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This Apple Dutch Baby For One is a simple yet delicious breakfast option. Combining the fluffiness of a pancake with the sweetness of sautéed apples, it’s baked in a small cast-iron skillet or baking dish for a perfectly portioned, fruity twist on a classic favorite.

a mini apple dutch baby in a small cast iron skillet next to a red napkin and a bowl of fried apples.

If you enjoy Dutch Baby recipes, don’t miss these single serving options: Peach Dutch Baby, Blueberry Dutch Baby, and savory Ham and Cheese Dutch Baby!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to Make: Simple steps make this recipe a breeze to make.
  • Quick: Ready in just 20 minutes.
  • Perfectly Sized: Designed for one, so there are no leftovers.
  • Easily Doubled: Need more? Double the recipe and use an 10-inch skillet to share.

The single serving Apple Dutch Baby is a simple and delicious breakfast, perfect for apple season. Made with a thin, pancake-like batter, it puffs up in the oven to create a golden, airy dish. As it cools, the puff settles, leaving a delightful blend of a fluffy pancake and a delicate crepe.

Ingredients

butter, milk, an apple, egg, vanilla, cinnamon, flour and sugar on a wooden cutting board in a kitchen.

If you have any ingredients leftover from this Apple Dutch Baby recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.

  • Butter: Use salted or unsalted butter to grease your skillet.
  • Egg: One large egg provides structure and moisture.
  • Milk: Use any type of cow’s milk. Almond milk works well for a dairy-free option.
  • Vanilla Extract, Sugar, and Salt: These enhance the flavor of your Dutch Baby.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Adds flavor to the batter and the cinnamon-sugar topping.
  • Flour: All-purpose flour works best. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free measure for measure flour.
  • Sliced Apple: Use one medium apple, such as Gala, Granny Smith, or Honeycrisp. Leftover apples? Try them in recipes like Apple Cake, Apple Crisp, and Apple Fritters.
  • Optional Toppings: Add powdered sugar or fried apples for extra flavor.

Recipe Variations

  • Pear and Cinnamon Dutch Baby: Swap the apples for thinly sliced pears and add a little extra cinnamon before baking.
  • Tropical Dutch Baby: Use thinly sliced bananas and sprinkle shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
  • Berry Dutch Baby: Replace the apples with mixed berries like raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries for a vibrant, fruity version.
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How To Make An Apple Dutch Baby

These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make this single serving Apple Dutch Baby recipe. See the recipe below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F. Use a 6.5-inch cast iron skillet or a 5×5-inch oven-safe baking dish for best results—larger pans may make the batter spread too thin, affecting its fluffiness. Place butter in the skillet or dish and put it in the oven to melt while the oven preheats.
a small cast iron skillet with butter in the center.
  1. Combine the wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, vanilla, and sugar. For a smoother texture, you can use a blender.
egg, milk, and sugar whisked together in a mixing bowl.
  1. Add the dry ingredients: Whisk in the flour, salt, and ground cinnamon until fully combined.
dutch baby batter in a mixing bowl.
  1. Prepare the skillet and add apples: Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven using oven mitts. Swirl the skillet to coat the bottom with the melted butter. Arrange the sliced apples evenly on the bottom of the skillet.
melted butter in a cast iron skillet next to a skillet filled with sliced apples.
  1. Add the batter: Pour the batter over the apples. Tilt the skillet gently to spread the batter evenly.
pancake batter poured over sliced apples in a cast iron skillet.
  1. Add the topping: Mix sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle it over the top of the batter.
cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top of an unbaked apple dutch baby.
  1. Bake the Apple Dutch Baby: Return the skillet to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the center puffs up and the edges turn golden. The pancake will deflate slightly as it cools. Serve directly from the skillet or transfer to a plate. Enjoy!
an apple dutch baby puffed up just out of the oven.

Expert Tips

  • Smooth Batter: Use a whisk or blender to mix the batter until completely smooth for the best texture.
  • Preheat the Skillet: Heat the skillet in the oven before adding the batter to help the pancake puff up properly.
  • Use the Right Dish: Stick to a 6.5-inch cast iron skillet or a 5×5-inch baking dish. Larger dishes can make the pancake too thin.
  • Heat-Safe Bakeware: If you’re not using a cast iron skillet, make sure your baking dish can handle the 400°F oven temperature.

