Soft and fluffy applesauce pancakes is the best way to start the day on a crisp fall morning. These thick pancakes are loaded with applesauce (the best way to use up any leftover applesauce!) with a hint of cinnamon and topped with a delicious caramel apple topping. Whip them up in just minutes on a busy weekday morning or make them for Sunday brunch this autumn. Plus, they are easy to store and reheat really well. They're seriously the best fall breakfast!
Why You'll Love Applesauce Pancakes
- The best way to use leftover applesauce. Made a big batch of applesauce that you want to use up? Or just love applesauce so much you want to find other ways to use it? Well, you are in the right place. These pancakes are one of my favorite ways to use up leftover applesauce! They add in a hint of fall flavor and are a great way to sneak in some extra nutrients.
- They are soft and fluffy. These applesauce pancakes are seriously the fluffiest -- as all pancakes should be! They are light yet dense and filling enough to keep you going until lunch time.
- Take it to the next level with caramel apple topping. If you are adding the caramel apple topping, you are in for a major treat! The caramel apple topping takes this breakfast from really good top epic! I sometimes even make a double batch just so that I have extra to eat with a spoon or with vanilla ice cream. It's that good.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make soft and fluffy applesauce pancakes, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in recipe card below):
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- granulated sugar - feel free to substitute this with brown sugar. If using sweetened applesauce, I would recommend not adding any sugar.
- ground cinnamon
- salt
- applesauce - I recommend using unsweetened applesauce in this recipe (if using sweetened, simply omit the sugar). Feel free to use storebought applesauce or homemade like my favorite slow cooker applesauce.
- milk
- egg
- butter - you can also replace this for olive oil.
- vanilla extract
- vegetable oil or cooking spray - for cooking the pancakes.
- caramel apple topping - if you are making the caramel apple topping, you will need butter, an apple, and brown sugar.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, and a griddle or frying pan.
How to Make the Best Applesauce Pancakes
- Combine ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together applesauce, milk, egg, butter and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined (the batter will be slightly lumpy). Do not over mix.
- Cook the pancakes. Spray a large frying pan or griddle with cooking spray, or dampen a paper towel with vegetable oil and rub on top of the pan. Heat the pan over medium-low heat and add pancake batter using a ¼ measuring cup. Pour as many that will fit in your pan or griddle (I fit 3 in my 10-inch skillet).
- Flip them over. Cook for 1-2 minutes until small bubbles begin to form on the surface, the edges have set, and the bottom of the pancake turns golden brown. Flip the pancake over and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the other side is also golden brown.
- Repeat and serve. Remove the pancakes from the pan and set aside on a plate. Repeat in a few batches until until all the batter is used up. Stack the pancakes and top with maple syrup, butter, and/or caramel apples.
- Make the caramel apple topping (optional). In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add apples and stir until they are coated with butter. Stir in brown sugar and mix until dissolved. Cook for 5 minutes until apples are tender, stirring occasionally. Cover and set aside.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- How to achieve the perfect consistency: For a thicker pancake, add ¾ cup milk instead. For a thinner pancake, add more milk to your batter at the end until you reach your desired consistency.
- How to store: Store leftover applesauce pancakes in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- How to reheat: You can reheat pancakes on the stovetop over medium-low heat, in the air fryer at 300F for 5 minutes until warmed through, or in the microwave in 20 second increments until warmed through.
More Apple Recipes
- Slow Cooker Applesauce
- Braided Lattice Apple Pie
- Baked Apple Chips
- Butternut Squash and Apple Soup
- Individual Apple Crisp
- Apple Hand Pies
- Cranberry-Apple Cobbler
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Recipe
Applesauce Pancakes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 (4-inch) pancakes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft fluffy applesauce pancakes is the best fall breakfast, loaded with leftover applesauce, hint of cinnamon, and a delicious caramel apple topping.
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- vegetable oil or cooking spray
Caramel Apple Topping:
- 1 + ½ tablespoons butter
- 1 apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together applesauce, milk, egg, butter and vanilla. For fluffier pancakes, add just ¾ cup of milk. If the batter is too thick at the end, then mix in the remaining ¼ cup.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined (the batter will be slightly lumpy). Do not over mix.
- Spray a large frying pan or griddle with cooking spray, or dampen a paper towel with vegetable oil and rub on top of the pan. Heat the pan over medium-low heat and add pancake batter using a ¼ measuring cup. Pour as many that will fit in your pan or griddle (I fit 3 in my 10-inch skillet).
- Cook for 1-2 minutes until small bubbles begin to form on the surface, the edges have set, and the bottom of the pancake turns golden brown. Flip the pancake over and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the other side is also golden brown.
- Remove the pancakes from the pan and set aside on a plate. Repeat in a few batches until until all the batter is used up.
- Stack the pancakes and top with maple syrup, butter, and/or caramel apples (optional).
Caramel Apple Topping:
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add apples and stir until they are coated with butter. Stir in brown sugar and mix until dissolved.
- Cook for 5 minutes until apples are tender, stirring occasionally. Cover and set aside.
Notes
How to achieve the perfect consistency: For a thicker pancake, add ¾ cup milk instead. For a thinner pancake, add more milk to your batter at the end until you reach your desired consistency.
How to store: Store leftover applesauce pancakes in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
How to reheat: You can reheat pancakes on the stovetop over medium-low heat, in the air fryer at 300F for 5 minutes until warmed through, or in the microwave in 20 second increments until warmed through.
Updated recipe: This post was originally posted in 2017 and has been completed updated with new photos and content. If you are looking for the original recipe, it only had ½ tablespoon baking powder and it didn't have any cinnamon.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
This post was originally published in 2017. It has been completed updated with new photos and content.
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Ariane says
Excellent! Easy and yummy. Thanks for the recipe.
Camille b. says
I've made these 3 times and they are delicious!! I made them twice with melted Margerine and once with melted butter and they turned out the exact same
Haley Free says
I did this using Bobs Red Mill 1 to 1 all purpose baking flour turned out great that’s the only thing I changed since we’re a family of celiacs. Had a great textures sometimes when I make gluten free pancakes they turn out gooey or too thin but these were thick and looked and tasted just like the real thing will be saving this recipe for later.
Anne says
Omg so goood and easy!!!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you so much Anne! So happy you liked the recipe!
Jane says
Super delicious. We had these for easter breakfast lockdown 2020. Added cinnamon, apple pie spice, ground flax seed, and walnuts. Did not make the caramel syrup but they were delicious with maple. Thank you!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Thanks so much! I am so glad you liked the recipe 🙂 I hope you had a good Easter this year, stay safe!
Ann says
God, what pulled me into your blog when I was so hungry? Now I can’t think of anything else except these airy pancakes and especially caramel apple topping! I'm just crazy about combining apples with caramel and cinnamon, when it all heats up, and a stunning smell starts to spread through the kitchen ... This is my personal paradise. I admit that I am finishing writing this comment and running to the kitchen to cook this gourmet dessert. Thank you for the recipe!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Hehe, you are so welcome Ann! Let me know you liked the pancakes!