Apple Pie Pancake Rings

There’s something about cinnamon and apples that instantly makes a kitchen feel cozy, even in the middle of summer.

These Apple Pie Pancake Rings take everything families love about pancakes and turn it into a fun, fruit-forward breakfast made for busy mornings, slow weekends and post-camp snack requests. Instead of traditional pancakes, fresh CMI American Dream® apples become the center of the recipe, coated in a cinnamon Greek yogurt batter and cooked until golden brown.

The result tastes a little like apple pie, a little like pancakes and fully like something kids will ask for again tomorrow.

Why Families Love These Apple Pancake Rings

Sometimes changing the shape of a meal is enough to make breakfast exciting again. These apple pancake rings are simple, fun and easy for kids to enjoy.

They’re:

• Kid-friendly
• Made with fresh apples
• Fun for dipping
• Easy to serve for breakfast or snacks
• Great for slow weekends or summer mornings
• Made with simple ingredients
• Full of cozy cinnamon apple flavor

Because the apples stay front and center, this recipe feels fresh and fruit-forward while still giving kids that warm pancake flavor they love.

Why These Pancake Rings Feel More Fun Than Regular Pancakes

Traditional pancakes are always a favorite, but these apple pancake rings add a playful twist. The apple rings create built-in portions that are easy for little hands to hold and fun to dip.

The apple rings are:

• Easy for little hands to hold
• Fun for dipping
• Naturally sweet
• Packed with apple flavor in every bite
• Simple to serve with yogurt, syrup or fruit

This recipe is especially great for warmer months when families want breakfast to feel satisfying but not too heavy. You still get the comfort of pancakes, but with fresh apples baked right into every bite.

Ingredients for Apple Pie Pancake Rings

You only need a few simple ingredients to make these easy apple pancake rings.

For the Apple Pancake Rings

• 2 CMI American Dream® apples, cored and sliced into rings
• 2 eggs
• ¾ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or brown sugar
• ½ cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• Nonstick cooking spray or a small amount of butter for cooking

For Serving

• Vanilla Greek yogurt
• Maple syrup, optional
• Extra cinnamon, optional

CMI American Dream® apples add natural sweetness and crunch to this recipe, making them a great fit for a fun, kid-friendly breakfast.

How to Make Apple Pie Pancake Rings

These apple pancake rings come together in a few easy steps.

Step 1: Slice the Apples

Core the apples and slice them into rings about ¼-inch thick. Try to keep the rings similar in size so they cook evenly.

Step 2: Make the Batter

In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, Greek yogurt and maple syrup or brown sugar. Add flour, baking powder and cinnamon, then stir until just combined.

Step 3: Dip the Apple Rings

Dip each apple ring into the pancake batter, coating both sides. Let any extra batter drip off before placing the rings in the skillet.

Step 4: Cook Until Golden

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray or a small amount of butter. Cook the coated apple rings for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 5: Serve and Dip

Serve warm with vanilla Greek yogurt, a light drizzle of maple syrup and a dusting of cinnamon for an apple pie-inspired touch.

Ways Kids Can Help

This recipe works especially well for involving kids in the kitchen because most of the prep is simple and hands-on.

Kids can help:

• Dip the apple rings into batter
• Sprinkle cinnamon
• Build yogurt dipping plates
• Choose toppings
• Add berries on the side
• Help set up a breakfast board

Recipes that allow kids to participate often make breakfast feel less stressful and more interactive for everyone. And let’s be honest, kids are much more likely to eat something when they feel like they helped make it.

Turn This Into a Patriotic Summer Breakfast Board

For Memorial Day, Fourth of July or a fun summer weekend breakfast, serve these apple pie pancake rings as part of a red, white and blue breakfast board.

Try serving them with:

• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Vanilla Greek yogurt
• Turkey sausage
• Smoothie cups
• Extra apple slices
• A small bowl of maple syrup for dipping

The apples bring the cozy comfort-food flavor, while the berries add a festive red, white and blue look without making the meal feel overly themed.

Easy Topping Ideas

These apple pancake rings are delicious with vanilla Greek yogurt, but they’re also easy to customize with simple toppings.

Try adding:

• Peanut butter drizzle
• Almond butter
• Chopped nuts
• Granola
• Coconut flakes
• Extra cinnamon
• Fresh berries
• A small drizzle of maple syrup

You can keep it simple for weekday mornings or set out a few toppings for a weekend breakfast kids can build themselves.

Tips for Busy Summer Mornings

Summer mornings can still feel busy between camps, sports, travel and everyone asking what’s for breakfast before you’ve even had coffee. These apple pancake rings are a fun option for mornings when you want something special without making a full pancake breakfast.

A few quick tips:

• Slice apples right before cooking for best texture
• Keep the batter simple and do not overmix
• Use a nonstick skillet to help the rings flip easily
• Serve with yogurt for dipping
• Add berries on the side for extra color
• Make a double batch if feeding a hungry crew

These are best served warm, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in a skillet or toaster oven.

Fueling Military Families This Summer

This recipe is part of the 2026 Fueling Military Families campaign, benefiting Our Military Kids and supporting military families through healthy recipes, family resources and meaningful community impact.

Through this campaign, Healthy Family Project and its partners are helping celebrate the strength, resilience and everyday routines of military families while sharing recipes that make breakfast, snack time and family meals feel a little easier.

From easy meal ideas to kid-friendly breakfasts, the Fueling Military Families campaign highlights the everyday moments that bring families together around the table.

A Fun Apple Breakfast for Summer Mornings

These Apple Pie Pancake Rings are a simple way to make breakfast feel fun without overcomplicating the morning. With fresh CMI American Dream® apples, cinnamon Greek yogurt batter and a few easy toppings, this recipe brings the cozy flavor of apple pie into a kid-friendly breakfast families can enjoy all summer long.

Serve them warm, add a yogurt dip and watch how quickly breakfast disappears.

More Easy Summer Recipes

Looking for more easy summer recipe inspiration? Visit our Fueling Military Families campaign page for more family-friendly recipes, partner products, and ways this campaign is supporting military families through Our Military Kids.