Apple Ring Pancakes with Cottage Cheese
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A fun update to apple oatmeal: I’m using oat flour instead of all-purpose here to give you the same flavors of apple oatmeal but in pancake form! So fun.
- Super easy: The batter is so easy to make too. All you have to do is add the ingredients to a high-powered blender and let it do the work for you. You don’t need any elbow grease here.
- High-protein: You guys know me! If I can add cottage cheese to a recipe, I’m gonna do it. It adds so much protein and a creamy texture to these apple cinnamon pancakes.
- Perfect for fall: The added cinnamon and allspice fill the pancakes with spicy warm flavors that are synonymous with autumn.
Ingredients and Substitutions
These are the main ingredients and substitutions for my apple pancakes recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and instructions.
Apple: To make those rings. You can use your favorite variety — mine include Honeycrisp, McIntosh, and Granny Smith.
Cottage Cheese: I feel like all of my recent recipes include Good Culture cottage cheese! Here it adds protein, plus a creamy texture. You could alternatively use Greek yogurt instead.
Eggs: Hold everything together.
Maple Syrup: Our refined-sugar-free sweetener. Make sure you set a little to the side for serving too.
Coconut Oil: Instead of butter!
Milk: You can use your preferred milk — even plant-based milk would work well in this apple pancake recipe.
Oat Flour: Buy it store-bought or make it yourself from oats! You could also use all-purpose or a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead.
Spices: Cinnamon and allspice add warmth.
How to Make My Apple Pancake Recipe
Blend the pancake batter
Add the cottage cheese, eggs, vanilla, maple syrup, coconut oil, and milk to a blender and pulse until smooth and creamy.
In a separate bowl, add the oat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and allspice and mix well. Transfer the wet ingredients to the bowl, gently stir to combine, and set aside.
Prep the apple
Slice the apple and remove the center to create your rings.
Make the apple ring pancakes
Place a nonstick skillet over medium heat with some butter. Dip and coat each apple ring in the pancake batter then place on the greased skillet. Cook on both sides for about 1-2 minutes. Enjoy your apple cinnamon pancakes warm with powdered sugar and maple syrup and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- Easily make oat flour from scratch: If your local supermarket doesn’t carry oat flour, you can still make my apple pancake recipe as written! Plus, you’ll save a bit of money as oats are often more affordable than oat flour. To make it, simply blend the oats in a high-powered blender or food processor for 60 seconds, or until finely ground.
- Apple coring tip: You also don’t need a special apple corer to make the apple rings. You can remove the center with anything you have on hand — I used the cap of an aerosol cooking spray!
- This recipe moves very quickly once you get started, so create a pancake-making station with all of your ingredients within easy reach. You’ll want to dip each apple slice into the pancake batter just before cooking, so having everything close by will make the whole process a lot smoother!
How to Serve and Store Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
Serve your apple pancakes recipe with powdered sugar sprinkled on top and some maple syrup to the side for dipping. The combination of all 3 honestly slaps!
If you have any leftovers, you can place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. These are best enjoyed fresh, so try to eat them within the first few days.
To reheat, I recommend throwing them back in the skillet with a little butter for the best texture. You could also use your microwave or air fryer!
Taste And Texture
My apple pancake recipe is full of warm and earthy flavors — perfect for fall. The pancake batter is light and fluffy and while the apples soften when cooked, they still hold on to a crunch for the yummiest texture. The apple rings add sweetness and tartness, while the cottage cheese provides creaminess.
All together, the flavors are very similar to apple oatmeal!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep my apple cinnamon pancakes from sticking?
I always use a nonstick skillet for pancakes. They’re the best for preventing sticking! I usually add some extra cooking spray or a pat of butter to be extra sure. If you don’t have a nonstick skillet at home, make sure to grease the pan thoroughly before adding the apple ring pancakes.
What should I do if the batter is too thick?
The batter on these should be on the thicker side thanks to the cottage cheese — but if yours comes out too thick, you can thin it out with some extra milk. Just be careful not to add too much or it will go runny.
Is it better to make pancakes with water or milk?
Both would work in my apple pancakes recipe, but I do prefer milk. I find the flavor and consistency of the batter is much better!
Other Recipes You May Like:
- Sourdough Pancakes
- Gluten Free Cottage Cheese Pancakes
- Pancake Tacos
- Vegan and Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancakes
- Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Pancakes Vegan
If you make this apple pancake recipe, I would really appreciate a comment and rating down below the recipe card. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me over on Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest!
Apple Ring Pancakes with Cottage Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 red apples (sliced with the core removed)
- 1 cup cottage cheese (I prefer good culture)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp maple syrup (plus more for serving)
- 2 tbsp melted and cooled coconut oil (can use any other oil)
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 1 1/4 cup oat flour (can use all purpose or a 1:1 gluten free flour blend)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp all-spice
Instructions
- In a blender, combine cottage cheese, eggs, vanilla, maple syrup, coconut oil and milk. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- If making your own oat flour, blend oats in a blender for 60 seconds. Then add oat flour to a bowl with baking powder, cinnamon and all spice. Mix well and then add in wet ingredients. Gently stir to combine and set aside.
- Slice and apple and then core out the center with anything you have on hand. I used the cap of an aresol cooking spray!
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat, add in butter to grease the pan. Then dip and coat each apple in the pancake batter using two forks. Place them on the greased skillet and cook on both sides about 1-2 minutes.
- Enjoy warm with powdered sugar and maple syrup!
Notes
- Easily make oat flour from scratch: If your local supermarket doesn’t carry oat flour, you can still make my apple pancake recipe as written! Plus, you’ll save a bit of money as oats are often more affordable than oat flour. To make it, simply blend the oats in a high-powered blender or food processor for 60 seconds, or until finely ground.
- Apple coring tip: You also don’t need a special apple corer to make the apple rings. You can remove the center with anything you have on hand — I used the cap of an aerosol cooking spray!
- This recipe moves very quickly once you get started, so create a pancake-making station with all of your ingredients within easy reach. You’ll want to dip each apple slice into the pancake batter just before cooking, so having everything close by will make the whole process a lot smoother!
