Apple Oatmeal Pancakes & News!!!
Fluffy apple pancakes that you can make in your blender! These healthy apple cinnamon pancakes are gluten free, too (no flour required, just oats!).
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on August 30, 2024
I have never enjoyed keeping secrets, even the good kind. I just might burst from anticipation so here it goes: I’m making a cookbook! It has been in the works for ages, and by ages I mean years, which is a long time in the blog world.
My cookbook is called Love Real Food, as in Cookie and Kate Love Real Food. It’s a title that makes a statement, one that I hope will appeal to you, my most wonderful readers, and a broader audience that hasn’t yet stumbled on this blog or this way of cooking. It’s a statement that conveys my bursting-at-the-seams enthusiasm for real, wholesome food, the kind that both delights the senses and nourishes the body. I hope you like it!
Love Real Food will be an extension of what you have come to expect on this blog, plus some fun special features. It will include 100 recipes that are all vegetarian, fresh and full of flavor. I’m being very careful to use accessible ingredients and have been testing the recipes over and over again to make sure they’re perfect.
I’ve finalized about a quarter of the recipes so far and I CAN’T WAIT to share them with you all. The blueberry muffins alone! They took me nine tries to get just right but they were worth it. The book won’t be complete without a few favorite recipes from the blog (even those will be reworked and tweaked), but the vast majority will be brand new. My stomach is so full right now, you guys.
I’m busy in the best of ways, stretched to maximum capacity with both the blog and the book. Maintaining my presence here and my recipe quality is very important to me, so I’m just moving a little slower than usual. Please keep visiting and letting me know how the recipes turn out for you and sharing my blog with your friends and family! I can’t tell you how much that means to me.
In all sincerity, this blog would never have turned into a recipe website or now, a cookbook, if it weren’t for your presence and your kind words. I took an awfully long time to gather the courage to write this cookbook proposal (my second proposal, long story). Every time you asked me when I was going to publish a cookbook, you gave me a welcome push in the right direction. Thank you. I can’t wait to show you what I’ve been working on!
The book will be coming to you in spring 2017, which might seem like a long time from now. It’ll be here before we know it! I’ve grown accustomed to doing everything myself on this blog, so learning to lean on others in order to make a book has been an adjustment. Big thank you to my awesome agent, Steve Troha, for believing in me and helping me land a deal with Rodale. Rodale has been promoting healthy lifestyles since 1942 (they’re the publisher behind Yummy Supper, Thug Kitchen and The Year of Cozy), and they seem like the perfect fit.
My editor, Dervla Kelly, has been reading this blog for four years, which is pretty special. I’m really excited to be working with her. We’re going to make sure Love Real Food is beautifully designed and full of big, colorful photographs of the recipes (and of Cookie, of course).
I’m so glad the secret’s out now so I can start sharing the creation of Love Real Food with you. Be sure to follow us on Instagram (I’ll be using #loverealfoodbook) and Snapchat (we’re @cookieandkate) for updates! I’ll be putting out a call for recipe testers, too, if you’d like to get involved!
Oh and these pancakes! I thought we could celebrate with pancakes. They’re light, fluffy and infused with apple flavor times two (applesauce and grated apple). They’re also 100 percent whole grain, gluten free and, I kid you not, you can make them in your blender. Just throw everything but the grated apple in there and you’ll have pancakes in no time flat!
Apple Oatmeal Pancakes
Fluffy apple pancakes that you can make in your blender! These healthy pancakes are gluten free, too (no flour required, just oats!). Recipe yields 6 medium pancakes about 4 inches in diameter.
FAIR WARNING: For reasons that I have not been able to deduce, these pancakes haven’t turned out well for everyone like they did for me (I’ve made them six times and they always turned out well!). Oat flour is always a little finicky but I don’t know why these pancakes have been particularly problematic. These pancakes are the reason why my cookbook’s pancakes aren’t oat flour based.
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple sauce
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats (gluten free if necessary)
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil or butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup grated tart apple (1 large honeycrisp apple was more than plenty for me)
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients except for the grated apple in your blender. Blend until the batter is completely smooth (as in, you shouldn’t see any remaining bits of oats or hear oats hitting the blades), pausing to scrape down the sides as necessary. Stir in the grated apple but do NOT blend again.
