Apple Pancakes for the win!

A crisp apple fresh out of the fridge is a quick and easy snack, or chopped into wedges and dipped in nut butter will provide a more wholesome morsel.

There are so many ways to enjoy this humble fruit, but you really can’t go past the scrumptious transformation of a cooked apple. The softening and caramelization of a baked apple takes the edge off its sour bite, and is a dreamy, healthy way to enjoy sweetness.

This baked apple pancake is a delicious sweet-bake to include in your meal planning agenda. It’s gluten free and all its sweetness comes from the purity of the apple.

Taking just a handful of ingredients, this baby can be whipped together on a Sunday afternoon, enjoyed for dessert; still leaving you with portions of delectability to be enjoyed through the week.

I like to purchase my apples from farmers markets, from farmers who do not use any waxes or pesticides, or to be extra safe, choose certified organic apples. They're definitely one of the cheaper ways to enjoy organic fruits and can be found in 1kg packs in most conventional supermarkets now.

It’s very important that when searching for apples, you keep on the look-out for organic, un-waxed, pesticide free varieties. When it comes to fruit waxes that are found on conventional supermarket apples, many formulations are proprietary, meaning that their ‘recipes’ for the wax are secret. Because governments don’t classify these wax sprays as a food substance, this creates a loop hole whereby it doesn’t have the same labelling regulation as our packaged food products, organic products, and meat products.

When in doubt, avoid waxes, sprays or any non-food component that is added to your fruits, vegetables or any of your produce. Just because it is permissible, it doesn’t mean it’s beneficial.

At only 170 calories per serve, you can have this one for breakfast or afternoon tea.

Kids will love some mini squares of this included in their lunch box, and the almond milk can be replaced with oat or rice milk to make for a nut free variation that’s pre-school or day care suitable. 

Apple Pancakes

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored and sliced
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 3 medium eggs
• 65 g (21/4  oz/1/2  cup) tapioca flour
• 1 tablespoon coconut milk
• 125 ml (4 fl oz/1/2  cup) almond milk or milk of choice
• 1 tsp Love Your Gut powder
• pinch of Celtic sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a 21 x 9 cm (81/4  x 31/2  in) loaf (bar) tin with baking paper.
• In a medium bowl, mix three-quarters of the apple slices with the lemon juice.
• In a separate medium bowl, whisk the eggs, then mix in the flour, coconut milk, almond milk,  Love Your Gut powder, salt and apple mixture. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes, then pour into the prepared tin.
• Top with the remaining apple slices, then sprinkle with the cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Bake for 20–25 minutes, until set. Leave to cool for 10 minutes, cut into portions and serve warm.

Supercharged tip

• Letting the batter rest for 10 minutes before using is a good exercise in patience and results in a smoother mix and even hydration. This works for both baked and pan-cooked pancakes.

Source. Lee Holmes. Supercharged Food.