breakfast. If I’m not making these apple pancakes, other favorites include our Strawberry or Banana Pancakes!

A stack of apple pancakes on a white plate covered in syrup.
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Sweet and Cinnamon Pancakes

When it comes to breakfast foods, pancakes are where it’s at!

They’re quick and easy to make, incredibly versatile, and easy to make for a crowd. My kids love them, and we make them frequently at our house. Pancakes are perfect for a fun weekend breakfast or even a quick dinner when you’re too tired to cook.

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!

Adding shredded apples to pancake batter.

Simple Spiced 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 ยผ 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.

Pancake-flipping Tips

  • Be sure the pan is at the right temperature; about 375ยฐF. 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.
  • Take a peek at the underside to see if it has started turning a beautiful golden brown.
  • Only flip once so don’t flip too soon.
  • The second side will cook faster than the first.
  • Do not press down on the pancake. It will not help it cook faster and only serves to flatten them.
Cooking pancakes on a griddle.

Serving + Toppings

Apple cinnamon pancakes lend perfectly to fall flavors!

SERVE warm with butter and maple syrup, or Homemade Buttermilk Syrup!

More topping ideas include:

  • apple compote or applesauce
  • powdered sugar
  • cream cheese spread
  • honey
  • chopped nuts, peanut butter, and Nutella
  • Cinnamon Buttermilk Syrup

Be sure to check out all of our pancake-storing tips!

Close up image of a stack of apple cinnamon pancakes on a white plate.

Leftovers are just as tasty

Pancakes are one of the best things to save and eat leftovers of. They keep great in both the fridge and freezer and are easy to reheat.

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.

To reheat. The easiest way to reheat pancakes is in the microwave. Heat in 20-second increments until hot. Another easy way is to use a toaster, just pop it in and toast until warmed through.

For larger batches of pancakes, use an oven set at 350ยฐF. Spread pancakes evenly over a baking sheet, cover with foil, and bake for about 10 minutes or until hot.

Apple pancakes topped with butter and syrup.

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.

For More Yummy PancakeS, Check Out:

4.94 from 99 votes

Apple Pancake Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
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 

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 ยผ 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.

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.

For more yummy recipes from Alicia, check out The Baker Upstairs.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

So Easy & So Yummy

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4.94 from 99 votes (56 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




79 Comments

  1. Elle says:

    5 stars
    This made about 14-16 Large pancakes! Iโ€™m not complaining though, they were very tasty. Me and my family enjoy lower-sugar foods, so we halved the sugar to 2 tbsp and we still loved it!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Glad you liked them! Thank you for giving them a try & for letting me know what you thought!

  2. Julia says:

    5 stars
    DELICIOUS! LIGHT AND FLUFFY AND GREAT FLAVOR. DID HALF WHOLE WHEAT AND HALF ALL PURPOSE FLOUR

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Thank you for sharing what you did! Glad you liked it!

  3. Angel says:

    5 stars
    Outstandingly delicious! A bit of a large recipe for our family of 4. can you store the batter, or do you recommend making Them all and Storing them in Tupperware? (This is dad, aka the pancake maker in the hOuse). ๐Ÿ™‚ thanks!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      So happy you liked them ๐Ÿ™‚ Here is some info on the post about storing…Store cooked pancakes in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Or, to store in the freezer, 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. Hope that helps!

  4. doodle richardson says:

    5 stars
    I made these for my MUM’S BIRTHDAY THEY WERE A HIT WITH EVERYBODY! I’d MADE IT ONCE BEFORE BUT THIS TIME I MADE IT WITH MORE APPLE-IT TASTED EVEN NICER!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Great!! I am glad they were a hit! Thank you!

  5. Kristen says:

    5 stars
    TRied these this morning and they were amazing. Thank you!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Yay!! Glad you liked them! Thank you!

  6. Craig says:

    5 stars
    Great recipe! I inadvertently added four tablespoons of cinnamon instead of just one (bad eyes). Actually came out fine! also, i used a red gala apple – suppose it doesn’t matter much. I noticed the color of the pancake was very dark. I blame the cinnamon!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      LOl..well, I am glad you liked them! Yes, it can be any apple & the cinnamon would definitely make it darker ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Router Login says:

    5 stars
    I am a regular reader of your blog. I try to follow all the steps you have shared here, but every time I get different results. I will try my best to make delicious food for my family. Keep sharing your recipes.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I appreciate you trying some ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you so much!

  8. Shawnna says:

    hey girl- these look so yummy!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Thanks Shawnna!!

  9. Maria says:

    5 stars
    love your apple pancakes and the Swedish pancakes Thanks for sharing.

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Oh, that makes me so happy to hear! Thanks so much for sharing!

  10. 192.168.l.l says:

    5 stars
    OMG. It looks so yummy!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      They are!! I hope you’ll try them. I’d love to know what you think ๐Ÿ™‚

      1. Lyn Dittmar says:

        I do not have apples. Can I use applesauce?

      2. Lil'Luna Team says:

        I personally haven’t tried. Did you try it? I’d love to know!