These fluffy Applesauce Pancakes are easy to mix up, taste sweet and comforting, and the leftovers store nicely in the fridge or freezer. Oh: They are really yummy topped with maple syrup—or served plain!
Applesauce Pancakes
Every weekend, we have pancakes or waffles. We have a little more time to cook and it’s a lot easier to enjoy this sort of breakfast at home with all of us in our pjs, than trekking out to a restaurant. And making pancakes at home lets me use whole grains and lots of produce to ensure that the kids get a yummy start to the day.
The applesauce in this recipe adds a lovely sweet undertone and then you can use either buckwheat flour or whole wheat flour, according to what you prefer. The batter simply needs to be stirred together and it spreads nicely on the skillet. You definitely can be a beginner cook and have success with this pancake recipe. These are great topped with maple syrup or nut butter and even reheat beautifully.
(You may also like more recipes that use applesauce and my Apple Sheet Pan Pancakes.)
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Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients in this easy pancake recipe (that works as a baby pancake as well as it does as one for adults).
- Applesauce: You can use homemade applesauce or a jar of it from the store. I use smooth, unsweetened applesauce, but you can use what you prefer.
- Milk: I usually cook and bake with whole dairy milk, but you can use your favorite nondairy milk or type of milk in this recipe as they all work very similarly.
- Buckwheat or whole-wheat flour: You can use either type of flour here. I prefer buckwheat as it’s rich in protein and fiber and pairs really nicely with the flavor of the applesauce. Its also naturally gluten-free. Look for it near other specialty flours in your supermarket. You can also use whole-wheat flour though.
- Cinnamon: A little cinnamon adds flavor that pairs really nicely with the flavor in the applesauce.
- Baking powder: Fresh, active baking powder ensures that the pancakes fluff up and cook through properly.
- Vanilla extract: A little vanilla adds extra flavor that is great in the mix with the rest of the ingredients.
- Eggs: Large eggs help bind the batter together and create tender, moist pancakes.
Can I use whole-wheat flour?
Using whole-wheat flour in this recipe is an option, though the pancakes will take longer to cook through and the texture will be very moist. So spread them thin and be patient. And know that buckwheat flour works better.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This pancake recipe is really easy. Here’s a look at the process so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the full information.
- Stir together the dry ingredients in a medium bowl and the wet ingredients in a separate bowl.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir gently to combine.
- Warm a nonstick or cast iron pan with a little butter or neutral oil and pour out a little pancake batter. Spread very thin and let cook until you see bubbles around the edges.
- Flip and cook for a few more minutes and serve warm.
Baby Pancakes
The applesauce helps the batter cook up into fluffy and tender pancakes, so they are perfect for babies who are newer eaters or those starting out with baby led weaning. Cut the applesauce pancakes into very small pieces and offer water between bites to ensure that baby can move them around in her mouth well.
And if they do seem dry, smear a little extra applesauce on top before slicing.
(These are great baby pancakes, too.)
Vegan Applesauce Pancakes (Egg-Free Pancakes)
You can make these pancakes vegan by omitting the eggs and adding 2 tablespoons chia seeds or flaxseeds. Just let the batter sit for about 5 minutes before you start cooking and add a touch more milk if needed to create a normal pancake batter consistency. Flip them gently after they set and start to firm on top.
TIP: You may also like my Vegan Banana Pancakes.
What kind of applesauce is best in these pancakes?
You can use homemade or store-bought applesauce, depending on what you have on hand and prefer. Plain unsweetened is great, as is unsweetened with cinnamon. Homemade recipe options include:
Best Tips for Success
- Spread the batter thinly when you add it to the pan.
- Let the edges set on each pancake–look for bubbles and firmness around the edges—before you flip each to ensure the middle is cooked through. Again, this is key to ensuring that the centers will be cooked through.
- Top with maple syrup, nut butter, yogurt, or other favorite topping.
