This recipe for apple pie pancakes is made with spelt flour and two forms of apple. With the addition of cinnamon and a side of maple syrup, these are a delicious Fall (or anytime) breakfast idea!
Nothing says Fall more than apple pie pancakes, amiright? Well, pumpkin spice might say it better, but let’s not mention that.
I created this recipe with apple dumplings in mind. Initially, I was trying to add cubes of raw apple to the batter, but found that there was too much of a contrast between the uncooked apple and the warm pancake.
While I considered sauteing the apples, I finally decided on adding grated apple for brevity’s sake.
The freshly grated apple combines with applesauce and whole grain flour for a healthy, filling, and tasty breakfast.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Spelt flour – Whole wheat will substitute.
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Sea salt
- Cinnamon
- Buttermilk – See Recipe Notes below for a substitution.
- Applesauce
- Egg
- Oil – Melted butter will also work.
- Stevia – Or coconut sugar; you can also omit both and just rely on some maple syrup as a topping.
- Fresh grated apple
Instructions
Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Separately, mix the wet ingredients. I like to use a measuring cup for this step.
Add the wet to the dry mixture, along with the grated apple, and stir until well combined.
Fry pancakes in butter in a non-stick or cast iron skillet for best results.
Recipe notes
To make your own buttermilk, add one tablespoon of either lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to a measuring cup, then add in enough milk to make one total cup of liquid. You can use any milk you like for this.
Make my Instant Pot Applesauce for this recipe and to have on hand for baking. (You can substitute half the butter or oil in recipes with applesauce for a lower fat version!)
Here are a few excellent tips and tricks on making great pancakes!
If you really want to amp up the ‘apple pie’ part of this recipe, try topping these with my Sugar-Free Apple Pie Filling!
Apple Pie Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole spelt flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup buttermilk see Recipe Notes above for how to make your own
- ¼ cup applesauce
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tablespoon oil or melted butter
- 10 drops stevia or use 1/2 Tablespoon of coconut sugar
- ½ cup fresh apple grated
- butter or oil for frying
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon).
- Mix the wet ingredients in a separate bowl (applesauce, milk, egg, oil).
- Mix everything together until combined.
- Stir in the grated apple.
- Melt a tablespoon of butter or coconut oil in a heated non-stick skillet.
- Dollop a few tablespoons for each cake.
- Fry for about 1-2 minutes for the first side or until you see tiny bubbles form on the surface of the pancake.
- Flip and fry another minute or so.
- Repeat with remaining batter for a total of about 10 pancakes (depending on how big you make them).
Notes
Nutrition
If you have a chance to try this recipe, please leave a star rating and a comment below letting me know how you liked it!
May I ask how you are sensitive to stevia? What type of “reaction” do you get and how do you know it is from the Stevia? Thanks for sharing. I have many allergies, too.
Hi Chris! With certain brands, I get immediate headaches, fatigue, and a mood ‘down-swing’. I have been wondering if it’s the additives that some companies put in their blend, so I try to buy ones that are only stevia. The NOW brand agrees with me the best, but I’ve been using the more unprocessed ‘green’ stuff, and I really feel the best on that. 🙂
I just wanted to add that I have eaten the same foods with and without the stevia, and I only get the above reactions when I add the stevia. I’ve had so many allergies as well and am at the point where I’m really methodical in finding out what’s giving me trouble.
I also am curious how you know that you cannot tolerate large amounts of Stevia. What happens? I am very sensitive to many products and am wondering if this may be causing some breakouts I have been encountering.
Thanks!
Hi Tonia! I actually get sharp headaches and fatigue within minutes of eating certain brands. It can also then affect my mood for the rest of the day (I’m prone to depression). I’ve noticed some brands add other ingredients to their stevia (maltodextrin, natural flavors), and I wonder if it’s those ingredients that are bothering me…. I have found that the NOW brand powdered stevia extract affects me the least, and it has no other additives! 🙂 I hope that helps!
I used date paste most often to sweeten my baked goods (and other savory dishes), but I’m going to have to try your apple honey – it looks wonderful! As do these apple dumpling pancakes!
Yum, yum, yum! These look amazing. I nanny and the baby food always looks tempting 🙂
Haha, you should indulge! When you freeze them, they make a nice and healthy treat. 🙂
YUM! I think these looks amazing and the apple honey sounds like the perfect compliment! You are so creative on your no-sugar diet, I’m impressed 🙂
I am curious as to how the green stevia is working out for you?
I didn’t notice much in the way of tolerating it better, and it takes a bit more to sweeten recipes, as it is not as concentrated. I still have/use it though, and feel that it is more ‘complete’ in its form, which subsequently makes me feel healthier! 🙂
These are DELICIOUS!! 3 picky eaters 7 yrs. & under give them a thumbs UP…and I can enjoy a delicious breakfast with my family in spite of strict diet restrictions. THANKS! 🙂
That’s great Cara, thanks for trying them! 😀
Hi Jorien,
Any dairy-free yogurt will work! 🙂
We make this recipe gluten-free by subbing Pamela’s pancake and baking mix for the flour. These are absolutely amazing! By far our favorite recipe on the site! Thank you so much!
That’s great Jules, thanks for your comment!