These light, tender, and fluffy German Apple Pancakes are incredibly easy to make. We go back to the basics in typical German fashion: eggs, milk, flour, plus apples and cinnamon. Then we add a secret ingredient: club soda. Yes, club soda. This helps to make these pancakes extra light and airy.
About German Apple Pancakes
If you're looking to dress up your typical pancake meal, these German pancakes with their apple and cinnamon flavors might be just what you're looking for.
In only 25 minutes, you can serve pancakes made to order, made to please.
This recipe is similar to our Belgian Waffle recipe; adding sparkling water to the mix makes it extra light and airy. Adding fresh apples gives added flavor and texture.
This was one of the staple meals in my house. And it was typically served for lunch, not breakfast.
Unlike in the United States, in Germany, lunch is the main meal of the day. Lunch is the time when most Germans (at least when I was growing up) would eat their warm meal of the day. Dinner used to be a mostly cold-cuts sandwich-style meal.
Ingredients
DRY INGREDIENTS - flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt
WET INGREDIENTS - eggs, milk, club soda
APPLES - Pink Lady, Braeburn, or Red Delicious
TOPPING - granulated sugar and ground cinnamon
How To Make German Pancakes
Making authentic German Pancakes from scratch is surprisingly easy.
- TOPPING - Combine sugar and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
- APPLE - Peel, core, and slice one apple.
- EGG WHITES - Whisk the egg whites until they form stiff peaks.
- BATTER - Beat flour, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, egg yolks, and milk at medium speed until well combined. Stir in club soda. Gently fold egg whites into the batter and add apple slices.
- COOK - Heat oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add one cup of the batter to the skillet and cook the pancakes until are golden brown.
- SERVE - Drizzle the cooked apple pancakes with cinnamon sugar.
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Recommended Kitchen Tools For This Recipe
- Use a hand mixer and a mixing bowl to make the batter. If you have a stand mixer use the whisk attachment to make the stiff egg whites and the paddle attachment to make the batter.
- I recommend using a 10 or 12-inch non-stick skillet for cooking the pancakes on the stove.
Recipe Notes
You may notice that German apple pancakes are slightly larger than their American cousins. And you'll also find the German version is more filling due to the fact that the batter includes eggs.
Why do I mention this? Because in America, we are used to 'stacks of pancakes'. But when you make this recipe, you'll find that one or two pancakes per person will be sufficient.
Are German Apple Pancakes breakfast food?
Traditionally speaking - no.
Don't get me wrong, pancakes are just as delicious for breakfast as they are at any other time of the day. But if you want to know when they were traditionally served in Germany, you might be surprised to learn that we'd most often have them for lunch.
Did you know that traditionally Germans eat their hot meal midday? This means lunch was considered the main meal of the day. Whereas dinner consisted of some type of sandwich-style meal.
Most of our lives aren't set up for having dinner at lunchtime. And while this is an easy recipe, it's a bit too involved for everyday breakfast.
This is why I love to make German apple pancakes for brunch.
What To Do With Leftovers
Apple Pancakes keep well in the fridge for a day or two. Simply reheat the leftover pancakes with a little bit of oil.
More Traditional German Recipes
- Oma's Cucumber Salad - This is such a quick and easy side salad and it brings back so many childhood memories.
- Chopped German Tomato Salad - Sweet, tangy, smokey and so delicious.
- Krautfleckerl - Germany's version of Halusky
- German Vanillekipferl - These are some of my favorite Austrian/German cookies.
- Cinnamon Twists - a twist on German 'Zimtstangen'. So easy and so good.
German Apples Pancakes
Ingredients
German Pancake Batter
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup club soda
- 1 large apple peeled and thinly sliced
Frying The Pancakes
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Cinnamon Sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar divided
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Peel, core, and slice the apple. Set aside.
Making the Batter
- Separate the egg yolk from the egg whites and put the egg whites into a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks and set aside.
- Use a separate mixing bowl to combine flour, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, and milk. Beat with an electric mixer until all the ingredients are well combined. Slowly mix the soda into the batter.
- Use a spatula to gently fold the stiff egg whites into the batter.
- Fold the sliced apples into the batter.
Making Cinnamon Sugar
- Combine cinnamon and ¼ cup of granulated sugar in a small bowl. Set aside.
Making the Pancakes
- Heat ½ teaspoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pour about 1 cup of the pancake batter into the skillet.
- Cook the pancake until bubbles form (about 3-4 minutes). Flip the pancake and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. Add more vegetable oil for the next pancake and repeat the process until all pancakes have been cooked.
- Serve on a plate and drizzle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Scarlet
These German pancakes sound great. I have never tried apples in the batter like that! I must make them soon!
Maike
Thank you! I hope you'll enjoy them. Adding club soda helps to keep them light and airy. 🙂
Renee | The Good Hearted Woman
We make German pancakes all the time, but your club soda trick is a new one to me. Can't wait to try this!
Amanda
What a great pancake recipe! I just love that delicate texture. This will definitely be a new go-to recipe for brunch.
Caroline
My parents are both German and I have been making many of my Mothers German recipes for years.
I made these pancakes this morning and they were delicious!
So fluffy and not overly sweet! Husband said I can make them again anytime.
Maike
Awww, I'm so glad you guys enjoy it. 💖