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Apple Cinnamon Fritter Pancakes

These fluffy Apple Cinnamon Fritter Pancakes are ready in less than 20 minutes and will have you singing and dancing for days because they freeze well making them ideal for meal prep! I topped these off with a delicious homemade cinnamon butter that is hard to keep your hands off! They are gluten-free, easily made vegan and so very tasty, ideal for slow Sunday mornings or anytime you're craving fall-inspired pancakes.

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The Best Apple Cinnamon Fritter Pancakes

If you’re a fan of fluffy gluten-free apple pancakes, you’re in the right place! With apple season in full swing, I’ve created the easiest Apple Cinnamon Fritter Pancakes recipe packed with cozy spices and good feels. They have all the flavours of an apple fritter without all the fuss. These pancakes are perfect for a cozy weekend breakfast or meal prep for the week, and they pair beautifully with my homemade cinnamon butter. It’s so easy and comes together in a matter of minutes. This simple recipe will transform your pancakes, waffles, toast and hey, I’d even slather my sweet potatoes with it!

The homemade Cinnamon Butter will take your pancakes to the next level. Inspired by the butter genius Thomas Straker. He’s the guy that turns butter into all sorts of amazing things and while I have yet to see him do a cinnamon butter I am quite sure I could take a deeper dive. This version is simple, using just butter, honey, and cinnamon (no powdered sugar here!). It’s the perfect addition to your pancake stack, adding warmth and sweetness to every bite. The cinnamon butter comes together in a bowl with an electric hand mixer but feel free to double the batch and bust out your standing mixer or food processor. I use unsalted butter for this recipe and add salt to taste after. If you are using salted butter, make sure you taste it before adding more salt!

I love me a stack of pancakes. It’s most definitely a love language of mine. If you are in my close circle, I have made you pancakes. If not, you need to come over on a Sunday morning so I can rectify that. These pancakes were made several times before finding the right blend and ratios of flours. I love the IDEA of almond flour pancakes but the truth is I find them mushy. I’ll keep working on them because I KNOW I can nail it but until then THIS will be my ultimate pancake recipe. Gluten-free flour isn’t created equal across the board. Some gluten free flours have guar gum, and xanthan gum and some do not. I tried BOTH for this recipe and found that the Bobs 1:1 worked best. It already has xanthan gum in it so no need to add that. If you aren’t gf then please use your favourite all-purpose flour! If you have a fave gf flour, use that! All floors will create a slightly different texture.

Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Fritter Pancakes

  • Buckwheat Flour: Despite its name, buckwheat is naturally gluten-free, making it a great alternative to traditional wheat flour. It’s also rich in fibre, antioxidants, and essential minerals like magnesium, adding a nutritional boost to the pancakes. Buckwheat flour has a denser texture, which pairs beautifully with the lightness of the apples and cinnamon, providing a hearty, wholesome bite.
  • Gluten-Free Flour Blend (Bob’s Red Mill): I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Flour Blend for this recipe because it delivers consistent results, ensuring the pancakes are light and fluffy without any gluten. This flour blend is made from a mix of gluten-free grains, such as rice flour, potato starch, and sorghum flour, providing a good structure for the pancakes without compromising on texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract plays an important role in elevating the flavour of the pancakes by adding a sweet, aromatic note. It balances the earthy flavours of the buckwheat flour and spices like cinnamon while complementing the sweetness of the apples. Even though it’s a small addition, vanilla brings warmth and richness to the recipe, making every bite more flavorful and satisfying. 
  • Baking Powder: This ingredient is essential for creating fluffy pancakes. Baking powder causes the batter to rise, making the pancakes light and airy. Without it, your pancakes would turn out dense and flat. Make sure your baking powder is fresh for the best results, as it ensures the right amount of rise during cooking.
  • Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger: This trio of spices gives the pancakes their cozy, warming fall vibes. Cinnamon offers a sweet, earthy depth, while nutmeg and ginger add a touch of warmth and spice. These spices are what make these pancakes feel like a hug on a chilly morning! You can adjust the levels of each spice to suit your taste, but together, they create the perfect balance.
  • Eggs: Eggs provide structure to the pancakes, helping them hold together and stay fluffy as they cook. If you’re making these pancakes vegan, you can substitute the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flax mixed with 3 tablespoons of water for each egg).
  • Milk of Choice: Whether you choose almond, oat, or regular milk, this liquid helps bind the dry ingredients. You can even use coconut milk for a richer, creamier texture.
  • Coconut Sugar or Brown Sugar: Both of these sugars add a subtle sweetness to the batter, enhancing the flavour of the apples and spices without making the pancakes overly sweet. Coconut sugar has a caramel-like flavour and a lower glycemic index than refined sugar, making it a great choice for healthier baking. Brown sugar, on the other hand, adds more moisture and depth of flavour. You can omit sugar if you’re looking to make these pancakes only sweetened naturally.
  • Olive Oil: Olive oil keeps the pancakes tender and adds a subtle richness. It’s a healthier alternative to butter and adds healthy fats to the mix. You can swap it for coconut oil if you prefer a more tropical flavour, or use melted butter for a more traditional pancake texture.
  • Apple: These apple cinnamon fritter pancakes would not be complete without diced apple! The addition of apple brings a fresh, juicy burst of sweetness and texture to every bite. Choose a firm apple variety, like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, for the best flavour and texture. The apples cook slightly as the pancakes cook, releasing their natural sugars into the batter.

Don’t Forget the Cinnamon Butter!

