Get ready to fall in love with this delicious Apple Dutch Baby, a skillet pancake that puffs up gloriously in the oven as it bakes. Featuring sweet, caramelized apples cooked with cinnamon and brown sugar, serve this elegant breakfast dish straight from the oven with a dusting of powdered sugar.

If you've never had a Dutch baby, you must try this dish- it's one of my favorite breakfast recipes! This Apple Dutch Baby recipe is a delicious and satisfying breakfast or brunch dish that the whole family will love. A cast iron pan transforms a handful of basic ingredients into a masterpiece that emerges from the oven, puffed and golden, like culinary magic.
Unlike regular pancakes, this Dutch baby puffs up in the oven, forming a custardy center encased in a crisp, golden shell similar to a popover.
Light and airy yet satisfying and filling, this delicious baked pancake showcases sweet apple slices and warm fall spices that are baked into the batter. If apples aren't your thing, I also make a delicious Pumpkin Spice Dutch Baby and a Blueberry Lemon Dutch Baby.
Now, let's dive into the magic of this sweet and elegant breakfast treat!
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Why You'll Love This Dish
- It's easy- the pancake batter comes together in a blender!
- It's delicious- warm cinnamon apples baked in a tender pancake- yum!
- It's fun- your family will be impressed when you serve this Dutch baby puffed up high straight from the oven.
- It's perfect for entertaining- it's an elegant dish to serve for brunch.
What is a Dutch Baby Pancake?
A Dutch baby, also called a German pancake, is a baked breakfast dish that’s like a cross between a popover and a pancake. This pillowy pancake is traditionally baked in the oven in a cast iron skillet and puffs up very high as it cooks.
A Dutch baby pancake has a delightfully light, tender and eggy interior, similar to a popover, with crispy edges. It's perfect for a special occasion or Sunday brunch as it's all made in one pan and can be served straight from the skillet.
This apple dutch baby pancake recipe is a simple recipe with basic ingredients. It's all about learning the proper technique to get the Dutch baby to rise nicely.
The batter is very easy to make- simply throw all of the ingredients into a blender and blend away! You can make many different types of Dutch babies, including sweet and savory versions.
What makes a Dutch baby rise?
The answer is- heat! There are no chemical leavening agents (like baking powder) in a Dutch baby. Rather, the batter rises from the blast of heat it gets from a hot oven.
The gluten in the flour and protein in the eggs create a structure that traps steam in the Dutch baby, making it rise. Resist the urge to open the oven door and peek while it's baking otherwise your Dutch baby pancake won’t rise well.
Heat is key here so it's really important to make sure your ingredients are room temperature or warmer. Leave your eggs out so that they can come to room temperature (or you can place them in a bowl of warm water to speed things up). Use room temperature or slightly warm milk. If you use cold eggs and milk, your Dutch baby pancake won't get as much height.
It's important to aerate the dutch baby batter well to get a good rise. The easiest way to do this is by blending the ingredients together in a blender. Alternatively, you can whisk the ingredients together in a bowl until light and airy. It's also important to let the batter rest to allow the gluten to develop.
Also, your skillet needs to be piping hot. For most Dutch baby recipes, the skillet is heated in the oven before pouring the batter in. However, in this recipe, the skillet is heated on the stove as the apples are cooking.
Ingredients

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions. See recipe card below for full ingredient list:
- Apples- use a sweet, crisp apple like honeycrisp, fuji or granny smith apples
- Flour- although I like to incorporate whole grains in my recipes, all purpose flour works best in this dish and will help the Dutch baby rise more.
- Milk- use room temperature milk, any type. I typically use 2% or whole milk.
- Cinnamon- the perfect warm spice to complement the sweet apples; you can add other spices like nutmeg, ginger or cardamom
How To Make Apple Dutch Baby Step-By-Step

See recipe card below for full recipe instructions.
- Step 1- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Blend eggs, milk, flour, vanilla extract, sugar, and salt in a blender until smooth and frothy. Let the batter rest.
- Step 2- Heat a 9 or 10-inch cast-iron skillet or other oven-safe skillet on the stove over medium to medium-high heat. Add butter to the hot pan and let the butter melt.
- Step 3- Add the sliced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon and cook 3-4 minutes until apples start to soften.
- Step 4- Pour batter into the skillet over the apple mixture and transfer skillet to the oven. Bake 18-22 minutes until Dutch baby is puffed up and golden brown. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve with maple syrup, if desired.

