There are a variety of ways you can make apple pancakes. This particular recipe I call a “double apple” style because you add the apple to the pancake in two different ways.
Apples Pancakes
Equipment
- Apple Corer and Slicer
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
- 1/3 cup sugar for the recipe plus 2 Tablespoons sugar or more for cooking
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg freshly grated if you have it, but pre-grated will work
- 2 cups plus 2 Tablespoons buttermilk
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 peeled Granny Smith apples
Instructions
Prepare the Apples
- Wash the apples. Rinse with white vinegar and then rinse again with water. This will ensure that they are clean and free of pesticides.
- Using an apple corer and slicer, core and slice the two apples.
- Take one apple, cut it in half so that you have slices. Put in a small glass bowl and sprinkle with lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.
- Take the other apple and chop it into small, julienned slices. Place that in another small glass bowl and sprinkle it with lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.
Prepare the Batter
- Melt the butter over medium heat being sure not to scorch it.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs until frothy.
- Add the flour to the beaten egg.
- Then add the 1/3 cup of sugar. Reserve the rest of the sugar for later cooking.
- Add the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
- Add the buttermilk, vanilla and melted butter to the mixture and then stir to incorporate everything.
- Add the chopped apple. Stir until just combined. The mixture will be thick.
Grill the Pancakes
- Preheat the griddle over medium-high heat. Lightly spray with cooking spray or add a little butter.
- Add about 1/2 cup batter to the griddle. Place 2 lightly sugared apple slices on top.
- Cook the pancake until bubbles form (about 2 minutes).
- Flip the pancake with a spatula and cook until golden brown on each side for a total of about 4 minutes cooking time per pancake. You may need to spray the spatula with cooking spray between pancakes to ensure the pancake doesn't stick to the spatula.
For tips on how to use an apple corer, check out this video I created.
The Many Faces of Apple Pancakes
When it comes right down to it, an apple pancake is called an apple pancake because it is a pancake with apples involved. But how those apples are incorporated into the pancake is really up to the person making the pancakes. There are a wide variety of ways to make apple pancakes and the recipe I just share is just one version. Here are some other ideas:
- With Applesauce: Some cooks take a regular pancake recipe and use apple sauce as part of the liquid in the batter, infusing the apple flavor into the pancake.
- With Apple Chunks: Others will simply chop up an apple and toss it into the batter and grill. Voila! Apple pancakes!
- German Style: Heard of a Big Dutch Baby? That’s another name for German Pancakes. Take that recipe, add apple and I bet you can figure out what you’ve got.
And those are just the basics! You can get fancy and throw in some mix-ins for added flavor. Yes, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg are the traditional standbys, but these flavor additions work really well with apple, as well:
- Caramel pieces
- Butterscotch chips
- Chocolate chips
- Pear
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Banana
- Kiwi
- Cheddar cheese
- Apricot
- Cardamom
- Cranberry
- Pumpkin
- Rosemary
Plating Ideas
These pancakes are filling and tasty all on their own, but to add variety — as well some protein and nutrition — to the meal, try serving them with the following ideas:
- Bacon
- Sausage
- Scrambled Eggs
- Frittata
- Crustless Quiche
- Poached Eggs
- Ham
A sprig of mint and a twist of orange on top make a nice touch, as well.
