This delightful German Apple Pancake is a perfect blend of fluffy pancake batter and tender, cinnamon-spiced apples. It's an impressive yet simple dish that can be served for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert. The pancake puffs up beautifully in the oven, creating a golden brown, slightly crispy exterior with a soft, custardy interior.
Most of the ingredients for this German Apple Pancake are common pantry staples. However, you might need to pick up a fresh apple if you don't have one on hand. Additionally, make sure you have vanilla extract and cinnamon, as these add essential flavor to the dish. If you don't already have powdered sugar for dusting, you might want to grab that too.

Ingredients for German Apple Pancake
Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the pancake batter.
Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter.
Flour: The base of the batter, giving it body and texture.
Sugar: Adds sweetness to the batter and helps with browning.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor with a sweet, aromatic note.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
Butter: Used for cooking the apples and adds richness to the dish.
Apple: The star ingredient, providing a sweet and tart contrast to the pancake.
Cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice to the apples.
Powdered sugar: Used for dusting the finished pancake, adding a touch of sweetness and a beautiful finish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing the apples for this German apple pancake, ensure they are sliced uniformly. This guarantees even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the dish. Additionally, when melting the butter in the skillet, allow it to brown slightly before adding the apple slices. This will impart a rich, nutty flavor to the pancake.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
eggs - Substitute with flaxseed meal and water: Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water for each egg. This works well as a binding agent and is a good vegan alternative.
milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk provides a similar consistency and is a good dairy-free option.
flour - Substitute with gluten-free flour blend: A gluten-free flour blend can be used to accommodate those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey can be used for a more natural sweetener, though you may need to reduce the liquid in the recipe slightly.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a different but pleasant flavor profile that complements the apples.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used for a slightly different mineral content and flavor.
butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil is a good dairy-free alternative that adds a subtle coconut flavor.
apple - Substitute with pear: Pears can be used for a different but equally delicious fruit option.
cinnamon - Substitute with nutmeg: Nutmeg provides a warm, spicy flavor that pairs well with apples.
powdered sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar can be ground into a fine powder and used as a lower-glycemic alternative.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the German Apple Pancake to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the pancake soggy.
- Transfer the cooled pancake to an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. This will help maintain its freshness and prevent it from absorbing any unwanted odors from the fridge.
- Store the pancake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to eat, reheat it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. You can also reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the German Apple Pancake. Wrap the cooled pancake tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
- Place the wrapped pancake in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label it with the date to keep track of its freshness.
- Freeze the pancake for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheat the thawed pancake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes or until heated through. For a quicker option, reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 1 minute.
- To maintain the pancake's texture, avoid reheating it multiple times. Reheat only the portion you plan to eat immediately.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover German apple pancake on a baking sheet. Cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
For a quicker method, use a microwave. Place a slice of the pancake on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a microwave-safe cover or another plate to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it doesn't overcook.
If you prefer a slightly crispy texture, reheat in a skillet. Melt a small amount of butter over medium heat. Place the pancake slice in the skillet and heat for 2-3 minutes on each side until warmed and slightly crisp.
For an air fryer method, preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Place the pancake slice in the air fryer basket. Heat for about 3-5 minutes, checking frequently to ensure it doesn't overcook.
If you have a toaster oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the pancake slice on a piece of aluminum foil or a small baking tray. Heat for 5-7 minutes until warmed through.
For a steam method, place the pancake slice in a heatproof dish. Set up a steamer or use a pot with a steaming rack. Steam for about 5 minutes until the pancake is heated through and retains its moisture.
Best Tools for Making This Recipe
Oven: Used to preheat and bake the pancake at the required temperature of 425°F (220°C).
Whisk: Essential for mixing together the eggs, milk, flour, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
Mixing bowl: A large bowl to combine and whisk the batter ingredients.
10-inch ovenproof skillet: Necessary for cooking the apples and baking the pancake in the oven.
Peeler: Used to peel the apple before coring and slicing.
Apple corer: Handy for removing the core from the apple.
Knife: Used to slice the apple after peeling and coring.
Measuring cups: Required for accurately measuring the milk and flour.
Measuring spoons: Used for measuring the sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon.
Spatula: Useful for stirring the apples while they cook in the skillet.
Sifter: Optional but helpful for dusting the pancake with powdered sugar evenly.
Oven mitts: Important for safely handling the hot skillet when transferring it in and out of the oven.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out eggs, milk, flour, sugar, and vanilla extract in advance to streamline the process.
Use a food processor: Quickly peel, core, and slice the apple using a food processor to save time.
Preheat the oven: Start preheating your oven before you begin mixing ingredients to ensure it's ready when you are.
One-bowl method: Mix all batter ingredients in one bowl to minimize cleanup time.
Cook apples ahead: Cook the apple slices in the skillet while you prepare the batter to save a few minutes.

German Apple Pancake
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 apple, peeled, cored, and sliced
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, flour, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
- In a 10-inch ovenproof skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add apple slices and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Pour the batter over the apples in the skillet. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.
- Bake until the pancake is puffed and golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and dust with powdered sugar. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Value
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