Grilled Pennsylvania Apple Barrel Pancakes

Introduction

These Grilled Pennsylvania Apple Barrel Pancakes are a breakfast favorite with a smoky twist, perfect for brunch or weekend gatherings. Thick, fluffy cinnamon pancakes are filled with sweet, grilled Pennsylvania apples. Every bite delivers a comforting, caramelized flavor thanks to the Arteflame grill—capturing all the juicy sweetness without ever burning the fruit. From the perfectly even heat of the solid steel cooktop to the sizzle of buttery apples, this recipe becomes a morning masterpiece.

Ingredients

• 2 large Pennsylvania apples, cored and sliced thin
• 2 tablespoons butter (for grilling apples)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Extra butter for greasing the cooktop
• Maple syrup (for serving)

Instructions

Step 1: Fire Up the Arteflame Grill

1. Pour a bit of vegetable oil over three paper napkins and place them in the center fire bowl of your Arteflame grill.
2. Stack firewood on top of the napkins, then light the napkins.
3. Wait about 20 minutes until the grill is hot and the flat cooktop is evenly heated.

Step 2: Grill the Apples

1. Place apple slices on the hotter section of the flat cooktop griddle, close to the center.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of butter near the apples and let it melt into them.
3. Grill for 5–7 minutes, flipping occasionally until apples are golden brown and tender.

Step 3: Prepare Pancake Batter

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
2. In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
3. Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients until combined. Do not over-mix—some lumps are fine.

Step 4: Cook the Pancakes

1. Grease an area of the cooktop with a little butter.
2. Pour about 1/2 cup of batter onto the griddle for each pancake.
3. As the pancakes start to bubble, place grilled apple slices on top of the batter.
4. Flip when bottoms are golden brown and cook another 2–3 minutes until done.

Step 5: Serve

1. Stack pancakes high, drizzle with maple syrup, and serve while hot.

Tips

• Grill the apples until they have a light caramelization for best flavor.
• Butter adds richness and crispy pancake edges—use it generously on the griddle.
• Place pancakes closer to the outer edge to cook them slower without burning.
• Preheat the griddle thoroughly—it prevents your batter from sticking.
• Don’t flip the pancakes too early—wait until you see bubbles forming.

Variations

1. Maple Pecan Apple Pancakes: Add chopped candied pecans to the pancake batter and drizzle with maple syrup and grilled apples.
2. Caramel Apple Pancakes: Grill the apples with brown sugar and a dash of sea salt to create a caramelized layer on the fruit.
3. Apple Bacon Pancakes: Add crispy rotisserie bacon pieces into the batter and grill with apples for sweet and salty layers.
4. Spiced Pear Pancakes: Substitute Pennsylvania apples with grilled D’Anjou pears and add nutmeg alongside cinnamon.
5. Apple Banana Pancakes: Mix in sliced grilled bananas with the apples for a softer, sweeter pancake profile.

Conclusion

Grilled Pennsylvania Apple Barrel Pancakes deliver everything you love about comfort food but with the added flavor depth only a live-fire grill can provide. Using the Arteflame allows you to caramelize, griddle, and stack everything on one surface, making the experience smooth, flavorful, and memorable. Once you taste the smokiness of grilled apples in your pancakes, you’ll never look back.

Best Pairings

• Freshly brewed Pennsylvania Dutch-style coffee with cinnamon
• Maple-glazed bacon grilled on the flat top
• Grilled breakfast sausage links
• Fresh-squeezed orange juice or apple cider
• Side of grilled breakfast potatoes with rosemary