How To Serve This Dish
Serve this Apple Dutch Baby straight from the oven while it’s puffed up high because it will start to fall soon after you take it out. Top it with a dusting of powdered sugar for the perfect finishing touch. You can also squeeze some fresh lemon juice on top.
Cut it into slices and serve it directly from the skillet. I like to serve it with maple syrup on the side. You can serve this apple Dutch baby with fresh fruit.
Chef's Tips For Making The Perfect Dutch Baby Pancake
- Use a 9 or 10-inch skillet for best results. You can use a cast iron skillet or any oven-safe skillet. I used my always pan in these photos.
- The oven must be really hot. Make sure you preheat it.
- The eggs and milk should be at room temperature or slightly warm. Take the eggs out a few hours ahead of time or if you take them directly from the fridge, put them in a bowl with warm water for 10 minutes to get them to room temperature. The milk can be heated gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Aerate the batter well- blend it until it is light and frothy.
- Let the batter rest for at least 30 minutes to allow the gluten to develop. The longer it rests, the better. You can even make it the night before and refrigerate it. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature before baking.
- The skillet should be very hot when you pour the batter in. While most Dutch baby recipes call for heating the skillet in the oven, in this recipe, the skillet is heated on the stove.
- Bake the Dutch baby in the middle of the oven. If it's too close to the top of the oven, it may brown too much.
- Resist the temptation to open the oven door and peek. The blast of high heat is what gives the Dutch baby its rise and if you open the oven door, it won’t rise as well.
Recipe FAQs
A Dutch baby gets its rise from the combination of air in the batter and the high heat of the oven. The gluten, or protein in the flour, creates a web that traps steam in the batter and makes the Dutch baby rise in the hot oven.
There are a lot of reasons why a Dutch baby doesn't rise. Make sure your ingredients (eggs and milk) are at room temperature and are not cold. Be sure to blend the batter well to incorporate a lot of air into it. Then let it rest to allow the gluten to develop. Heat the skillet in the oven so that it is piping hot when you pour the batter in. Finally, don't open the oven door to peek while it is cooking or your Dutch baby won't rise as well.

More Tasty Apple Recipes
Looking for even more apple recipes? Check out my Best Apple Recipe Round Up!

