Fluffy Spiced Applesauce Pancakes (made in 15 minutes)

Homemade applesauce pancakes are a great way to sneak in some fruit for a healthy breakfast. These easy pancakes are light, fluffy, and kid-friendly!

Medically reviewed and cowritten by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).

Healthy Applesauce Pancakes

You’re never going to believe this, but in a recent, unofficial poll of my family members (particularly the small ones), results showed that a warm, fluffy stack of pancakes was the preferred breakfast, compared to a bowl of cold cereal. (Shocking, right?!?)

And honestly, I’ll be the first to admit that yummy, homemade pancakes, like these healthy applesauce ones win my vote as well. They’re soft, fluffy and made with whole grains, which helps keep little tummies full. And the applesauce adds the perfect amount of moisture, sweetness, and flavor.

These healthy applesauce pancakes have just the right balance of having a little variation from traditional, plain pancakes, yet they still use simple ingredients that you’re likely to have on hand in your pantry.

If you are looking for more easy and healthy pancakes for your little one, then be sure to check out my Spinach Blender Pancakes, Pumpkin Pancakes for Baby, our reader fave Strawberry Pancakes, or these delicious 3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes. You can also find more recipes and information in my best-selling cookbook, Little Foodies: Recipes for Babies and Toddlers with Taste.

Reasons to Love Applesauce Pancakes

• takes 15 minutes from the start to the first bite
• great for babies, baby-led weaning, toddler, and kids
• freezer-friendly
• made in one bowl
• perfect for breakfast, snack, lunch, or even dinner
• healthy
• made with whole grains
• soft and fluffy

Ingredients

Make sure to read the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions!

• Flour: All-purpose, white whole wheat, or a one-for-one gluten-free flour will all work here.
• Applesauce: unsweetened, plain – homemade or store-bought
• Maple Syrup: pure maple syrup helps add a touch of sweetness, you can also use sugar.
• Milk: You can use any milk you prefer – dairy, almond, oat, etc.
• Egg: One large egg is needed to bind everything together.
• Butter: Feel free to substitute mild olive oil, coconut, or vegetable
• Baking Powder: Helps to make the pancakes perfectly soft and fluffy.
• Spices – cinnamon, vanilla extract and salt:  These flavors really up the taste factor.

Applesauce Pancakes Benefits

These are not your average processed pancakes. These are homemade and are free from additives and preservatives, and bursting with health benefits.

• If using a whole grain flour like whole wheat, it will give these pancakes fiber for full bellies, and other nutrients.
• Applesauce also contains fiber, and vitamin C for immune health and iron absorption, and antioxidants.
• Depending on the type of milk you choose to use, it may give them some protein, calcium, vitamin D, and B vitamins.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
2. Add Wet Ingredients: add in the applesauce, melted butter, maple syrup, egg, vanilla extract, and milk.
3. Combine: Gently stir together the wet and dry ingredients.
4. Cook: Heat a non-stick pan or pancake griddle over medium to medium-low heat. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of batter onto the pan and let cook for 2-3 minutes or until tiny bubbles appear on the outside of the pancake. Flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes. If the batter gets too thick, add in a tablespoon at a time of milk and stir until you have the right consistency.
5. Repeat: Transfer pancakes to a cooling rack and repeat the process until you have used all of the batter.
6. Eat: Serve and enjoy!

Tools to Make this Recipe

These tools will make it easier for you to make these applesauce Pancakes. For more of my favorite kitchen tools, make sure to check out my online shop.

How to Serve Applesauce Pancakes

These pancakes are made to be simple for lazy weekends or reheated easily for busy week days, so don’t feel like you need to serve them with anything too complicated. Here are some of my favorite easy ways to serve them to your baby or toddler:

• BLW – cut in half and served for baby-led weaning – no syrup necessary!
• Classic – cut into chunks and served with maple syrup and fresh berries
• Bagel & Hemp Sprinkles – Smear with whole fat cream cheese and sprinkle with hemp seeds (serve whole or in chunks)
• PB&J Sandwich – take one pancake and spread with your favorite jam, then take another pancake and spread with a nut or seed butter or your choice, press two pancakes together and serve as a sandwich. Great for preschool or school lunches.
• Apple Supreme – if you can’t get enough of that apple flavor, spread a little apple butter on top of the pancakes in place of maple syrup or serve with warm, stewed apples and a dollop of whipped cream
• Dipping Fun – cut pancakes into long strips and serve with some yogurt (thinner yogurt works better for this recipe) to dip the pancakes in. Serve with a side of your favorite fruit, anything goes – chunks of banana, cut up berries, slices of cooked apples, etc.

Storing and Freezing

These pancakes can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Pancakes freeze well and will last up to 3 months in the freezer. To reheat, gently heat in the microwave or toaster.

Kids in the Kitchen

Though pancakes are a little hard for younger toddlers to flip, there are still so many ways they can help make this recipe.

Toddlers

• Toddlers can help measure and put the ingredients into the bowl.
• They can help mix the ingredients together.
• They can help pour pancake batter onto the griddle for cooking (with adult supervision).

Kids

• They can pick out and measure all of the ingredients. 
• Kids can help mix the ingredients together.
• They can help pour the batter onto the griddle (with adult supervision).
• They can help flip pancakes.
• Kids can help spread butter and pour syrup onto warm pancakes.