Apple Cinnamon Pancakes Recipe
Fluffy and flavorful apple cinnamon pancakes made with a spiced batter and tender chunks of apple. These pancakes are perfect for a cozy breakfast and can be customized with toppings like maple syrup, caramel sauce, or nuts for an extra special touch.
- Author: Dana
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 pancakes 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional Ingredient
- 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and diced (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and sugar until evenly mixed, about 30 seconds.
- Whisk in the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, milk, melted butter (cooled), and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently fold together until just combined; it’s okay if the batter is a bit lumpy to keep pancakes light and fluffy.
- Fold in the Apples: Gently fold the diced apples evenly throughout the batter to distribute fruit without breaking them down.
- Let the Batter Rest: Let the batter sit for 5-10 minutes to allow gluten relaxation and baking powder activation for fluffier pancakes.
- Prepare the Cooking Surface: Heat a lightly greased griddle or large frying pan over medium heat until hot, testing readiness by flicking water drops that should sizzle and dance.
- Pour the Batter: Pour ¼ cup portions of batter onto the griddle spaced apart to allow spreading.
- Cook the First Side: Cook the pancakes for 2-3 minutes until bubbles form on the surface and edges begin to look set, indicating readiness to flip.
- Flip and Cook the Second Side: Flip pancakes carefully and cook for another 2-3 minutes until golden brown on the bottom, lightly pressing with spatula for even cooking.
- Keep Warm (Optional): Place cooked pancakes in a preheated oven at 200°F on a baking sheet in a single layer if preparing multiple batches to keep warm without sogginess.
Notes
- For extra fluffiness, resting the batter before cooking is recommended.
- Use firmer apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith to maintain chunks in pancakes.
- Non-stick spray or butter works well for greasing the pan.
- Don’t overmix the batter to avoid tough pancakes.
- Adjust the heat if pancakes brown too fast or too slow during cooking.
- Keep the griddle clean between batches to avoid burnt residue affecting taste.
- Variations include adding oats for heartier pancakes or using gluten-free flour blends for gluten-free options.
- For a vegan version, substitute milk and butter with plant-based alternatives and use a flax egg instead of a chicken egg.
Keywords: apple cinnamon pancakes, breakfast pancakes, fluffy pancakes, apple recipes, cinnamon pancakes, homemade pancakes