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These caramel apple pancakes combine fall-favorite caramel apples and classic fluffy pancakes. Both are made from scratch, perfect for breakfast or brunch!
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Learn how to make caramel apple pancakes with this easy recipe.
This fun take on light, fluffy pancakes gives them a nostalgic sweetness that will take you back to your favorite fall festival growing up. The sweet addition? Caramel apples! ?
They’re a classic autumn treat for a reason, and these apple caramel pancakes are sure to hit the spot with every stack.
Make your breakfast affair feel like a fun fair using only some simple ingredients!
What Are Caramel Apple Pancakes?
Caramel apple pancakes are what you’ll get from the delicious partnership between two classics: your favorite caramel apple from childhood and irresistible pancakes.
Pancakes are already delicious with a simple topping of butter and maple syrup. But with rich, gooey caramel apples?
I’m sure you’ll look forward to getting out of bed knowing caramelized apple pancakes await you!
This caramel apple pancake recipe is also pretty straightforward.
You have your basic pancake batter made from flour, eggs, milk, yada yada…My point is the ingredients for this batter are likely already in your kitchen.
The only difference is you’ll add shredded apple to the mix.
The caramel apples are also easy to make, and you don’t have to worry about burning your sugar. Scroll down to know more. ?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Breakfast Or Brunch: This filling and comforting pancake recipe is definitely a delicious way to start the day. You can even jumpstart the prep work for the pancakes and apples, so you can make the dish easily, even on busy weekdays!
- Nostalgic Flavors: The buttery, sweet-salty caramel apples and perfectly fluffy pancakes will make everyone’s inner child happy! If you’re bored of the typical pancake recipe or want to impress loved ones this fall, caramel apple pancakes are the answer.
- Customize It To Your Liking: This caramel apple pancake recipe is simple, and you can prepare the pancake batter and caramel apples however you like. Make them healthier, swap for vegan or dairy-free ingredients, or add other tasty flavors to create the caramel apple pancake stack of your dreams!
What Do Apple Caramel Pancakes Taste Like?
These caramel apple pancakes are wonderfully sweet, but not in an overwhelming way.
The pancakes are the perfect “vessels” for the caramel apples because they’re super light and fluffy. They absorb the gooey, buttery homemade caramel apple sauce, and the texture of the diced apples in every mouthful is simply divine. ?
If you want your pancake stack to be extra decadent, consider using butter instead of cooking spray for cooking the pancakes. My friend recommends salted butter, and I can already imagine how tasty it’ll be with caramel. Salted caramel, anyone?
You can also customize your apple caramel pancakes! Why not tweak the batter recipe, add spices to the apples, or make the caramel yourself?
And if you’ll be serving these caramelized apple pancakes for a crowd, I suggest keeping them inside a warm oven. Include your apple pancakes in our pancake charcuterie board, and you might get the title of the best host of the year!
Are Caramelized Apple Pancakes Healthy?
As you can expect with any pancake recipe, caramel apple pancakes are best enjoyed mindfully.
They can be high in sugar and carbs, so eat your stacks of apple pancakes in responsible portions.
The good news is you can make a healthier pancake batter!
You can also prepare a wholesome breakfast menu to eat with these pancakes. Some healthy ideas are fiber-rich omelettes, high-protein breakfast smoothies, and sauteed mixed veggies.
Check out our healthy recipes that are as easy to make as these apple pancakes! Customize Instant Pot egg bites with nourishing add-ins, or make our hot girl summer salad for something quick but satisfying. ?
What Are The Benefits Of This Caramel Apple Pancake Recipe?
The benefit of this caramel apple pancake recipe is it gives classic pancakes a nostalgic twist that will make any sweet tooth’s inner child happy. The dish presents fluffy pancakes with everyone’s favorite fall treat: caramel apples.
These apple caramel pancakes will definitely step up your pancake game with the texture contrast between tender apples in gooey caramel and light, moist pancakes. But the best part?
The pancakes do not taste sickly sweet!
Overall, this is an easy breakfast or brunch idea you should make ASAP.
With the abundance of apples this season, I encourage you to make something beyond apple pies.
Ingredients For Caramel Apple Pancakes
Caramel apples:
- Apples – You can use any apples for this recipe, so make the most of the fall harvest!
- Unsalted butter – We can all agree that the best caramel tastes rich and buttery. ?
- Brown sugar – For our caramel apples.
- Salt – To balance the sweetness of our caramelized apples.
