So I woke up yesterday at like 6:47am (thanks, perimenopause!) and all I could think about was pancakes. Not those white-flour sugar bombs that make you crash by 10am, but somethin that wouldn’t make me feel like garbage for the rest of the day. James was still snoring away – that man could sleep through the apocalypse I swear – and Charlie (our golden retriever who apparently thinks my kitchen is his personal playground) was already doing his little breakfast dance around my feet.
I stared into my fridge for wayyy too long… you know that thing where you keep opening it hoping something magical will appear? And then I spotted this sad apple that had been sitting there since… Tuesday? Maybe longer?? And suddenly I remembered these amazing flourless pancakes I’d been meaning to try.
Omg these Healthy Oatmeal Apple Pancakes are LIFE CHANGING y’all. Not even being dramatic! Ok maybe a lil dramatic but whatever.
What Makes These Pancakes So Freaking Good?
Lemme tell ya, these aren’t your basic pancakes. First off, they’re completely flourless which means they’re gluten-free if that’s your thing. I started making more gluten-free stuff after Emma came home from college and announced she was cutting gluten (which lasted approximately 17 days before I caught her demolishing a pizza at 1am, but that’s another story).
These pancakes use oats instead of flour, which gives them this amazing nutty taste that regular pancakes just don’t have. Plus the texture is sooooo good – kinda hearty but still fluffy?
And they’ve got actual fresh apple in them! Not that fake apple flavoring that tastes like someone melted down a green candle. REAL APPLE. It adds this natural sweetness and moisture that’s just chef’s kiss.
My Kitchen Disaster Turned Breakfast Win
OK so confession time – the first time I tried making these was an absolute DISASTER. I was on the phone with my sister (she’s going through this whole thing with her neighbor’s fence) and I completely forgot I was cooking until the smoke detector started screaming at me. My pancake looked like an actual hockey puck!! Charlie was NOT impressed.
But then I tried again (after I stopped coughing from all the smoke lolol) and they turned out amazzzzing. I’ve prolly made them like 9 times since then. Ryan even asked for the recipe which is HUGE coming from a 19-year-old who thinks ketchup is a vegetable.
What You’ll Need for These Life-Changing Pancakes
So here’s what you gotta throw together for these bad boys:
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats (not the quick kind – I learned this the hard way when I used the instant packets from that hotel in Denver and ended up with pancake soup)
- 1 cup applesauce (unsweetened unless you want a sugar rush)
- 1 big apple, grated (I use Honeycrisp cuz they’re the BEST but any apple works)
- 2 eggs (from our neighbor’s chickens if I’m lucky!)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt (not table salt – James gets all weird about the iodine thing)
- 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil (or butter if you’re feeling naughty)
Sometimes I throw in some extras to jazz things up:
- cinnamon (about 1/2 teaspoon but honestly I just shake till it feels right)
- vanilla extract (the REAL stuff not that fake garbage)
- chopped walnuts if my teeth aren’t hurting that day
- sometimes I swap the applesauce for yogurt when I forget to buy applesauce AGAIN
How to Actually Make These Things
Alright so here’s what you do:
- Throw all your stuff in a blender – the oats, milk (oh wait did I forget to mention you need milk? about a cup!), your apple (peeled unless you’re feeling lazy like me most days), egg, cinnamon, vanilla, baking powder, some apple cider vinegar (like a teaspoon), maple syrup, oil, and salt.
- Blend that mess up until it’s smooth. Sometimes my ancient blender starts making this concerning grinding noise halfway through but just ignore that. Probably fine.
- If you want extra texture (which I totally recommend), grate some more apple and stir it in. More apple = more better.
- Heat up a skillet – I use my grandma’s cast iron that weighs approximately 500 pounds and has never been properly washed (don’t tell my germaphobe husband)
- Pour in about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake. Wait till you see bubbles form on top – this takes like 4-5 minutes which feels like FOREVER when you’re hungry.
- Flip ’em and cook another 2 minutes ish.
- Repeat until you’ve used all the batter or gotten bored.
One time I got distracted watching this wild TikTok about how to fold fitted sheets (still can’t do it btw) and burned an entire batch. So maybe don’t do that.
The Secret to Perfect Pancakes Every Time
OK so here’s my big secret – DON’T USE A NEW PAN. Seriously. My neighbor Karen got me this fancy non-stick pan for Christmas that cost like $70 and my pancakes stick to it like crazy! My best pancakes are always from my old, well-seasoned cast iron that I inherited from my grandma Betty. It’s older than me and has cooked approximately 7,492 meals.
Temperature is another big thing. You want it medium-low, not blazing hot. I know it’s tempting to crank up the heat when you’re in a hurry (like when I’m trying to get food in my face before my 9am Zoom call), but resist the urge! Lower heat = even cooking = pancakes that aren’t burnt on the outside and raw in the middle.
And for the love of all things holy, don’t flip them too early!!! I have ruined soooo many pancakes by being impatient. Wait until you see those little bubbles forming on top. That’s the signal! Not before! I’ve learned this lesson the hard way approximately 47 times and still sometimes jump the gun.
