German Apple Pancake Recipe (AKA Apple Dutch Baby)
Sep 25, 2024, Updated Oct 03, 2024
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This German Apple Pancake, also known as an Apple Dutch Baby, is a delightful and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for breakfast or brunch. The recipe features a light, airy pancake batter and tender caramelized apples, creating a deliciously balanced and flavorful treat.
You will also love my Original Dutch Baby Pancake and Classic Apple Pie recipes.
Why you’ll love this
The Dutch baby pancake has a perfect balance of crispy edges and a soft, custard-like center that creates the perfect bite. Enjoy a dusting of powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, a drizzle of maple syrup, or even a whipped cream, yogurt dollop, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a super indulgent treat.
You will love these fluffy pancakes for special occasions, Sunday mornings, Christmas mornings, and more! German pancakes are a great alternative to traditional pancakes. and is an easy way to enjoy fresh apples for breakfast, brunch, or dessert!
Try our Swedish Pancakes next time.
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
Made with pantry staples and fresh apples, this recipe doesn’t require any hard-to-find ingredients.
- Eggs: The key ingredient providing structure and puffiness to the pancake.
- Whole Milk: Adds moisture and richness to the batter.
- Apple: Choose a tart and firm variety like Granny Smith apples, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady for the best flavor and texture.
- Butter: Used to cook the apples and to add richness to the pancake.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the apples and adds a touch of caramelization.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth of flavor to the apples.
- Ground or Grated Nutmeg (optional): Adds a subtle, spicy undertone to the dish.
- Vanilla Extract or Pure Almond Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a hint of sweetness and complexity.
- Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the pancake, helping it to puff up.
- Powdered Sugar or Syrup (for serving): Adds a finishing touch of sweetness to the pancake before serving.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make German Apple Pancakes
This oven-pancake batter is made in a blender and baked all in one pan. Follow these step-by-step photos and see the printable recipe card for full instructions.
Cut and core the apples.
Add all the ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth.
Add the butter to the hot skillet.
Place the apple slices in the pan and cook in the oven.
Pour batter over the apple slices.
Ready to bake.
Make sure to use oven mitts when taking out the hot skillet.
Add powdered sugar and/or syrup, if desired.
Cut into slices and transfer to a serving plate. Enjoy your delicious apple pancakes! They make the perfect breakfast and are sure to impress. This will become a favorite recipe for fresh apples.
Substitutions
- All-Purpose Flour: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour blend or whole wheat flour.
- Apple: Swap with pears, peaches, berries, or a mix of your favorite fruits.
- Vanilla Extract: Substitute with pure almond extract, maple extract, or even a splash of rum or brandy for a different flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: Replace with brown sugar, coconut sugar, honey, or maple syrup. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to balance the sweetness.
- Ground Cinnamon and Nutmeg: For a different spice profile, use pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, or ground allspice.
FAQs
You can use any ovenproof skillet or a baking dish. Make sure it’s well-seasoned or non-stick to prevent the pancake from sticking.
Make sure the skillet is preheated and you add the batter to a hot skillet, the batter is well-whisked and smooth, and the oven temperature is accurate. These factors help the pancake to rise properly. The end result will resemble a puffy pancake with a golden brown top.
German pancakes, also known as Dutch Babies, are called German pancakes because they are believed to derive from a German dish called Pfannkuchen. Despite the name, they were popularized in the United States, particularly in the early 1900s by a Seattle restaurant.
Variations
- Pumpkin Spice: Add 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree to the batter and increase the spices with 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. This variation is perfect for fall and adds a cozy, spiced flavor.
- Banana & Nutella: Replace the apples with sliced bananas. After baking, drizzle with warm Nutella or chocolate sauce for a decadent treat.
Equipment
- 10-inch cast iron skillet (or oven-proof skillet)
- 9×13-inch glass pan
How to Store
Allow your leftover puffy pancake to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, cover the pancake with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
My Pro Tip
Recipe Tips
- Preheat the Skillet: Make sure to preheat your skillet in the oven. This ensures the pancake puffs up properly and develops a crispy edge.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Use room temperature eggs and milk. This helps the batter mix more smoothly and evenly, resulting in a better rise.
- Melt Butter Completely: Allow the butter to melt completely and coat the skillet thoroughly. This prevents sticking and adds a rich flavor to the pancake.
- Bake Immediately: Pour the batter over the apples and bake immediately. This helps the pancake rise properly and prevents the batter from settling.
- Watch the Baking Time: Keep an eye on the pancake in the last few minutes of baking. It should be puffed and golden brown around the edges. Overbaking can make it dry.
More Apple Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Serving Suggestions
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Print
German Apple Pancake Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This German Apple Pancake, also known as an Apple Dutch Baby, is a delightful and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for breakfast or brunch. The recipe features a light, airy pancake batter and tender caramelized apples, creating a deliciously balanced and flavorful treat.
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup whole milk, slightly warmed
- 1 large Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady apple, cored and sliced (peel only if desired)
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, cut into chunks
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground or grated nutmeg (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or pure almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Powdered sugar or syrup, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and place a 10-inch ovenproof skillet or cast-iron pan in the oven while it preheats.
- Prepare Batter: In a medium bowl or blender, whisk or blend together eggs, milk, vanilla extract (or almond extract), and kosher salt until very smooth. Add flour, and whisk or blend again until combined. Set aside.
- Cook Apples: Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven. Add butter to the skillet and allow it to melt completely, swirling to coat the bottom and sides. Add sliced apples to the skillet, spreading them out evenly. Sprinkle granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using) over the apples. Toss a bit to combine. Return the skillet to the oven and bake for about 5 minutes, until the apples start to soften.
- Combine and Bake: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven again. Stir the apples to evenly coat in sugar and butter. Pour prepared batter over softened apples in the skillet. Immediately return skillet to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until pancake is puffed and golden brown around the edges. Avoid opening the oven during baking.
- Serve: Once baked, remove the skillet from the oven. Dust the German Apple Pancakes with powdered sugar or drizzle with syrup. Slice into wedges and serve warm.
Notes
Tips
- Preheat the Skillet: Make sure to preheat your skillet in the oven. This ensures the pancake puffs up properly and develops a crispy edge.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Use room temperature eggs and milk. This helps the batter mix more smoothly and evenly, resulting in a better rise.
- Melt Butter Completely: Allow the butter to melt completely and coat the skillet thoroughly. This prevents sticking and adds a rich flavor to the pancake.
- Bake Immediately: Pour the batter over the apples and bake immediately. This helps the pancake rise properly and prevents the batter from settling.
- Watch the Baking Time: In the last few minutes of baking, watch the pancake. It should be puffed and golden brown around the edges. Overbaking can make it dry.
Enjoy your delcious apple pancakes!
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Sweet
- Method: American
- Cuisine: American
This was superb!! I love German pancakes, but the apples took it to a new level, and it was so easy to make. I wish there was a place to post a picture because it was also beautiful!
Yes! The apples take it up a notch for sure! You can always email me or DM me a photo- I’d love to see. Happy you loved it.
Love this recipe is it possible to use canned peach or apple pie filling like lucky leaf and pouring the batter over that I know I would have to leave off browning the apples with the sugar but just mix the butter in with it would that work? Thanks love your website and your emails.
Yes, that will work! You are most welcome. Enjoy the recipe.