I’ll never forget the first time I made these apple pie roll ups—it was one of those “oops, I need dessert in 30 minutes” moments, and they saved the day! Picture this: all the cozy flavors of apple pie, but wrapped up in soft cinnamon bread like little edible presents. No fussy crust to roll out, no waiting hours for it to bake. Just buttery, cinnamony goodness with sweet apple filling in every bite. These roll ups are my go-to when I want that classic apple pie taste without all the work. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll be making them for every potluck, sleepover, and “I just need something sweet” moment!
Why You’ll Love These Apple Pie Roll Ups
Honestly, what’s not to love? These little bundles of joy check all the boxes for me:
- They taste like you spent hours baking, but only take 35 minutes start to finish
- Kids go crazy for them (mine fight over the last one every time)
- You probably have most ingredients in your pantry already
Quick and Easy Dessert
I can’t count how many times these apple pie roll ups have saved me when surprise guests show up. No mixer needed, no fancy skills required—just roll, dip, and bake. The hardest part is waiting those 20 minutes while your kitchen smells like a cinnamon-sugar paradise!
Perfect for Any Occasion
Breakfast? Sure! Midnight snack? Absolutely. Last-minute potluck contribution? You bet. These roll ups adapt to whatever you need—fancy enough for Holiday dessert, casual enough for Saturday movie night. I’ve even packed them in lunch boxes (though they never make it to lunchtime).
Apple Pie Roll Ups Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients—I bet you already have most in your kitchen right now! The magic happens when these everyday items come together:
- 12 slices cinnamon swirl bread (trust me, that swirly goodness makes all the difference)
- 1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling (look for the chunky kind!)
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar (for that perfect crunch)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (because more is always better)
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (Grandma’s secret touch)
- 6 tablespoons salted butter (that’s 3/4 stick, melted until golden)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (the good stuff, not imitation!)
See? Nothing fancy—just real ingredients that make your kitchen smell like heaven. Now let’s turn this into magic!
How to Make Apple Pie Roll Ups
Okay, let’s get rolling—literally! This is where the magic happens. I promise it’s easier than tying your shoes (and way more delicious). Preheat that oven to 350°F first—trust me, you’ll want it piping hot when these babies are ready to bake.
Prep the Bread and Filling
First, grab your cinnamon swirl bread slices and trim off the crusts—save those for breadcrumbs later! Now the fun part: roll each slice flat with a rolling pin. Don’t go crazy flattening them into paper, just enough so they’ll roll nicely. Pro tip: If your bread is super fresh and squishy, toast it lightly first—just 2 minutes in the toaster works wonders.
For the filling, dump that glorious apple pie filling into a bowl and give it a rough chop. Big apple chunks are delicious, but they’ll make rolling tricky—aim for pea-sized pieces. Now spoon about 1 ½ tablespoons onto each bread slice. Here’s my golden rule: less is more! Overstuffing leads to apple explosions (tasty, but messy).
Roll and Coat the Apple Pie Roll Ups
Time to make some edible scrolls! Start at one end of the bread and roll it up tightly around the filling—like you’re rolling a tiny carpet. If the ends flare out, tuck them in gently. Don’t stress if some filling peeks out; we’re going rustic here!
Now for the good stuff: that butter bath! Mix your melted butter and vanilla in a shallow bowl—I use a pie plate because it’s wide enough to dip without drama. Roll each little bundle through the butter, coating all sides. Let excess drip off, then line them up on your parchment-lined pan like little soldiers. Sprinkle generously with your cinnamon-sugar mix—this is where they get that irresistible crackly crust!
Bake to Perfection
Pop those beauties in the oven and set your timer for 15 minutes—but keep an eye on them! What you’re waiting for is that magical moment when the sugar crust turns golden and the edges get slightly crispy. If your oven runs hot (like mine), they might be done at 15 minutes. If not, give them another 3-5 minutes until they look like little bronzed treasures.
Here’s my test: if they sound hollow when lightly tapped, they’re ready. Let them cool just enough that you won’t burn your tongue—about 5 minutes. Then brace yourself, because that first bite of warm, buttery, apple-cinnamon goodness is pure happiness!
Tips for Perfect Apple Pie Roll Ups
After making dozens of batches (okay, maybe hundreds), I’ve picked up some tricks to make your apple pie roll ups absolutely foolproof. These little nuggets of wisdom will take them from good to “can I have the recipe?” status!
Avoid Soggy Bread
Here’s the thing—fresh bread is wonderful for sandwiches, but it can turn your roll ups into sad little mush logs. If your cinnamon swirl bread feels super soft, just toast it lightly first. I’m talking 1-2 minutes in the toaster, just enough to dry it out slightly without browning. Another trick? Roll them tight! The less air inside, the less chance for moisture to make things soggy. And don’t let them sit too long before baking—once they’re rolled and coated, straight into the oven they go!
