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This Apple Dutch Baby For One is a light, oven-puffed pancake with tender cinnamon-spiced apples. Made in a small skillet or baking dish, it’s crisp around the edges, soft in the center, and perfect for a single serving breakfast or dessert.
If you love Dutch Baby recipes, try these single serving variations: Peach Dutch Baby, Blueberry Dutch Baby, and savory Ham and Cheese Dutch Baby!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and steps make it easy to prepare.
- Quick: From prep to plate in about 20 minutes.
- Perfectly Portioned: Made for one, so there’s no waste.
- Easily Doubled: Want to share? Double the recipe and use a 9-inch skillet for an Apple Dutch Baby for two.
This single serving Apple Dutch Baby is a simple, delicious breakfast—perfect for apple season. The thin batter puffs up in the oven, creating a golden, airy pancake that settles into a light, crepe-like texture as it cools.
Ingredients
If you have leftover ingredients from this Apple Dutch Baby recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Butter: Greases the skillet for a golden, crisp edge. Use salted or unsalted.
- Egg: One large egg gives the Dutch Baby structure and moisture.
- Milk: Any type of cow’s milk works. Almond milk is a good dairy-free option.
- Vanilla Extract, Sugar, and Salt: Enhance the flavor of the batter.
- Ground Cinnamon: Used in both the batter and the cinnamon-sugar topping.
- Flour: All-purpose flour works best. For a gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Sliced Apple: One medium apple, such as Gala, Granny Smith, or Honeycrisp. Leftover apples? Use them in Apple Cake, Apple Crisp, and Apple Fritters.
- Optional Toppings: A dusting of powdered sugar or fried apples adds extra flavor.
Recipe Variations
- Mixed Berry Dutch Baby: Replace the apples with a mix of fresh or frozen berries like blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries for a fruit-filled version.
- Savory Herb and Cheese Dutch Baby: Omit the sugar and vanilla; instead, add fresh herbs and shredded cheese to the batter. Top with sautéed mushrooms or crispy bacon.
- Lemon Dutch Baby: Skip the fruit and top with fresh lemon juice and a dusting of sugar for a simple, bright flavor.
- Caramelized Banana Dutch Baby: Slice a banana and cook it in butter and brown sugar until golden and caramelized, then add it to the batter before baking for a rich, flavorful twist.
How To Make An Apple Dutch Baby
Follow these step-by-step instructions to make a single serve Apple Dutch Baby. See the recipe card below for exact measurements.
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 400°F. Place butter in a 6.5-inch cast iron skillet or a 5×5-inch baking dish and put it in the oven to melt while it preheats. Avoid larger pans, as they may cause the batter to spread too thin.
Note: If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, a 5×5-inch oven-safe baking dish works just as well. Its high sides help contain the batter as it puffs up, creating the same light, airy texture. While a skillet provides slightly crispier edges, a baking dish still delivers a soft, golden Dutch Baby with caramelized apples. Be sure to preheat the butter in the dish to prevent sticking and enhance flavor.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, vanilla, and sugar. For a smoother batter, use a blender.
- Add the Dry Ingredients: Whisk in the flour, salt, and cinnamon until fully combined.
- Prepare the Skillet and Add Apples: Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven using oven mitts. Swirl the melted butter to coat the bottom, then arrange the sliced apples evenly in the skillet.
- Pour in the Batter: Slowly pour the batter over the apples, tilting the skillet if needed to spread it evenly.
- Add the Topping: Mix the sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle it over the batter.
- Bake: Return the skillet to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center puffs up. The pancake will deflate slightly as it cools.
Serve warm straight from the skillet or transfer to a plate. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Smooth Batter: Whisk or blend the batter until smooth for the best texture.
- Preheat the Skillet: A hot skillet helps the pancake puff up properly.
- Use the Right Dish: A 6.5-inch cast iron skillet or a 5×5-inch baking dish works best. A larger dish will make the pancake too thin.
- Oven-Safe Bakeware: If using a baking dish instead of cast iron, make sure it’s safe for 400°F.
Topping Ideas
This small Apple Dutch Baby is delicious on its own, but toppings can take it to the next level:
- Fried Apples: Caramelized in butter and brown sugar for extra richness
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Perfect for a warm, dessert-style Dutch Baby.
- Caramel Sauce: Enhances the warm apple flavor.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes this a decadent dessert option.
- Whipped Cream: A light and airy topping for extra indulgence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a 5×5-inch oven-safe baking dish works well. Just preheat the butter in the dish as you would in a skillet.
The batter needs a hot skillet and a well-preheated oven (400°F) to rise properly. Make sure not to overmix the batter, as too much air can prevent it from puffing.
The edges should be golden brown, and the center should be puffed up. It will deflate slightly as it cools.
Yes! Double the ingredients and use a 9-inch skillet for an Apple Dutch Baby for Two.
More Single Serving Breakfast Recipes
If you love this small Apple Dutch Baby, try these other single serving breakfast recipes – perfect for a great start to your day with no 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!
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
- 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)
For the Topping
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 400°F. Place butter in a 6.5-inch cast iron skillet or 5×5-inch baking dish and put it in the oven to melt while it preheats.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, vanilla, and sugar.
- Add the Dry Ingredients: Whisk in the flour, salt, and cinnamon until fully combined.
- Prepare the Skillet and Add Apples: Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven using oven mitts. Swirl the melted butter to coat the bottom, then arrange the sliced apples evenly in the skillet.
- Pour in the Batter: Slowly pour the batter over the apples, tilting the skillet if needed to spread it evenly.
- Add the Topping: In a small bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon of sugar and ⅛ teaspoon of cinnamon, then sprinkle it over the batter.
- Bake: Return the skillet to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center puffs up. The pancake will deflate slightly as it cools.
Notes
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- Smooth Batter: Whisk or blend the batter until smooth for the best texture.
-
- Preheat the Skillet: A hot skillet helps the pancake puff up properly.
-
- Use the Right Dish: A 6.5-inch cast iron skillet or a 5×5-inch baking dish works best. A larger dish will make the pancake too thin.
-
- Oven-Safe Bakeware: If using a baking dish instead of cast iron, make sure it’s safe for 400°F.
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.