Fluffy Applesauce Pancakes Recipe
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These applesauce pancakes will bring fall comfort to your breakfast table. They’re light, fluffy, and naturally sweetened with applesauce. The hint of cinnamon will make you feel extra warm and cozy! Surely the easiest, most delicious twist on classic pancakes that you love, and will make your mornings extra special.
We love pancakes in this household! I normally make 2-ingredient pancakes, but from time to time, I like to add mix-ins to keep things fun, from fresh berries to mini chocolate chips.
Recently, as I was enjoying my morning toast with some warm apple butter I just made, I thought about how delicious pancakes would be if they had apples in them. I tried different ways to add the apples, and I found that mixing applesauce into the batter was the way to go!
The pancakes came out perfectly fluffy and moist, with just the right amount of sweetness from the applesauce. They’re great for weekday breakfasts, family weekend brunches, or fall gatherings. These applesauce pancakes are definitely a treat to enjoy throughout the season, but they’re also great for when you want to enjoy cozy fall flavors any time of the year.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy as can be: In just 25 minutes, you’ll have a fresh batch of delicious pancakes ready to serve.
- Basic ingredients: Made with everyday ingredients you probably already have on hand, no special shopping needed!
- Packed with fall flavors: Sweet apples and cinnamon come together to make a delicious, hearty breakfast that lets you enjoy the best of fall flavors.
- Great for meal prep: Make a big batch and heat them up for a quick, hearty breakfast all week long. You can also make the batter ahead of time and just cook fresh when you’re ready.
- Adaptable: Make your pancake meal sweet or savory or as light and heavy as you want, perfect for any meal of the day. You can also customize with your choice of mix-ins and toppings.
How to Make Applesauce Pancakes
Why have regular pancakes when you can enjoy applesauce pancakes? Simply adding applesauce to the pancake batter makes a world of a difference – it can turn an ordinary breakfast staple into a crave-worthy seasonal treat! Plus, nothing beats homemade meals made from scratch, especially when they’re this delicious.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- All-purpose flour: Provides the base and structure for the batter, giving the pancakes their light and fluffy texture.
- Sugar
- Baking powder: For pancakes to rise!
- Ground cinnamon: Provides a warm, cozy fall flavor that pairs perfectly with applesauce.
- Salt
- Egg: Binds the ingredients together and helps with the texture and fluffiness of the pancakes.
- Milk: Adds moisture and helps to thin out the batter for the perfect consistency. I use whole milk, but you can use any dairy, non-dairy, or dairy-free milk of your choice. You can also use buttermilk.
- Applesauce: Provides natural sweetness, moisture, and a hint of apple flavor to the pancakes. I use store-bought unsweetened applesauce, but feel free to use homemade.
- Vanilla extract: Adds to the sweetness and depth of flavor in the pancakes.
- Butter: Helps make rich and flavorful pancakes. I use unsalted butter for frying, plus a little extra for serving.
Step-By-Step Instructions
All you need is 5 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes of cook time and these outrageously good applesauce pancakes are yours! Simply mix the ingredients together to make the batter, cook the pancakes, then serve – making a hearty, memorable breakfast has never been this easy!
Step 1: Mix
Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl, then combine the egg, milk, applesauce, and vanilla extract in a second bowl. Pour it into the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes or so while the griddle or pan heats up.
Step 2: Cook
Next, drop some butter onto the pan to grease it lightly. Scoop a heaping ¼ cup of batter onto the cooking surface and let it cook until bubbles show across the surface and the edges rise up. Flip and cook the second side until golden brown. Add more butter to the pan as needed until all the batter is cooked.
Step 3: Serve
Serve warm with additional butter and maple syrup or other favorite toppings.
Substitutions
These cinnamon applesauce pancakes will taste even better when made with ingredients you love. If you want to switch things up or want to use ingredients you have on hand, here are my recommended substitutions:
- All-purpose flour: I like to use all-purpose flour because it makes the pancakes light and fluffy, but you can substitute with whole wheat if not available. You can also use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute.
- Sugar: For a richer flavor, swap the granulated sugar with brown sugar or coconut sugar in a 1:1 ratio.
