It’s officially apple season, baby! And since it’s always and forever pancake season, I decided to combine my love for both into a cozy, apple pancake that’s fluffy, gluten free and nutritious.
Are you down, OR ARE YOU DOWN.
I’m not sure if you remember my banana oatmeal pancakes, but it’s one of my favorite recipes to use those spotty ripe bananas that spend a few too many day on the counter. Plus they’re packed with protein and nutritious for the kiddos and even toddlers! So I figured, why not try an apple version out?
And now we’re here with these glorious fluffy healthy apple cinnamon pancakes.
The best part? The batter is made right in your blender making them a breeze to whip up!
What’s in these apple pancakes?
These healthy apple pancakes are made with applesauce, eggs, a touch of pure maple syrup, almond milk (any milk will work), vanilla extract, gluten free old-fashioned rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and salt. I love using applesauce because it gives the pancakes plenty of real apple flavor.
If you’re feeling up to it, you can always stir in 1/2 cup of diced apple pieces, but I prefer to reserve those for a sauteed apple topping.
How to make healthy apple pancakes in the blender
- Apple pancakes are super easy to make! Grab your favorite applesauce from the store, or make a homemade version, then add remaining pancake ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth, about 1 minute.
- Add olive oil or coconut oil to a griddle or large nonstick pan and place over medium heat. Add pancake batter 1/3 cup at a time. Cook for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and tiny bubbles appear around the edges. Flip and cook 2 minute more.
- Serve pancakes with sauteed cinnamon apples, pecans and pure maple syrup for a delicious, healthy breakfast.
How to keep pancakes warm
You can absolutely make these pancakes ahead of time and keep them warm in the oven. Simply place oven at 200 degrees F, then add pancakes to a platter or oven-safe plate and place in the oven until ready to serve.
How to freeze pancakes
If you want to make your pancakes ahead of time and serve them at a later date, you can place the pancakes on a baking sheet so they aren’t touching and place in the freezer for 30 minutes, then place them in freezer safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Once ready to reheat, simply add pancakes to a plate and microwave for 30-60 seconds or until warm. This is a great option for kids or if you want to have a make ahead breakfast on hand.
I hope you love these healthy apple pancakes. I love serving them with peanut or almond butter, sauteed apples and pure maple syrup.
More healthy pancake recipes you might like:
Whole Wheat Banana Bread Pancakes
Chai-Spiced Sweet Potato Pancakes
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe below to let me know how you liked it. You can also tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram with your creations!
Healthy Apple Pancakes (made right in the blender!)
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 ½ cups old fashioned rolled oats, gluten free if desired
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Olive oil, for cooking
Instructions
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Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend on high until completely smooth, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Let the batter sit in your blender while you heat your pan up. If batter is WAY too thick, you may need to add a few extra tablespoons of milk to the blender.
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Lightly coat a griddle with coconut oil, vegan butter or olive oil and place over a medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add about 1/3 cup of the batter to the griddle for each pancake and cook for 2-4 minutes until pancakes slightly puff up and you see a few bubbles along the edges.
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Flip cakes and cook until golden brown on underside. If you find that pancakes are browning too quickly, then you need to lower the heat. I normally start on medium heat, then reduce to medium low later so that my pancakes don't burn. If at any point your griddle starts smoking, it means your pan is too hot. Wipe skillet clean and repeat with more oil and remaining batter. Makes 6 pancakes total. Serves 3, 2 pancakes each.
Recipe Notes
Optional for the topping: Add 3/4 cup diced apple + 1 tablespoon butter + 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup + a sprinkle of cinnamon to a saucepan and saute over medium heat until apples begin to cook down a bit. Serve over pancakes if desired!
How to freeze pancakes:
If you want to make your pancakes ahead of time and serve them at a later date, you can place the pancakes on a baking sheet so they aren’t touching and place in the freezer for 30 minutes, then place them in freezer safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Once ready to reheat, simply add pancakes to a plate and microwave for 30-60 seconds or until warm. This is a great option for kids or if you want to have a make ahead breakfast on hand.
