Fluffy & Healthy Cinnamon Applesauce Pancakes: Your New Favorite Breakfast
Imagine waking up to the aroma of warm apples and cinnamon, knowing that a stack of incredibly fluffy, flavorful pancakes awaits. These Cinnamon Applesauce Pancakes are more than just a delicious breakfast; they’re a clever twist on a classic, designed to bring joy to your family while offering a healthier start to the day. With just a few smart ingredient swaps, you can serve up a batch of hot, golden pancakes that are so good, no one will guess they’re also good for you.
While my Sunday Morning Buttermilk Waffles hold a special place in my heart, these delightful Cinnamon Applesauce Pancakes have quickly become my family’s new go-to for weekend breakfasts. They’re simple to make, whether you’re using a Blackstone griddle, a traditional stovetop skillet, or an electric griddle. This recipe is not only easy but also packed with wholesome goodness, making it a meal you can feel great about sharing with your loved ones.
Why These Applesauce Pancakes Are a Game Changer
This recipe was born from a desire to transform a traditional pancake recipe into a more nutritious option without sacrificing taste or texture. While I don’t claim these to be “perfectly healthy,” they represent a significant improvement over standard pancakes that often offer minimal nutritional value. It’s about making conscious choices to enhance your meal, and the results speak for themselves: pancakes that are still incredibly fluffy, moist, and utterly delicious.
The secret lies in several thoughtful ingredient substitutions that boost fiber, reduce saturated fat and cholesterol, and introduce natural sweetness and flavor. Here’s a breakdown of the key changes that make this recipe shine:
- Flour Swap: We’ve replaced half of the all-purpose white flour with whole wheat flour. This simple change significantly increases the fiber content, making the pancakes more satisfying and contributing to better digestive health, all while maintaining a wonderfully light texture.
- Applesauce for Oil: A significant portion of the oil is replaced with unsweetened applesauce. This not only slashes the fat content but also infuses each pancake with a delightful, natural apple flavor, complementing the cinnamon beautifully.
- Heart-Healthy Oil: For the remaining oil, we opt for avocado oil. Known for its healthy monounsaturated fats, avocado oil is a much better choice than many other cooking oils, contributing to heart health.
- Reduced Cholesterol: By using one whole egg and one egg white instead of two whole eggs, we cut down on a considerable amount of cholesterol, making these pancakes a lighter option for those monitoring their intake.
- Lighter Cooking Method: Instead of cooking in butter, we use a light coating of cooking spray on the griddle. This reduces added fats and calories without compromising the golden-brown crust we all love.
- Low-Fat Buttermilk: Swapping full-fat buttermilk for low-fat or reduced-fat buttermilk further reduces the fat content while still providing the essential acidity needed for those perfectly airy, fluffy pancakes.
Despite these wholesome modifications, these pancakes do not compromise on flavor or that coveted fluffy texture. The careful balance of liquid and leavening agents ensures the whole wheat flour integrates seamlessly, providing a satiating fiber boost without making the batter heavy or dense. Your family will adore these pancakes, and you’ll love knowing they’re enjoying a healthier breakfast option.
Essential Ingredients for Your Applesauce Pancakes
Creating truly outstanding pancakes starts with understanding the role of each ingredient. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why it matters:
- Flours (All-Purpose and Whole Wheat): The combination of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour is key to achieving the perfect balance of fluffiness and a slight nutty depth. Using half of each ensures your pancakes remain tender and light, avoiding the dense texture sometimes associated with 100% whole wheat.
- Granulated Sugar: A touch of granulated sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness to complement the applesauce and cinnamon. While I haven’t personally tested it, a sugar substitute should work as a direct replacement if you prefer a sugar-free option.
- Leavening Agents (Baking Powder and Baking Soda): These are the heroes behind the incredible rise and fluffiness of your pancakes. The baking powder and baking soda react with the acidity of the buttermilk, creating carbon dioxide bubbles that expand during cooking, resulting in that irresistible airy texture.
- Seasonings (Kosher Salt and Cinnamon): Kosher salt isn’t just for flavor; it enhances all the other ingredients, making them taste brighter and more vibrant. Cinnamon, of course, is the perfect partner to applesauce, adding a warm, inviting spice that truly elevates these pancakes.
- Light or Low-Fat Buttermilk: Crucial for both flavor and leavening. Buttermilk’s acidity is vital for activating the baking soda, and its thick consistency contributes to a tender crumb. Using a low-fat version keeps the recipe healthier without losing any of its functional benefits.
- Applesauce (No-Sugar-Added): The star ingredient! Unsweetened applesauce not only replaces some of the fat but also provides natural sweetness and a lovely apple flavor. Opting for no-sugar-added ensures you control the overall sugar content.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract is a powerful flavor enhancer. Just a small amount adds a beautiful aromatic depth that rounds out the sweet and spicy notes in the pancakes. Don’t skip it!
- Avocado Oil: This heart-healthy oil is light in flavor and high in monounsaturated fats. If you don’t have avocado oil, vegetable or canola oils are suitable alternatives, though avocado oil offers a superior nutritional profile.
