Warm, soft, and cinnamon-scented, these Baked Apple Pie Roll Ups taste like a bite-sized version of classic apple pie. They’re quick to make, easy to bake, and ideal for busy weeknights, casual gatherings, or a cozy treat with coffee. No pie crust, no fuss—just bread, apples, cinnamon, and a touch of butter.

They crisp up beautifully in the oven and deliver that nostalgic apple pie flavor without hours of baking. If you love simple desserts with big payoff, this one’s for you.

Why This Recipe Works

• Simple ingredients, big flavor: Everyday pantry items turn into a warm, dessert-like treat in under 30 minutes.
• No dough skills required: Sliced bread becomes the “crust,” so there’s no rolling, chilling, or guessing.
• Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing: Sweet, cinnamon-spiced apples inside a crunchy sugar coating—what’s not to love?
• Baked, not fried: You get a crisp exterior without deep-frying, making cleanup easy and results consistent.
• Make-ahead friendly: The apple filling can be cooked in advance, so assembly is fast when you’re ready to bake.

Ingredients

• 8 slices soft white or brioche bread, crusts removed
• 2 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and finely diced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for cooking apples)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for the filling)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for the filling)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional, to brighten flavor)
• Pinch of salt
• 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter (for brushing)
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for coating)
• Optional: 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg or apple pie spice
• Optional for serving: caramel sauce, powdered sugar, or vanilla ice cream

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. Cook the apples: In a small skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter.Add the diced apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and lemon juice if using. Cook, stirring often, until the apples are tender and the liquid has slightly thickened, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.
3. Prep the bread: Trim the crusts from each slice of bread.Use a rolling pin (or a clean bottle) to gently flatten each slice to about half its thickness. This helps the bread roll and seal better.
4. Make the cinnamon sugar coating: In a shallow bowl, mix 1/3 cup sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon (and nutmeg or apple pie spice, if using). In another bowl, have the 4 tablespoons melted butter ready for brushing.
5. Fill and roll: Place about 1 tablespoon of the warm apple mixture near one short end of a bread slice.Roll it up snugly like a cigar. Place seam-side down. Repeat with remaining slices.
6. Brush and coat: Lightly brush each roll up with melted butter, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture until well coated.Set on the prepared baking sheet, seam-side down.
7. Bake: Bake for 12–15 minutes, turning once halfway if you want even browning. The roll ups should be golden and lightly crisp.
8. Serve: Let cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm as is, or finish with a light dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of caramel, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Storage Instructions

• Room temperature: Best enjoyed fresh, but they’ll keep in an airtight container for up to 1 day.
• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days.Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 6–8 minutes to re-crisp.
• Freezer: Freeze baked roll ups on a sheet pan until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes.
• Make-ahead tip: Cook the apple filling up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate. Assemble and bake when ready to serve.

Why This is Good for You

• Apples provide fiber and antioxidants: You get natural sweetness along with nutrients like vitamin C and polyphenols.
• Baked instead of fried: You still get a crisp exterior without the extra oil, making this a lighter option.
• Portion-friendly: These are naturally small, so it’s easier to enjoy a treat without overdoing it.
• Customizable sweetness: You control the sugar.Reduce it slightly if your apples are very sweet.

Pitfalls to Watch Out For

• Overfilling: Too much apple mixture will cause leaking and soggy bottoms. Stick to about 1 tablespoon per roll.
• Skipping the flattening step: If the bread isn’t flattened, it won’t roll tightly and may split in the oven.
• Undercooked apples: Ensure the apples are tender before filling. Crunchy apples won’t soften much more in the oven.
• Too much butter: A heavy brush can make the roll ups greasy.A light, even coat is enough to help the sugar adhere and crisp.
• Opening the oven too often: Heat loss leads to uneven browning. Check once near the end and rotate the tray if needed.

Alternatives

• Bread swaps: Use whole wheat sandwich bread for more fiber, or brioche for richer flavor. Gluten-free sandwich bread works if it’s soft enough to roll when flattened.
• Fruit variations: Try pears, peaches, or blueberries.Keep the fruit diced small and cook off excess moisture first.
• Spice variations: Add a pinch of cardamom, ginger, or clove for a different vibe, or use pumpkin pie spice.
• Filling additions: A thin smear of cream cheese or almond butter under the apples adds creaminess and body.
• Air fryer method: Cook at 350°F (175°C) for 6–8 minutes, turning once, until browned and crisp.
• Lighter coating: Skip rolling in sugar and just brush with butter, then dust with cinnamon before baking.

FAQ

Can I use canned apple pie filling?

Yes. Chop it into smaller pieces so it’s easier to roll and doesn’t leak. You may want to reduce the added sugar in the coating since canned filling is usually quite sweet.

What type of apples work best?

Use apples that hold shape and offer balanced sweetness and tartness.

Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Jonagold are all great choices.

My roll ups came out soggy. What went wrong?

You may have overfilled them or not cooked the apple mixture long enough to evaporate moisture. Also check that your oven was fully preheated and that you baked on a parchment-lined sheet, not a foil-wrapped pan that traps steam.

Can I make them ahead for a party?

You can cook the filling and pre-assemble the roll ups up to 4 hours in advance.

Refrigerate, then brush with butter, coat in cinnamon sugar, and bake just before serving.

How do I keep them from unrolling?

Roll tightly and place seam-side down on the baking sheet. If needed, brush a tiny stripe of melted butter along the seam to help seal it.

Can I reduce the sugar?

Absolutely. Cut the sugar in the filling and coating by 25–30%.

If your apples are naturally sweet, you’ll still get plenty of flavor.

What can I serve with these?

They’re great with coffee or tea. For dessert, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of warm caramel or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

In Conclusion

Baked Apple Pie Roll Ups bring cozy, apple-pie comfort in a fast, low-effort format. With soft spiced apples inside and a crisp cinnamon sugar shell, they’re a guaranteed hit for snacks, desserts, or brunch.

Keep the steps simple, avoid overfilling, and bake until golden. You’ll have a warm, nostalgic treat that’s easy to share—and even easier to love.