Air Fryer German Apple Pancakes
Description
A puffed, custardy German pancake baked over cinnamon-sugar apples — all in the air fryer in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Batter
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
Apples
- 1 large apple, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1½ tablespoons unsalted butter
To serve
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, for dusting
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup, optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, sugar, and salt until smooth. Add the flour and whisk just until combined — a few small lumps are fine. Let the batter rest for 10–15 minutes at room temperature.
- While the batter rests, peel and thinly slice the apple. Toss the slices in a small bowl with the cinnamon and sugar until evenly coated.
- Add the butter to a 6-inch oven-safe pan or small cast iron skillet. Place the pan in the air fryer at 350°F for about 2 minutes, until the butter is melted and bubbly.
- Carefully remove the pan, arrange the apple slices in a single layer over the melted butter, and immediately pour the batter on top. Do not stir.
- Return the pan to the air fryer and cook at 350°F for 8–12 minutes, until the pancake is puffed, deeply golden, and set in the center.
- Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with maple syrup if desired, and serve immediately.
Equipment
- Cast Iron Pan, or Baking Pan
- Cooking Spray
Notes
Notes
- Serve immediately — the pancake deflates within a minute or two of leaving the air fryer.
- For taller, drier edges, use a smaller (5–6 inch) pan. For a thinner, crepe-like pancake, use a 7-inch pan.
- A squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the powdered sugar is the traditional German garnish — try it.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 464kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 12gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 216mgSodium: 681mgPotassium: 368mgFiber: 4gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 694IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 149mgIron: 3mg