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These caramel apple pancakes bring together 3 desserts in one breakfast stack! Light and fluffy with gooey caramel apples that hit like freshly baked apple pie.
Out with the maple syrup and in with the caramelized apples!
Let’s make brunch extra sticky and sweet with these apple caramel pancakes.
Turn basic pancake ingredients into a decadent breakfast dish that feels like apple pie disguised as a pancake tower.
Whether it’s for an autumn brunch or a surprise for your loved one, these caramel pancakes never miss. Why choose between caramel apples, apple pie, and pancakes when you can have a little bit of everything on your plate?
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This recipe’s apple topping for pancakes is so good, you’ll want to eat it straight from the pan!
But before you get there, caramel apple nachos and caramel apple bites are just as irresistible.
Why You’ll Love This Caramel Apple Pancakes Recipe
- Featuring light and fluffy cinnamon pancakes drenched in a luscious caramel apple sauce with bits and pieces of apples, these caramel apple pancakes will always be a hit for all ages.
- You only need simple ingredients to make these apple pie pancakes! The apple caramel sauce for pancakes is also beginner-friendly, so you don’t need to worry about burning it.
- These apple caramel pancakes are incredibly versatile. Use them to impress your brunch guests or make your loved ones feel extra special on events like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.
Ingredients
Caramel apples:
Apples – You can use any sweet or tart variety that holds up well during cooking.
Unsalted butter – Of course, we’re cooking our caramel apples in butter.
Brown sugar – Can’t make the best caramel topping without brown sugar.
Salt – What’s better than apple caramel pancakes? Salted caramel apple pancakes!
Vanilla extract – The added warm, aromatic note adds depth to the fall-favorite caramel apples.
Caramel sauce – These caramelized apple pancakes are foolproof since you don’t need to make the caramel from scratch.
Pancakes:
All-purpose flour – When learning how to make caramel apple pancakes, don’t forget to get your pancake batter right. Measure your flour correctly using the spoon-and-level method!
Baking powder and baking soda – Make sure your leaveners are fresh for perfectly light and fluffy stacked pancakes with apple topping!
Granulated sugar – To sweeten the pancake batter.
Salt – Helps keep the apple caramel pancakes from tasting flat.
Ground cinnamon – Brings that warm, cozy apple pie vibe we all love. Feel free to use your favorite spices in this apple pancake recipe!
Eggs – For binding and structure.
Unsalted butter – Lends richness and moisture to our stack of pancakes with caramel topping.
Whole milk – For deliciously soft pancakes with apple topping!
Apple – This caramelized apple pancake recipe ensures every forkful is loaded with apples, from the caramel topping to the actual pancakes.
Cooking spray – To keep the pancake batter from sticking to the pan. You can cook the pancakes in butter for extra flavor!
Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Apple Caramel Pancakes
Whole wheat flour
Make these apple pie filling pancakes extra filling with whole wheat flour!
Apple pie filling
Want to learn how to make caramel pancakes without all the extra work?
Grab store-bought apple pie filling and just mix it with our easy caramel dip for an instant lazy-day pancake topping.
Toppings
Turn your stack of pancakes with apple topping into a full-on dessert with a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream melting right on top!
You can also add chopped pecans for a surprise crunch that makes every bite even better.
Tips For Making This Recipe
Get Perfectly Fluffy Pancakes
Besides making sure your leavening agents aren’t expired, don’t overmix the batter or your apple pancakes will turn out tough instead of light and fluffy.
Avoid Burnt Pancakes
Keep the heat at medium so your caramel apple pancakes don’t burn. If you notice them browning too fast, lower the heat or start fresh with a lightly cleaned pan.
Storage Tips
You can store your apple caramel pancakes and topping separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. When ready to serve, pop the pancakes in the oven at 350ºF until warmed through and gently reheat the caramel apple topping on the stove over low heat.
Caramelized Apple Pancakes Recipe FAQs
Do pancakes taste better with water or milk?
Milk definitely makes pancakes taste better because it adds richness and gives them a softer texture.
How to know when to flip pancakes?
Every pan cooks a little differently, so the timing for flipping your pancakes can vary. Instead of watching the clock, look for bubbles forming on the surface of your pancakes.
What are the best kind of apple to use?
We made these apple-caramel pancakes with Honeycrisp apples because they hold their shape well during cooking. Granny Smith apples are also delicious if you want a more tart apple pie flavor.
Do I have to peel the apples for apple pancakes?
Not at all! It really comes down to personal preference. Leaving the skin on even adds a rustic feel to the caramel apple pancakes.
How to keep large batches of pancakes warm?
As you work through the batter, place the cooked pancakes on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven to keep them warm. Keep this tip in mind when making a big batch of these caramel apple pancakes!
More Delicious Breakfast Recipes
- Purple Pancakes
- Pumpkin Pancakes
- Pancake Cereal
- Custard Yogurt Toast
- Crockpot French Toast Casserole
I found this recipe for Buttermilk Vanilla Waffles that I HAVE to try!
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Caramel Apple Pancakes
Ingredients
For the caramel apples:
- 2 apples
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- Pinch 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 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
Instructions
- Gather and measure the ingredients for the caramel apple pancake recipe. Peel, core, and dice the apples.
Caramel apples:
- To make the caramel apples, melt the butter in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the diced apples and cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly.
- Stir in the brown sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the apples are tender, about 7 minutes.
- Add the caramel sauce and stir until fully combined. Let the mixture cook for 1 more minute, then remove the caramel apples from the heat.
Pancakes:
- To make the pancakes, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
- Add the eggs, melted butter, and milk. Whisk until just combined. Do not overmix!
- Fold in the grated apple until evenly distributed. Then, let the batter rest for at least 4 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it with cooking spray.
- Pour portions of batter onto the skillet to make several pancakes, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
- Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set. Flip and cook the other side until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
- Serve the apple pancakes warm with the homemade caramel apple sauce spooned on top. Enjoy!
Notes
- Besides making sure your leavening agents aren’t expired, don’t overmix the batter or your apple pancakes will turn out tough instead of light and fluffy!
- Keep the heat at medium so your caramel apple pancakes don’t burn. If you notice them browning too fast, lower the heat or start fresh with a lightly cleaned pan.
- You can store your apple caramel pancakes and topping separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. When ready to serve, pop the pancakes in the oven at 350ºF until warmed through and gently reheat the caramel apple topping on the stove over low heat.
Nutrition
PIN FOR LATER!