- Using buckwheat flour will ensure that you have the best results in this recipe.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear what your family thinks of this recipe so please comment below!
Fluffy Applesauce Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup buckwheat flour (or whole-wheat flour)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ cup milk (dairy or nondairy)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Stir together all ingredients in a medium bowl. Heat a cast iron or nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Coat with neutral oil, butter, or nonstick spray.
- Spoon out ¼ cup of the batter at a time—or less to make smaller pancakes—and spread to an even thickness about 1/4-inch thick. Let cook about 3-4 minutes OR until the edges are totally set and bubbles start to appear. You want the pancakes to be mostly cooked before you flip them. (The first batch may take longer to cook as the pan heats up.)
- Carefully flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Serve immediately and repeat with the rest of the batter, or keep warm on a baking sheet in a 200 degree F oven.
Notes
- To store leftovers, let cool and place into an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat for about 30 seconds in the microwave. You can also store cooled pancakes in a zip top freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat for 60 seconds, flipping over halfway through for even heating.
- Egg-free: Omit the eggs and adding 2 tablespoons chia seeds or flaxseeds. Let the batter sit for about 5 minutes before you start cooking and add a touch more milk if needed to create a normal pancake batter consistency. Flip them gently after they set and start to firm on top.
- Spread the batter thinly when you add it to the pan.
- Let the edges set on each pancake–look for bubbles and firmness around the edges—before you flip each to ensure the middle is cooked through.
- Top with maple syrup, nut butter, yogurt, or other favorite topping.
Nutrition
This post was first published August 2020.
Yum! My toddler loved this for breakfast this morning and I felt good knowing exactly what was in his pancake! A win-win! Thank you!
My toddlers LOVE these. They are so quick and easy to make. They also heat up well the next day or two. We make these weekly!
My toddlers love them and they are super easy to make with simple ingredients that I have always have at home. The two eggs in batter are perfect since my kids refuse to eat eggs.
I had a jar of pear and mango puréed baby food in the fridge for months that needed using up. It worked perfectly as a sub for applesauce in this recipe. These turned out super fluffy and yummy! I made mini pancakes using 1tbsp batter and topped with nut butter for a quick snack for my littles.
Just had to leave a comment, these were so good! Used very little cinnamon and unsweetened pear sauce instead of apple and they came out perfect. My 8 month old ate 2 very quickly. She likes to self-feed, and these are perfect for little grabbing hands. They dissolve easily in the mouth, which is super for babies without teeth yet like mine. 4 year old and husband also liked them (I got just one and I find them also delicious with a bit of sweetness). Definitely making again thank you!!
So glad to hear that!
Next time I’m gonna have to make a double batch and also not have my son assist me. Gave him one to snack on while I made the rest and he ate 3. So much for dinner!
Maybe you get a break from more cooking though!
These are SO delicious. Definitely adding to my rotation. Thank you!!
These are SO good – so fluffy with yummy warm spices. Delicious. Definitely adding to my rotation. Thank you!!
Hi,
Could i replace whole wheat flour with oat flour?
Thanks 🌷
I read somewhere that to substitute with oat flour it’s 1.5 cups of oat flour for every cup of flour. I’m going to experiment with this tomorrow morning for breakfast and can follow up on my results 🙂
Can I make them in a waffle iron?
I haven’t tried them that way, but it night work similarly.
Will let you know how it works out tomorrow 😁
Hi
Is it possible to sub buckwheat flour with oat flour? I have gone through all the comments, seems like oat flour is not mentioned anywhere. I just made applesauce using your recipe and it turned out great. Love your site.
I haven’t tried these that way so I can’t say for sure. They may be a little wetter since buckwheat absorbs moisture really rapidly, so you may need a little more.
My 9mo loved these! they were great to send to daycare too. I added hemp hearts to the batter and put a little extra applesauce on top since my babe isn’t a great chewer yet
Can any of your pancake recipes be made with crushed pineapple?
I haven’t ever tried that and I’m not sure since that’s a very wet addition.
