This puffed apple pancake is a healthified take on the classic German pancake, often referred to as a Dutch Baby. Although this version isn’t as thin and egg-y as a Dutch Baby, it definitely marries the qualities of a pancake and a popover. It’s crisp and golden on the edges, slightly custardy in the middle, and layered with perfectly cooked spiced apples. This pancake is a lovely fall upgrade to your usual breakfast menu.

Photo of a cook holding a cast iron skillet with a puffed pancake in it

The wonderful ladies Rebecca and Ruth, from Square Meal Round Table and Annie, from What’s Annie Eating, invited me to their 3rd seasonal food blogger collaboration. Their first two collaborations spotlighted peas and peaches, and this time around they’ve chosen to feature apples as their fall ingredient.

Although there is a lot of incredible produce available during fall—sweet potatoes, kale, pears, pomegranates, cauliflower, squash, pumpkin, and brussels sprouts—there’s just something about a really good fall apple. I love Honeycrisp because, well, they’re sweet and crisp. But I also adore a good Granny Smith for their tart, refreshing, and hearty nature.They’re especially great in slaws, salads, soup, and of course breakfast dishes

Up close photo of green apples

How to make a puffed apple pancake

Making a puffed apple pancake is quick and very easy! Follow these simple steps and reference these photos to master the puffed pancake!

Step 1: Sauté apples, sugar and spices in a cast-iron skillet. (It’s similar to making an apple pie filling.)

Step 2: Blend eggs in a blender until frothy (this adds ton of air which will create height in your pancake).

Step 3: Whisk frothy eggs into flour mixture just until combined; pour over apples in skillet. 

Step 4: Bake puffed pancake at 425-degrees until puffed and starting to brown, about 18 minutes. 

Photograph of puffed pancake in a cast iron skillet

Step 5: Let puffed apple pancake cool slightly then dust with powdered sugar and top with chopped walnuts. 

Step 6: Enjoy with pure maple syrup and butter!

Close up photo of powdered sugar and nuts scattered on a puffed apple pancake

What’s your favorite type of apple? And how are you cooking with them this fall?

Up close photo of puffed apple pancake in cast iron skillet

Make sure to tag me @ZESTFULKITCHEN ON INSTAGRAM or comment below if you make this puffed apple pancake! 

To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can click the button on any of the photos, or the red button on the side bar or below the recipe.  Happy cooking!

Photograph of a puffed apple pancake in a cast iron skillet on a white table

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Up close photo of puffed apple pancake in cast iron skillet

Puffed Apple Pancake

  • Author: Zestful Kitchen
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 40 mins
  • Yield: one 10-inch pancake (6 servings) 1x
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Stove top/Oven
  • Cuisine: German

Description

This puffed apple pancake is a healthified take on the classic German pancake, often referred to as a Dutch Baby. Although this version isn’t as thin and egg-y as a Dutch Baby, it definitely marries the qualities of a pancake and a popover. It’s crisp and golden on the edges, slightly custardy in the middle, and layered with perfectly cooked spiced apples. This pancake is a lovely fall upgrade to your usual breakfast menu.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ cup white whole-wheat flour
  • ¼ cup coconut sugar, ground, and divided, or brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 3 Granny Smith apples ( lb.), peeled, cored, halved, and cut into ½-inch-thick slices
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon grated fresh nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 large eggs
  • ⅔ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Toasted, chopped pecans or slivered almonds
  • Powdered sugar
  • Pure maple syrup

Instructions

Heat oven to 500°F.

Whisk together flour, 2 tablespoons ground coconut sugar, and salt.

Heat oil in a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, add apples, remaining ground coconut sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Cook apples, stirring frequently, until starting to soften and caramelize, 5 minutes, scraping up any caramel from bottom of pan. Off heat, stir in lemon juice.

Working quickly, blend eggs in a blender until frothy, 1 minute. Whisk blended eggs, milk, and vanilla into flour mixture until completely combined. Pour batter around and over apples in skillet, transfer skillet to oven and immediately reduce oven temperature to 425°F. Bake pancake until edges are slightly puffed and golden brown, 18–19 minutes.

Remove pancake from oven and let cool slightly. Dust pancake with powdered sugar, sprinkle with pecans, and serve with maple syrup.


Notes

Tips for success:

For the best results, be sure to grind your coconut sugar before using. Coconut sugar is very granular, and if it’s not ground it will cause the surface of the pancake to looks splotchy. Grind the coconut sugar in a spice grinder, and if you don’t have a spice grinder, do your best with a mortar and pestle. If you’d prefer to skip the grinding step, simply use brown sugar instead of the coconut sugar. Use 2 tablespoons brown sugar in the flour mixture and 3 tablespoons for sautéing with the apples.

