Apple Pancakes

The wonderful thing about pancakes is that there are virtually no limits to what could be added to them to make them even tastier. Our apple pancake recipe incorporates chopped apples and ground cinnamon into a whole wheat pancake batter for a delicious breakfast or brunch treat. The honey in the pancakes makes them naturally sweet too. Enjoy!

Ingredients for Apple Pancakes

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• Whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour is higher in fiber than all-purpose flour.
• Baking powder: Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps the pancakes rise and become fluffy.
• Ground cinnamon: Cinnamon adds a hint of flavor that pairs well with the apples.
• Eggs: The two large eggs should be at room temperature for this recipe.
• Fat-free milk: Fat-free milk reduces calories and fat content, but if you prefer, regular whole milk would be fine to use in this recipe.
• Honey: Honey makes the pancakes sweeter, while the sugar in honey makes the pancakes brown nicely.
• Canola oil: The oil adds moisture and helps the pancakes cook evenly.
• Apple: You’ll chop one medium-sized apple for this recipe, and keep the bits fairly small, since they’ll be mixed into the pancakes.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the dry ingredients

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In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.

Step 2: Add the wet ingredients

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In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, honey and oil. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just moistened. Finally, stir in the chopped apple.

Step 3: Cook the pancakes

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Preheat a lightly greased griddle to medium heat. Pour the batter by 1/3 cupfuls onto the griddle, leaving space between each pool of batter. Flip the pancakes when bubbles form on top, then cook them until the second side is golden brown.

Editor’s Tip: The pancake’s edges should be starting to firm up when there are enough bubbles to flip the pancake.

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Apple Pancake Variations

• Add raisins: Add 1/4 cup or so of raisins to the batter to make these into apple-cinnamon-raisin pancakes.
• Add applesauce: Add 1/2 cup of applesauce to the batter for even more apple-iciousness. Here’s a recipe for applesauce pancakes that starts with pancake from a mix.
• Shred the apple instead: Grate the apple if you’d prefer to have even smaller apple bits in the pancakes.
• Add quinoa: For pancakes that are extra nutritious, add 1/2 cup of cooked quinoa; it’s a complete protein that’s gluten-free and high in fiber.

How to Store Apple Pancakes

Store these apple-cinnamon pancakes in the refrigerator, covered in plastic or in airtight containers. Enjoy them within a few days.

Can you freeze apple pancakes?

Yes, you can. We recommend freezing the pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet; after they’re firm (usually an hour or two), transfer them to zippered freezer bags. They’ll keep in the freezer for one to two months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying them for breakfast.

Apple Pancake Tips

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Could I make this apple pancake recipe in a skillet instead?

Yes, a skillet would work. If you don’t have a griddle, melt some butter in a skillet over medium heat. When the pan is warm, add enough batter to make one large pancake, or two small pancakes. It’ll take a little longer to make all the pancakes, but they’ll still be delicious!

Why aren’t my pancakes fluffy?

If your pancakes didn’t turn out fluffy, it’s most likely because you overmixed the batter. Too much mixing affects the flour in a way that makes it harder for pancakes to rise. Here are some other great tips for making the perfect pancakes.

How should I serve apple pancakes?

These pancakes are sweet enough to enjoy without any toppings, thanks to the honey. If you’d still like to add toppings, try serving them with a little more honey drizzled on top, with sauteed apples or with some homemade whipped cream.