Apple Dutch Baby Recipe (2024)

Dutch Babies are pancakes that are baked in the oven in a cast-iron skillet. They puff up like a popover then deflate like a soufflé. Top them with your favorite fruit or jam, or make an Apple Dutch Baby with apple pie filling or a simple apple compote.

If you've never had a Dutch Baby you're in for a treat! My friend, Kelly, has been telling me about these puffed pancakes for years! I've never been a huge fan of pancakes which is probably why I didn't try them sooner.

Come to find out, a Dutch Baby is more like a family-sized waffle than a pancake. At least that's what I think! It's crispy on the outside with a tender custardy center. Now waffles, I LOVE!

Dutch Babies are known by many names including Yorkshire pudding, turnovers, and German pancakes. However, they should not be confused with actual German pancakes, which are called Pfannkuchen.

Even though they are easy to make, they look quite impressive. Serve them on Christmas morning, for Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, or Easter. However, since they're so quick and easy to prepare, you really don't need a special occasion to make them.

Dutch Babies are easy to dress up too! Top them with fresh berries, preserves, lemon curd, or wild huckleberry jam. So, what do you say I show you how to make one?

🧐 Why This Recipe Works

• Dutch Babies are easy to prepare and a show-stopper at the same time!
• One apple Dutch Baby makes 6 to 8 servings depending on the size of the slices.
• Since the apple filling is not baked into the Dutch Baby, you can make variations of the recipe simply by using different toppings to suit everyone's taste.

🛒 What You Need For This Recipe

🔖 Recipe Ingredients And Substitutions

• Eggs: You'll need 2 large room-temperature eggs.
• Milk: Since we're aiming for a rich, custard-like filling, you'll want to use room-temperature whole milk.
• Flour: Use all-purpose flour.
• Butter: You'll need unsalted butter to fry the Dutch Baby and some more for the apple compote (¼ cup in total).
• Vanilla: Both the batter and the compote require vanilla extract.
• Lemon: Lemon zest from one lemon is divided for use in the batter and the apple compote.
• Apples: Any apples will work for the compote. Honeycrisp, granny smith, and my personal favorite, pink ladies are especially recommended.
• Brown sugar: If you don't have brown sugar you can substitute white sugar.
• Spices: I chose cinnamon, ginger, and freshly ground nutmeg. A pinch of cloves and some cardamom would also be good!

• 10" cast iron skillet
• Blender (optional)

🥞 How To Make An Apple Dutch Baby

Preheat oven to 400F

Step 1: Whisk eggs, milk, and vanilla in a medium-sized bowl.

Step 2: In another bowl, whisk all-purpose flour, brown sugar, salt, and half of the lemon zest. Pour wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and blend until completely smooth.

Pro Tip: You'll want to incorporate some air into the batter. If you prefer, you can mix the ingredients in a mixer or a blender. The extra aeration created while blending will help them rise even more.

Step 3: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a 10" cast iron skillet. Pour batter into the hot skillet over melted butter. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the Dutch Baby is puffed up and golden brown.

Pro Tips: Many recipes call for heating the pan in the oven first, then adding the butter and the batter to the hot, sizzling pan. I went against the grain and as you can see in the photo above, my Dutch Baby rose just fine!

Prepare Apple Compote

While the Dutch Baby is in the oven, prepare the apple compote.

Step 1: Core and slice apples then add the sliced apples to a small saucepan or skillet along with 2 tablespoons butter. Cook over medium heat until the butter is melted. Add brown sugar, milk, vanilla, lemon zest, and spices. Mix to coat the apples then simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.

Pro Tip: Another option is to make a batch of my cardamom apple pie preserves and use one 8-ounce jar for each Dutch Baby.

How to Serve the Apple Dutch Baby Pancake

Remove the Dutch Baby from the oven and top with apple compote or apple pie filling. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and drizzle with honey or syrup (if desired). Slice and serve!

If you have an extra apple or two, try this delicious and super easy to make microwave apple crisp!

🤷🏻‍♀️ FAQs

What to do with Dutch Baby leftovers?

You can use leftovers to make a small batch of bread pudding. Just tear the leftovers into smaller pieces (I had ½ a pan left) and add them to a small buttered casserole dish. If you have compote, mix it in. Whisk 2 eggs, 1 cup milk, and ¼ cup sugar and pour into the dish. Bake until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.

👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips

• Another way to serve the apple Dutch Baby is topped with whipped cream and drizzled with salted caramel sauce.
• Adding fruit or filling to the batter before baking is not recommended as it can keep the batter from rising as it bakes.
• You can even serve a Dutch Baby for dessert. Top it with whipped cream or French vanilla ice cream.

📖 Recipe