Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls are the best of both worlds in one bite! This easy 30-minute recipe uses canned cinnamon rolls for the crust and a quick homemade apple pie filling. Bake in a muffin pan, then use the icing that came with the cinnamon rolls as the finishing touch!
How do they taste? Imagine biting into a warm, mini apple pie with a cinnamon roll crust - with just the right mix of sweet and spice. They're irresistable, I guarantee 🙂
Jump to:
Why You'll Love Them
Instead of fussing with a pie crust, you just grab a couple of cans of premade cinnamon rolls. Press them into a muffin pan, which is awesome because it turns each one into these little personal desserts.
My Muffin Pan Cinnamon Rolls are also baked in a muffin pan! They're more traditional style but without the yeast for a quick 45-minute recipe.
As for the apple pie filling, it’s basically the same homemade stuff you'd use for a regular apple pie — apples, sugar, cinnamon, a little nutmeg, and some butter.
After the apple pie cinnamon rolls finish baking, use the icing that comes with the canned cinnamon rolls! It’s super handy because you just drizzle it on top once they’re out of the oven, and it adds that extra hit of sweetness without any extra effort.
When you bake these, your whole house will smell like fall—cinnamon, apples, and that buttery, caramelized goodness all blending together.
What Goes in it
Let's talk about the ingredients for this Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll recipe:
Canned cinnamon rolls - shortcut number one! You can use your favorite brand but buy the original and not the Grands. This recipe has been tested with both Pillsbury and Great Value brands. Both are delicious!
Fresh apples - use a sweet and firm apple to make the apple pie filling. Granny Smith, Pink Lady, and Gala apples are a few great options. If you have a bunch of apples, try this Skillet Apple Crisp!
Sugar - both white sugar and light brown sugar are used for sweetness, but I like how the light brown sugar adds a slight, caramel-like flavor.
Spices - cinnamon and nutmeg add two classic flavors to the apple pie filling; along with vanilla extract.
Melted butter - another classic ingredient but also because butter makes everything better!
Pre-made icing - shortcut number two that saves you even more time!
Substitutions and Additions
- Apple Pie Spice - instead of the cinnamon and nutmeg, you can substitute with apple pie spice.
- Canned Apple Pie Filling - even though I highly recommend making my quick and easy apple pie filling, if you're in a huge hurry, you could use the canned apple pie filling. Just be sure to chop the apples into smaller pieces.
- Pears - can be a good substitute for the apples, but they need to be firm. If they're overripe, they're likely to get mushy after baking them.
- Peaches - for a delicious change of pace, use fresh, firm peaches or peach pie filling instead of apple!
- Nuts - add some chopped pecans or walnuts for a crunchy nutty flavor.
- Dried Fruit - to make these cinnamon rolls more interesting (as if they're not interesting enough!), you can add some raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dates.
How to Make Apple Pie Filled Cinnamon Rolls
When you get ready to make these, please follow the recipe card!
Step 1 - Flatten the cinnamon rolls with a rolling pin. Press them into a muffin pan.
Step 2 - Make the quick and easy apple pie filling.
Step 3 - Spoon the filling into each cinnamon roll crust.
Step 4 - Bake as directed and drizzle icing on top!
More Cinnamon Rolls to Love
Since you’re a big fan of cinnamon rolls, I have three more delicious recipes I think you’ll enjoy:
- Banana Cinnamon Rolls (tastes like Banana Bread)
- Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls (unbelievably decadent!)
- Quick and Easy Muffin Pan Cinnamon Rolls (no yeast dough)
What to Serve with Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
If you're making these for breakfast (or even dinner), I'd suggest keeping it simple! Eggs cooked your favorite way and crispy bacon! The sweetness of the rolls paired with the savory bacon and eggs will satisfy each and every one of your taste buds.
Storing and Reheating
Place the baked and cooled rolls in an airtight container; they'll stay fresh for a few days.
You can also freeze them - then when you're ready to eat one, pop it in the microwave at 50% power for 20-30 seconds.
Recipe Tips
- Be sure to chop the apples into small pieces -- about ¼-inch pieces. They need to be small in order to fit inside the muffin cups.
- Before baking, place the muffin pan on top of a sheet pan to catch any drips that may occur.
- This recipe makes 12 apple pie cinnamon rolls. However, you will have 4 rolls leftover from the can. You can bake them on a separate sheet pan at the same time you bake these (save some icing for them), and serve them alongside the apple pie cinnamon rolls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Follow the recipe except for the icing. Tightly cover the muffin pan and place in the fridge. Take them out the next day and bake as directed. You might need to bake them a little longer because they'll be very cold.
To avoid sogginess, make sure your apple filling isn’t too wet. Some apples release a lot of juice when you bake them, so make sure you use firmer varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. Also make sure you don't underbake them.
Of course! Like I mentioned earlier, if you’re short on time, store-bought apple pie filling is a great shortcut. Chop the apples into smaller pieces, and you might want to cut down or omit the added sugars since the canned filling will already be sweetened.
When I tested this recipe, I wanted it to make a nice even dozen. I suggest placing those extra cinnamon rolls on a sheet pan and bake them at the same time you bake the apple pie filled cinnamon rolls. I think it's perfect if you have little ones who aren't interested in cooked fruit but love plain cinnamon rolls!
More Fruity Recipes
Applesauce, bananas, or blueberries are delicious when baked into muffins!
If you'd like more easy recipes sent straight to your email, subscribe and get a free 5-day meal plan! How easy is that!
Recipe
Apple Pie Filled Cinnamon Rolls
Equipment
- Standard muffin pan
- sheet pan
- Rolling Pin
- measuring cup(s)
- measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 2 8-count refrigerated cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting each package is 12.4 ounces
- 2 cups peeled and diced apples dice small because they will need to fit inside the cinnamon roll crust
- ¼ cup granulated white sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 dashes ground nutmeg (just a few shakes is all that's needed)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F. Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with non-stick spray.
- Remove the cinnamon rolls from their containers. With a rolling pin, roll out 12 of the cinnamon rolls to about 3" each and then press each one into a muffin cup and up the sides. If the rolling pin starts to get sticky, scrape it clean with a knife and spray with non-stick spray. Set aside the remaining 4 cinnamon rolls for now (see Notes for suggestions).
- In a bowl, stir together the apples, white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and nutmeg until well blended.
- Spoon the apple mixture into each muffin cup. Brush the tops with melted butter.
- Place the muffin pan on a sheet pan to catch any drips. Bake on the middle oven rack for about 20 minutes. The cinnamon roll crust should be slightly browned around the edges and on the bottom.
- Remove the apple pie cinnamon rolls from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes.
- Remove them from the muffin pan and onto a plate or serving platter. Stir (if in a can) or knead (if in a pouch) the frosting that came with the cinnamon rolls until creamy and then spoon or drizzle it on each roll.
Notes
- This recipe makes 12 apple pie cinnamon rolls. However, you will have 4 refrigerated rolls leftover from the can. You can bake them on a separate sheet pan at the same time you bake these (save some icing for them), and serve them alongside the apple pie cinnamon rolls. It's the perfect scenario if you have kids who don't like baked fruit!
- Be sure to chop the apples into small pieces -- about ¼ inch pieces. They need to be small in order to fit inside the muffin cups.
- Before baking, place the muffin pan on top of a sheet pan to catch any drips that may occur.
- Store the baked and cooled rolls in an airtight container; they'll stay fresh for a few days.
- You can also freeze them - then when you're ready to eat one, pop it in the microwave at 50% power for 20-30 seconds.
- Follow me on Pinterest for more easy recipe ideas!
Comments
No Comments