These Apple and Cinnamon Pancakes take a favorite breakfast classic and give it a delicious and fun twist. The easy homemade batter comes together in minutes and features sweet apples, warm cinnamon, and rich brown sugar for a touch of caramel flavor. They’re light and naturally higher in fiber than your usual pancakes — a cozy way to start the day!
A Cozy Apple Pancake Recipe
It doesn’t have to be morning for us to enjoy a nice stack of pancakes at our house. In fact, we probably eat them for dinner more often than we do for breakfast! We don’t always just make regular pancakes either — we like to give them a little upgrade now and then, and these Apple and Cinnamon Pancakes did not disappoint. They’re soft and filled with cozy apple and cinnamon flavor in every bite.
If you love a good pancake recipe as much as we do, be sure to check out a few of our other favorites! Try my No Milk Homemade Pancakes for a simple, back-to-basics version, Funfetti Cake Mix Pancakes when you want something colorful and fun, or Healthy Sweet Potato Pancakes for a wholesome option that’s still full of flavor.
This post was originally published in March 2017 and updated in October 2025 to provide clearer, more user-friendly instructions, and include fresh, new photos.
Jump to:
Ingredient Photo
Ingredient Notes, Variations, and Swaps
I’ve only highlighted ingredients that I think can be substituted or have variations—check the recipe card below for the complete list.
- Apples: You can use any kind of apple you prefer. There really isn’t a type of apple that wouldn’t work in these Apple and Cinnamon Pancakes. If you have leftover apples this Apple Cider Cake is a great way to use them up.
- Flour: All-purpose flour works best here, but you can swap part of it for whole wheat flour if you’d like a little extra fiber and a heartier texture. I recommend replacing only about half of the flour.
- Milk: Whole milk is my go-to since that’s what we usually have, but any type of milk will do—dairy or non-dairy both work just fine.
- Butter: Unsalted butter gives great flavor, though vegetable or canola oil make easy substitutes if that’s what you prefer or have on hand.
- Sugar: Brown sugar adds a nice depth of flavor, but white sugar (or your favorite sugar substitute) will work too.
- Cinnamon: You can swap some of the cinnamon with a bit of ground nutmeg, probably no more than ½ teaspoon, for a slightly different warm spice flavor.
How to Make Easy Cinnamon Apple Pancakes
Here’s a quick look at the steps (with photos). You’ll find the full list of ingredients and more detailed step-by-step instructions in the recipe card below.
In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon.
Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in the grated apple.
Pour about ¼ cup of the batter for each pancake and cook until the edges look set. Flip and cook until golden brown, about 2–4 minutes per side.
Serving Suggestions
A stack of apple cinnamon pancakes pair perfectly with a drizzle of maple syrup, or my 2-Ingredient Butter Pecan Syrup for an extra sweet and nutty touch. Round out your breakfast (or breakfast-for-dinner!) with a side of Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions, Copycat Waffle House Cheese Eggs, and Air Fryer Sausage Patties. Together, they make a hearty and satisfying meal that’s easy enough for a weekday but special enough for a weekend brunch.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container for up to 5 days — perfect for make-ahead breakfasts.
- Freezing: Separate pancakes with parchment paper and layer them in a sealed container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm individual pancakes in the microwave for 30–60 seconds, or in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes until heated through. Frozen or thawed pancakes can also be reheated in a toaster or toaster oven — for tips on how, check out this article at theKtchn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Simply use your favorite non-dairy milk and swap the butter for oil.
Yes, but you’ll need to cook the diced apples first so they get soft, since the pancakes cook quickly.
Definitely! Try small chunks of canned peaches or pears, slices of fresh banana, or even small fresh blueberries — just make sure the pieces are small so they soften during cooking.
Follow me on social for more deliciousness!
Did you love this recipe?
We would love it if you’d leave a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below!
Apple and Cinnamon Pancakes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar firmly packed
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 cup shredded apples about 1 ½ small
- butter or nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Combine the wet ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla.1 cup milk, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon.1 cup all purpose flour, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- Make the batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the grated apple.1 cup shredded apples
- Cook the pancakes: Lightly coat a griddle or nonstick skillet with cooking spray or butter. Pour about ¼ cup of batter for each pancake onto the griddle or large skillet and cook until the edges look set. Flip and cook until golden brown, about 2–4 minutes per side.butter or nonstick cooking spray
Great recipe…..however, in the instructions it doesn’t say when to add the cinnamon. Also in the ingredieients …it doesn’t say how much salt.
I did make a typo, thanks for bringing it to my attention. I actually didn’t use any salt. I have fixed the recipe. Again, thanks!
You can’t go wrong with apples and cinnamon! Yum!
Right?! Thanks
Mindy, these little beauties are looking like dinner to me! I’m definitely with you in the fluffy pancake camp but agree the apples might do a bit better in the thin ones.
We love pancakes for dinner! Thanks
Apple and cinnamon…such a classic combo! These pancakes look awesome, Mindy.
They do go great together, thanks!