- Ground cinnamon: If you want to substitute or add to ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger are ideal choices. Apple pie or pumpkin pie spice will work great, too.
- Vanilla extract: Swap out with vanilla bean paste, almond extract, or maple extract.
- Butter: If you don’t want to use butter, use coconut oil or any vegetable oil of your choice.
Variations
Adding a twist to your applesauce pancakes is a great way to keep breakfast exciting and cater to different tastes in your family. Try these delicious variations to find out which one is your favorite!
- Add a handful of chopped nuts and diced apples to the batter for extra texture and flavor. I love pecans or walnuts!
- Fold in small crumbles of cooked bacon and a splash of maple syrup to give the pancakes a sweet and savory taste. Alternatively, serve the pancakes with a side of maple bacon.
- For another fall-inspired twist, add a sprinkle of chai spices like cardamom, cloves, and ginger to the mix for a warm, slightly spicy flavor that pairs beautifully with applesauce.
- Stir in a few butterscotch or chocolate chips for added indulgence that complements the applesauce perfectly.
- Add lemon zest and poppy seeds to the batter for a light, refreshing twist.
Expert Tips
- Don’t overmix the batter: Mixing the batter too much can make pancakes dense and tough. Stir just until the ingredients are combined. A few lumps are okay – they’ll work themselves out as the pancakes cook.
- Adjust the thickness: The applesauce you use affects the thickness of the pancake batter. The batter should be thick, but not too thick to pour. If the batter seems too thick, add a little extra milk or water. For thicker pancakes, let the batter sit a bit longer or add a touch more flour.
- Let the batter rest: Allowing the batter to rest for at least 5 minutes gives the ingredients time to fully combine, resulting in a smoother, more cohesive texture. This resting period can also help the pancakes hold together better when cooking, making them easier to flip and less likely to break apart.
- Be patient when flipping: Wait until the edges of the pancake are set and bubbles form on the surface before flipping. They’re delicate, so flipping too early can cause them to break apart.
- Use pancake mix: Applesauce pancakes are best made from scratch, but if you’re in a pinch, replace the flour, baking powder, and salt with packaged pancake mix.
How to Store This Recipe
Whether made-ahead or leftovers, place cooked pancakes in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. To reheat, warm the pancakes in a toaster or toaster oven at medium-low heat.
I recommend using the “from frozen” setting on your toaster if you have one to help warm the pancakes’ insides without burning the outsides. Defrost frozen pancakes in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
What to Serve with Applesauce Pancakes
Enjoy cinnamon applesauce pancakes just like you would regular pancakes. For breakfast, serve them with butter and maple syrup, with bacon and eggs, or a side of fresh fruit.
Pair them with your favorite morning coffee. For an afternoon snack, these pancakes are delicious topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dusting of powdered sugar.
More Breakfast Recipes To Try
- Apple cinnamon overnight oats
- Overnight breakfast casserole
- Leftover mashed potato waffles
- Salmon quiche
If you make these applesauce pancakes, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!
Cinnamon Applesauce Pancakes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup applesauce unsweetened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons butter for cooking
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl.
- Combine the egg, milk, applesauce, and vanilla extract in a second bowl. Pour it into the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
- Let the batter rest for 5 minutes or so while the griddle or pan heats up.
- Drop some butter onto the pan to grease it lightly. Scoop a heaping ¼ cup of batter onto the cooking surface and let it cook until bubbles show across the surface and the edges rise up. Flip and cook the second side until golden brown.
- Add more butter to the pan as needed until all the batter is cooked. Serve warm with additional butter and maple syrup or other favorite toppings.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the batter – it can make the pancakes dense and tough. Stir just until the ingredients are combined.
- If the batter seems too thick, add a little extra milk or water. For thicker pancakes, let the batter sit a bit longer or add a touch more flour.
- Let the batter rest for at least 5 minutes to give the ingredients time to fully combine. This resting period can also help the pancakes hold together better when cooking.
- Wait until the edges of the pancake are set and bubbles form on the surface before flipping.
- Applesauce pancakes are best made from scratch, but if you’re in a pinch, replace the flour, baking powder, and salt with packaged pancake mix.