The acidity of Granny Smith apples can cause damage to fairly new cast iron pans, so be sure to use one that is well seasoned and has been used quite a bit. If you don’t have a well-seasoned cast iron skillet, an ovenproof nonstick skillet also works well.

To achieve the right texture, be sure to use large eggs. Extra large will cause the pancake to be too custardy, and medium or smaller will decrease the amount of rise you get, making it less puffy.


Nutrition

  • Calories: 194
  • Sugar: 19g
  • Sodium: 235mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Carbohydrates: 31g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 62mg

Keywords: Puffed Apple Pancake, Apple Pancake, Puffed Pancake

Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

Photograph of a puffed apple pancake in a cast iron skillet on a white table

Check out these other bloggers and their apple creations, or find some inspiration on Instagram using the hashtag #aisforalltheapples.

Cloudy Kitchen ↠ Salted Caramel and Apple Babka

Square Meal Round Table ↠ Chai Spiced Tarte Tatin

The Wood and Spoon ↠ Maple Apple Cake

The Cooking of Joy’ ↠ Deep Fried Apple Dumplings with Miso Caramel Dipping Sauce

Pensive Foodie ↠ Mini Bacon Crusted Apple Pies

My Kitchen Love ↠ Bird’s Nest Caramel Apple Cake  

More Icing Than Cake ↠ Apple Butter Pretzels with Rosemary Cheddar Dip

Casey Joy Lister ↠ Waldorf Salad’s Twisted Sister

The Kitchen Sink ↠ Apple Cheddar Loaf

What Should I Make For Dinner ↠ Apple Puff Pastry Tarts

Jessie Sheehan Bakes ↠ Apple Fritters

Smart in the Kitchen ↠ Gluten Free Apple Cranberry Crisp

This Healthy Table ↠ Cardamom Apple Tart

Figs and Flour ↠ Apple Purple Potato PIzza

Something New for Dinner ↠ Savory Bread Pudding with Apples, Sausage, and Pecan

Always Eat Dessert ↠ Apple Spice Scones with Maple Bourbon Glaze

Rezel Kealoha ↠ Rose Poached Apples with Rosewater Reduction

The Soup Solution ↠ Fennel Sausage and and Apple Dressing (Stuffing)

Lemon Thyme and Ginger ↠ Smoky Maple Apple Dutch Baby

Gobble the Cook ↠ One Pan Pork Chops and Sausages with Apple

Hola Jalapeno ↠ Fluffy Apple Chili Biscuits

Salt and Wind ↠ Pomegranate Ginger Apple Cider Punch

What Annie’s Eating ↠ Butternut Squash/Apple Soup with Asiago and Sage Croutons

Flours in Your Hair ↠ Brown Butter Bourbon Apple Pie

Confetti Kitchen ↠ Kale Salad with Chicken and Apple

Salted Plains ↠ Gluten-Free Apple Crumb Cake

Easy and Delish ↠ Fun Candy Corn Apple Pops

This Mess is Ours  Easy Baked Apple Custard

Butter Loves Company ↠ Gingerbread with Brandied Apples

Sweet Pillar Food ↠ Apple Honey Brie

A Farm Girl’s Dabbles ↠ Peanut Butter Apple Cookies

A Savory Dish ↠ Peanut Butter Protein Dip

Especially Southern Dishes ↠ Apple Pie Egg Rolls

Pie Girl Bakes ↠ Salted Caramel Apple Pie

Cocoa and Salt ↠ Vegan Apple Stuffin’ Muffins

Champagne Cookies ↠ Apple Cheddar Galette

 

 

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About The Author

Lauren Grant is a professional culinary food scientist, food writer, recipe developer, and food photographer. Lauren is a previous magazine editor and test kitchen developer and has had work published in major national publications including Diabetic Living Magazine, Midwest Living Magazine, Cuisine at Home Magazine, EatingWell.com, AmericasTestKitchen.com, and more.

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Comments

  1. This looks so amazing and would be the perfect fall breakfast! I’m a huge fan of anything with green apples and you’re photos are gorgeous! I can’t wait to try this recipe. You have a new subscriber!

  2. What a wonderfully wholesome Puffed Apple Pancake! It came out beautifully just like the photo! I loved the apple, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg combination with lemon juice… reminded me of apple pie, yum! I made it twice in the same day! This one’s a keeper, thank you, Lauren! You are amazing!