42 comments
These look perfect for Sunday breakfast after my long run. Can’t wait to try them!
Absolutely! Great idea. Hope you love them!
Freezing healthy pancakes like these is a great way to conquer breakfast on busy mornings!
Absolutely!
These look great! Would I need to make any changes if I wanted to make these into waffles?
I haven’t made them into waffles so I’m not 100% sure it would work! Let me know if you give it a shot.
Oh my golly gosh these are delicious! Thank you for creating and sharing this decadent recipe.
So glad you love them!
Love this recipe! I didn’t have any apple sauce so I actually just chopped up two apples and blended with the rest of the ingredients and they turned out awesome!
Perfect! So glad that worked out well!
I will be making these this morning 🙂 I’m so excited to try!! I looove me some healthier pancake options for a slow Saturday morning.
These were great! I made a double batch, so I can freeze the leftovers! I had a few fresh blueberries that some of the pancakes got!! Yummy!
Loved this recipe! We had just gone apple picking and made our own applesauce so this was perfect. My 9 year old daughter made the batter, so easy right in the blender. We will be making these over and over, next time I’ll double the recipe since they are so good. Thank you!
So glad you liked this recipe! 🙂
Finally got around to making these. So delicious! The perfect fall breakfast. Btw, the new site looks amazing!!
Thank you so much, Angela!
I ended up freezing the leftovers when I made these. Earlier this week, when I cleaned out my freezer (like everyone else who is hunkered down at home), I found them hiding in the back. I thawed them out and ate them for breakfast yesterday and today. They held up perfectly in the freezer.
Perfect! Love freezing pancakes for later.
These were a big hit with the whole family. Especially the topping! I made it once with apple and the second time with pear because that’s what I had on hand, equally delicious.
Love that! Such a great idea.
This is so easy to make in the blender, great use of extra applesauce too. This one works like a charm for me. Puffy nice pancakes, great flavor and I even lighten them up a bit with egg beaters or egg whites. This is a go to recipe for me for pancakes. Thank you.
Perfect! So happy to hear that, Frances 🙂
Best pancakes!!! I make them for my boyfriend all the time and he loves pancakes. He has no idea they’re a bit healthier than the others I’ve made and he thinks they’re the best!! So tasty, will make forever🥰
Amazing! So happy to hear that 🙂
Can we sub out the egg for flax eggs or the aquafaba?
I haven’t tried it, but probably wouldn’t recommend in this particular recipe. Feel free to try my vegan pancakes here: https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/fluffy-vegan-pancakes/
Delicious!!! I followed the recipe exactly and they came out perfect. My kids devoured them
Perfect! I’m so glad 🙂
Oh. My.Gosh. These are so delicious!!!! I made them right in my magic bullet (filled to the very brim. I used soymilk and added blueberries and walnuts(because I love them). I also added an extra half teaspoon of maple syrup. I skipped the cinnamon and other spices as they are not my favorites. Amazing. These are going into my regular rotation. I can grab leftovers for breakfast. I made them as a desert
Delicious! Love the idea of blueberries + walnuts, too. Glad you enjoyed!
Could I use a different kind of milk (even dairy milk) since we have a nut allergy in the house?
Yes, absolutely!
Made these just as the recipe is laid out, folded in the extra shredded apple (pink lady) and used a Cuisinart. Delish!! Will be freezing the remaining pancakes for a quick breakfast feast, yum! Thanks for the great recipes, keep em coming.
Sounds amazing! Great idea to freeze for later, too 🙂
Definitely recommend! Super easy and a great touch adding the caramelized apples
Absolutely! Wonderful breakfast 🙂
These are delicious and so easy to make!
Perfect breakfast!
Can you use steel cut oats or oat flour instead of rolled oats?
You could use oat flour instead 🙂 same amount of oat flour should be fine!
Sooo good! My 22 month old daughter even ate them and she’s in her toddler picky eating stage! Love that it’s all made in the blender too. Very easy to throw together. Thank you!
Amazing! So happy to hear that 🙂