- Large Egg plus One Egg White: This strategic combination reduces the cholesterol content significantly while still providing enough binding power and moisture to the batter.
- Cooking Spray: For preparing your cooking surface. It’s a low-fat way to ensure your pancakes don’t stick and achieve a beautiful golden-brown finish.
- Pure Maple Syrup: The classic accompaniment! While optional, a drizzle of pure maple syrup perfectly complements the apple and cinnamon flavors.
Crafting Your Perfect Cinnamon Applesauce Pancakes
Making these fluffy applesauce pancakes is straightforward and quick, perfect for a relaxed weekend morning. Follow these steps for success:
- Prepare Your Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and cinnamon. Whisk these ingredients thoroughly to ensure they are well combined and evenly distributed. This step prevents clumps and ensures a consistent rise.
- Mix Your Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the light or low-fat buttermilk, applesauce, pure vanilla extract, avocado oil, large egg, and large egg white until smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir just until moistened. It’s crucial not to overmix the batter; a few lumps are perfectly fine and even desirable for tender pancakes. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough pancakes.
- Heat Your Griddle or Skillet: Have your nonstick griddle or skillet ready to go. Heat it over medium heat. Before adding batter for each pancake, lightly spray the cooking surface with cooking spray. You can also use a very small amount of butter, but cooking spray helps keep them lighter. Ensure your pan isn’t too hot, or the pancakes will burn on the outside before cooking through on the inside. A good test is to sprinkle a few drops of water; if they sizzle and evaporate quickly, it’s ready.
- Cook the Pancakes: Using a 1/4-cup measure, spoon the batter onto the hot griddle for each pancake. Cook until you see bubbles forming around the edges and the underside is golden brown, typically 2-3 minutes.
- Flip and Finish: Gently slide a spatula under a pancake and flip it. Cook for another 1-2 minutes on the second side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The pancake should puff up slightly and feel firm but springy when gently pressed with your finger.
PRO TIP: A 1/4 cup measuring cup is the ideal tool for scooping batter, creating perfectly sized, uniform pancakes every time.
Tips for Perfectly Fluffy Applesauce Pancakes Every Time
- Don’t Overmix: As mentioned, overmixing develops gluten, leading to tough pancakes. Stir just enough to combine the wet and dry ingredients. Lumps are your friends!
- Rest the Batter: If you have 10-15 minutes, let the batter rest after mixing. This allows the flours to fully hydrate and the leavening agents to begin their work, resulting in even fluffier pancakes.
- Control the Heat: Medium heat is usually best. If your griddle is too hot, the outsides will burn before the insides cook. If it’s too cool, the pancakes will be dense and won’t brown properly.
- Resist Pressing: Once you flip the pancakes, avoid pressing down on them with your spatula. This deflates the air bubbles that make them light and fluffy.
- Keep Them Warm: As you cook batches of pancakes, you can keep them warm in a single layer on a baking sheet in an oven set to a low temperature (around 200°F / 95°C).
Frequently Asked Questions About Applesauce Pancakes
Absolutely! These pancakes are excellent for meal prepping. Allow them to cool completely, then store them in a single layer in a resealable freezer bag or an airtight plastic container. They will keep well in the freezer for up to one month. To reheat, simply place them in the microwave for a minute or two, or pop them in a toaster or toaster oven until warm and lightly crispy.
Yes, while avocado oil is my preferred choice for its heart-healthy benefits and neutral flavor, vegetable oil or canola oil can both be used as direct substitutes in this recipe. They will still yield delicious results.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
These Cinnamon Applesauce Pancakes are fantastic on their own, but a few additions can make them even more special:
- Classic Toppings: Drizzle generously with pure maple syrup, a dollop of butter (optional for a healthier choice), or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
- Fresh Fruit: Top with sliced bananas, berries (fresh or frozen), or extra apple slices for added freshness and nutrients.
- Creamy Delights: A spoonful of Greek yogurt or a light whipped cream can add a decadent touch without too much extra fat.
- Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter or over the cooked pancakes for a delightful crunch.
- Chocolate Chips: For a sweeter treat, a handful of mini chocolate chips can be folded into the batter.
- Spiced Up: Experiment with adding a pinch of nutmeg or allspice along with the cinnamon for a more complex spice profile.
Enjoy these wholesome and delicious Cinnamon Applesauce Pancakes as a delightful start to your day. They are proof that healthy eating can be incredibly satisfying and flavorful!
If you love breakfast, be sure to check out my Savory Crepes recipe.
Cinnamon Applesauce Pancakes
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Ingredients
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup whole wheat flour
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 1 ½ cup light or low-fat buttermilk
- 3 Tbsp applesauce
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ Tbsp avocado oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg white
- cooking spray
- pure maple syrup
Instructions
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Combine flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl, stirring with a whisk.
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Separately, whisk together the buttermilk, applesauce, egg, and egg white.
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Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring just until moist.
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Heat a nonstick griddle or skillet (*see Notes) sprayed with cooking spray over medium heat.
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Spoon ¼ cup batter per pancake onto the griddle. Turn pancakes when you start to see bubbles around the edges. Serve with syrup.
Notes
Nutritional information includes 1 tablespoon maple syrup per person.