  • Soft Butter: If you’re making the homemade cinnamon butter you’ll want to ensure your butter is warmed and softened (not melted) so that you can mix it with the other ingredients.
  • Honey: Instead of powdered sugar, honey adds natural sweetness to the cinnamon butter. It blends seamlessly into the butter, creating a smooth and luscious spread that’s perfect for melting over warm pancakes.
  • Cinnamon: This spice is key to giving the butter that warm, cozy flavour that complements the apple cinnamon fritter pancakes perfectly. It’s sweet, slightly spicy, and aromatic—everything you want in a fall breakfast.
  • Sea Salt: A pinch of sea salt balances out the sweetness and enhances the flavour of the cinnamon butter. It adds just the right amount of contrast to make every bite more flavorful. You can skip the additional salt if you are using salted butter or want to keep things low in sodium.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Fritter Pancakes

Prepare the Batter

Start by whisking together the dry ingredients; flours, ground flax, baking powder, and spices in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mash the banana, then whisk in eggs, milk, oil, sugar, and vanilla. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and fold in the diced apple. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes.

Cook the Pancakes

Preheat your nonstick skillet over medium heat. Grease the skillet with nonstick spray, butter, or oil, and ladle out the batter. Cook over medium heat until golden brown on both sides, flipping halfway through. These pancakes will puff up nicely and develop a gorgeous golden colour.

Make the Cinnamon Butter

In a medium bowl, combine soft butter, honey, cinnamon, and sea salt. Use an electric hand mixer to beat the butter until it’s smooth and fluffy. Transfer to a small jar and store in the fridge until ready to use.

Serve

Top your pancakes with a generous spread of cinnamon butter and drizzle with maple syrup for the ultimate fall breakfast! Add fresh fruits, and a dollop of yogurt or granola on top if you’re looking to make a decadent stack of pancakes!

Tips for Making the Best Pancakes

  • Let the Batter Rest: Allowing the batter to sit for a few minutes ensures the baking powder activates, giving your pancakes that perfect fluffy texture.
  • Grease the Pan Well: Whether you use butter, oil, or nonstick spray, make sure your skillet is well-greased for easy flipping and golden-brown pancakes.
  • Use Fresh Spices: Fresh cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger will give your pancakes the best flavour. If your spices have been sitting in the pantry for a while, consider replacing them for the best results.

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes FAQs

How do you keep pancakes warm? To keep pancakes warm while cooking multiple batches, place them on a sheet pan in a preheated oven at 200°F. This will ensure they stay warm without drying out.

How do you make mini pancakes? To make mini pancakes, simply use a smaller ladle or spoon to drop the batter into the pan. Adjust the cooking time, as smaller pancakes will cook faster.

Can you make this recipe vegan? Yes! To make these apple cinnamon fritter pancakes vegan, swap the eggs for flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flax mixed with 3 tbsp water per egg) and use plant-based milk and butter. The pancakes will still turn out fluffy and delicious!

Did you make these healthy apple pancakes? Leave a rating and review below to let me know how yours turned out!

Try These Pancakes You’ll Also Love:

Gingerbread Buckwheat Pancakes

Banana Cassava Oat Pancakes

Chai Apple Spiced Pancakes

TERI ANN CARTY

Food Photographer and Recipe Developer based in Toronto, Canada. 

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Apple Cinnamon Fritter Pancakes with Homemade Cinnamon Butter (Gluten-Free)

These fluffy Apple Cinnamon Fritter Pancakes are ready in less than 20 minutes and will have you singing and dancing for days because they freeze well making them ideal for meal prep! I topped these off with a delicious homemade cinnamon butter that is hard to keep your hands off! They are gluten-free, easily made vegan and so very tasty, ideal for slow Sunday mornings or anytime you're craving fall-inspired pancakes.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Servings: 3
Author: Teri-Ann Carty
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients

Pancake Ingredients

  • 1 cup light buckwheat flour
  • ½ cup gluten-free flour blend
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1¼-½ cup milk of choice
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp coconut sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 apple small dice

Cinnamon Butter Ingredients

  • ½ cup soft butter
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • Pinch sea salt
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Whisk dry ingredients and set aside.
  • In a separate bowl whisk together egg, milk, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar and vanilla until fully combined.
  • Add dry to wet and stir until just combined.
  • Add chopped apple and fold together until combined. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes.
  • Heat a nonstick pan over medium high heat. Use butter, oil or nonstick spray to lightly grease pan.
  • Use a ladle or ice cream scoop to measure out pancakes. Cook until brown on both sides.
  • Smear cinnamon butter onto pancakes and top with granola and maple syrup.
  • Add softened butter, honey, cinnamon and salt to a medium sized bowl. Use an electric hand mixer to whip the butter until light and fluffy. Transfer to a jar with a lid and place in the fridge until you are ready to use. Remove from the fridge before using to allow it to soften slightly.

Notes

If the cinnamon butter separates, do not be concerned. You can re-whip it using your hand mixer.

Nutrition

Serving: 3pancakes | Calories: 763kcal | Carbohydrates: 84g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 136mg | Sodium: 1140mg | Potassium: 494mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 1448IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 440mg | Iron: 4mg

*Macros are provided as an estimate for convenience. Your final numbers will vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and how you portion the recipe.

8 Responses

  2. 5 stars
    These pancakes are so delicious. The small bits of apple pair very well with the spices used in this recipe, making them wonderfully flavorful. They are also wonderful as leftovers.

    Reply

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