Gluten Free Applesauce Pancakes

Like many of my “use it up” recipes, this one came about when I had a jar of applesauce in the fridge that I didn’t want to go to waste.  So, this is what I made one morning, and I enjoyed the pancakes so much they are going to have a permanent place my breakfast rotation.

This post contains affiliate links.

Using a gluten free pancake mix makes this recipe a snap and no oddball ingredients to purchase!  I love Better Batter Pancake and Biscuit Mix, and you will too.  Even the gluten eaters will gobble these up.  Did you know you can save by ordering two or three packs?  It’s a great value and a mix you will use all the time.

Remember, when you shop on the Better Batter website, use my code MGFC30 to get 30% off any non-sale item!

Ingredients:

  • 150 g. Better Batter Pancake and Biscuit Mix
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp. canola oil
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 tbsp. brown sugar (or sugar substitute)
  • 2/3 cup milk (I used 2%)
  • butter for the griddle

Preparation:

Whisk together the pancake mix and cinnamon.  In another bowl, beat the egg, oil, applesauce, sugar and milk.  Combine the wet and dry ingredients with a batter whisk.  Let batter rest for 5 minutes while you preheat the griddle on medium low.

Coat the griddle with butter and spoon the batter in circles, about 1/3 cup each.  Cook for 4-5 minutes per side.  They are ready to turn when the tops begin to bubble.  Continue with the rest of the batter, adding more butter to the griddle each time.

Remember, gluten free pancakes take longer to cook!  You can poke the center with a toothpick to be sure they are cooked through.

Transfer the cooked pancakes to a cooling rack (or right onto your plate!).  I usually make enough to freeze so they will get individually wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in freezer safe bags.

You can reheat them on the griddle, microwave or toaster.

I served them with a side of sautéed apples, a sprinkle of nuts and real maple syrup.

Notes ♪♫ It’s apple season and this recipe is a great way to start things off!  Check out all my apple recipes here —-> Best Gluten Free Apple Recipes!

Print This Post Print This Post

 

 

Apple Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin, baked and basted with a sweet, apple-based barbecue glaze is the star of tonight’s fall inspired dinner.  Fancy enough to wow your guests, but so easy you can enjoy it any night of the week.  The secret ingredient – frozen apple juice concentrate!  As it simmers, the apple glaze will thicken to the consistency of a syrup, that is as beautiful as it is tasty.

4 Servings

This post contains affiliate links.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pork tenderloin, about 1-1/2 lbs.
  • 6 oz. frozen apple juice concentrate (1/2 can)
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp. thyme
  • 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • salt and pepper
  • cooking spray

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 425º.  In a small nonstick saucepan over low heat, stir together the apple juice concentrate, ketchup, brown sugar, cider vinegar, thyme and red pepper flakes.

Simmer on low to form a thick, syrupy glaze.

Line a baking sheet with foil and mist with cooking spray.  Remove the tenderloin from the packaging and pat it dry.  Use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to remove any membrane or silver skin (see below).  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Tie the tenderloin with cooking twine every few inches to help keep its shape and bake evenly.

Insert a meat thermometer into the tenderloin, brush with glaze and place in the oven.  Keep the glaze on a low simmer and baste every 10-15 minutes.

Continue baking for 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 145º (if you prefer more well done, cook it a bit longer, to 160º).  When the tenderloin is ready, remove from the oven and tent with foil.  Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing, to retain more of the juices.

Transfer the slices to a serving dish and drizzle glaze over the top.  If you have a bit of extra glaze, you can bring it to the table in a small gravy boat.

Tenderloin goes well with potatoes, rice or just about any veggie.  I served it with roasted sweet potatoes and asparagus.

Notes: ♪♫ Always check ingredient labels for hidden gluten.  I used frozen apple juice concentrate made from 100% fruit juice with no added sweeteners.

Originally posted 09/07/2018                     Updated 7/06/2022

Print This Post Print This Post

Gluten Free Apple Oat Bran Waffles

A word of Caution- This recipe contains oats.

A recent statement from Gluten Free Watchdog states that they cannot currently recommend ANY brand of gluten free oats.

Whether or not you continue to consume oats is a personal choice.  As we await more information, I will preface any recipes that include oats with a link to this important statement from Gluten Free Watchdog, an independent, subscriber-driven gluten-testing organization.  About | Gluten Free Watchdog

***

I’m always looking for ways to add more fiber to my meals.  If you are on a gluten free diet, you know that many processed foods are sadly lacking in fiber, not to mention nutritional value.

This week I have been experimenting with my waffle recipe, to see if I could incorporate more fruits and fiber into breakfast.  These hearty, dense waffles will stick to your ribs and start your morning off right!

This post contains affiliate links.

Yield: 8 Waffles

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Whisk together the dry ingredients, flour through brown sugar.

Peel and core the apple and process it to a fine mince in an electric chopper.

In a separate bowl, combine the minced apples with the other wet ingredients, through vanilla.

Whisk in the milk, then stir the dry ingredients into the wet.  Let the batter hydrate while you preheat the waffle iron to 350º.

Coat both sides of the waffle iron with cooking spray and add half the batter.  Use a spatula to spread it into the corners.

Gluten free waffles always take a bit longer to cook, and because this is an extra dense batter it will need even more time.  Allow a full six minutes, or a bit longer if you like them crispy.

If not serving immediately you can cool them on a rack and freeze.  This is what I do, and they are great toasted.

Serving suggestion:  Try topping these waffles with sautéed apples and a sprinkle of candied walnuts.  The flavors are perfect together.  Always use real maple syrup!

Notes ♪♫  Bobs Red Mill sells both regular and gluten free oat bran.  For those with Celiac, be sure to order the Gluten Free Oat Bran.  Or, for extra peace of mind, check out Montana Gluten Free Oat Bran, made with purity protocol oats.  If you are one of the few who cannot have oats at all, try substituting ground flax seeds.  You can pop them in a coffee grinder to make flax meal.

Print This Post Print This Post

Easy Apple Sauté

This Easy Apple Sauté is a favorite of mine.  It makes a great breakfast accompaniment to oatmeal or pancakes.  Do you ever have a side of fruit with dinner instead of a veggie, just to change things up?  Apples go well with any pork dish or BBQ meal.  And if you like, this basic recipe can stand in as a light dessert without all the extra fat and carbs.  Best of all, it’s ready in 5 minutes, no baking!

Ingredients:

  • 2 apples (I used Cortland)
  • 1 tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • cinnamon and nutmeg

This post contains affiliate links.

Preparation:

Peel and dice the apples.

Heat a 10″ skillet on medium and melt the butter.

Add the apples to the skillet and toss to coat.  Cook 1-2 minutes.

Sprinkle with  brown sugar, and stir it in to melt.

Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.  Cook for 2-3 more minutes, stirring frequently.  A light syrup will form in the pan.

I love this diet friendly treat as a standalone side or as a topping for other fall veggies, like my Apple Walnut Butternut Squash.

Notes ♪♫ Granny Smith apples are most often recommended for cooking, but there are so many varieties that would be delicious in this fast and easy preparation.  Honey Crisp is always a top choice for me, but I used Cortland apples in this post, because a dear neighbor had gifted me a bag.  They were so good, so use what you have!

Print This Post Print This Post

 

Gluten Free Spiced Applesauce Loaf

Don’t wait for apple season to make this delicious, Spiced Applesauce Loaf!  It’s perfect for coffee breaks, brunches, and snacks.  It would be lovely to take along when visiting a friend or neighbor.  So easy to prepare, and everyone will love it, kids and adults alike.

First, check out the ingredient list.  You probably have most of these items right in your pantry!  Then, in addition to being gluten free I also give you some options to lower the sugar and sodium, as I know many of you have these additional restrictions.

This post contains affiliate links.

Dry Ingredients:

Wet Ingredients:

 Preparation:

Whisk together all of the dry ingredients.  Combine the wet ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and beat until smooth.  Add the dry ingredients to the wet and blend together just until moistened.

Line an 8″ loaf pan with parchment and scrape the batter into the pan.

Bake for 1 hour at 350°.  When it’s done, the loaf will have risen almost to the rim of the pan and the top will crack.  If you’re not sure it’s done, check with a toothpick in the center of the loaf.

Cool in the pan for 1/2 hour, then grasp both sides of the parchment and lift the loaf onto a cooling rack.

Carefully remove the parchment and continue cooling to room temperature.  Try to resist cutting into it right away, to minimize crumbling.

You could dust the top with confectioners’ sugar, or drizzle with a simple icing.  Honestly though, this cake is so moist and delicious it really needs no other adornment.  Slice with a serrated knife and arrange on a serving dish.

Look at that nice moist crumb!  You’ll have to take it from me, it tastes great!

Notes ♪♫ I have always loved quick breads.  This is an old recipe of mine that I converted to gluten free.  For muffins and quick breads, I use and recommend Better Batter Original Blend gluten free flour.  When you shop Better Batter, be sure to use my code MGFC30 at checkout for 30% off full price!

Print This Post Print This Post

 

Apple Stuffed Honeynut Squash

Have you seen the adorable Honeynut Squash at your local market this fall? I couldn’t resist buying one, they are so cute!  At about 6″ in length, the size is perfect for two servings.  Similar to butternut squash, the Honeynut is much smaller and sweeter, with a dark orange pulp.

Unlike the larger butternut and acorn variety, you won’t pull a muscle slicing through this petite squash.  The skin is much thinner, so thin that you can eat it!

Roasted and stuffed with a simple sauté of diced apples, the finished dish is as appealing to the taste buds as it is to the eye.

Follow these easy steps to create the perfect fall side dish!

Ingredients:

  • 1 Honeynut squash
  • olive oil
  • maple seasoning
  • 1 small apple
  • 1 tsp. butter
  • cinnamon
  • fresh rosemary for garnish

Preparation:

Roasting is the way to go with this tiny squash.  Simply cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds and brush the inside with olive oil.

Sprinkle with seasoning of your choice.

Arrange cut side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment or foil and bake for 35 minutes at 375º.

The Honeynut squash is so small, you can easily fit one on a sheet pan with another veggie course.

While the squash is baking, peel and dice the apple.  I used a Honeycrisp apple.  Heat a small skillet on medium low.  Add the apples with a pat of butter and toss to combine.  Cook 3 minutes, stirring frequently.  Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Remove the squash from the oven turn it over carefully, use tongs.  Spoon the apples into each half.  Garnish with fresh rosemary.

The old saying “we eat with our eyes first” is so true.  Look at that beautiful presentation!  Guest worthy, but on the table in under an hour so you can try it on a weeknight!  Be sure to pin this side dish to your fall favorites!

Notes ♪♫ Not a paid link, just sharing that I used Taste of Inspirations Maple and Sage Pork Rub in this recipe!  It is both gluten free and low sodium.

Print This Post Print This Post