Made with white whole wheat (or oat) flour, unsweetened applesauce and almond milk, these stuffed applesauce pancakes are fluffy, extra moist and filled with a sweet adzuki (red bean) filling that makes them a perfect breakfast or snack.
Obanyaki are a favorite Asian street breakfast: Japanese stuffed pancakes often filled with sweet bean paste, custard, fruit or chocolate. They appear across East Asia under different names — in Korea as obangtteok and in Taiwan often called wheelcakes. I remember buying them from street vendors in Korea on cold days, fresh and hot out of the pan. Those memories inspired me to get an obanyaki pan and adapt the batter for a healthier version using applesauce.
Traditional obanyaki batter uses white flour, butter, sugar, eggs and milk. I adjusted the formula to add fiber and reduce oil while keeping the texture tender and moist. Below are the ingredients, equipment and tips I used to make whole wheat applesauce obanyaki.
Ingredients used to make Stuffed Applesauce Pancakes (obanyaki)
- Applesauce – unsweetened is best. I use one 4 oz cup (or slightly less than ½ cup) to add moisture and pectin for binding so the recipe needs less oil.
- Flour – white whole wheat, whole wheat, spelt, oat flour or all-purpose flour all work. You can make oat flour by blending rolled or quick oats.
- Eggs – large eggs. I haven’t tested flax or chia egg replacements for this batter.
- Salt – a pinch of salt to balance sweetness.
- Sugar – granulated sugar or a substitute. Honey powder, coconut, date or maple sugars are options; for lower calories use monk fruit or stevia per package directions.
- Apple cider vinegar – activates baking soda for lift; lemon juice can be substituted.
- Light olive oil – or coconut or avocado oil.
What to Use for Filling
- Sweetened red bean paste (adzuki) – classic and delicious.
- Sweetened white bean paste (shiro-an) or flavored bean pastes like coffee white bean.
- Nutella, jam, sliced fruit or custard – any sweet filling you enjoy will work.
Equipment Needed to Make Obanyaki Applesauce Pancakes
An obanyaki pan with deep wells helps the batter cook tall enough to enclose a filling. If you don’t have one you can try making these with an egg ring or English muffin ring on a griddle, cooking low and slow so the batter rises without burning.
How to Make
STEP 1
Lightly oil the obanyaki pan wells with olive oil, coconut oil or butter. Ladle batter into each well, filling about halfway so there’s room for the filling.
STEP 2
Place about a tablespoon (or your preferred amount) of filling into each partially filled well.
STEP 3
Top the filling with a bit more batter to cover, close the pan, flip and cook both sides until set and golden. Use low heat so the centers cook through without burning the exterior.
STEP 4
If batter overflows slightly, trim the edges with scissors once cooled a bit. Keep cooking on low to ensure even doneness.
Recipe Variations and Optional Add-Ins
- Add chopped nuts, berries or chocolate chips to the batter for texture.
- Try different fillings: sweetened bean paste, jam, Nutella, peanut butter, vanilla pudding or fresh fruit.
How to Make this Pancake Recipe Healthier
- Add a tablespoon of chopped nuts or seeds to the batter for extra fiber and healthy fats.
- Reduce the sugar by half or substitute with a sugar-free sweetener to lower overall sugar.
How to Store these Applesauce Pancakes
- Best enjoyed fresh within a few hours. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze up to 4 months. Defrost and reheat in the microwave or oven.
Final Tips
- Cook on low to medium heat to prevent burning and allow the centers to cook through.
Whole Wheat Applesauce Obanyaki (Stuffed Japanese Pancakes)
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (90 g) white whole wheat, spelt or oat flour
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (or substitute)
- 4 oz unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 Tbsp light olive oil
- 2 Tbsp water or almond milk
- ½–1 package sweetened red bean paste (or filling of choice)
Nutrition (per obanyaki)
Calories: 193 kcal • Carbohydrates: 28 g • Protein: 4 g • Fat: 6 g • Fiber: 1 g • Sugar: 16 g
If you enjoy portable sweet breakfasts with an Asian twist, these applesauce obanyaki are a comforting, slightly healthier take on the classic street treat. Try different fillings and flours until you find your favorite combination.
