There’s something undeniably comforting about the scent of warm apples and cinnamon filling your kitchen. Imagine biting into a golden, crispy pancake roll stuffed with tender, spiced apples and coated in a sweet cinnamon-sugar crust. These Oven-Baked Apple Pancake Rolls with Cinnamon Sugar are the perfect blend of fluffy pancakes and apple pie—all with less guilt since they’re baked, not fried.
Whether you’re looking for a special weekend breakfast, a holiday brunch showstopper, or a cozy dessert, this recipe delivers. Below, you’ll find everything you need to make these irresistible treats, from ingredient swaps to pro tips for the perfect crispiness.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Before diving into the details, let’s talk about why this dish deserves a spot in your recipe collection:
✅ Healthier Than Traditional Fried Versions – By baking instead of deep-frying, you cut down on excess oil without sacrificing crunch.
✅ Versatile for Any Occasion – Serve them for breakfast, brunch, or dessert—they’re always a hit.
✅ Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing – The sweet, familiar flavors make these a favorite for all ages.
✅ Easy to Customize – Swap apples for pears, add nuts, or adjust the spice level to your taste.
Ready to get started? Let’s gather your ingredients.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make these Oven-Baked Apple Pancake Rolls with Cinnamon Sugar, you’ll need three main components: the pancake batter, the apple filling, and the cinnamon sugar coating.
Pancake Batter
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup |
| Granulated sugar | 1 tbsp |
| Baking powder | 1 tsp |
| Salt | ¼ tsp |
| Milk | ¾ cup |
| Egg | 1 large |
Apple Filling
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Apples (peeled & diced) | 2 medium |
| Butter | 2 tbsp |
| Brown sugar | 2 tbsp |
| Cinnamon | 1 tsp |
| Nutmeg (optional) | ¼ tsp |
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Granulated sugar | ¼ cup |
| Cinnamon | 1 tbsp |
| Melted butter | 3 tbsp |
Pro Tip: Use tart apples like Granny Smith for the best balance of sweetness and texture.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Pancake Batter
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat the egg and milk, then gradually mix into the dry ingredients until smooth.
- Let the batter rest for 10 minutes—this helps create fluffier pancakes.
2. Cook the Pancakes
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Pour ¼ cup of batter per pancake, cooking until bubbles form (about 2 minutes), then flip and cook another minute.
- Repeat until all batter is used (you should get 8-10 small pancakes).