Name: Apple Cinnamon German Pancakes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 large apples; 1 Tbsp cinnamon; 3 Tbsp butter; 6 eggs; 1 1/2 cups flour; 2 1/2 cups milk; 1/2 tsp salt

apple cinnamon german pancakes slices on plate with powdered sugar topping

Apple Cinnamon German Pancakes are the perfect cozy fall breakfast! This sheet pan German pancake combines tender, custard-y texture with caramelized apples and cinnamon for a simple, family-sized breakfast that smells like autumn itself.

Whether you’ve just picked apples from an orchard or stocked up on seasonal deals, the scent of apples and cinnamon baking in the oven is the ultimate fall comfort.

Inspired by the classic German pancake (sometimes called a Dutch baby), this version bakes right on a sheet pan — a slightly thinner, fluffier twist that’s quick to make and easy to serve.

Whatever name you call it by (somehow, our family has gotten stuck on calling them “Swedish pancakes”), this apple cinnamon German pancake is a warm, protein-rich breakfast your whole family will love gathering around the table to enjoy.

This post contains some affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

slices of apple cinnamon german pancakes with cooked apples and powdered sugar topping and lemon juice

Why You’ll Love These Apple Cinnamon German Pancakes

Sheet pan pancakes offer some fantastic perks when it comes to making breakfast for a family (which is exactly the stage of life I’m in right now!). And these apple cinnamon German pancakes make it even better — an easy, cozy, and healthy way to enjoy a home-cooked breakfast together without the stress.

Here’s why you’ll love this Apple Cinnamon German Pancake:

No flipping required. The endless pancake-flipping role is completely eliminated — just pour, bake, and serve!
Simple prep. The batter for these apple cinnamon German pancakes requires only four basic ingredients: eggs, milk, flour, and salt (plus apples, cinnamon, and butter for that irresistible flavor).
Easy clean-up. Line your sheet pan with baking paper and you’ll have minimal dishes to tackle afterward.
Sit-down friendly. No more standing at the stove while everyone else eats. This sheet pan German pancake bakes all at once, so the whole family can sit down together and enjoy a warm, fluffy breakfast straight from the oven.

If you love homemade breakfasts but need something simple for busy family mornings, these apple cinnamon German pancakes gives you all the cozy flavor of traditional pancakes, with a fraction of the effort.

ingredients for sheet pan german pancakes apple pie style

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make these apple cinnamon German pancakes, you only need a few simple pantry staples; nothing fancy or complicated:

Eggs
Milk
Flour
Salt
Apples
Cinnamon
Butter

That’s it! These sheet pan German pancakes come together with basic ingredients you probably already have on hand, which is one of the many reasons my family loves them. Simple, wholesome, and full of cozy fall flavor.

puffy sheet pan german pancakes baking in oven

How to Make an Apple Cinnamon German Pancakes (Step-by-Step)

These apple cinnamon German pancakes come together quickly, which is another reason they’re a favorite in our home! Here’s how to make them step by step:

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C fan-forced).
Line a large, lipped baking sheet (about 13×18 inch) with baking paper.
Dice or slice the apples and dump them into the middle of the baking sheet.
Sprinkle cinnamon over the apples, and add the butter on top.
Roast the apples for 5 minutes to begin softening them.
When the timer goes off, remove the baking sheet, gently stir the apples, cinnamon, and butter together, then spread evenly over the baking sheet.
Return to the oven for another 5 minutes. The apples will start to caramelize slightly, giving this apple cinnamon German pancake that irresistible apple-pie flavor.
Meanwhile, whisk the batter. In a large mixing bowl, crack the eggs and whisk until smooth. Add the flour ½ cup at a time, whisking well to combine.
Add salt and milk. Sprinkle salt over the mixture, then pour in the milk in ½-cup increments, whisking gently until smooth.
Pour and bake. Once the apples have roasted for 10 minutes total, remove the pan from the oven and place it on a flat surface. Pour the batter evenly over the apples, then return the sheet pan (carefully!) to the oven.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until puffed and golden.
Serve warm straight from the pan, with toppings of your choice (we love lemon wedges and powdered sugar!)

