Print

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes Recipe

4.6 from 508 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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)

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. Whisk in the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, milk, melted butter (cooled), and vanilla extract until smooth.
  3. 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.
  4. Fold in the Apples: Gently fold the diced apples evenly throughout the batter to distribute fruit without breaking them down.
  5. Let the Batter Rest: Let the batter sit for 5-10 minutes to allow gluten relaxation and baking powder activation for fluffier pancakes.
  6. 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.
  7. Pour the Batter: Pour ¼ cup portions of batter onto the griddle spaced apart to allow spreading.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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