I believe that one good recipe leads to another and that’s certainly the case with this gluten-free Apple Cinnamon Volcano Pancake. I made this pancake for our Sunday brunch. Son deemed it “delightful”! His girlfriend said it was “so delicious.” And they’re not wrong!
It’s a simple but totally wonderful variation on my original Volcano Pancake. If you’re new to Volcano Pancakes—which others may call Dutch babies, German pancakes, puff pancakes, or even Yorkshire pudding—you’re in for a real treat!
A volcano pancake is a “single,” oven pancake that is baked in a 9 x 13 glass baking dish and then cut into individual portions for serving. So easy and such a smart way to serve pancakes! No standing at the stove flipping pancakes and futilely trying to serve everyone hot pancakes at the same time. Everyone gets their serving of a hot and delicious pancake at the same time with a Volcano Pancake.
The volcano part of the name comes from the fact that the resulting pancake has peaks and craters like a volcano. Admittedly, this apple cinnamon version has less of a volcanic look because of the weight of the apples in regard to the batter when it rises. Still, it has the traditional curled edges and even some peaks. Especially when first pulled out of the oven.
Incidentally, one of my loyal and favorite gfe readers has even made a “3/4 version” of volcano pancake using three-fourths of the ingredients and baking her volcano pancake in a 9 x 9 square pan. Another halved the recipe and used an 8 x 8 baking dish.
Either is a great solution for anyone who has fewer mouths to feed and/or has or wants to use fewer eggs. It’s also a great solution for today’s recipe if you only have a couple of apples on hand.
The really fantastic thing about the Volcano Pancake recipe—either the original recipe or the apple cinnamon variation—is that it tastes very much like French toast! At least in my personal opinion.
But with this recipe, you do not have to deal with dipping bread into an egg mixture, which also means you don’t have to have bread on hand to enjoy that French toast flavor. And perhaps most importantly during our current times, it also means that you don’t have to use a whole loaf of bread in a single recipe. So that’s a win-win-win in my book.
Readers have been asking for an apple cinnamon version of this recipe for a while. As I had an abundance of apples from the produce boxes we’ve been receiving, I figured it was time. Now you can not only enjoy your pancake for breakfast but you can also get in one of your daily fruit servings while you’re at it!
A good while ago, a gfe reader actually told me she that she had created an apple cinnamon version but I couldn’t find the info that she had shared.
So, yesterday, in true gfe fashion, I winged it, simply modifying the original recipes by adding apple slices to the bottom of the baking dish and sprinkling small amounts of cinnamon and brown sugar over them before adding the batter. I also increased the baking temperature to ensure that the apple slices would be cooked sufficiently at the end of the baking time.
Nothing complicated at all but outstanding results, folks. I hope you’ll enjoy this recipe and express as much enthusiasm after trying it as you did on Facebook when I posted the photo and asked if you wanted the recipe!
Note that readers have already tweaked this recipe to their own needs. In some cases, that’s by choice, and in others, it’s by need.
One reader, Richard, was short on fresh apples and used apple pie filling. He also added the brown sugar and cinnamon as a final topping (instead of sprinkling it over the sliced apples before pouring the batter over them).
Reader Richard C. did not have enough fresh apples so he used apple pie filling and added the brown sugar and cinnamon to the top before baking.
Again, some have 3/4’d or halved the recipe for their smaller families and baked it in a 9 x 9 or 8 x 8 baking dish, respectively.
Reader Jennifer R. halved the recipe.
Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Volcano Pancake Recipe
The apple-cinnamon version of volcano pancake--an easy-to-make oven pancake that tastes like French toast! It's absolutely perfect if apple-cinnamon is one of your very favorite flavor combinations. Some readers who don't tolerate xanthan gum asked about leaving it out. The recipe works fine without it. There may be a tiny bit of a texture difference but the results are just as delicious. One of my gfe readers, Richard, was short on fresh apples so he used apple pie filling for part of the apple measurement. Brilliant! He added: "I used margarine and almond milk. I put the brown sugar and cinnamon on top. We didn’t use any syrup." Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Volcano Pancake
Ingredients
Instructions
dish.
bottom.
until smooth.Notes
judee says
Shirley,
This looks really good! I love the apples with the pancake. I’ll save this recipe for a Sunday brunch for company (if we ever get back to normal)
Shirley Braden says
Hi Judee–Even I’m surprised by just how delicious this apple version is. It would be wonderful for Sunday brunch!
Shirley
Nancy says
This pancake looks wonderful and will definitely be on our menu soon, maybe a half batch for breakfast tomorrow morning. Seems that maybe the almond and coconut flour I’ve been using for greater nutrient density may have caused my eczema (still trying to figure it out). Have made my first Misfits Market order, and I’m really excited about this concept. Thanks for the link and the discount for the first order.
Shirley Braden says
Hi Nancy–I’m sorry that you seem to be having issues with the grain-free flours. I’ve found that I can’t have too much of any gluten-free flours–gluten free only or also grain free. I do much better with just real foods with no baked goods but sometimes a girl wants a baked good, right? 😉
I hope you really enjoy Misfits Market’s produce! We skipped a week because we had three different produce boxes (also tried out a local farmer’s produce) come in at the same time and now we’re used them all up and can’t wait for our next box! We’ve been getting one item in each MM box that we normally don’t buy so that’s been fun because we’ve discovered new likes and new recipes. Eating more veggies is always a good thing!
Shirley
Nancy says
Shirley, We are lucky that our local grocer carries a wide selection of organic produce, but I’m still excited about getting some items that are perhaps a little different. Never too many veggies for this household! Thanks, Nancy
Shirley Braden says
We have a nice produce section at our local store but not enough organic produce. I’m not shopping in stores right now though so I’m loving the produce boxes. Can’t wait to hear what you think, Nancy. Fingers crossed!
Btw, I made your almond flour dinner rolls a few weeks ago. Delicious!! Heading over to leave a follow-up comment on the recipe right now as I forgot to do that …
Shirley
Nancy says
Thanks for posting the comment on the almond flour dinner rolls. It is so nice to get positive feedback! I haven’t been to a grocery store in a couple of months now, but my husband has been donning a mask/gloves and making the occasional trip. I’ve been ordering online meats, flours, canned goods, etc., so that has helped slow down our need to venture into that atmosphere. Keep safe and healthy!
Shirley Braden says
My pleasure, of course, Nancy. I’m doing all the same things for us so we can stay safe and healthy.
Take care, dear!
Nancy says
FYI, made this for breakfast today. It was a definite hit! Easy and delicious, the best combination. I prepared half a recipe in a 1 1/2 qt. souffle pan, and it worked perfectly.
Shirley Braden says
Yay, Nancy!! Halving the recipe is an awesome idea–especially for two folks. Thanks so much for taking the time to share how much you all enjoyed the recipe and that tip! 🙂
Beth says
Can I use a premade gluten free pancake mix?
Shirley Braden says
Hi Beth–Welcome to gfe. 🙂 Pancake mixes have added ingredients like baking soda, salt, and xanthan gum and you really don’t know the exact amount of such ingredients per cup of mix, which means that you don’t know how to adjust any other ingredients in this recipe. You may be able to simply leave out the salt and xanthan gum in this recipe to compensate but I really don’t know how well that will work. If you give this substitution a try, please let us know your results and any adjustments that you made. Crossing my fingers that you’ll have good results!
Shirley
CAROL says
DELICIOUS APPLE PANCAKE. MY WHOLE FAMILY ENJOYED THIS RECIPE. I USED KING ARTHUR ALL PURPOSE BAKING FLOUR. NEXT TIME I WILL ADD A LITTLE VANILLA THANK YOU SHIRLEY
Shirley Braden says
Woohoo! So very happy to hear this, Carol! 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to leave your family’s review!!
Shirley
Janet says
This was so yummy. I used vegan butter and coconut milk.
Shirley Braden says
Hi Janet–I’m so very thrilled to hear you enjoyed this apple cinnamon oven pancake so much! 🙂 I often make it with vegan butter and coconut milk myself. Thanks so much fro taking the time to leave your wonderful review!
Shirley
Donna Reidland says
This sounds truly delicious!
Shirley Braden says
Hi, Donna–Thank you so much! It’s a treat for sure and very filling. So, it’s great to make for a crowd. 🙂 Or you can halve the recipe (as noted) for a smaller group.
Shirley
April J Harris says
This looks so delicious, Shirley – what a perfect recipe for entertaining! Apples are just coming into season over here in the UK, so it’s perfect timing with this recipe. Thank you for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party.
Shirley Braden says
Hi, April—Thanks so much! I love that this recipe can be made with either fresh apples or apple pie filling. I also love that it feeds a crowd. I plan on making it for some girlfriends when they visit next month. 🙂
Always happy to share on Hearth and Soul of course. Thanks so much for hosting!
Shirley