- Vanilla extract – Adds depth to any sweet recipe.
- Caramel sauce – This makes our prep work ten times easier! Do yourself a favor and pick a caramel sauce from a reputable brand. ?
Pancakes:
- All-purpose flour – The main ingredient for our fluffy pancakes made from scratch.
- Baking powder – This ensures that our pancakes will be nice and fluffy.
- Baking soda – Did you know that this ingredient helps your pancakes brown perfectly?
- Granulated sugar – Sweetens our homemade pancake batter.
- Salt – For a more well-rounded flavor.
- Ground cinnamon – Caramel apple cinnamon pancakes are just perfect for autumn!
- Eggs – As with any pancake batter recipe, eggs are necessary for the structure of the pancakes.
- Unsalted butter – Adds richness and keeps the apple pancakes moist.
- Milk – The secret to soft, fluffy pancakes is swapping water with milk when making the batter.
- Apple – Besides the caramelized apple topping, our caramel apple pancakes also have shredded apples in the pancakes themselves. ?
- Cooking spray – For cooking the pancakes.
Tools Needed To Prepare Apple Caramel Pancakes
- Skillet for cooking the caramel apples (we’ll fry the pancakes in a non-stick skillet as well)
- Spatula for turning the pancakes
- Mixing bowls for making the pancake batter
- Whisk for mixing the batter
Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Caramelized Apple Pancakes
Dairy butter
Make your apple caramel pancakes dairy-free by swapping butter with coconut oil!
Dairy milk
If you don’t want to use regular dairy milk for your pancakes, you can use unsweetened almond milk instead.
Applesauce
Boost the apple flavor on your apple pancakes by adding applesauce to the batter.
How To Make Caramel Apple Pancakes
Ingredients:
For the caramel apples:
- 2 apples
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp caramel sauce
For the pancakes:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup milk
- 1 apple, peeled and grated
- Cooking spray for frying the pancakes
Tools you need:
Instructions:
Gather and measure the ingredients for your caramel apple pancakes. Peel, core, and dice the apples.
Caramel apples:
STEP 1: Melt butter over medium-low heat. Add the apples and cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly.
STEP 2: Stir in the brown sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Cook until the apples are tender, still stirring frequently. This usually takes around 7 minutes.
STEP 3: Add the caramel sauce and mix the ingredients until combined. After a minute, remove the caramel apples from the heat.
Pancakes:
STEP 1: Combine flour, baking powder, soda, sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
STEP 2: Add the eggs, melted butter, and milk. Whisk until the ingredients are just incorporated. Do not overmix the pancake batter!
STEP 3: Stir in the grated apple. Mix so everything is well combined, then allow the batter to rest for at least 4 minutes.
STEP 4: Meanwhile, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Grease it lightly with cooking spray.
STEP 5: Pour the pancake batter onto the skillet to make several pancakes. Do not overcrowd the pan.
STEP 6: Flip each pancake once bubbles form on the surface and the edges are dry. Each side can take around 2 minutes to cook.
STEP 7: Your apple pancakes are done once they’re golden brown. Top with caramel apples before serving, and enjoy!
What To Serve With Caramel Apple Pancakes
Serve your caramel apple pancakes while they’re still warm with butter and extra caramel sauce.
Other yummy apple pancake topping ideas are maple syrup, whipped cream, nuts, chocolate sauce, fresh apricots, and pears.
But personally, I just pair my golden pancakes with a cup of plain black coffee.
Want the ultimate fall breakfast platter? I have some delicious recipes to make alongside these fluffy caramelized apple pancakes:
- Dairy-Free Pumpkin Bread – This easy loaf is full of warm, cozy flavors!
- Instant Pot Churro Bites – Imagine mini muffins, donut holes, and churros combined in a perfect bite!
Tips About Making This Caramel Apple Pancake Recipe
Keep these tips in mind for the perfect apple caramel pancakes:
- Say goodbye to dense, tough, chewy pancakes by mixing your batter just until you no longer see streaks of flour. No need to take out the hand mixer because the humble whisk will do!
- If you often get splotchy pancakes that are not evenly golden, you might be using too much oil in the pan. I suggest coating the pan with cooking spray instead of pouring oil onto it.
- Each pancake uses 1/4 cup of batter. Do not overcrowd the skillet, and avoid pressing on the pancakes, as this also presses the air out of them!