- Heat a heavy cast iron skillet/non-stick pan over medium-low heat, or heat an electric griddle to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly oil the surface of your pan with coconut oil, butter or cooking spray. If you’re using a non-stick electric griddle like mine, you might not need any oil at all.
- Once the surface of the pan is hot enough that a drop of water sizzles on it, pour about ⅓ cup of batter onto the pan. This batter is thick, but your pancakes won’t cook through if they’re thicker than ½-inch, so you might need to help spread the batter out with a spatula. Let the pancake cook for about 3 minutes, until bubbles are popping up and the edges are more matte than shiny. (Be patient, these pancakes need to cook a little lower and slower than most.)
- Once the underside is lightly golden, flip it with a spatula and cook for another 90 seconds or so, until golden brown on both sides. You may need to adjust the heat up or down at this point to avoid burning the outsides before the insides are cooked. Repeat with remaining pancakes.
- Serve the pancakes immediately or keep warm in a 200 degree Fahrenheit oven.
Notes
Recipe adapted from my gluten-free peach pancakes and vegan pancakes, with reference to Kelly’s banana blender pancakes and Deb’s apple pancakes.
Applesauce substitutions: If you can’t find applesauce, use plain yogurt instead (I know this works with regular plain yogurt, but suspect that Greek yogurt will be too thick). For the yogurt version, increase the amount of maple syrup or honey to at least 1 tablespoon. Milk will not work.
Storage suggestions: These will keep well, covered and refrigerated, for several days. I bet they will freeze well, too!
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. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
That is so awesome. Guess what everyone I know is getting for the holidays in 2017?!?!
Woohooo! Thank you, Anne! I appreciate you. :)
So excited for your cookbook. I have been a fan of yours for years and I knew it would happen! Congrats to you!
Thank you, Karen!!!
Oh my goodness, I am SO EXCITED about your cookbook!! I make recipes from your blog more than anywhere else, and I love them all. I will be buying this the day it’s available! Congratulations!!
Yay!!! Thank you so much, Allison! I appreciate it. :)
Congrats! So happy for you!
Thank you, Erika! :)
Congratulations, Kate! Your blog is absolutely one of my favorites, and your recipes never disappoint. I’ve been hoping for a cookbook from you for ages!
Thank you, Kim! Really happy to hear that! :)
Congrats Kate! I will order that cookbook when it comes out!
Hooray, thanks Sylvia!
Congrats!!!! Such exciting news!
Thanks, Rachel!
Kate (and Cookie),
A book is fabulous!! I was waiting for it! Come to Seattle’s Book Larder to promote your book.
Grace
Thank you, Grace! I’ll try!
So happy for you! And I have all the ingredients for the apple pancakes except mine might turn into pear pancakes :)
Thank you, Kathy! I think pear pancakes would be awesome!
this is the best news ever! i’m a loyal follower and couldn’t be more excited about your cookbook. way to be brave!
Thank you so much, Kate! :)
I have been dreaming of the day you would announce you were writing a cookbook. By far my favourite food blog out there. Congratulations!
Yay! Happy to hear that. Thank you, Alexis!
Congrats on your upcoming cookbook! I always look forward to your recipes so I’ll definitely be getting it when it comes out!
Thank you, Jessie!
Apple cinnamon oatmeal is my favourite I almost have it everyday with blueberries,Im guessing Ill love the pancake version even more! I gotta try this asap
Absolutely thrilled for you Kathryne!! xoxoxo
Thank you, Kasey! xo!
Amazing news!
I cannot wait to hold the final book in my hands!
And the pancakes look great! I always make mine with bananas, but I definitely have to try this variant, too! :)
Thank you, Mara! Hope you get a chance to try these apple pancakes soon!
That’s awesome!!! Congratulations, Kate!!! Well deserved!! Can’t wait to buy my copy!! Have a blast making it!!
Thank you, Deborah!
YEAY!!!!! Congrats girl!!! You know I’ve been following you for years and love your recipes!! So excited to be able to own your cookbook! Good luck with the process!!!
Thank you, Autumn! You’re the best!!!
OMGsh! How exciting! Congrats!
Thanks, Madeline! :)
Congrats! So exciting and well deserved! I have been cooking from your blog and many others for the past couple of years. You are BY FAR the most consistently delicious and accessible. You are my go-to for meal planning for my family and I tell just about everyone I know that wants to cook something yummy and healthy to check you out. I wish you much success and of course look forward to buying your book!
Thank you so much, Tara! That’s wonderful to hear. Thank you for sharing my blog with your friends!!!
Soooo excited about this cookbook!! And about this recipe too!!!
Thank you, Haley!
Amazing news! Can’t wait to add this to my cookbook collection. And to make these pancakes!
Thank you, Catherine! Please let me know how the pancakes turn out for you!
Yay yay yay! Congrats, lady! oxoxoxoxox
Also, DEM PANCAKES
Thanks, pal!!!
Congrats on your book! What an exciting time and I know it will be absolutely gorgeous, just like the blog! :)
Thanks, Laura! xo
Congratulations, Kate! This blog is one of my favorites. I know your cookbook will be brilliant and I can’t way to buy it.
Thank you, Susan!
Congratulations Kate!!! I only stumbled across this blog three days ago and I’ve already made three meals…I’ve LOVED each one!!! I can’t wait to get my hands on your cookbook. In the meantime, I’ll happily continue making my way through this blog!!!
Hi Melissa! So glad to hear you found my blog! Thank you. :)
Congrats again!!!
Thank you, Cecilia!
For some reason, it does not let me add the 5 stars:(((
I will absolutely be buying your cookbook! I’m excited! Congratulations! I just wish I didn’t have to wait so long :)
(Me again.) Thank you so much!
these pancakes are genius! but more importantly, congratulations on your book! SO excited! Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy because I am positive it’ll be beautiful and full of the best things!!
Thank you so much, Gaby! xo!
Clearly I am late to the congratulatory game here but also I am in good company of sooooo many people who are so looking forward to your what I’m sure will be creative and beautiful contribution to the cookbook world. (Ugh run on sentence of a lifetime hahaha) anyway, congrats and I can’t wait to be on the sidelines and see the sneak peeks along the way!
Thank you so much, Stefanie! Best run-on sentence ever, if you ask me. :D
Adding to the hoorays, Kate; YaY YOU!! So looking forward to this… and these pancakes are fabulous, my dear. Love the Fall flavors and coconut oil! :D
Thank you so much, Traci!
OH MY GOSH – this is so exciting!!! Congratulations!! Can’t wait to have your cookbook in my kitchen! :)
Completely agree with Laura!! I was hoping that a cookbook was your exciting news!
Thank you, Laura!!!
Congratulations! I hope that you will include in your cookbook the recipe for chipotle-and-butternut-squash chili. That recipe seems so simple and feels so effortless yet truly is the most popular dish ever to simmer on my stove. Everyone loves it.
Given the dependability of your chili recipe, I had high hopes for these pancakes, but they were yucky. Even though I followed the instructions perfectly, the texture was too soft and the flavor was eggy. I’ll try again, with some tweaks, next weekend.
Christine, I’m so bummed to hear that. I’m not sure why the pancakes tasted eggy with just one egg. This recipe is consistent with several of my other pancake recipes and I haven’t gotten complaints about those tasting eggy. :( I hope your next batch turns out perfectly, please let me know!
Thank you, Christine! That one is on my cookbook list, yes! So glad you love it.
Congrats! If you are looking for a unique group of recipe testers, I teach healthy cooking classes for homeless and food insecure teenagers and we would love to help. The kids love testing new treats!
Thanks, Deborah! I love that idea! I’ll be in touch. :)
A. These pancakes look incredible. I will be making these.
B. I make lots of your recipes so I’m totally jazzed about the cookbook!!! YAYYYY!
Thanks, Chelsa! Please let me know how they turn out for you!
So excited for you! And us!! I’m looking forward to this for sure!! Congrats!
And I can’t wait to try this recipe. Whenever I don’t know what to make for dinner I always opt for breakfast. This is right up my alley tonight. :P
Thank you, Kerry! I hope they turned out great for you.
Miss. Kate, I am so happy to hear about your cookbook!! I was hoping that was your news. I read your blog daily as in my home I have 4 kids, one with an allergy to strawberries and mangos, the next allergic to shellfish, and twins who are too young but I am sure they will have allergies too. I also have my husband who is allergic to peanut butter and dairy and my 80 year old diabetic father. Needless to say, I rely on your website heavily and have been for the last two years. You bet I will be ordering your book!!!!! 2017 cannot come soon enough!!!! Congratulations!!!
Kathleen, thank you! Delighted to hear that you find my recipes helpful. Yay!
Congrats Kate! I’m sure your cookbook will be wonderful! I can’t wait for it to come out!
I only recently stumbled upon your site, but so excited to hear about your cookbook! Congrats. Your recipies are fabulous and always turn out wonderful!
Thank you, Jody!
Congrats on your cookbook!
I tried to make these pancakes this morning and unfortunately they were a total disaster! I followed the recipe exactly but the batter was so thick and didn’t stay together in the pan when I tried to flip them. I ended up making them into muffins instead. Not sure what I did wrong!
Heather, I’m so bummed to hear that! I made these pancakes three times (third time shown here) and never had that problem. I’m sorry! I wish I knew what went wrong. Glad you thought to turn them into muffins instead. :(
YESSS!!!! So cool that you are/were actually working on a book! Awesome stuff, have fun and all the best with everything around writing and publishing your gem :D
Thank you so much, Hauke! Hope you’re well!
I’m so excited for you! I’ve been reading your blog for years and can’t wait to now buy the cookbook.
Thank you so much, Nicole!
Congrats on the cookbook Kate!!! and I can’t wait to buy it!!!
I learned to cook around this blog over this past year and it has changed the way I eat. Thanks for the great recipes.
Also really good to see some fall Apple recipes!
That’s amazing, John. Thank you! :)
So thrilled to hear about the cookbook! Please ask your publishers to make sure they are sold in India as well. I am so inspired by the food you make.
I did have one question though. Is there a good substitute for apple sauce? Cannot wait to try these pancakes because it is a brilliant way to use the tarty apples from the tree in our backyard!
I’ll ask!!! So glad to hear you’re enjoying my recipes on the other side of the world. :) Plain yogurt (not Greek yogurt) works great in place of the applesauce, but you’ll need to reduce the salt to 1/4 teaspoon and up the honey to 1 full tablespoon. I tried milk, too, but that didn’t work.
Or, if you have a favorite plain pancake recipe, you could just add some cinnamon and grated apples to it. That should work! :)
Hey. What can I replace the applesauce with?? It’s not an easy ingredient to find in my country as it is always imported and sold out as soon as it hits the shelves.
Am I right to assume that you used 1tsp honey because of the sweetness of the applesauce?
Hi Ciku, I just played around with the recipe. Plain yogurt (not Greek yogurt) works great, but you’ll need to reduce the salt to 1/4 teaspoon and up the honey to 1 full tablespoon. I tried milk, too, but that didn’t work.
So excited for you! And while I have pretty much stopped buying new cookbooks, I daresay yours will be one that I will want. I love, love, love your recipes. My boyfriend tends to be a meaty, meaty eater of a guy, but seems to want to be eating more vegetarian things now. Your recipes help a lot because there are delicious! Thank you!
Thank you, Bettiegee! So glad to hear it!
My 3 year old and I made these pancakes last week and I’ve been meaning to write a comment since then. They were so good we immediately made a second batch and ate every.single.one. By ourselves. No shame. I think they are my favorite pancakes so far, and I’ve loved each of your pancake recipes. Maybe it’s because it’s fall and apples just taste particularly good right now. Or maybe it was shredding the apple that boosted the flavor…I don’t know but they’re amazing. I’m making them again this Saturday for a brunch for friends.
Also, congratulations on the cookbook! Can’t wait to buy a copy.
Hooray! Thank you so much, Lisa. I’ve heard from others who have had trouble with this recipe, so I’m extra glad it turned out well for you!
I wonder if the type of applesauce matters? I used an apple-apricot applesauce by santa cruz, which is on the thinner side, and they turned out perfectly. Perhaps a thicker, chunkier applesauce would cause these pancakes to be too think when combines with the oat flour?
That’s entirely possible. I used Trader Joe’s organic applesauce myself.
YEAH YEAH YEAH KATE!!!! xx
Thanks, Sherrie! :)
Wow congratulations Kate! I vowed I wouldn’t buy any more cookbooks but I have to buy yours because I cook from your blog so often and end up getting maple syrup/egg/flour on my phone! I would love to be a recipe tester as well. I can provide a vegetarian’s perspective with a carnivorous husband who is a huge fan of your recipes! All the best to you and kisses to Cookie.
Thank you so much, Deepthi! I just put your name on my recipe tester list. :)
This is so exciting; I have yet another recipe book to place of the “to buy” list plus a great pancake recipe for breakfast tomorrow morning. Fantastic news!
Hooray, thanks James!