Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

Delicious, fluffy, moist Apple Cinnamon Pancakes make the perfect Fall breakfast. They're packed with warm fall flavors, topped with cinnamon apples, and are vegan!

Are you team Apple or Team Pumpkin during the Fall? I lean more towards team apple but these vegan pumpkin pancakes are still something we make seasonally! These are a favorite for adding to your cozy Autumn mornings but they can also be great year round.

📋 Ingredients

I tested this recipe about 10 times to get it just right. I wanted to get the perfect texture and flavor when it came to these because it's hard to get it perfect with vegan recipes! But this was the best version that came about my testing so I'm excited to share it with you!

• Applesauce. Did you know applesauce is also a great egg and oil substitute? That's why it works so well in vegan recipes because the pectin acts as a binding agent for recipes.
• All Purpose Flour. You may also use wheat flour or bread flour in place of regular all-purpose flour.
• "Buttermilk" + Baking Powder. The soy milk and lemon juice vegan buttermilk, which gives the pancakes a fluffy and soft texture. With the addition of baking powder, the reaction makes the pancakes nice, tender, and fluffy. You can also use oat milk in place of soy milk but I wouldn't use a thinner plant-based milk, such as almond milk.
• Vegan Butter. I used UNSALTED vegan butter as the fat for the pancakes. The fat content is important to bind the ingredients in the cooking process, especially since this is a vegan recipe and does not include fat from regular milk or protein from the eggs that would be used in a non-vegan recipe. You can also substitute with coconut oil but know it will slightly alter the flavor. A neutral oil (such as avocado, grapeseed, or canola) is another option as well, but again, I felt the vegan butter gave the best flavor experience!
• Cinnamon. I love how cinnamon really ties in the fall feeling in food.
• Apple Topping. The apple cinnamon topping is something I love using on overnight oats, for these apple pie bites, or even in an apple crisp (I add cornstarch and a little more liquid for the last two). You can even eat it on its own topped with some vegan whipped cream (I like to use oat whip) for a delicious dessert!

📖 Instructions for Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

1. In a bowl, add the soy milk and apple cider vinegar. Set aside for 5 minutes until it curdles to make the "buttermilk".
2. In another bowl, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Combine well.
3. Add the brown sugar to the buttermilk until it starts to dissolve. Add the vegan butter, apple sauce, and vanilla. Combine well.
4. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry and combine well with a spoon or whisk gently. Be careful not to overmix. The batter should be lumpy but combined. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. The final pancake batter should not be completely smooth but should contain lumps. This lumpy consistency allows less gluten to be formed by the flour, compared to batter that was smooth and over-mixed.
5. Drop batter onto a grilled pan at low heat and cook until small bubbles begin to form.
6. Flip and cook for 2-3 minutes more, until golden brown.

Storage

These apple cinnamon pancakes can be cooked and stored in the fridge for 2-4 days. You can also store the pancakes in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, place in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute. You may also, reheat them in the oven. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F, place pancakes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and covered with foil, and heat for about 10 minutes or until heated thoroughly.

FAQs

Can I make the Apple Cinnamon Pancakes recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Use any gluten-free flour blend (I like Bob's Red Mill gluten-free flour) with a 1-1 ratio for light and fluffy vegan pancakes.

What are other add-ons?

Popular favorites include pecans, walnuts, and plant-based whipped cream (I love an oat milk whipped cream)!

Can I freeze vegan pancakes?

Yes! They can be stored for up to 3 months in the freezer. To reheat, place in the microwave oven for 30 seconds to 1 minute. You may also, reheat them in the oven. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees, place pancakes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and covered with foil, and heat for about 10 minutes or until heated thoroughly.

Why did my pancakes not cook from the middle?

I recommend using a lower heat setting on your stove for your pancakes to cook thoroughly without burning.

Why are my pancakes flat?

Flat pancakes are the result of over-mixing or too much liquid. I like to add any extra liquid to the batter if needed only one tablespoon at a time to avoid a liquidy batter.

Can this apple cinnamon pancake recipe be used for vegan waffles?

Yes, you can use this batter with your waffle machine. Before pouring the batter, make sure to grease the waffle machine well.