Fluffy Apple Pancakes Recipe for Cozy Fall Mornings (2025)

There’s something magical about fall mornings. The crisp air, the smell of cinnamon, and the comforting taste of apples, it’s like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket.

And what better way to start your autumn day than with a tall stack of fluffy, warm apple pancakes? If you love apples (and who doesn’t?), this is going to become your go-to breakfast.

In this post, you’ll learn how to make the best apple pancakes ever. They’re easy, quick, and ridiculously delicious. Perfect for busy moms, lazy weekends, or when you’re just craving something sweet and satisfying. Ready? Let’s dive in!

🍂 Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Apple Pancakes

If you’re a fan of cozy fall breakfasts, these apple pancakes are about to steal your heart.

They’re everything you crave in the morning: warm, fluffy, and filled with the comforting taste of cinnamon and apples. Think of the flavors of apple pie, but in pancake form, soft in the middle with crisp, golden edges, and packed with juicy apple bits in every bite. It’s like a warm hug on a plate.

These pancakes became an instant classic in my home. Even the pickiest eater (our 7-year-old!) requests them repeatedly. And I get it, they’re simple to make, packed with real fruit, and ready in under 30 minutes.

Whether you’re planning a lazy Sunday breakfast or want to impress guests at brunch, these pancakes deliver the perfect balance of sweet, soft, and spiced. Plus, your kitchen will smell like a freshly baked apple pie, which alone is reason enough to fall in love.

And here’s the best part: they reheat beautifully so that you can enjoy them for a couple of days after. Warm them up for a quick weekday breakfast, or sneak one cold as a midnight snack. (Guilty.)

📝 Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a quick reference table for everything you’ll need to make these pancakes. It’s a simple list, but every ingredient plays a role in making these pancakes fluffy, flavorful, and fall-approved.

Category	Ingredient	Notes
Dry Ingredients	2 cups all-purpose flour	Provides the structure and base of the pancakes
	2 tbsp sugar	Just the right touch of sweetness
	2 tsp baking powder	Helps the pancakes rise and fluff up
	1 tsp baking soda	Works with buttermilk to create lightness
	½ tsp salt	Balances out the flavors
	1 tsp ground cinnamon	Adds cozy fall spice flavor
Wet Ingredients	2 cups low-fat buttermilk	Adds tang and moisture — cold from the fridge is fine
	2 large eggs	Binds everything and adds richness
	1 tsp vanilla extract	Brings warmth and depth to the flavor
	4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted	Adds fat and flavor, stir in after mixing wet and dry ingredients
Fruit	2 large apples (about 1 lb), grated	Granny Smith preferred for a sweet-tart balance, but any firm apple works
		Use a box grater (large holes) after peeling
Oil for Pan	Neutral oil (vegetable or canola), as needed	Helps form those crispy, golden-brown pancake edges

That’s it, pantry staples plus a couple of fresh apples, and you’ve got yourself a stack of deliciousness.

Next up: let’s walk through how to turn these ingredients into the fluffiest, fruit-packed pancakes of your life.

🥞 Step-by-Step Apple Pancakes Recipe

Let’s turn your cozy fall morning into something magical. These apple pancakes are fluffy, tender, and bursting with fresh grated apples in every bite. Follow along for a foolproof, step-by-step walkthrough, no experience needed.

🔪 Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

First things first, start with the basics.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients that will form the foundation of your pancake batter:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Use a whisk to thoroughly mix all the ingredients. You want the cinnamon to be evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture, so each bite has a warm, cozy flavor.

👉 Pro Tip: Mixing dry ingredients separately helps you avoid clumps and ensures an even texture in your final batter.

Once everything is combined, set the bowl aside. Now we’ll move on to the wet ingredients.

🥛 Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients

Now it’s time to combine the wet ingredients.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the following:

• 2 cups low-fat buttermilk (straight from the fridge is fine)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

No need to let your ingredients come to room temperature. This recipe is all about ease and speed. That’s part of why it’s such a winner for busy mornings.

Use a whisk to beat the ingredients together until they’re smooth and well-blended. The eggs should be fully incorporated, and the mixture should look creamy.

👉 Shortcut Alert: If you’re out of buttermilk, you can make your own by combining 2 cups of milk with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit for 10 minutes before using.

🧁 Step 3: Bring It All Together

Now comes the fun part: turning those two bowls into one glorious batter.

Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with your dry ingredients. Then, gently whisk everything together.

⚠️ Important: Only mix until the dry ingredients are just moistened. Don’t worry if your batter looks lumpy; that’s precisely what you want.