What to Put on These Magnificent Creations
So you’ve made a stack of these glorious pancakes… now what? Here’s my favorite toppings:
- Pure maple syrup (the real stuff from Vermont that costs more than my car payment)
- Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey (when I’m pretending to be healthy)
- Fresh berries (when they’re not $7 for a tiny container)
- Peanut butter (chunky, obvi)
- Sliced bananas
- A sprinkle of granola for some crunch
- Or if I’m being totally honest… sometimes just butter and nothing else when I’m feeling lazy
Sometimes I go absolutely wild and add ALL the toppings. Those are usually the days when I also decide to deep clean the garage or finally tackle the bathroom renovation I’ve been talking about for 3 years. #pancakepower
Other stuff that goes great with these pancakes:
- Scrambled eggs with waaay too much cheese
- A smoothie that I make with whatever fruits are about to go bad in my fridge
- Avocado toast (basic, I know, but SO GOOD)
- Strong coffee (the kind that makes your eye twitch a little)
Storage Tips for the Meal Prep Queens
So like, I’m not always good at the whole “meal prep” thing. My Instagram might make it look like I’ve got my life together with all those neatly stacked containers in my fridge, but the reality is I usually forget about leftovers until they’ve grown their own ecosystem.
BUT these pancakes are actually amazing for meal prep! They keep in the fridge for almost a week (though they’ve never lasted that long in our house tbh). Just pop them in an airtight container – I use those glass ones with the blue lids that I bought during my “eliminate all plastic” phase that lasted approximately 2.5 weeks.
You can also freeze these bad boys! Just put some parchment paper between them so they don’t stick together. Then when you want one, pop it in the toaster or microwave. Sometimes I grab one straight from the freezer and eat it cold on my way to hot yoga because that’s the kind of chaotic human I am.
The Actual Nutrition Stuff
Ok so I’m not a nutritionist (obvi) but here’s the breakdown of these pancakes for anyone who cares about that stuff:
- About 155 calories per pancake (but like… who eats just one pancake? Not me lol)
- 5g protein (not bad for a pancake!)
- 4g fiber (which my doctor says I need more of after our last “talk”)
- Basically no added sugar unless you go wild with the toppings
These are way healthier than regular pancakes, which make me feel like I’ve swallowed cement. These actually keep me full until lunch, which is a miracle considering I’m usually rummaging through the snack drawer by 10:30am.
Why I’m Obsessed With These Pancakes
So here’s the deal – I’ve been on this whole “eat better without being miserable” journey since I hit 45 and suddenly couldn’t eat half a pizza without regretting all my life choices. These pancakes are one of my MVPs because:
- They’re actually not terrible for you
- They taste amazing (even Ryan likes them and he’s suspicious of anything green)
- They’re quick enough to make on weekday mornings if I’m not running 17 minutes late like usual
- They help use up those sad apples that have been sitting in my fruit bowl for too long
- They don’t make me feel like garbage afterward
One time I made these for my book club and Karen (yes, same Karen with the expensive pan) had the audacity to ask if they were “diet food” with that tone. I almost threw my copy of “Where the Crawdads Sing” at her head.
More Delicious Breakfast Recipes You Might Love
If you’re into these pancakes, you might also like some of my other breakfast favs:
- 3-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Pancakes – for when your grocery situation is DIRE
- Protein Waffles Recipe – James is obsessed with these after his gym sessions
- Healthy Spinach Egg Muffins Recipe – perfect for grab-and-go mornings
- Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal – my absolute favorite winter breakfast
For another amazing apple pancake recipe, check out Justine’s incredible version – hers have this cinnamon sugar topping that’s to DIE for.
Conclusion – Just Make The Dang Pancakes Already
Listen, we both know you’ve scrolled all the way down here to see if these are worth making. THEY ARE. Stop overthinking it and just throw some oats and apples in a blender already!
I promise these Healthy Oatmeal Apple Pancakes will change your breakfast game forever. Or at least make your Tuesday morning slightly better. And sometimes that’s all we can ask for, right?
If you make these, tag me on Instagram! I love seeing your creations, even the disasters. Especially the disasters actually – makes me feel better about the time I set off the smoke alarm making these at 6am and woke up the entire house including Charlie who barked for 45 minutes straight afterward.
Ok I’m off to fold laundry that’s been sitting in the dryer since… Monday? Tuesday? Who even knows anymore.
xoxo, Lisa
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FAQ
Can these Healthy Oatmeal Apple Pancakes be made gluten-free?
Yes! These pancakes are naturally gluten-free because they use old-fashioned oats instead of wheat flour. Just make sure the oats you buy are certified gluten-free if you have celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity.
How can I make Healthy Oatmeal Apple Pancakes even healthier?
You can make these pancakes even healthier by adding ground flaxseed or chia seeds for extra fiber and omega-3s. You could also substitute a non-nutritive sweetener instead of maple syrup if you’re watching your sugar intake, or add protein powder for an extra protein boost.
How do I store leftovers of Healthy Oatmeal Apple Pancakes?
Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can also freeze them for up to one month by placing parchment paper between each pancake. Reheat in the microwave, toaster, or skillet until warmed through.
What toppings do you recommend for these pancakes?
The best toppings include fresh fruit (berries, sliced bananas), Greek yogurt, pure maple syrup, nut butter, chopped nuts, or a sprinkle of cinnamon. For an extra treat, try a dollop of whipped cream or a small amount of apple butter.
How long does it take to prepare Healthy Oatmeal Apple Pancakes?
From start to finish, these pancakes take about 15-20 minutes to prepare and cook. The batter comes together quickly in a blender, and each batch cooks in about 6-7 minutes.
Are these pancakes suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! These pancakes are perfect for meal prep. Make a double batch on the weekend, store them in the refrigerator or freezer, and reheat them throughout the week for quick breakfasts.
Can I substitute the applesauce with something else?
Yes, you can substitute the applesauce with mashed banana, pumpkin puree, or plain yogurt. Each alternative will change the flavor and texture slightly, but the pancakes will still turn out delicious.
What’s the nutritional benefit of these Healthy Oatmeal Apple Pancakes?
These pancakes provide complex carbohydrates from oats, fiber from both oats and apples, and protein from eggs. They’re lower in refined sugar than traditional pancakes and contain vitamins and minerals from the fresh fruit.