A delicious start to a beautiful Fall day.
For the past year, whenever I made pancakes I would make my Cornmeal Ricotta Pancakes or these Raspberry Oatmeal Yogurt Pancakes by my friend over at Inspired Edibles. Both have been our favorite pancakes for quite a while, but now they have some serious competition – Apple Buttermilk Pancakes.
With this year’s plentiful and delicious fall apples, I’ve been making these Apple Buttermilk Pancakes with Pecans. They are so light and moist, and can be sweet or a little tart depending on the type of apples used. The pecans add a bit of a crunch, and if you toast them first, you get an extra flavor that complements the apples quite well. Top the pancakes with warm maple syrup for a delicious weekend brunch.
Apple Pecan Buttermilk Pancakes
These pancakes are moist, fluffy, crunchy, sweet, and tart. Every bite bursts with the flavors of apple, pecan, buttermilk and a hint of cardamom.
"*" See Kitchen Notes for more information or links to special ingredients.
- 2/3 cup unbleached AP flour*, sifted
- 1/3 cup Spelt flour*, sifted
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 2 tsp. sugar
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. cardamom
- ¼ cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted*
- ½ medium apple*, diced (about 3/4 cup)
- 1 egg
- ~3/4 cup buttermilk* (egg + buttermilk = 1 cup)
- 1/4 cup milk*
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3 tsp. coconut oil
- Warm maple syrup
- Toast the pecans in a heavy skillet over a medium heat. Toss frequently to keep them from burning. Once nice and toasted, transfer to cutting board and chop.
- In a mixing bowl combine the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, soda, salt, cardamom, and sugar)
- Start heating up the griddle on medium low. Spray with cooking oil.
In a 2 cup glass measuring cup, whisk the egg. Add the coconut oil, vanilla extract, and whisk to blend.
Add enough buttermilk to the egg and oil to make 1 cup. Add the milk and whisk to combine.
To the dry ingredients, add the chopped apples and pecans. Stir to combine.
- Add the milk and egg mixture to the dry ingredients. Using a rubber spatula gently fold and stir until ingredients are combined. Batter may be a little lumpy. (Do NOT over stir or you will kill the baking powder and the pancakes won’t rise.)
When the griddle is ready, scoop 1/3 cup batter onto the griddle for each pancake. Cook until the bubbles in the batter pop or until the cooked side of the pancakes are lightly brown, about 3 minutes. Turn. Cook for another 3 minutes or until the pancakes are cooked through. (You can lightly touch the pancakes in the center. They are done when they spring back at your touch. )
- Top the pancakes with warm maple syrup and extra pecans if you desire.
Flours – I like using a mix of flours, but if you don’t have spelt flour, you could substitute with whole wheat, rice flour, or just use 1 cup of unbleached AP flour. For a lighter texture, use 1/2 cup unbleached AP flour and 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour.
Pecans – Toasted pecans is always my preference, but I have made these without toasting the pecans and still had excellent results, just a little difference in flavor. If you don’t have pecans, then substitute with walnuts. However, I would not toast the walnuts because toasted walnuts to be overpowering.
Apple – Use whatever apple you have available. Crispy apples stay rather firm during the cooking process, while softer apples become even softer and make the pancakes a little mushy – IMO. I really like a crispy, tart apple like a honey crisp, McIntosh, fuji or gala.
Buttermilk and milk – You could use all buttermilk or substitute some of the buttermilk with regular milk. If you use all milk, your batter will be thinner, making the pancake batter thinner, but it still works.
Speaking of the batter, this is a relatively thick batter, but then we like thick, fluffy pancakes with lots of texture. If you prefer your pancakes thinner, then increase the liquid by 1/4 cup.
Stovetop griddles – If you haven’t invested in a stovetop griddle yet, then it’s time. Even for just the two of us, it makes things like pancakes, French toast, patties, and tortillas so much easier. I can’t remember when I didn’t have one and I don’t know what I would do without it.
As we all know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Starting the day with these pancakes will also make breakfast the most enjoyable meal of the day. Happy eating!
Since I first posted this pancakes recipe, I have been playing around with other pancakes ideas. I just love the different types of flours and fruit that can be put into pancakes. Below you’ll find a blueberry pancakes made with blue cornmeal or atole, a New Mexico product. With the addition of these blueberry pancakes and a banana waffles (and don’t forget the crepes), it’s hard to decide which one to make. So I’ll let you make the decision. Let me know which sweet breakfast idea you like the best.
So true ! Nothing could go wrong with such a breakfast !!!
What a marvelous breakfast treat! Though perfect for autumn, I could eat a stack any time of the year
I have been dreaming of pancakes this past few weeks, my new diet limits what I can have, will try this recipe with almond meal or coconut flour. Loving the hints of cardamom and apple, its nice to see pancakes not loaded up with sauces and cream and fruit and stuff. Cant wait to try!!!
Thanks Anna! Hope you give them a try. They are really good. 🙂
Really like the sound of these, a great weekend breakfast or brunch idea.
Thanks! It’s certainly our weekend brunch quite often. 🙂
I love the mix of apples and pecan! Pecans are definitely one of my favorite nuts around. 🙂
Thanks Ramona! Yep – can’t get enough pecans. 🙂
I have just browsed over the recipe three times and there is not one chili to be found… lol I would love to be served this in bed on a lazy Sunday morning with a hot cup of coffee. What a grand way to celebrate the apple season. Just pinned!
Ha ha – No you will not find chile in my pancakes. 🙂 Yes, this is a great breakfast in bed meal. Wouldn’t that be nice to have someone bring you breakfast in bed? It’s been a while.
I have never had pancakes but your luscious-looking apple version reminds me of something similar to US pancakes made in Poland: it’s raised with baking powder and made with apples… I must post them one day (and make more often!).
You’ve never had pancakes?! That would be unheard of here in the states. 🙂 We have restaurants that just sell pancakes! 🙂 Maybe these will inspire you to give pancakes a try. Thanks Sissi!
I mean I did have Polish or Hungarian or French crêpes (all of them are a bit different and definitely different from pancakes, but I guess you also know crêpes…), but never US pancakes (I knew you would be surprised! haha! that’s why I mentioned it). I must try making them one day.
Yes you must! 🙂
You’re not kidding about the serious competition! What a lovely surprise to discover Inspired Edibles over here this morning MJ, thank you my friend.
Apple and pecan share one of those sacred relationships that can only be admired and adored ;p but I’m equally compelled by your choice of cardamom here. I use the Indian spice mostly in mango lassis – it has such a distinctive and gorgeous flavor — one that you don’t want to cloud with others you may be tempted to use in tandem with it like cinnamon, clove or nutmeg. I love how you allow it to shine here and I’ve got to try it in pancakes; what a great idea. Beautiful recipe MJ.
I know…no chile, right? 🙂 Honestly, I have lost count of the number of times I’ve made your pancakes. We both love them and the addition of the oatmeal makes them different from the other pancakes. So know we have 3 completely different pancakes to enjoy. 🙂 And yes, cardamom really comes through here and is a fabulous complement! Thanks and hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
I’m in love with pancakes anyway. So the title of these really pulled me in, BUT when I saw cardamom in the ingredient list I swooned. That’s my new favorite spice the past year. I never thought to use it in pancakes. Guess what I am having tomorrow morning!!! I have an apple tree in the back garden and pecans in the pantry. YES!
Thanks Carol! I’m a fellow cardamom lover! I hope you had a chance to make these and enjoyed them.
Your apple photo is so enticing! And the pancakes would make for a perfect Sunday morning breakfast. So very fall and scrumptious!
Thanks Deb! These do make a great Sunday morning brunch. 🙂
Hi, Wow! I’m thinking that you really should do a video tutorial, your pancake is amazing. Would love to be your neighbor.
Thanks so much Fareeha!
It’s been a while since last time I had good pancakes. Your photos of apple pecan buttermilk pancakes are soooo inviting! I’m interested in mixing flours like you suggested, as I haven’t done it before. And we got stovetop griddle for the new range and I agree. I LOVE IT. I think making pancakes will be a lot more fun now with the griddle. 😀 He hee. p.s. Miss coming here and actually leaving a comment. Hope you’ve been well, MJ. xoxo
Thanks so much Nami! How the heck are you!? I know you’ve been really busy with kitchen remodel and just keeping up with life. It’s good to see you back. Don’t you just love your griddle? I don’t know how anyone can make pancakes without one. Good to see you and hope you’re doing well.
Could be more perfect, MJ. My mouth is watering just looking at that gorgeous first photo! And the idea of using slightly tart apples makes this all the more appealing.
Thanks so much Viviane! I love the tart apples as well. 🙂
Love the picture of the apples! Love this, too — such a nice recipe for pancakes. I like to mix flours, too. I actually use an electric griddle (nonstick, to boot!). Bulky to store, but it does a terrific job with pancakes. Or making tortillas. BTW, just a heads up — probably just me, but I didn’t get an email notification for this post for some reason. Anyway, good stuff — thanks.
Thanks John! A griddle is a must isn’t it. Thanks for letting me know on the email notification. I’m having some problems and have been trying different things. This week’s didn’t work obviously. 🙂
These pancakes are the best way to start your day! I could use yogurt instead of buttermilk I guess!
Thanks Katerina! And yes, yogurt would work as well but I would probably only use 1/2 cup yogurt and the rest in milk. Otherwise, it could make the batter really, really thick.
I want to come to your house for breakfast. These look amazing!
Come on down Abbe! Thanks!
Ummm, so what time should I arrive for breakfast this morning? They are gorgeous, so seasonal, and love love pecans! I would have to try in comparison side by side with the others mentioned to judge, just saying 😉 So 8am?
Let’s make it 9. I’ll still be sipping on my first cup of tea at 8. 🙂 Thanks so much Evelyne! I have to say, that is would be hard to compare the 3 because they are all totally different.
Saturday morning is our “pancake morning,” and these look fabulous! Thanks 🙂
Thanks Tamara! It’s Sunday for us. 🙂
These pancakes look so fluffy and delicious. I like the use of spelt flour here, MJ.
Thanks Angie! Well, you are of the people that inspired me to give spelt a try.
What no chiles today 🙁
LOL that apple pecan pancakes looks like a perfect breakfast to me
Nope…no chiles today. 🙂 Thanks Raymund!
What beautiful pancakes and I like how you used a mix of flours. Apples and pecans are an excellent combination. These really do celebrate Fall xx
Thanks Charlie! yep, I always look forward to fall apples.
I love spelt flour — it adds such a nice, nutty flavor! These pancakes sound delicious with the buttermilk, apples, and warm spices. Pecans are the perfect way to top them off!
I agree! I put spelt flour is just about anything that calls for flours. Thanks!
This perfectly fall themed pancakes MJ. Apple and pecan can never go wrong. I use them in cakes. but this pancake idea is wonderful. pinning and tweeting.
Thanks Swathi! I totally agree that one can’t go wrong with apple and pecan. Thanks for all of the shares!