These fluffy apple pancakes are packed with fresh grated apple, applesauce and warm cinnamon in every bite. They’re an easy fall breakfast that’s soft, cozy and full of apple flavor.

Other cozy stacks of pancakes we love include pumpkin pancakes and cinnamon roll pancakes.

Plate of fluffy apple cinnamon pancakes with a wedge cut out, topped with warm cinnamon apples and syrup, with green apples in the background.

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Key Takeaways: Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

  • Double apple flavor: Applesauce adds moisture and flavor, while freshly grated apple gives you tender bits of apple throughout.
  • Light and fluffy: Baking powder and baking soda help the apple pancakes rise while keeping the centers soft and tender.
  • Warm fall flavor: Brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla pair perfectly with the fresh apple.
  • Easy to customize: Serve them simply with butter and maple syrup or go all out with warm apple filling, cinnamon butter or caramel sauce.

Why I Love This Recipe

I always keep a jar of homemade pancake mix in the pantry for easy breakfasts or a batch of pancake mix muffins. When fall rolls around, these apple cinnamon pancakes are a fun way to switch things up from our usual apple desserts.

They’re light and fluffy with applesauce, freshly grated apple and plenty of warm cinnamon flavor. We love them with homemade apple pie filling and cinnamon pancake syrup for an extra cozy fall breakfast.

XO - Jamielyn

Ingredient Notes

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Grated apples: I like to use Granny Smith for its tart and crisp flavor. Shred the apples using a grater to help get the consistency evenly in each pancake.
  • Applesauce: Adding just a little extra apple flavor and moisture to the pancakes. I love to use my easy crockpot applesauce but any applesauce works!
  • Flour: All-purpose flour gives the texture of the apple pancakes.
  • Sugar: Light brown sugar works so well with apple flavor.
  • Baking powder and baking soda: The necessary leavening agents to make these pancakes light and airy.
  • Salt: Just a little bit helps to enhance the flavors in these apple cinnamon pancakes.
  • Cinnamon: The warm spice brings fall flavors to the forefront.
  • Milk: The creaminess of milk helps wet the dry ingredients.
  • Egg: The binder that brings it all together.
  • Vanilla extract: One of my favorite flavors to pair with apples.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

Grated apple and applesauce added to cinnamon pancake batter in a glass mixing bowl.

Step 1: Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl.

Step 2: Add the milk, egg, vanilla and applesauce, then stir with a wooden spoon until mostly smooth. Gently fold in the grated apples.

Apple pancakes cooking on a stovetop griddle until bubbles form on the surface.

Step 3: Pour 1/4 cup batter onto a buttered griddle or skillet. Cook over medium heat until bubbles form on top, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Golden brown apple pancakes cooking on a stovetop griddle after being flipped.

Step 4: Use a spatula to flip the pancakes and cook for about 1 minute more, or until lightly golden. Lower the heat if they begin to brown too quickly.

Favorite Toppings

  • Quick apple filling: Try this filling from my apple crepe recipe. It’s the best way to add an extra boost of flavor.
  • Syrup: Maple syrup or buttermilk syrup are all made easily and add just the right amount of sweetness to the fluffy apple pancakes.
  • Powdered sugar: Sprinkle the powdered sugar overtop for a sweet sugar topping.
  • Butter: Cinnamon butter and slow cooker apple butter are both delicious flavors of butter to spread over warm pancakes.
  • Caramel sauce: This sauce is smooth and silky with the perfect apple and caramel combination!
Stack of fluffy apple cinnamon pancakes with a slice removed, showing the soft texture inside, topped with cinnamon apple mixture and syrup.

Recipe Tips

  • Dairy-free option: Swap the milk for unsweetened soy, almond, oat, or cashew milk. Using unsweetened keeps the apple cinnamon pancakes from becoming overly sweet.
  • Use milk: Milk adds fat and protein, which help create a soft, tender texture in the apple pancakes.
  • Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing can make pancakes dense and flat instead of light and fluffy. Stir just until combined.
  • Measure the batter: Use a 1/4 cup measuring scoop, cookie scoop, or ice cream scoop. Measuring helps pancakes cook evenly and finish at the same time.
  • Fun serving idea: Arrange them on a pancake charcuterie board alongside other favorites like oat pancakes and easy banana pancakes for a brunch spread.

Apple Pancake Recipe FAQs

What are the best apples for apple pancakes?

Granny Smith is my go-to, but any firm apple with a good balance of tart and sweet works well. Honeycrisp, Braeburn and Pink Lady are all great options.

How do I make fluffy apple pancakes?

The secret to making fluffy apple cinnamon pancakes is using both baking soda and baking powder. These leavening agents create air bubbles in the batter and help tenderize the gluten in the flour, giving the pancakes their light, soft texture.

Do I need to peel the apples for apple pancakes?

No, peeling is optional. The apple is finely grated, so the skin softens as the pancakes cook. Peel it first if you prefer a smoother texture.

Can I use apple pie spice instead of cinnamon?

Yes. Swap the cinnamon for an equal amount of apple pie spice for a little more warm fall flavor from spices like nutmeg and cloves.

Tall stack of fluffy apple cinnamon pancakes topped with warm, diced cinnamon apples and drizzled with syrup, served on a white plate with a green apple in the background.

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More recipes with apples that we love include this apple turnover recipe, cinnamon apple muffins and cinnamon oat baked apples!

More Pancake Recipes

Plate of fluffy apple cinnamon pancakes with a wedge cut out, topped with warm cinnamon apples and syrup, with green apples in the background.

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

5 from 12 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Fluffy apple cinnamon pancakes with tender bites of fresh apple and a cozy hint of spice. Perfect for a fall morning or anytime you’re craving a warm, comforting breakfast.
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Ingredients 

  • 2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 3 Tablespoons (25 grams) light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt , or table salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup applesauce
  • 1 Granny Smith apple , cored, peeled, and grated

For serving: Butter, Syrup, Apple filling

Instructions

  • Prep. Preheat a griddle to 300°F, or a skillet over medium heat. 
  • Combine dry ingredients. In a large bowl, stir together 2 cups flour, 3 Tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
  • Add wet ingredients. Mix in 1 1/2 cups milk, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/2 cup applesauce with a wooden spoon just until most of the lumps are gone and the batter is smooth, being careful not to overmix. Fold in 1 grated apple.
  • Cook pancakes. Coat the griddle (or skillet) with a little butter or oil and pour 1/4 cup batter onto the heated griddle. Cook the pancakes 1 to 2 minutes, or until bubbles appear. Flip the pancakes and cook the other side 1 minute, or until lightly browned. Turn down the heat if they are browning too fast.
  • Serve. Serve immediately or place pancakes on a baking sheet in the oven at 175°F to keep warm.    

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Apple filling: Find my favorite apple filling in my apple crepe recipe.
Storage: Store cooled pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer tip: Let pancakes cool and place in a large zip-top bag. Store in freezer for use within 2 to 3 months. When ready to eat, reheat in the microwave or toaster oven for 30 seconds.

Nutrition

Serving: 2pancakes, Calories: 286kcal, Carbohydrates: 59g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Trans Fat: 0.003g, Cholesterol: 25mg, Sodium: 385mg, Potassium: 288mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 12g, Vitamin A: 138IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 121mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.