Serving Suggestions
While these apple pie roll ups are amazing plain (trust me, I’ve eaten way too many straight off the pan), they become next-level with some simple additions. My kids love them dunked in vanilla yogurt for breakfast. For dessert, a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the warm roll ups is pure magic. Want to impress guests? Drizzle with caramel sauce and a sprinkle of sea salt—it’s that sweet-salty combo that makes people go quiet while they chew (the highest compliment!). Leftovers (if you have any) are fantastic with coffee the next morning—just pop them in the toaster oven for 3 minutes to revive that crispy crust.
Apple Pie Roll Ups Variations
Oh, the possibilities! Once you’ve mastered the original, try these fun twists: swap apple filling for pumpkin (hello, fall flavors!), or mix chopped pecans into the filling for crunch. Feeling fancy? Brush with maple syrup before baking. My neighbor adds a pinch of cardamom to the sugar coating—genius!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Here’s the good news: these apple pie roll ups hold up beautifully when stored properly! I always make extra because they disappear fast in my house. For the best texture, let them cool completely before stashing them away—I learned this the hard way after sealing warm ones in a container (hello, condensation disaster!).
In the fridge, they’ll stay fresh for 3 days in an airtight container. Layer them between parchment paper so they don’t stick together. Want to keep them longer? Freeze them! Just pop the cooled roll ups in a freezer bag with all the air squeezed out—they’ll keep for 2 months. Pro tip: write the date on the bag because you WILL forget otherwise (ask me how I know!).
Now for reheating—the microwave is tempting, but resist! It turns that gorgeous crispy crust sad and soggy. Instead, use your toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for 5-8 minutes until warm throughout. Frozen ones take 10-12 minutes straight from the freezer (no thawing needed). You’ll know they’re ready when your kitchen smells like you just baked them fresh!
Apple Pie Roll Ups FAQs
Q1. Can I use regular bread instead of cinnamon swirl bread?
Oh honey, you can, but you’ll miss out on that magical cinnamon-sugar ribbon running through each bite! The swirl bread gives these roll ups their signature flavor. If you must substitute, try brushing plain bread with melted butter and cinnamon sugar before rolling—it helps, but it’s not quite the same.
Q2. My roll ups keep unrolling in the oven—help!
Been there! Here’s my trick: place them seam-side down on the pan, and don’t overcrowd. If they’re really rebellious, secure with toothpicks (just remember to pull them out before serving!). Also, make sure your bread isn’t overstuffed—that extra apple pressure makes them pop open.
Q3. Can I make these apple pie roll ups ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prep them up to the baking step, then cover and refrigerate overnight. When ready, just pop in the oven—you might need an extra 2-3 minutes since they’ll be cold. The butter coating actually helps prevent sogginess. I’ve even frozen unbaked ones for up to a month (bake frozen, adding 5 minutes).
Q4. Why is my bread tearing when I roll it?
This usually means either your bread is too fresh (toast it lightly first!) or you’re trying to roll it too tight. Gentle pressure is key—think “rolling a sleeping bag,” not “wringing out a towel.” If a slice tears badly, just use it as the middle of another roll—no one will know!
Q5. What other fillings work besides apple?
Oh, let your imagination run wild! Cherry pie filling with almond extract is divine. Pumpkin puree mixed with cream cheese makes an autumn dream. My friend swears by pear filling with a hint of ginger. Just keep the filling thick—runny fillings make soggy roll ups (learned that the messy way!).
For more delicious dessert ideas, check out our desserts and sweets category.
Looking for inspiration and community ideas? Visit our Pinterest page for apple pie roll ups and more!
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Irresistible Apple Pie Roll Ups You’ll Crave Instantly
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 roll-ups 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious apple pie roll ups made with cinnamon swirl bread and apple pie filling. A quick and easy dessert or snack.
Ingredients
- 12 slices cinnamon swirl bread
- 1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 6 tablespoons salted butter (3/4 stick), melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Cut off the crust of all bread slices and roll them flat with a rolling pin.
- Chop the apple pie filling into smaller pieces (optional).
- Fill each bread slice with 1 1/2 tablespoons of apple pie filling and roll it up.
- Mix sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl.
- Combine melted butter and vanilla extract in a shallow bowl.
- Dip each roll-up in the butter mixture and place on the sheet pan.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the roll-ups.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use leftover apple pie filling for another recipe.
- Toast the bread slightly if it’s too soft to roll.
- Serve with whipped cream or ice cream for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll-up
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg