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If you’re craving a simple yet delicious breakfast, look no further than this Apple Dutch Baby For One recipe. This dish brings together the best of both worlds: the fluffiness of a pancake and the fruitiness of sautéed apples. Cooked in a small cast-iron skillet or baking dish, Dutch apple pancake is the perfect one-person serving of a classic favorite with a fruity twist.
If you love Dutch Baby recipes for one, you’ve got to try these single serving versions: Peach Dutch Baby For One, Blueberry Dutch Baby For One, and savory Ham and Cheese Dutch Baby For One!
Why You’ll Love This Dutch Baby Recipe
- Simple: This recipe takes the guesswork out of breakfast, with simple steps that anyone can follow.
- Quick: You’re only 20 minutes away from digging into this scrumptious dish.
- Single Serving: Perfect for those who want indulgence without the leftovers.
- Doubles Easily: Want to share the love? This recipe scales up effortlessly, ensuring everyone gets a bite. If doubling the recipe, I suggest using an 8-inch skillet.
What Is A Dutch Baby?
Looking for a breakfast dish that’s both simple and delicious? Our “Single Serving Apple Dutch Baby” is a must-try, especially during apple season. Starting with a thin batter similar to pancakes, this recipe transforms in a hot oven. The batter rises, creating a puffy texture, and once the edges are golden-brown, it’s ready to be enjoyed. After a few moments to cool, the puff deflates, leaving you with a dish that’s a perfect blend of a fluffy pancake and a delicate crepe.
Ingredients
Boost the flavor and texture of your single serving Dutch Apple Pancake with these key ingredients:
- Butter: Whether it’s salted or unsalted, you’ll need butter to grease your skillet.
- Egg: One large egg is essential for structure and moisture in the dish.
- Milk: Feel free to use any type of cow’s milk. Want a dairy-free option? Almond milk works beautifully too.
- Vanilla extract, sugar, and salt: These three ingredients work together to enhance the overall flavor profile of your Dutch Baby.
- Ground cinnamon: Double-duty ingredient alert! Use it in the batter and as part of a cinnamon-sugar topping for that extra oomph.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is your go-to for a batter that has just the right consistency. For a gluten-free option, choose a gluten-free measure for measure flour.
- Sliced apples: One medium apple will do the trick. Choose from popular varieties like Gala, Granny Smith, or Honey Crisp to suit your taste. If you’ve got leftover apples, consider using one in any of these single serving and small batch recipes: Apple Cake, Apple Crisp, and Apple Fritters.
- Optional toppings: Elevate your dish with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or some fried apples on top.
If you have any ingredients leftover from this Apple Dutch Baby recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
Recipe Variations
This Apple Dutch Baby is super customizable, so if you’ve got a specific craving, it’s easy to adjust. Go ahead and make the dish your own with these options:
- Pear and Cinnamon Dutch Baby: Use thinly sliced pears instead of apples and add an extra sprinkle of cinnamon before baking.
- Tropical Dutch Baby: Replace apples with thinly sliced bananas and a handful of shredded coconut for a tropical feel.
- Berry Dutch Baby: Swap out the apples for mixed berries like raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries. A berry-packed Dutch Baby makes for a colorful and equally delicious twist.
How To Make An Apple Dutch Baby
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a single serving Apple Dutch Baby. See the recipe below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Preheat the oven: To whip up the ideal single serving Apple Dutch Baby, first preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Next, grab either a 6.5-inch cast iron skillet or a 5×5-inch oven-safe baking dish. Using a larger pan may cause your batter to spread too thinly, affecting the pancake’s fluffiness. For optimal results, stick to these recommended dish sizes, which you can find on our Store page. Once your oven is heated, place some butter in your selected skillet or dish and set it inside the oven. This will allow the butter to melt, ensuring a non-stick surface for your tasty breakfast creation.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the egg, milk, vanilla, and sugar. Use a whisk to mix them well, or you can also use a blender for a smoother blend.
- Add the dry ingredients: Whisk in the flour, salt, and ground cinnamon.
- Prepare your skillet and add apples: Using oven mitts, carefully take the skillet out of the preheated oven. Swirl the skillet gently to ensure the melted butter evenly coats the entire bottom. Then, evenly distribute the sliced apples at the bottom of the skillet, setting the stage for your Apple Dutch Baby.
- Add the batter: Pour the batter on top of the apples. Tilt the skillet if needed so that the batter runs evenly to all sides.
- Add the topping: Mix together sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the top of the batter.
- Bake and enjoy your 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 brown. Once out of the oven, the pancake will be impressively puffy, but expect it to deflate as it cools. Feel free to enjoy it straight from the skillet with a spoon, or use a spatula to transfer it to a plate for serving.
Expert Tips
- Achieve a Smooth Batter: For a lump-free Dutch Baby, use either a hand whisk or an electric mixer to blend the batter until smooth.
- Preheat the Skillet: Always heat your skillet in the oven before pouring in the batter. This step is crucial for getting that signature puff in your pancake.
- Select the Right Dish: Stick to a 6.5-inch cast iron skillet or a 5×5-inch baking dish for optimal results. Using a larger dish will make your pancake flatter.
- High Heat Compatibility: The pancake bakes at 400 degrees F, so ensure that your chosen baking dish can withstand high temperatures if you’re not using a cast-iron skillet.
Serving Suggestions
This Dutch Apple Pancake is pretty delightful on its own, but adding some extra toppings can really make it a showstopper. Let’s make your breakfast unforgettable with some of these ideas:
- Greek Yogurt and Honey: A spoonful of Greek yogurt provides a tangy contrast, and a drizzle of honey offers natural sweetness.
- Granola and Fresh Berries: Crunchy granola adds texture, while fresh strawberries or blueberries give an extra burst of fruity goodness.
- Powdered Sugar and Lemon Zest: For a classic take, a light dusting of powdered sugar along with freshly grated lemon zest can elevate the dish.
- Fried Apples: Take it up a notch by cooking sliced apples in butter and brown sugar until they turn golden and tender. This topping complements the already apple-rich dish perfectly. As shown in the picture below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nope! While a 6-inch cast-iron skillet is often my go-to, an oven-safe 5-inch dish also works perfectly for this single serving recipe.
It’s up to you! The peel adds extra fiber but can be removed for a smoother texture.
Yes, simply replace the milk with a non-dairy alternative and use plant-based butter.
It’s completely normal for a Dutch Baby to deflate after coming out of the oven. The puffiness is a delightful, yet temporary, feature that happens as it cools down.
Yes, they are essentially the same dish. Whether you call it a Dutch Baby, German Pancake, or Puffed Pancake, you’re talking about the same delicious, fluffy creation.
Explore More Single Serving Breakfast Recipes
If you’re a fan of this Apple Dutch Baby recipe, you’ll definitely want to explore these other single serving breakfast recipes, perfect for kick-starting your morning without any waste.
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 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!
Apple Dutch Baby For One
Equipment
- 5-inch baking dish or a 6.5-inch cast iron mini skillet
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
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 small apple , thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup of sliced apples)
Topping
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Put butter in a 6.5" cast-iron skillet or small oven safe baking dish and place in the oven.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, milk, vanilla, and sugar. Add flour, salt, and cinnamon and whisk vigorously to remove lumps. Set aside.
- Using oven mitts, carefully remove skillet from oven. Swirl butter around in skillet to coat completely.
- Add sliced apples to the skillet, then pour batter over the apples.
- 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.
- Place the skillet back into the oven and bake until the pancake is puffed in the center and golden brown along the edges, about 20-25 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and use a spatula to transfer the Dutch baby from the skillet to a plate or cooling rack to cool 10 minutes.
- Enjoy warm.
Notes
- Achieve a Smooth Batter: For a lump-free Dutch Baby, use either a hand whisk or an electric mixer to blend the batter until smooth.
- Preheat the Skillet: Always heat your skillet in the oven before pouring in the batter. This step is crucial for getting that signature puff in your pancake.
- Select the Right Dish: Stick to a 6.5-inch cast iron skillet or a 5×5-inch baking dish for optimal results. Using a larger dish will make your pancake flatter. Suitable dish options can be found on our Store Page.
- High Heat Compatibility: The pancake bakes at 400 degrees F, so ensure that your chosen baking dish can withstand high temperatures if you’re not using a cast-iron skillet.
Nutrition
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.
Just a perfect, simple easy recipe that tastes so gourmet. It was delicious with so little sugar added. Had it with an afternoon tea. *Chef’s kiss*
I’m so glad you enjoyed it – thank you!
I make this a little differently. I add the sugar and cinnamon to the melted butter before adding the apples, no sugar in the pancake batter. The apples taste like baked apples this way and the batter gets it’s sweetness from the sugar on the apples.
I made this twice in a cast iron pan.It was yummy tasting but stuck to my pan both times and was a mess.Any suggestions?
Did you preheat the skillet in the oven? This step is necessary to ensure the “pancake” does not stick. Is your cast iron well seasoned? If it is, the pancake should release easily.
This recipe is scrumptious!! Mine didn’t puff up as much but I think that was user error. I’m definitely making this again. It is a perfect breakfast for a lazy Sunday morning.
Can I bake this in my air fryer rather than heating up my big oven for my small cast iron fry pan?
This recipe has not been tested in an air fryer but an air fryer is just a small convection oven so anything that can be made in a regular oven can be made in an air fryer. You’ll just need to reduce the cooking time as convection ovens cook faster due to how they circulate heat using a fan. I also have not used cast iron in an air fryer. I would refer back to the manufacturer to make sure a cast iron skillet can be used in one.
Yes you can use a cast iron skillet in an air fryer. I do so all the time.
I use your recipes as cooking for 2. Your website is fantastic!
Thank you!
Just made this all for myself and it is Delicious! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Woke up to snow this morning. This was the perfect way to warm up the kitchen and have a fabulous breakfast! So delicious.
Cinnamon is listed twice in the ingredient list, but only mentioned once in the instructions. Are you meant to put cinnamon in the batter as well as the topping?
Yes. Cinnamon is added to the batter and cinnamon-sugar is sprinkled on top before baking.
Have made this twice so far and it’s so easy to make. Gets a five stars from me! 🙂
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you so much for your feedback!
I can’t believe I forgot to post I tried this and delicious. Easy too. It came out perfect.