My 2.5yo and almost 10 month old loves these pancakes. The toddler ate maybe 3-4 which was crazy. Only thing I changed was using white whole wheat flour instead of buckwheat because I didn’t have buckwheat and already easily have 4-5 different flours and didn’t want to buy another. They worked perfect without changing any quantities of any ingredients. Will definitely make again.
I’m so glad to hear it!
Great! I recommend adding about a tablespoon lemon juice and zest to the milk before hand and letting it sit for a minute to curdle, then using baking soda instead of powder. The reaction once you mix everything gives you lovely fluffy pancakes, and the lemon flavor is nice and light with the buckwheat. 🙂
Does regular all purpose flour work for these? I can’t see to find buckwheat flour locally and will have to find somewhere that will let me order it.
You could try that, though you may either want to increase the flour by 2 tablespoons or reduce the amount of applesauce a little to be sure they cook through in the middle
This is a great recipe! Would you ever add minced apple and shredded carrots to it?
You could definitely try doing that! I haven’t done that in this recipe, but I’ve done it in others and it’s delicious.
Can you make these as a sheet pan pancake? I made them over the weekend and my 2.5 year old daughter has been LOVING them in the mornings before preschool! She finished the last one this morning and I need to make more, but not sure I will have time to stand over the stove and cook all of them. My daughter isn’t usually super into pancakes, so these have been amazing during busy weekday mornings!
I bet you could! I do that with my Fresh Apple Pancakes—here’s the method I use for that one that I think would work well. “To make as a Sheet Pan Pancake: Preheat oven to 400ºF. Line an 11-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Scrape the batter onto the parchment paper, smoothing into an even layer with a spatula just about to the edges. You want it to be about ½ inch thick all around. Bake until the pancake is lightly golden and springs back in the center when poked, 18 to 20 minutes.”
Hi really want to like this recipe, I think I’m doing something wrong. My pancakes come out dry and caky..though they taste good. What am I doing wrong?
I had a similar issue! They were nearly impossible to flip because they stuck to the pan and they were soggy in the middle. Not sure what to change to make them fluffy. I followed the recipe with buckwheat flour but substituted chia seeds for the egg and had to add a lot more almond milk to get it to a good consistency.
I would suspect they didn’t cook through due to the egg substitute. I haven’t had good luck with chia or flax eggs in pancakes myself. I’m sorry you had that happen.
Extremely tasty and have made with a variety of puréed fruits rather than applesauce if I don’t have any on hand (eg plum and pear, or apricot and pear). They’ve still worked and tasted just as nice topped with some fresh fruit and yoghurt.
I love knowing they work well with other fruits, thanks for sharing that!
Do you think you could use this batter and bake it in a muffin tin? Would it fluff in the oven?
Hi- I’ve never tried it so I can’t say for sure if it would work. Probably! Or you could try my Applesauce Muffins? https://www.yummytoddlerfood.com/applesauce-muffins/
It says serves 4 but how many pancakes is that?
It depends on how many you make but we usually get about 2 dozen smallish ones.
I wish I would’ve seen the comment about whole wheat flour before! I just tried with whole wheat flour and can attest to them being hard to cook through, dense and soggy. Will try to get my hands on some buckwheat flour. Flavor wise they were great with a good amount of natural sweetness that my toddler is used to and enjoys 🙂
Can I sub whole wheat flour?
You can though maybe use a little bit more than is called for as sometimes they are hard to cook through when making them with any other flour. (I’ve tried a lot and they can be a little soggy)
These come out perfect every time! Thank you!
Maybe try a different kind of applesauce?
I have an pampered chef waffle stick pan (it goes in the oven). Do you think this recipe would work with that? I’m not a great cook (I follow recipes well but not a lot of intuition about things) so I’m not sure how the change im cooking technique might impact them. I’m trying to make ahead of time for busy mornings. Thanks!
Hi. I think so but I’ve never used it so I can’t say for sure. Do you have general baking instructions for waffle batter than came with the pan that you could share?
Hi, Amy!
I just made these for my sister (who is celiac), brother-in-law, niece, and myself (I’m dairy-free). I added frozen wild blueberries to the batter, which made it thicker/harder to spread out in the skillet (so compensated with a bit more gluten-free oat milk and water), but they were LOVELY. We topped them with Canadian maple syrup and banana slices! I will also try the egg-free version soon, and will tuck this away in my go-to recipe box. Yay!
Thanks for the awesome blog! 🙂
Britt
Thank you for this recipe! I originally tried making it using regular flour, but couldn’t get them to turn out. I recently saw your post (I think on Instagram) that you can’t always interchange flours, so I tried again with Buckwheat … and yup! You’re totally right. They were perfect this time around!
I’m so glad!
This looks amazing! Would baby cereal work in place of the flour? 🙂
I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure!
Did you make any other changes?
My littles like “orange applesauce”, which is actually half applesauce and half pureed butternut squash (don’t tell them!). I used some in this recipe (with what flour) and it was fabulous. The 1-year-old and 3-year-old could not get enough!
That sounds delish!
Your recipe is missing salt. I made them according to your recipe. They were very wet and extremely bland.
If you spread the batter thinly and wait to flip them until the edges are set and you see bubbles, they should cook through. I’m sorry you didn’t like the results!
My son allergic to eggs. What can I put to replace that in your recipes?
The info for this recipe is at the bottom of the recipe in the Notes section!
TODDLER FOOD!
I used whole wheat flour since I ran out of buckwheat flour and the pancakes turned out a bit wet. Cooked through, just looked a bit moist. Next time I’ll used buckwheat flour but if not, maybe the amount of applesauce should be reduced? They’re really tasty though & my kiddos gobbled them up! Thanks for sharing!
They are definitely moist and need to be spread fairly thin. You could totally reduce the applesauce by 1/4 cup the next time if you prefer drier pancakes! Thanks for sharing!
We love this recipe! I always make a double batch and freeze the extras. My kiddo who’s 18 months loves these for a snack or breakfast. I’ve never had any trouble making them. I use a quarter cup to add the batter to the pan and then use the back of the cup to make the battered the required thickness. That way it Cooks through. We also like to use apple cinnamon sauce or on brand called North Coast makes a pumpkin spice applesauce for fall! You could probably make your own by substituting 1/4 cup pumpkin puree and use only three quarter cup applesauce. Then just substitute pumpkin pie spice it’s super yummy!
I can’t wait to try it with some pumpkin in the mix! Thanks for sharing!
Great flavor and my baby loved them, but I struggled to get them cooked through without burning them! Maybe I just need to try again on a lower heat setting!
Hi Sarah! Lowering the heat a bit could help and be sure to spread them thinly so that they have a chance to cook through almost all the way before you flip them over. I’m glad that your baby enjoyed them!
Hello, tasty but a bit wet, are they supposed to be fluffy yet the texture feel slightly undercooked because the mixuture is so wet?
It sounds like they either needed to be spread a little thinner or cooked a little longer. If you used buckwheat, the texture is a little spongier than wheat flour, but they should be cooked through if you let bubbles form around the edges and wait to flip them until they’re mostly set!
I used this recipe to use up baby purees… I did a jar of carrot and a jar of pear and they were amazing!
Awesome and that sounds delicious!!
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Hello! I want to try this recipe, but do you know if they would freeze well?
Absolutely! Let cool completely, then stack with parchment or wax paper between and freeze in a zip top bag.
Hi there- I wondered if I could sub pureed strawberries for apple sauce in this recipe? Since strawberries are not a high pectin fruit I assume it might not turn out so well? Thanks!
I’ve made them with pureed pears and mashed bananas, but never strawberries—I’m not sure that it would be thick enough. A mixture of banana and strawberry might work (or applesauce and strawberries). Let me know if you try it out!