Toppings

This Apple Dutch Baby is delicious on its own, but adding toppings can make it even better. Here are some easy and flavorful ideas:

  • Greek Yogurt and Honey: Add a dollop of tangy Greek yogurt and drizzle with honey for natural sweetness.
  • Granola and Fresh Berries: Sprinkle granola for crunch and add fresh berries like strawberries or blueberries for a fruity twist.
  • Powdered Sugar and Lemon Zest: A light dusting of powdered sugar paired with lemon zest adds a bright, citrusy touch.
  • Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes this a decadent dessert option.
  • Homemade Cranberry Jam: Spread a spoonful of cranberry jam for a sweet and tangy flavor boost.
  • Fried Apples: Sauté apple slices in butter and brown sugar until golden and tender for a rich, caramelized topping that complements the dish perfectly. This is the topping shown in the picture below.
an apple dutch baby topped with fried apples.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a cast iron skillet to make a Dutch Baby?

No, you can use a 6-inch cast-iron skillet or an oven-safe 5×5-inch baking dish for this single serving recipe.

Do I need to peel the apple before using it in an Apple Dutch Baby?

Peeling is optional. The peel adds fiber, but removing it gives a smoother texture.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, double the ingredients and use an 10-inch oven-safe skillet or appropriately sized baking dish.

Why does the Dutch Baby deflate after baking?

It’s normal! The puffiness is from steam, and it naturally deflates as it cools.

Is a Dutch Baby the same as a German Pancake or a Puffed Pancake?

Yes, all three terms describe the same dish—a fluffy, oven-baked pancake.

More Single Serving Breakfast Recipes

If you love this small Apple Dutch Baby, try these other single serving breakfast recipes. They’re perfect for starting your day without leftovers!

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

If you’ve tried this mini Apple Dutch Baby recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!


Your Cooking For One Source
Because you’re worth it

Apple Dutch Baby For One

5 from 14 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
This Apple Dutch Baby, also known as a Puffed Pancake, is a delightful cross between a pancake and a crepe. Baked with sweet apple slices in a mini cast iron skillet or small baking dish, it’s perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Equipment

Ingredients 
 

  • ½ tablespoon salted butter
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup milk (whole, skim, 1%, or 2%)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 small apple – thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup of sliced apples)

For the Topping

  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • teaspoon ground cinnamon
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Instructions 

  • Set your oven to 400°F.
  • Place butter in the skillet or baking dish and put it in the oven to melt while the oven preheats.
    Pro Tip: Use a 6.5-inch cast iron skillet or a 5×5-inch oven-safe baking dish for best results—larger pans may make the batter spread too thin, affecting its fluffiness. Place butter in the skillet or dish and put it in the oven to melt while the oven preheats.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, vanilla, and sugar.
  • Whisk in the flour, salt, and ground cinnamon until fully combined.
  • Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven using oven mitts. Swirl the skillet to coat the bottom with the melted butter.
  • Add sliced apples to the skillet, then pour batter over the apples. Tilt the skillet gently to spread the batter evenly.
  • Make the Topping: In a separate small bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon of sugar and ⅛ teaspoon of cinnamon for the topping. Sprinkle over the top of the batter.
  • Return the skillet to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the center puffs up and the edges turn golden. The pancake will deflate slightly as it cools. Serve directly from the skillet or transfer to a plate. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Smooth Batter: Use a whisk or blender to mix the batter until completely smooth for the best texture.
  • Preheat the Skillet: Heat the skillet in the oven before adding the batter to help the pancake puff up properly.
  • Use the Right Dish: Stick to a 6.5-inch cast iron skillet or a 5×5-inch baking dish. Larger dishes can make the pancake too thin.
  • Heat-Safe Bakeware: If you’re not using a cast iron skillet, make sure your baking dish can handle the 400°F oven temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 365kcal, Carbohydrates: 56g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 202mg, Sodium: 440mg, Potassium: 359mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 27g, Vitamin A: 650IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 118mg, Iron: 3mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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5 from 14 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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24 Comments

  1. Jenny says:

    This looks like a great recipe. I see that it can be doubled. If I do double it, to serve for 2 people, what size skillet or baking dish should I use?

    Thanks!

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      If doubling the recipe, I suggest using an 8 inch skillet.

  2. Susan says:

    Hubby & I tried the Apple Dutch Baby this morning; quick & easy, recipe was prepped & ready before the oven was even up to temp.
    But the best part… it fits into our Weight Watchers plan topped with a little low fat yogurt & sugar free syrup – delicious! This will be on our regular rotation.

  3. Stephanie says:

    Oh, so good!

  4. Sha says:

    I just made the Apple Dutch Baby. It was so easy and delicious!!!! I had some heavy cream so I made fresh whipped topping. Loved it!!!

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      Wonderful! I’m so happy you enjoyed it.