Overmixing will activate the gluten in the flour, and that’s how you end up with tough, rubbery pancakes. We’re going for light and fluffy here.

Next, slowly pour in:

• 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter

Whisk again, just enough to incorporate the butter. It’ll give the pancakes a rich flavor and help them cook up beautifully golden on the outside.

👉 Batter Check: Your final batter should be thick, a little lumpy, and smell like cinnamon-spiced heaven.

🍏 Step 4: Peel and Grate the Apples

Time to bring in the star of the show: fresh apples!

You’ll need:

• 2 large apples, about 1 pound total
• Granny Smith is an ideal choice for that perfect sweet-tart balance, but Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp will also work.

First, peel the apples using a paring knife. Then, grate them using the large holes of a box grater.

You’re looking to get around 2 cups of grated apple. It’s okay if there’s some extra juice — that moisture adds richness to the batter.

Use a bench scraper or a spoon to transfer the grated apple to a bowl or directly into the pancake batter (next step). You’ll be amazed at how the fresh apple pieces melt into the pancakes, keeping them incredibly moist.

👩‍🍳 Step 5: Fold in the Apples

Now, grab your bowl of pancake batter and your freshly grated apples.

Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the apples into the batter. You want the apple to be well-distributed throughout without overmixing.

Stirring too much at this point will ruin all your fluffy efforts, and nobody wants a flat pancake.

Once the apples are evenly folded in and you don’t see any large clumps of dry flour, set the batter aside. Let it rest for just a couple of minutes while you heat the pan.

🔥 Step 6: Heat Up the Pan

You’re almost ready to flip some flapjacks!

Choose a large non-stick skillet, a seasoned cast-iron pan, or a griddle if you’re making pancakes for a crowd.

Set your stove to medium-low heat. If you’re using a griddle, aim for a temperature between 325°F and 350°F.

Add 2 tablespoons of neutral oil (like vegetable or canola) to the skillet. Let it heat for a minute or two until the oil starts to shimmer. A hot pan is essential for creating those signature golden edges.

👉 Pan Tip: Keeping the pan well-oiled between batches is the secret to those crispy, craveable pancake edges.

🍳 Step 7: Scoop and Cook

Time to make pancake magic!

Use a 2-ounce trigger ice cream scoop (or a ¼-cup measuring cup) to portion out the batter. Scoop directly into the hot, oiled pan, leaving a little space between each pancake so they have room to spread.

Let the pancakes cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side. You’ll know it’s time to flip when:

• You see bubbles forming on the surface that begin to pop
• The edges start to look set and golden brown

Using a spatula, gently flip each pancake and let it cook for another 2 minutes on the other side. You want them to be cooked through but still moist and tender.

Adjust the heat if necessary; if the pancakes are browning too fast, but still raw inside, your pan is too hot. Lower the temperature to ensure even cooking.

👉 Texture Tip: That combination of moist apple and crisp edges? Pure heaven. And it’s all thanks to the grated apple and hot, oiled pan.

Repeat with the remaining batter, oiling the skillet as needed between batches.

🥞 Step 8: Serve and Keep Warm

Your kitchen now smells like fresh apple pie. How good is that?

As your pancakes finish cooking, transfer them to a serving platter if you’re cooking in batches and want to keep everything warm until it’s time to eat, or place the pancakes on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven.

They’ll stay warm and fluffy for up to 30–45 minutes without drying out.

Once you’re done, it’s time to build the stack. Pile those golden, apple-packed pancakes high and get ready for toppings.

🍯 Optional Toppings (Bonus)

While these pancakes are incredible on their own, here are a few ways to take them to the next level:

• Apple topping – Warm sautéed apples with cinnamon
• Dusting of cinnamon – Because there’s no such thing as too much
• Maple syrup – Drizzle generously for that sticky-sweet finish
• Whipped cream – If you’re feeling extra
• Chopped pecans or walnuts – For some crunch and contrast

Drizzle, dust, stack, repeat. Then take a bite and let the flavors of fall take over your morning.

🍽️ Tips for the Fluffiest Apple Pancakes

Want those diner-style, sky-high pancakes that are soft on the inside and just slightly crisp on the outside? These tips will help you get the fluffiest, most satisfying apple pancakes every single time.

🥄 1. Don’t Overmix the Batter

This one’s the golden rule of pancakes. After combining the wet and dry ingredients, stop mixing as soon as everything is moistened. The batter should still look lumpy; that’s okay!

Why? Because overmixing activates the gluten in the flour, which results in tough, chewy pancakes instead of the light, fluffy ones we want.

