Caramelized Apple Pancakes with Warm Spices

Fluffy, cozy pancakes layered with buttery apples

These Caramelized Apple Pancakes with Warm Spices are the ultimate cozy fall breakfast idea. Fluffy, warmly spiced pancakes are folded with grated apple, then topped with buttery, caramel-like cinnamon apples that make every bite taste like autumn comfort. This easy healthy recipe feels indulgent yet wholesome, perfect for weekend brunches, crisp mornings, or anytime you’re craving something sweet, fragrant, and satisfying.

⏱️ Time Breakdown

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8–10 pancakes

📝 Ingredients

For the Topping
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 medium sweet-tart apples (Honeycrisp or Pink Lady), peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
1 tablespoon packed light or dark brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of kosher salt

For the Pancakes
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled (plus more for serving)
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons packed light or dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup milk
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 medium sweet-tart apple, peeled and grated (about 1 ¼ cups)
4 teaspoons canola or vegetable oil, divided
Maple syrup for serving (optional)

✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
Mixing bowls
Measuring cups and spoons
Whisk
Flexible spatula
Non-stick or cast-iron skillet
Knife and cutting board
Box grater

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

1. Prepare the apple topping:
   Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften and the syrup becomes glossy ✨. Turn off heat and set aside.
2. Mix the pancake batter:
   In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon.
   In a separate large bowl, whisk milk, melted and cooled butter, eggs, vanilla, and salt until combined.
3. Combine the batter:
   Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a flexible spatula. Add the grated apple and fold gently until just combined. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes 😋.
4. Cook the pancakes:
   Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 1 teaspoon of oil.
   Add ¼-cup scoops of batter to the pan, cooking 3–4 at a time depending on skillet size.
   Cook 2–3 minutes until bubbles form and edges set. Flip and cook another 2–3 minutes until golden 😊.
   Keep pancakes warm in a 250°F oven if needed.
   Repeat with remaining batter, adding 1 teaspoon oil before each batch.
5. Assemble and serve:
   Serve pancakes warm with extra butter, generous spoonfuls of caramelized apple topping, and maple syrup if desired.

💡 Pro Tips

Storage: Store pancakes separately from the topping for 3 days. Reheat gently on the skillet.
Substitutions: Pears work beautifully in place of apples; use almond milk for a dairy-light version.
Meal Prep: Cook pancakes ahead and freeze with parchment between layers.
Serving Ideas: Add toasted pecans, whipped cream, or a dusting of cinnamon for an extra-cozy finish.

📊 Nutrition Table

⭐ Conclusion

Caramelized Apple Pancakes with Warm Spices are the ultimate comfort breakfast soft, fluffy pancakes infused with warm cinnamon and sweet apple, topped with rich, buttery caramelized fruit. They’re the perfect treat for crisp mornings, cozy weekends, or anytime you want a stack that tastes like a warm hug. Serve them fresh, enjoy the aroma, and savor every fall-inspired bite.

Caramelized Apple Pancakes

Fluffy pancakes layered with buttery, caramelized apples, infused with warm spices, perfect for a cozy fall breakfast.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine American, Fall

Servings 10 pancakes

Calories 240 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Topping

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter Melted
• 2 medium sweet-tart apples (Honeycrisp or Pink Lady), peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
• 1 tablespoon light or dark brown sugar Packed
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch kosher salt

For the Pancakes

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled (plus more for serving)
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons light or dark brown sugar Packed
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 medium sweet-tart apple, peeled and grated (about 1 ¼ cups)
• 4 teaspoons canola or vegetable oil Divided
• Maple syrup for serving (optional)

Instructions

 

Prepare the apple topping

• Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften and the syrup becomes glossy. Turn off heat and set aside.

Mix the pancake batter

• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon.
• In a separate large bowl, whisk milk, melted and cooled butter, eggs, vanilla, and salt until combined.

Combine the batter

• Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a flexible spatula. Add the grated apple and fold gently until just combined. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes.

Cook the pancakes

• Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 1 teaspoon of oil.
• Add ¼-cup scoops of batter to the pan, cooking 3–4 at a time depending on skillet size. Cook 2–3 minutes until bubbles form and edges set. Flip and cook another 2–3 minutes until golden.
• Keep pancakes warm in a 250°F oven if needed. Repeat with remaining batter, adding 1 teaspoon oil before each batch.

Assemble and serve

• Serve pancakes warm with extra butter, generous spoonfuls of caramelized apple topping, and maple syrup if desired.

Notes

Store pancakes separately from the topping for 3 days. Reheat gently on the skillet. Pears work beautifully in place of apples; use almond milk for a dairy-light version. Cook pancakes ahead and freeze with parchment between layers. Add toasted pecans, whipped cream, or a dusting of cinnamon for an extra-cozy finish.

Keyword Caramelized Apples, Cozy Recipe, Fall Breakfast, Healthy Pancakes, pancakes