True North Kitchen

  • Nordic/Scandinavian Recipes
  • Nordic & Scandinavian Recipes Index
  • About Me
  • Contact/Work with Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Spring
  • Recipe Index
  • Nordic Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Spring
    • Recipe Index
    • Nordic Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Breakfast and Brunch Recipes

    How to Make Æbleskiver - Classic Danish Pancake Balls

    Published: Feb 11, 2025 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Golden, fluffy, and irresistibly light, æbleskiver are a beloved Danish treat, especially during the holiday season. These buttery, pancake-like spheres are cooked in a special pan until airy and tender, then dusted with powdered sugar and served with jam for a taste of festive coziness. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas or simply craving a taste of Denmark, æbleskiver bring warmth and joy to any gathering.

    Æbleskivers on a plate next to jam and a napkin.

    This recipe was inspired by a trip to Copenhagen where I enjoyed æbleskiver at one of the many charming Christmas markets that pop up in the city during December. Along with smørrebrød and the Danish hot dogs available from street vendors, these were one of my favorite everyday treats!

    Jump to:
    • The Ingredients
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • The Equipment
    • How to Make Æbleskiver at Home
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQ
    • What to Serve with Æbleskiver
    • Related Recipes
    • Recipe

    The Ingredients

    Labeled ingredients for æbleskivers.
    • All purpose flour
    • Baking powder
    • Salt
    • Ground cardamom and nutmeg - Just a hint of Nordic spices (cardamom and nutmeg) add welcome flavor to this otherwise simply flavored treat.
    • Vanilla extract
    • Milk
    • Large eggs - The eggs are separated and the egg whites are whipped before adding them to the recipe. This creates an extra light and fluffy texture in the final product.
    • Granulated sugar
    • Unsalted butter

    See the recipe card below for exact amounts and detailed instructions.

    Substitutions

    • If you are not a fan of cardamom and/or nutmeg or simply just want a more plain version of æbleskiver, feel free to omit one or both spices.
    • The whole milk can replaced with plant-based milk or buttermilk if desired. If using buttermilk, add ½ teaspoon of baking soda to the dry ingredients.

    Variations

    • Almond Æbleskiver - Replace the vanilla extract with ½ teaspoon of almond extract.
    • Apple-Filled Æbleskiver - The name “æbleskiver” actually means “apple slices” in Danish as it was once customary to include an apple slice in the center of each pancake ball. Try adding a small spoonful of apple compote or finely diced apples (cooked or uncooked) to the center before flipping as a nod to this traditional preparation.
    • Chocolate-Filled Æbleskiver - Add a small piece of chocolate, a few chocolate chips or small spoonful of Nutella to the center before flipping.
    • Berry-Filled Æbleskiver - Add a small spoonful of lingonberry, strawberry, raspberry or blueberry jam to the center before flipping.
    • Cinnamon Sugar Æbleskiver - Brush the cooked æbleskiver with melted butter and roll in a mixture of ¼ cup granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon.

    The Equipment

    Æbleskivers in a pan on a marble surface next to a towel.

    This recipe does require an æbleskiver pan, which is a pan with divots that is specially designed for making these pancake-like balls. You will also need a wooden skewer or some other sharp, pointy implement (some people use a knitting needle) to help turn the æbleskiver over while they are cooking

    How to Make Æbleskiver at Home

    Batter for æbleskiverswith whipped egg whites on top with a spatula.
    • Step 1: Whisk dry ingredients together in a medium bowl. Set aside. Whisk milk, egg yolks, vanilla and melted butter together in a large bowl until well combined. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Whip egg whites until medium peaks form and scrape into the bowl.
    Batter for æbleskiver in a gray bowl with a spatula.
    • Step 2: Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter with a rubber spatula until just incorporated.
    Butter melting in an æbleskiver pan.
    • Step 3: Heat an aebleskiver pan over medium low heat. Dot each round with a small cube of butter or brush with melted butter.
    Æbleskiver cooking in a pan
    • Step 4: Spoon a heaping tablespoon of batter into each round so that it is almost full. Cook until the bottom is just set, about a minute.
    Æbleskiver cooking in a pan.
    • Step 5: Using a wooden skewer, gently turn each æbleskiver 90 degrees so that the batter spills out into the pan.
    Æbleskiver in a pan with a wooden skewer.
    • Step 6: Keep turning so that the side that is partially done is on the top. With the help of the skewer, continue cooking and turning until the æbleskiver are golden brown on all sides and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, about 6 to 8 minutes total. Set on a wire rack to cool and repeat with remaining batter.