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Recipe
Apple Dutch Baby
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
- ¾ cup milk at room temperature
- ¾ cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, divided
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large apple (or 2 medium apples), peeled and sliced
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Optional toppings:
- powdered sugar, maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Add eggs, milk, flour, vanilla, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and salt to a blender. Blend until smooth and frothy. Let the batter rest at least 30 minutes.
- Heat a 9 or 10-inch cast-iron skillet or other oven-safe skillet on the stove over medium to medium-high heat. Add butter to the hot pan and let the butter melt.
- Add the apples, remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and cinnamon to the skillet. Stir to combine. Cook until apples start to soften, about 3-4 minutes.
- Pour the pancake batter over the apples in the skillet and transfer the skillet to the middle shelf of the oven. Bake 18-22 minutes until puffed up and golden brown.
- Carefully remove skillet from oven with oven mitts. Dust the Dutch baby with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup, if desired. Serve immediately, as the Dutch baby will start to fall within minutes of being taken out of the oven.
Notes
- Use a 9 or 10-inch skillet for best results. You can use a cast iron skillet or any oven-safe skillet.
- The oven must be really hot- be sure to preheat it well.
- The eggs and milk should be at room temperature or slightly warm. Take the eggs out a few hours ahead of time or if you take them directly from the fridge, put them in a bowl with warm water for 10 minutes to get them to room temperature. The milk can be heated gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Aerate the batter well- blend it until it is light and frothy.
- Let the batter rest for at least 30 minutes to allow the gluten to develop. The longer it rests, the better. You can even make it the night before and refrigerate it. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature before baking.
- The skillet should be very hot when you pour the batter in. While most Dutch baby recipes heat the skillet in the oven, in this recipe, the skillet is heated on the stove.
- Bake the apple Dutch baby in the middle of the oven. If it's too close to the top of the oven, it may brown too much.
- Resist the temptation to open the oven door and peek. The blast of high heat is what gives the Dutch baby its rise and if you open the oven door, it won’t rise as well.
Nutrition
About the author
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
It's been a long time since we made dutch baby for brunch. Time to remedy it soon. This looks delicious, with the apples 🙂
sonaliruder says
Thanks Kiran! You definitely need to fix that situation soon 😉
Ashley C. says
I have yet to make a dutch baby, but I love the idea of adding apple and cinnamon. This looks perfect for breakfast or dessert. I probably wouldn't be able to resist topping it with ice cream!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Ashley, you gotta make one, you'll love it! And a little ice cream or fro yo on top is amazing!
carashealthycraving says
I love how it looks like an apple pie, I am quite certain I would love this. One can never go wrong with an apple cinnamon combo!
sonaliruder says
Thanks for stopping by Cara! Apple cinnamon is really such a great combo!
Runnin SriLankan says
Oh wow - this sounds so darn good! Cooking the apples with brown sugar and cinnamon before pouring the batter on top makes this an EPIC apple dutch baby! Almost like a skillet apple pie! So...I am thinking it's ok for me to top this baby with some vanilla fro yo - yeah!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Shashi! You're so right, it's totally like a skillet apple pie! And not only is it ok to top with some fro you, but it's doctor's orders! LOL 🙂
Rachael Hartley, RD, LD, CDE says
This is so pretty! Have you ever tried savory dutch babies? I love to use them as a pizza crust.
sonaliruder says
I haven't but now I can't wait to!! Thanks Rachael!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
I think apples + cinnamon is one of life's most delicious combinations- This would be perfect for brunch. or well..Dinner.
sonaliruder says
I couldn't agree more, such a perfect flavor combo! And you can throw dessert in there too 😉
Liz - Meal Makeover Mom says
Yum a thousand times over. That crust on top is so easy and healthy. I love it. Pinning now!
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much Liz!
Lemony Thyme says
I'm going in. 258 calories never looked so good.
sonaliruder says
Haha, that's great!
Kelsey says
OH MY YUM! what a great recipe
sonaliruder says
Thanks for stopping by Kelsey! I appreciate the comment!
Jessica Levinson says
Yum!! This looks so good and doesn't sound too time consuming to make. Definitely adding this to the weekend brunch recipe list!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Jessica! It's such a great weekend brunch dish. I really hope you enjoy it if you give it try 🙂
Alanna says
Oh my goodness - YES please! That is gorgeous. I was just saying the other day how I need to make a dutch baby once and for all! You have officially convinced me.
sonaliruder says
Well if that's not a sign that you need to make this, I don't know what it! Thanks Alanna and enjoy!
Katie Serbinski says
I'm on the hunt for a new brunch recipe and I think you nailed it with this one!!! Pinning for my son's baptism party next weekend 🙂
sonaliruder says
Thanks Katie! How exciting! Have a wonderful time and let me know if you try them out 🙂
Farrah says
Yummy! :D! I've been wanting to make dutch babies for the longest time! (So much so that not only is it all over my Pinterest...it's actually on my 101 in 1001 list too! :O!) I think I'm gonna have to start with this one. (<3 apples!!)
sonaliruder says
It sounds like you're long overdue for a Dutch baby! Put down the books, take off your white coat and get in the kitchen STAT!
Katie (The Muffin Myth) says
Dutch Baby's are one of my favourite weekend breakfasts! Love this apple version. Yum!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Katie! And once again, welcome to the Recipe Redux 🙂
EA-The Spicy RD says
Swoon!! We love Dutch Baby's at our house for any meal of the day. Yours looks like perfection!!
sonaliruder says
They really are perfect any time of day! Thanks EA!
Rebecca Pytell says
So pretty! I've never made or had a Dutch Baby!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Rebecca!
Sarah says
Wow, this is beautiful! I've never made a dutch baby before, but it looks delicious. I can imagine the cinnamon and apple smell filling the kitchen!
sonaliruder says
Thanks for taking the time to stop by Sarah! You're so right, the smell was amazing 🙂
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
I've had it in mind for ages to try making a Dutch Baby (that doesn't sound quite right 😉 ) - and yours looks absolutely perfect! Love this.
sonaliruder says
Haha, that's hilarious!! Thanks Marissa 🙂
genevieve @ gratitude & greens says
Sonali, this sounds so delicious!!! I love pancakes in all shapes and forms, and this one is no exception. Sounds like a dessert I'd love to curl up with on the couch while watching TV! Yum!
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much Gen! Coming from a pancake aficionado like you, this means so much!!
Kelley @ Chef Savvy says
This sounds wonderful! I've never made a Dutch Baby Cake before and am excited to try! I will be making this over the weekend!
sonaliruder says
Oh Kelley, they're SO good! Thanks and enjoy!!