I used to love indulging in aebleskiver. Also known as ebelskiver, Danish pancakes, appleskive, or European pancake puffs, these puffy sphere-shaped pancakes (typically topped with powdered sugar and jam) are a beloved Scandinavian dish. Years ago, they were also one of my favorite guilty pleasures. After having to turn to a grain-free lifestyle to manage my Crohn’s disease, I thought I’d never get to enjoy aebleskiver again. While I’m still unable to eat traditional aebleskiver, I think this recipe for Paleo aebleskiver is the next best thing. These Paleo aebleskiver, made with cassava flour, capture the essence of the real thing, with a soft and fluffy texture.
Love at First Bite
Years ago, I worked in Century City, and every Thursday, I would use my lunch break to attend the farmers market down the street. There was a booth where a nice Scandinavian couple sold aebleskiver which they would make fresh to order, topped with powdered sugar and jam. Instead of eating a normal lunch on Thursdays, I’d head straight to that booth and indulge in those little delectable pancake puffs each week.
Was it healthy? No (duh). I’d end up with what felt like a ball of lead in my stomach every time. But I didn’t care, because they were soooo delicious. (And I was a glutton for punishment. And complex carbs.) When I wasn’t partaking in the local farmers market offerings, I could also find authentic aebleskiver in Solvang, California.
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Aebleskiver: The Paleo Way
Fast forward to today, and I would be sent straight to the hospital after a “meal” like that. While I can no longer indulge in authentic aebleskiver, this recipe provides me a pretty darn good replacement. Made with Otto’s cassava flour, these Paleo Aebleskiver are grain-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and refined sugar-free, yet they still deliver in taste and texture. Instead of powdered sugar and conventional jam, I top them with a little bit of real maple syrup, fresh fruit, or naturally-sweetened jam. Sometimes I even eat them plain (because they are just that good).
Best of all, they satisfy my aebleskiver cravings without the debilitating health reactions (and I’m no longer left with that feeling of lead in my stomach…yay!).
Like their traditional counterparts, these Paleo Aebleskiver are meant to be enjoyed as a treat, the same way that you might enjoy an occasional pancake breakfast. Even as a treat, it’s comforting to know they are made with healthier, easily-digested ingredients that won’t leave me with that heavy feeling (and won’t send me straight into a Crohn’s flare). They are still a guilty pleasure, I suppose, but with more of the pleasure and less of the guilt.
What Materials Will I Need to Make Paleo Aebleskiver?
You’ll need an aebleskiver pan (I prefer cast iron) and a pastry brush like this one to grease your aebleskiver pan. It’s also helpful to have bamboo skewers on hand, as you’ll need to rotate your aebleskiver as they are cooking (but don’t fret if you don’t have skewers, I’ve also successfully used two forks in a pinch).
If you’ve never made aebleskiver before, I suggest watching this video to see the proper way to rotate them while cooking. It may take a couple tries to get a perfectly round aebleskiver, but don’t worry: even the less perfect spheres are still delicious. Have fun and enjoy!
(gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free)
- 3 pasture-raised eggs
- ¾ cup full-fat additive-free coconut milk
- 1 Tbsp unrefined coconut oil, melted
- 2 Tbsp raw honey
- ½ tsp raw apple cider vinegar
- ¾ cup Otto’s cassava flour
- 2 Tbsp organic coconut flour (I like Bob’s Red Mill)
- 2 scoops Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides (optional, for extra protein)
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- pinch of mineral salt
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In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, coconut milk, coconut oil, honey, and ACV.
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Fold in cassava flour, coconut flour, collagen peptides, baking soda, and salt.
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Mix until batter is smooth. Let batter sit for about 10 minutes.
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Heat an aebleskiver pan on low-medium heat. With a pastry brush, grease each crevice in the pan with coconut oil.
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Pour batter into each crevice, filling each one almost to the top.
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As batter starts to bubble, use 2 skewer sticks to slightly rotate each pancake puff in a "turn and twist" fashion.
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Continue to rotate 4 or 5 times until the puffs are closed into round spheres.
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Once fully cooked, remove from pan and serve with real maple syrup, fresh fruit, or naturally-sweetened jam. Enjoy!
If you’ve never made aebleskiver before, I suggest watching this video to see the proper way to rotate them while cooking.
These pancakes puffs are super cute! I’v never tried them before, but I would love to make this paleo-friendly version! I bet they are perfect for soaking up maple syrup 🙂
Thanks, Bethany! Yes, they are definitely great with maple syrup. 😋 If you are able to make them, please let me know how they turn out! 😃
My town has a festival every year to celebrate its Danish heritage. The parade passes in front of my home. So, I have a big breakfast for family and friends before the parade. Aebleskivers are a staple. Some of my guests have gluten issues. I found your recipe and am excited to try it. One question…could I substitute almond flour for the cassava flour?
Hi Carolyn,
That sounds like a fun event! I have never tried my aebleskiver recipe with almond flour. My guess is almond flour would be a little too heavy for this purpose, but you could certainly test it out ahead of time and see how it goes. I purposely use cassava flour because it is lighter and has a “gummy” texture that somewhat mimics gluten’s elasticity. While I’m sure the almond flour would be tasty, I highly recommend cassava flour for the best texture results. Either way, I’d love to know how they turn out for you! Thanks so much for dropping by and please keep in touch!
Have been missing this holiday treat since celiac diagnosis. Christmas breakfast tradition in our house for 25 yrs. Will definitely be trying this soon. Only change will be adding cardamom 🙂
Thank you, Michelle! That sounds like an interesting flavor addition. Please keep in touch…I’d love to know how it turns out! 😊
I’m following the AIP diet, so I can’t do eggs right now. do you have any idea if this would work with gelatin eggs instead?
Hi Sue, I’m sorry but I haven’t tried this recipe with gelatin eggs, so I’m not sure if it will work. If you are able to try it out, please let me know how it turns out! 😊
I can’t thank you enough for creating and sharing this amazing recipe. I’ve just reintroduced eggs, so I decided to try making the morning treat my grandma used to make for us when we were kids. Your recipe turned out perfectly. I had such fun making these! My hub and I both thought they were just perfect in texture and absolutely delicious!
Thank you so much for sharing this, Laurie! I’m so happy you and your hubby enjoyed the recipe and that it brought back memories with your grandma. How wonderful! Thanks again for sharing your feedback!
Thank you! They are perfect!!!
Thank you, Denise! So glad you enjoyed them!
hi is your coconut milk from a can like you cook with or from a 1L carton like the drink?
Can’t wait to try making these
Hi Claire, the coconut milk I use is from a can (straight coconut milk, not the beverage version in a carton). I hope you enjoy the recipe!