    Expert Tips

    • Monitor the heat carefully! It's easy for these Danish pancakes to cook too fast on the outside and not be done on the inside. Start with the heat at medium low and then adjust downward if they are cooking too quickly. You can check the doneness of the interior of the æbleskiver by inserting a clean skewer into the center (it should come out clean with no batter attached).
    • Begin to turn them once the first side is just set. This helps them become more round and prevents the bottom side from browning too quickly.
    • Turn the æbleskiver frequently. You will end up with a more evenly done, golden brown round final product if you continue to turn them as they cook.
    • Be sure to wipe out the pan with a damp paper towel in between batches. This clears out any leftover butter or cooked bits of batter so that you can start with a clean slate.
    Æbleskivers, jam and mulled wine on a marble surface.

    Recipe FAQ

    How do you pronounce æbleskiver?

    It's pronounced "ay-blah-skee-ver".

    How do I store æbleskiver?

    They are best eaten immediately, but once the are cool you can store them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Reheat briefly in a 300 degree oven to warm through.

    Can I freeze æbleskiver?

    Yes. Transfer cooled æbleskiver to a freezer bag or other tightly sealed container. When you are ready to serve, pop them in a 300 degree oven briefly until warmed through (no need to defrost first).

    What to Serve with Æbleskiver

    Despite the fact that they are pancakes, æbleskiver are traditionally more of a snack or treat to enjoy with coffee than a breakfast in Denmark. They are often served in threes, dusted with powdered sugar alongside raspberry jam for dipping. You can also drizzle them with warm chocolate sauce or even this Salted Caramel Sauce. Æbleskiver are a classic pairing with Glögg (mulled wine) or this Cardamom Hot Chocolate.

    Close up of æbleskivers on a plate next to a napkin.

    Related Recipes

    Looking for other Scandinavian holiday favorites? Give some of these classics a try!

    • A cup of mulled wine next to evergreen branches, spices and an orange.
      Swedish Glögg
    • Overhead view of Swedish St. Lucia Buns.
      St. Lucia Buns (Lussekatter)
    • Mandelmusslor on a marble surface next to a cup of coffee.
      Mandelmusslor (Swedish Almond Tart Cookies)
    • Close up of a pile of krumkaker.
      Krumkake (Traditional Norwegian Waffle Cookies)

    If you tried this æbleskiver recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you!

    Recipe

    Close up of Danish Pancakes (æbleskiver) next to raspberry jam.

    Æbleskiver (Classic Danish Pancake Balls)

    Warm, buttery and delicious Danish pancake balls. Perfect dusted with powdered sugar and served with jam!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Fika, Snack
    Cuisine: Danish, Nordic, Scandinavian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 297kcal
    Author: Kristi

    Equipment

    • Æbleskiver pan
    • Wooden skewer, knitting needle or other long pointy object

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 3 tablespoons sugar
    • ½ teaspoon fine salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1 cup whole milk
    • 3 eggs separated
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled to room temperature + more for the pan
    • Powdered sugar and raspberry or strawberry jam for serving optional

    Instructions

    • Whisk flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, cardamom and nutmeg together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
    • Whisk milk, egg yolks, vanilla and melted butter together in a large bowl until well combined. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
    • Place egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and, using the whisk attachment, whip until they come to medium peaks that are fluffy but not dry. Gently fold into the batter with a rubber spatula until just incorporated.
    • Heat an aebleskiver pan over medium low heat. Dot each round with a small cube of butter or brush with melted butter. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of batter into each round so that it is almost full. Cook until the bottom is just set, about a minute. Using a wooden skewer, gently turn each aebleskiver 90 degrees so that the batter spills out into the pan. Keep turning so that the side that is partially done is on the top. With the help of the skewer, continue cooking and turning until the aebleskiver are golden brown on all sides and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, about 6 to 8 minutes total. Adjust the heat downward if the æbleskiver are cooking too quickly.
    • Set aside on a wire rack to cool. Wipe out the pan with a damp paper towel and repeat with remaining batter. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with raspberry or strawberry jam if desired.

