Apple Pie Roll-Ups

I stumbled onto these apple pie roll-ups on a random Tuesday when I had leftover tortillas and a couple of apples that needed rescuing from the fruit bowl. Instead of the usual hassle of rolling out pie dough and wrestling with crimping, I thought: why not wrap the whole thing in something faster? Twenty minutes later, I was pulling golden, fragrant bundles from the oven, and my kitchen smelled like a dessert dream. Now they're my go-to when someone calls asking if they can drop by, because I can have warm, impressive-looking dessert ready before they even hang up.

I made these for my neighbor one autumn evening when the smell of cinnamon in my kitchen got her attention through an open window. She knocked and asked what I was baking, so naturally I invited her to stay for one warm from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. That small moment turned into a whole conversation about shortcuts in the kitchen and how sometimes the best desserts aren't the ones that take hours—they're the ones that taste like they did.

Ingredients

• Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples: Granny Smiths hold their shape better and give you a slight tartness that keeps the filling from being one-note sweet, but Honeycrisps work if you like things softer and juicier.
• Granulated sugar: You'll use this twice—first in the filling and then in the coating—so don't skip either layer or the sweetness feels unbalanced.
• Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: These are what transform ordinary apples into something that tastes like fall, so use fresh spices if you can and don't just eyeball the amounts.
• Unsalted butter: This lets you control the salt level yourself, and honestly, it makes the apples taste warmer.
• Flour tortillas: The thicker ones work better than the super-thin ones because they won't tear when you roll them, and they'll crisp up nicer in the oven.
• Melted butter for brushing: This is what gets everything golden and helps the cinnamon sugar stick, so don't skip it or use spray instead.

Instructions

Heat the oven and prep:

Get your oven to 375°F and line your baking sheet with parchment paper—this step takes one minute but saves you from scrubbing later.

Cook the apple filling:

Melt butter in a skillet, add your diced apples with the sugar and spices, and let them cook for about 4 to 5 minutes until they're tender and the juices turn syrupy. You'll notice when it's right—the kitchen smells absolutely incredible and the apples look glossy.

Cool slightly:

Take the filling off heat and let it sit for a minute so it's cool enough to handle but still warm enough to stay cohesive when you roll.

Fill and roll:

Lay out each tortilla, spoon the apple mixture along one edge, then roll tightly toward the opposite edge and place seam-side down on your baking sheet. Think of it like you're tucking the filling into a warm blanket.

Brush and coat:

Brush the tops of each roll-up with melted butter, then sprinkle your cinnamon sugar mixture all over them generously—this is what gives you those crispy, sweet edges.

Bake until golden:

Pop them in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes until they're golden brown and the edges are starting to crisp. Keep an eye on them after the 12-minute mark because ovens vary.

Cool and serve:

Let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving so the apples don't squirt out everywhere, then enjoy them warm with ice cream or caramel sauce if you're feeling fancy.

Save

There's something about the moment you pull these out of the oven—that exact second when they shift from just-rolled ingredients to something that looks and feels like a real dessert—that makes cooking feel less like a chore and more like a small magic trick you get to perform in your own kitchen.

Flavor Variations That Work

Once you nail the basic technique, you can swap almost anything for the apples and get something equally delicious. I've done pears with a touch of ginger, peaches with cardamom, and even tried blueberries mixed with a little lemon zest just to see what would happen. The beauty is that the tortilla and cinnamon sugar coating hold everything together, so you really can't mess it up—different just means interesting, not wrong.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

You can fill and roll these in the morning, cover them with plastic wrap, and bake them later when you're ready. They also keep pretty well for a day or two in an airtight container, and honestly, they're almost better after a day because the flavors marry together. If you want to warm them back up, just pop them in a 300°F oven for about five minutes until they're crispy again on the outside.

Little Touches That Elevate the Whole Thing

The notes say you can add pecans or walnuts, and I'm telling you that one tablespoon of chopped nuts sprinkled inside each roll-up before you close it makes them feel like you actually put thought into this. It adds texture and richness without making it complicated. Serving with something cold like ice cream or something silky like caramel sauce also makes people think you spent way more time than you actually did, which is kind of the whole point of these anyway.

• If you can't find cinnamon sugar pre-made, just mix them together yourself in a small bowl right before you need it.
• A pastry brush makes the butter application easy, but your fingers work too if you don't have one—just wash your hands first.
• These are best served warm, so if you're making them ahead, reheat them gently to bring back that crispy exterior.

Save

These roll-ups prove that the best kitchen victories aren't about technique or fancy equipment—they're about knowing when to take a shortcut and not apologizing for it. Make them for someone you like.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ What type of apples work best?

Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples are ideal due to their firm texture and balanced sweetness, holding up well when cooked.

→ Can I substitute flour tortillas with whole wheat?

Yes, whole wheat tortillas add extra fiber and a nuttier flavor without compromising the roll-ups' texture.

→ How can I add extra crunch?

Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts inside the roll-ups before rolling for a crunchy contrast to the soft filling.

→ What are some serving suggestions?

Serve warm with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for enhanced richness.

→ Can I use other fruits instead of apples?

Pears or peaches can be used as alternatives, offering different but equally delicious flavors when spiced similarly.