How To Store Caramel Apple Pancakes
- Fridge: You can refrigerate the batter without the baking powder and baking soda for cooking the following morning. (Add the leavening agents when you’re about to cook the pancakes.) But for leftover caramel apple pancakes, store the caramel apple topping and pancakes in separate containers and enjoy them within 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze caramel apples and pancakes for up to 2 months in freezer-safe containers. I suggest stacking the pancakes with parchment paper in between each piece.
- Reheating: Thaw your frozen caramel apple topping and pancakes before reheating. And to reheat leftover pancakes, just warm them up in the microwave at 30-second intervals.
How To Make Caramelized Apples For Pancakes
Feel free to follow our simple caramel apples in the recipe above.
To quickly recap, just cook diced apples in butter, stir in sugar, salt, and vanilla extract, and wait until the apples are tender. Don’t forget to stir frequently during the process!
Then, add your favorite caramel sauce, and you’re done!
But if you’re craving a caramel apple topping that’s as decadent as apple pie, check out our apple pie milkshake recipe! You can use its apple pie sauce both on vanilla milkshakes and pancakes!
Why Are My Pancakes Raw Inside?
You might be using high heat when cooking your pancakes. The result? They’re overcooked outside and raw inside. ?
Remember to cook your pancakes over medium heat, and do not use too much oil on the pan so the pancakes will be evenly golden.
FAQ About Pancakes
Why do you put milk instead of water in pancakes?
We use milk instead of water in pancakes for a richer, creamier taste.
What are the two major ways to get pancakes fluffy?
Make sure you don’t overmix the batter or press on the pancakes as they cook to avoid tough pancakes. Using leavening agents like baking powder is also crucial for the fluffiest pancakes.
What is the most important ingredient in pancakes?
Of course, it’ll be flour, as it’s the reason behind the pancake’s structure. But before you overthink what flour to use, good old all-purpose flour is perfect for pancakes, especially from a reputable brand like King Arthur!
Can you over mix pancake batter?
Yep. This is why you should just mix until the ingredients are incorporated. Personally, I know I’m done mixing the batter once I no longer see the dry ingredients.
Caramel Apple Pancakes
These caramel apple pancakes combine fall-favorite caramel apples and classic fluffy pancakes. Both are made from scratch, perfect for breakfast or brunch!
Ingredients
For the caramel apples:
- 2 apples
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp caramel sauce
For the pancakes:
Instructions
Gather and measure the ingredients for your caramel apple pancakes. Peel, core, and dice the apples.
Caramel apples:
- Melt butter over medium-low heat. Add the apples and cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly.
- Stir in the brown sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Cook until the apples are tender, still stirring frequently. This usually takes around 7 minutes.
- Add the caramel sauce and mix the ingredients until combined. After a minute, remove the caramel apples from the heat.
Pancakes:
- Combine flour, baking powder, soda, sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
- Add the eggs, melted butter, and milk. Whisk until the ingredients are just incorporated. Do not overmix the pancake batter!
- Stir in the grated apple. Mix so everything is well combined, then allow the batter to rest for at least 4 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Grease it lightly with cooking spray.
- Pour the pancake batter onto the skillet to make several pancakes. Do not overcrowd the pan.
- Flip each pancake once bubbles form on the surface and the edges are dry. Each side can take around 2 minutes to cook.
- Your apple pancakes are done once they're golden brown. Top with caramel apples before serving, and enjoy!
Notes
- Do not overmix your pancake batter, or you might end up with tough and chewy caramel apple pancakes! The secret for perfectly fluffy pancakes? Mix the batter just until you no longer see streaks of flour.Â
- We used cooking spray for frying the pancakes to avoid overloading the pan with oil. If you use too much oil, the apple pancakes can get splotchy and not evenly golden.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan with pancakes. Each piece can use around 1/4 cup of batter. Oh, and avoid pressing on the pancakes when cooking them, as this leads to dense pancakes!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 84Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 36mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 1gSugar: 8gProtein: 2g
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for the most accurate results.
Conclusion
These caramel apple pancakes are truly a piece of cake!
Make the batter using basic pancake ingredients and take advantage of ready-to-use caramel sauce for the caramelized apples.
You don’t need to worry about burning your apples because our rich and buttery caramel syrup above is foolproof.
And as for the pancakes, just remember not to overmix the batter and always cook the pancakes on medium heat. You should get perfectly light and fluffy pancakes waiting to be smothered in the nostalgic sweetness of caramelized apple sauce. ?
If it’s said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, maybe an apple recipe a day will keep the woes away. Try these apple-tastic recipes next: