Breakfast is an important tradition at the Z house, and this delicious pancake graces our table often. I know you’ll love it just as much as we do!
Table of Contents:
Benefits of Apples
Apples are God’s candy! If you’re as obsessed with apples as we are, go to the apple orchard. They’re great places to purchase apples in bulk while having a fun experience. Plus, the owners are usually transparent about their growing processes. Win-win!
We all know the old saying, “An apple a day keeps the Doctor away!”. That may not be entirely true, but apples do have many nutritional benefits. Here are just a few of them.
May Help You Achieve Weight-Loss Goals
Apples have a high fiber content, which can help deter the urge to overeat. This fiber becomes a thick substance in your stomach that takes longer to digest. (1) A prolonged digestion process means your hunger signals are put on hold.
Fiber can also be great for your gut health. Many health problems stem from an imbalance of unhealthy gut bacteria, and fiber can help even the score! (2)
Fights Cancer
Research is limited, but what we know looks promising; apples may be a potent cancer fighter! Researchers believe this fruit’s anti-cancer properties come from antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Studies show consuming at least one apple a day may be enough to reduce your risk for certain types of cancer. (3)
Promotes Mental Clarity
Free radicals cause oxidative stress, which, in turn, can cause accelerated cognitive decline. (4) Apple juice can fight against oxidative stress, keeping your brain at peak performance!
Mental clarity is such a blessing. It boosts your mood, makes you more productive, and allows you to live out your purpose uninhibited.
Pancake Ingredients 101
The best part about this recipe is that it doesn’t use hard-to-find ingredients. If you’ve started implementing Mama Z’s Recipe Makeover Guide, you probably have most of these components in your kitchen!
Eggs: Eggs are a great source of protein. They can increase your amount of “good” cholesterol, which leads to a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. (5) Eating a protein-filled breakfast starts your day off on the right foot!
When purchasing eggs, look for organic, cage-free varieties. If you live in a rural area, you may be able to create relationships with farmers who sell farm-fresh eggs!
Gluten-Free Flour: To make this breakfast allergy-friendly, we use gluten-free flour. The secret to creating light, fluffy baked goods is to use high-quality flour. I recommend using a cup-for-cup blend.
Some gluten-free flours require you to add additional ingredients like xanthan gum, so be sure to read the label!
Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk: Almond milk makes this dish creamy without dairy! I love using vanilla-flavored beverages in my baked goods because it eliminates the need for extracts.
When searching for non-dairy milk, be sure to grab unsweetened varieties. You wouldn’t believe the amount of sugar they hide in these staples!
Pumpkin Pie Spice: This warm spice blend is one of our favorites. It pairs well with apples and creates a cozy flavor! For our non-American friends, pumpkin pie spice is a blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.
You can usually find it at most stores or make your own using our easy DIY recipe.
Stevia: To keep this recipe sugar-free, we use powdered stevia. You can sweeten an entire dish with ¼ of a teaspoon! When using stevia, a little goes a long way!
One bag of stevia lasts a long time! It’s one of the most budget-friendly natural sweeteners on the market. I grow my own stevia, so I always have an abundance.
Butter: This pancake recipe is unique in that you pour the butter into the baking dish before adding the ingredients. This tweak creates a crispy, decadent pancake.
When purchasing butter, grab organic, grass-fed variations when possible. You can use a mix of butter and coconut oil if you prefer, or, if you want a dairy-free breakfast, just coconut oil.
Apple: For this recipe, you’ll need one medium apple, peeled, cored, and sliced thinly. I love using Granny Smith apples for a hint of tartness!
You can get creative with this ingredient and use your favorite variety.
Nuts: Nuts are a fantastic garnish if you have them on hand! They add a little bit of texture and give your body a boost of omega-3s. I recommend using almonds or pecans for the best results.
Sea Salt: Traditional table salt undergoes a rigorous harvesting process that strips it of trace minerals. We recommend using Colima sea salt. It’s hand-harvested, which leaves the good stuff intact!
Plus, it tastes incredible and gives any recipe a gourmet flair. If you don’t have sea salt, you can also use pink Himalayan salt.
Make Healthy Baked Apple Pancakes
This recipe comes together quickly with the help of a blender. Breakfast in under an hour? Count me in!
- ½ teaspoon powdered stevia
- ½ cup all-purpose gluten-free flour*
- ½ cup unsweetened vanilla-flavored almond milk
- 2 pasture-raised organic eggs
- Freshly ground pink Himalayan salt or sea salt, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon organic pumpkin pie spice, plus more to taste
- 1 tablespoon grass-fed butter or raw organic coconut oil
- 1 medium organic apple, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 2 tablespoons raw almonds or raw pecans (optional)
- Blender or food processor
- 9-inch baking dish
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a blender or food processor, blend the flour, stevia, almond milk, eggs, salt, and ¼ teaspoon of the pumpkin pie spice.
- Melt the butter in a 9-inch baking dish.
- Spread the butter to coat the entire dish.
- Place the apples on the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle the nuts (if using), and the remaining pumpkin pie spice on top.
- Pour the batter over the apples, and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Take it out of the oven and immediately flip upside down on a large plate to cool.
For crispy apples, put the batter in first, then layer the apples on top.
Step One: Blend the Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the gluten-free flour, almond milk, eggs, salt, and ¼ teaspoon of the pumpkin pie spice in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
Step Two: Add Apples
Place the butter in a 9-inch baking dish. Put in the oven for 2-3 minutes, or until the butter melts. Take out of the oven, and spread to coat the entire dish.
Arrange the sliced apples on the bottom of the baking dish and sprinkle stevia, nuts (if using), and pumpkin pie spice on top.
If you prefer crispier apples, pour the batter into the pan first, then arrange the apples on top.
Mama Z Pro Tip: To make quick work of paring apples, invest in an apple peeler corer. This inexpensive tool saves so much time! You can make a pie, crisp, or apple pancake ten times faster.
Step Four: Bake the Healthy Baked Apple Pancakes
Pour the batter over the apples and bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Take out of the oven and immediately flip the pancake upside down on a large plate to cool. Enjoy!
This delicious pancake proves that healthy food can taste just as good (if not better!) than unhealthy food. Delicious recipes are just a tiny part of your health journey, though. Abundant living encompasses all aspects of your life; emotional, mental, spiritual, financial, and physical.
If you have a lot of changes to make, it can be hard to know where to begin! In Dr. Z and Mama Z’s Toxic-Free Healthy Home Makeover, we give you our best tips for transforming your pantry, bathroom, kitchen, and garden.
This free screening can change your life!