The result is a light, custard-like sheet pan German pancake with tender baked apples and cozy cinnamon flavor. This recipe is simple enough for a weekday breakfast, but special enough for weekends or guests.

eggs with flour whisked in for apple cinnamon german pancakes

Tips for the Best Apple Cinnamon German Pancakes

I want you to enjoy the best apple cinnamon German pancakes, so here are a few tips that make all the difference:

Whisk the flour in slowly. Take an extra moment to add the flour incrementally and whisk until smooth before adding the milk. If milk hits the batter too early, it’s tough to remove those stubborn flour lumps later.
Preheat your oven fully. Make sure your oven is nice and hot before adding the apples. They don’t need to be completely baked before pouring on the batter, but starting the caramelization process gives your apple cinnamon German pancake that rich, apple-pie flavor we love.
Serve warm with butter and toppings. These pancakes taste best fresh from the oven. Add a little extra butter, drizzle with maple syrup, or sprinkle powdered sugar and squeeze lemon wedges over them— it’s simple and absolutely delicious.

With these quick tips, your sheet pan German pancake will come out light, golden, and full of cozy fall flavor every time.

close up apple cinnamon german pancakes slice

Variations and Serving Ideas

There are so many fun ways to dress up these apple cinnamon German pancakes if you’d like to make them a little extra special. Try one (or a few!) of these ideas:

Add chopped nuts. Sprinkle a handful of pecans or walnuts over the apples before roasting for a little crunch and nutty flavor.
Top with brown sugar. Before baking, sprinkle a few tablespoons of brown sugar over the batter for a lightly caramelized topping.
Whipped cream topping. Whip up some cream with a dash of cinnamon and vanilla for an extra-fancy (but still easy) finish.
Caramelized apple topping. Sauté a few extra apples in butter and brown sugar on the stove to make a warm, caramel-style topping.
Try other fruit! When it’s not apple season, swap in what you have on hand. We’ve made these sheet pan pancakes plain, with frozen blueberries, and even as a cozy spiced pear German pancake – all delicious!

However you serve them, these apple cinnamon German pancakes are endlessly adaptable: perfect for using seasonal fruit or adding your own family twist.

sheet pan apple cinnamon german pancakes on plate with fruit and powdered sugar

How to Store and Reheat Apple Cinnamon German Pancakes

It is rare that we have leftovers when we make these apple cinnamon German pancakes, but if you do, store them in the fridge for 3-5 days, in a sealed container.

They are best hot with slightly crispy edges, so I recommend reheating them in the oven or toaster oven, but a microwave will also do the job.

apple cinnamon german pancakes batter in sheet pan

FAQs for Apple Cinnamon German Pancakes

You’ve got questions — I’ve hopefully got some answers! Here are a few common questions about making apple cinnamon German pancakes at home.

Can I use whole wheat flour for apple cinnamon German pancakes?
You can! The pancakes will be a bit denser and won’t puff up quite as much, but they’ll still taste delicious. I’ve had good success using a 1:2 ratio of whole wheat to all-purpose flour. This gives you a little extra nutrition without losing too much of that fluffy texture.

Can I make apple cinnamon German pancakes dairy-free?
Yes! You can use a non-dairy milk like almond, oat, or soy milk. The texture will be slightly different (a bit more dense and less custard-like) but with the apple cinnamon flavor, they’ll still be delicious and cozy.

Can I make apple cinnamon German pancakes ahead of time?
Personally, I don’t recommend baking and cooling them ahead of time. You can chop your apples and whisk the batter in advance, but these pancakes are truly best enjoyed fresh from the oven, when they’re still puffy, warm, and lightly crisp on the edges!

More Cozy Breakfast Recipes

If you like to bake seasonally, and also love convenient options for families, check out:

Lemon Chia Seed Muffin Cake – great for using seasonal lemons, with the texture and flavor of muffins, but conveniently baked in a 9×13 pan!
Zucchini Chocolate Sheet Pan Pancakes – still high in protein using greek yogurt, but hearty and filling with whole meal flour, and a great way to get some seasonal zucchini into your breakfast. And if feels like a treat with the addition of cocoa powder and/or chocolate chips!
Orange Spice Focaccia Bread – perfect for a festive breakfast paired with easy clean up sheet pan scrambled eggs!

I hope you try this recipe and love it! If you do, please rate it and leave it a review. And send it to a friend, save it on pinterest, or share it on your social medias!

Yield: 4 servings