    Notes

    • Monitor the heat carefully! It's easy for these Danish pancakes to cook too fast on the outside and not be done on the inside. Start with the heat at medium low and then adjust downward if they are cooking too quickly. You can check the doneness of the interior of the æbleskiver by inserting a skewer into the center (it should come out clean with no batter attached).
    • Begin to turn them once the first side is just set. This helps them become more round and prevents the bottom side from browning too quickly.
    • Turn the æbleskiver frequently. You will end up with a more evenly done, golden brown round final product if you continue to turn them as they cook.
    •  

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 116mg | Sodium: 386mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 533IU | Calcium: 143mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @TrueNorthKitchen or tag #truenorthkitchen!

    More Nordic/Scandinavian Breakfast & Brunch Recipes

    • Featured image for Scandinavian-Style Chocolate Waffles.
      Scandinavian-Style Chocolate Waffles
    • Brown Sugar Cardamom Scones on a white plate next to cardamom pods.
      Brown Sugar Cardamom Scones
    • Close up of an Ultimate Oatmeal Bowl with a spoon.
      The Ultimate Oatmeal Bowls
    • Close up of waffle topped with roasted strawberries and whipped cream.
      25 Delicious Waffle Topping Ideas (Sweet and Savory)

    Comments

    1. June says

      November 24, 2024 at 9:06 pm

      5 stars
      I am looking for a recipe that would be for storing the dry ingredients in my pantry so I could measure out what I needed and add the wet? Any ideas?

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        November 26, 2024 at 11:38 am

        Hi June,
        I would mix up the dry ingredients for this recipe and maybe store each batch separately so that you can add the wet ingredients when you are ready to make them. That way you already know you have the right amount of dry ingredients and don't need to measure them out again. I hope this helps!
        Kristi

        Reply
    2. Giddy Gourmet says

      November 16, 2024 at 4:14 pm

      5 stars
      Hello Kristi, I have been making Aebleskivers since 2011. The recipe I've been using came with my cast iron Aebleskiver pan. I thought I lost that recipe so I used yours. I had to replace a few ingredients since I can't have butter, sugar, or milk. Instead, I used EVOO, Allulose, and homemade Oat milk. It was so delicious. I broke open each pancake and added a dab of mixed berry pie filling to dress it up. I usually fill them while baking with a chunk of banana but was all out. I made a mixture of 4 ziplock baggies of all dry ingredients to last a month. All I have to do is add the wet ingredients and I'll have healthy snacks for the kids. Thanks for sharing your recipe. I have since found mine but I will have to do a baking contest with the grandkids to see which is voted the best. 😉

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        November 26, 2024 at 11:44 am

        Wow....the pie filling idea is genius! I bet you have happy grandkids! Thanks so much for the comment.

        Kristi

        Reply
    3. Ryan says

      September 29, 2024 at 11:28 am

      5 stars
      Hi there! Love the website...thanks!
      One game-changer for me in making aebleskivers was making them in one of those electric cake-pop / donut-hole makers that close up the lid. It is definitely NOT traditional that way, but cuts cooking time in half and allows you to produce a lot more quickly for that big family gathering! Thanks again for all your recipes!

      Reply
    4. Kris K says

      August 01, 2024 at 10:36 pm

      5 stars
      These were delicious! I didn’t have my in-laws’ recipe handy, so I tried yours. Loved the additions of cardamom and nutmeg. I won’t be allowed to stray from tradition in their house, but in mine, I’m going with your recipe!