👉 Think of it like folding laundry: do just enough to get it done, then stop.

🧊 2. Use Cold Buttermilk and Eggs

One of the great things about this recipe is that you can use ingredients straight from the fridge. There’s no need to plan or let things sit on the counter.

Cold buttermilk and eggs help slow down gluten development, making it easier to achieve a light texture. Plus, it saves you time.

🧈 3. Add Melted Butter at the End

Mixing in melted butter after the rest of the batter is combined gives you better control over the texture. It adds richness without making the pancakes dense.

Stir it in gently, and remember less is more when it comes to mixing!

🍏 4. Great, Don’t Dice the Apples

Grated apples melt right into the batter. This keeps the pancakes soft and evenly textured without large chunks weighing them down.

You’ll still get that delicious apple flavor in every bite, but the pancakes will stay fluffy and cook evenly.

🔥 5. Use a Well-Oiled, Medium-Low Pan

The right cooking temperature makes all the difference.

• Too hot? The outside will burn before the inside cooks.
• Too cold? Your pancakes will be pale and undercooked.

Aim for a medium-low heat setting. The batter needs time to rise and cook through. Keeping the pan well-oiled also gives your pancakes those irresistible golden-brown, crispy edges.👉 Bonus: Add a fresh bit of oil before each batch to keep those edges crisp!

🍴 How to Serve Apple Pancakes

You’ve made a stack of golden, fluffy apple pancakes… now let’s make them look as good as they taste. Presentation matters, and toppings take these pancakes from simple to spectacular.

🍎 1. Top with Warm Apple Topping

One of the best things you can do? Make an apple topping ahead of time. It’s essentially sautéed apples with cinnamon and perhaps a hint of brown sugar, a shortcut to apple pie filling.

Spoon it right over the pancakes, letting it cascade down the sides of your stack. Warm, soft, spiced, and slightly sweet, it’s the perfect match for the apple pancakes underneath.

👉 Shortcut: This topping can be prepped ahead and stored in the fridge for several days. Just warm it up before serving.

🥄 2. Add a Dusting of Cinnamon

A light sprinkle of cinnamon across the top adds a lovely finishing touch. It’s visually pretty and adds extra warmth and spice.

Cinnamon lovers, this is your moment. Sprinkle it on with flair.

🍁 3. Drizzle with Maple Syrup

Because pancakes without maple syrup? Almost unthinkable.

Go light or go heavy, either way, that drizzle of syrup seeping through the fluffy layers adds a sticky-sweet note that ties everything together.

👉 Pro Tip: Real maple syrup always wins. But if you don’t have it, warm pancake syrup works just fine.

🍴 4. Stack ‘Em Tall

Don’t be shy, stack those pancakes high! A tall stack looks inviting and makes for that drool-worthy “cutting into the layers” moment.

Serve on a big plate, and slice right down the middle to let the steam and syrup rise. Pure breakfast joy.

🧈 5. Add Butter (Optional, But Delicious)

A pat of butter on top melts into the stack, adding richness. It also looks great in photos, especially if you’re the kind of cook who likes to snap a quick picture before digging in. 📸

🍂 Final Thoughts

Apple pancakes are one of those magical breakfasts that feel like a warm hug on a chilly morning. They’re simple to make, packed with cozy fall flavor, and just the right balance of comforting and indulgent.

Whether you’re cooking up a weekend brunch for the family or treating yourself to something special on a weekday, this recipe is one you’ll turn to again and again.

With sweet grated apples, warm cinnamon, and golden crisp edges, these pancakes are like the lovechild of apple pie and a classic diner stack.

And the best part? They’re fuss-free. No special equipment, no tricky techniques, just a bowl, a pan, and a whole lot of deliciousness.

So go ahead, whip up a tall stack, drizzle on that syrup, and enjoy the smell of fall wafting through your kitchen. Once you try them, don’t be surprised if these pancakes become your go-to breakfast all season long.

🍎 More Cozy Fall Recipes to Try

Looking for more fall-inspired recipes that’ll make your kitchen smell amazing? Here are a few favorites to keep the autumn vibes going strong:

• 👉 Easy Apple Butter Recipe for Cozy Fall Mornings
  A crockpot classic that’s perfect for toast, oatmeal, and gifts.
• 👉 Fluffy & Moist Apple Muffins Recipe for Fall
  Sweet, cinnamon-spiced muffins that pair beautifully with coffee or tea.
• 👉 Quick & Cozy Apple Pie Filling Recipe
  Whip it up in minutes and use it in pies, parfaits, or on top of these pancakes!