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        August 02, 2024 at 11:20 am

        Hi Kris,
        So glad you enjoyed them! Thanks so much for your feedback.
        Kristi

        Reply
      • Deb says

        April 04, 2025 at 12:22 am

        My grandma from Denmark always had cardamon & nutmeg. 🙂

        Reply
        • Kristi says

          April 05, 2025 at 11:25 am

          That's my favorite combo, too!

          Kristi

          Reply
    5. lettuce says

      March 06, 2024 at 5:23 am

      your list of ingr says ground cinnamon, and then the instructions say cardamom, so, which one is it, or is it both?

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        March 07, 2024 at 11:23 am

        I don't see any cinnamon in the recipe!

        Reply
    6. Chris says

      January 07, 2023 at 3:18 pm

      How many does this make per serving? I have tried a few recipes and most just taste like puffy pancakes which taste just fine but I am looking for that texture change that comes with the aebleskiver.

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        January 08, 2023 at 3:20 pm

        Hi Chris,
        I usually get 21-25 æbleskivers from this recipe. Hope this helps!
        Kristi

        Reply
    7. Julie W says

      December 25, 2022 at 3:59 pm

      5 stars
      I lost the recipe that my cousin in Denmark gave me, so I had to find a new one for Christmas morning. My aebleskiver turned out perfectly round, fluffy, completely full in the middle, and absolutely delicious! I do believe it was my best batch yet! Now on to the ricegrot for Christmas dessert tonight! I try to incorporate as many Danish traditions in our Wisconsin holidays as I can!

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        December 27, 2022 at 3:47 pm

        5 stars
        Hi Julie,
        So glad you enjoyed them and that they were round! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. It is very much appreciated!

        Kristi

        Reply
        • Dee says

          December 23, 2023 at 8:13 am

          Hello!
          Can I make the batter the night before? Stay well,
          Dee

          Reply
          • Kristi says

            December 23, 2023 at 10:57 pm

            Hi Dee,
            You can mix the dry ingredients together and then do the wet ingredients in the a.m. Hope this helps you save a little time!

            Kristi

            Reply
    8. I Fashion Styles says

      April 10, 2022 at 2:41 am

      Greetings! I've been following your site for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Lubbock Tx! Just wanted to say keep up the good work!

      Reply
    5 from 6 votes

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Welcome!

    Hi, I'm Kristi! Welcome to my cozy Nordic kitchen!

    More about me

    Popular Posts

    • Featured image for Soft and Tender Buttermilk Bread.
      Soft and Tender Buttermilk Bread
    • Close up of Soft Rye Dinner Rolls.
      Soft Rye Dinner Rolls
    • Kavring bread sliced on a wooden cutting board.
      Kavring (The Easiest Swedish Rye Bread)
    • Swedish semla bun closeup.
      Easy Swedish Semla (Traditional Lenten Buns)
    • Close up of cardamom bun.
      Traditional Swedish Cardamom Buns (Kardemummabullar)
    • Close up of Easy Swedish Crispbread (Knäckebröd) on a plate.
      Easy Swedish Crispbread (Knäckebröd)

    Holiday Posts

    • Slices of Swedish Limpa Bread
      Swedish Limpa Bread
    • A close up of a stack of Swedish Ginger Cookies (Pepparkakor).
      Swedish Ginger Cookies (Pepparkakor)
    • Vegetarian meatballs and cream sauce in a pan
      Really Good Vegetarian Swedish Meatballs
    • Close up of 3 Swedish pancakes on a plate topped with lingonberries.
      Traditional Swedish Pancakes (Pannkakor) with Lingonberries
    • Featured image for Swedish Meatballs with Gravy.
      Easy Swedish Meatballs with Gravy (Köttbullar)
    • Jar of Quick Swedish Pickled Cucumbers next to fresh dill.
      Quick Swedish Pickled Cucumbers

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About
    Work with Me
    Contact
    Disclosure and Privacy Policy
    Accessibility Statement

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 True North Kitchen

    Pinterest pin for æbleskiver (Danish Pancakes).

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.