Easy Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Recipe

This Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie is the kind of cozy, irresistible dessert that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Made mostly from pantry staples, it’s easy to pull together and perfect for just about any occasion. Whether you’re gearing up for a holiday feast, a family dinner, or a casual night with friends, this pie—with its tender apple filling and that sweet cinnamon roll crust twist—is bound to be the star of the show.

Introduction

Welcome, friends! This Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie brings together soft, warmly spiced apples with the sweet spirals of cinnamon rolls. It’s simple enough for a midweek treat but fancy enough to serve at holiday dinners or more special gatherings.

Down below, you’ll find a full ingredient list with helpful photos, step-by-step instructions, handy tips to make it perfect every time, plus a printable recipe card with measurements in both US and metric units. We’re using a quick puff pastry base, fresh apples tossed in brown sugar and cinnamon, and pre-made cinnamon roll slices for that ooey-gooey top crust. Big flavor with very little fuss—that’s the goal!

• Step-by-step photos to guide you through each stage.
• Smart tips on picking apples, glazing, and getting that gorgeous golden bake.
• Ideas for serving it up (think vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, caramel sauce!) and how to store leftovers so the pie stays fresh and tasty.

Why You Will Love Making Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie

• This pie is a delicious mash-up of two all-time favorites: classic apple pie and sweet, spiced cinnamon rolls. The topping adds soft, gooey cinnamon goodness that perfectly contrasts the juicy, tart apple filling. Simply divine!
• One of the best things? It’s super easy! Using store-bought cinnamon rolls for the topping means minimal effort but maximum yum. The filling is classic—fresh apples, brown sugar, cinnamon—and it’s so simple it’s beginner-friendly. If baking feels daunting, don’t worry: this recipe is forgiving and straightforward.
• Perfect for holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas, or any cozy Sunday family dinner. Plus, your kitchen will smell amazing, filling your home with warm cinnamon and baked apples that instantly make everything feel welcoming.
• This recipe also lets you get creative. Want it spicier? Add nutmeg or a pinch of allspice. Feeling indulgent? Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s customizable to fit your family’s taste just right.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to gather. Check out the photo below for a handy visual of these ingredients.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie with Step-by-Step Instructions

You’ll find the full printable recipe card with measurements in both US customary and metric units just below. For now, let’s walk through the process.

Preparing Your Apples and Pie Dish

Start by prepping your apples and pie pan. Choose your favorite baking apples—Gala or Royal are my go-to picks because they balance sweet and tart so nicely.

Slice your apples evenly, with or without the skin—whatever you prefer.

Toss the apple slices with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt for that cozy fall flavor.

Slice them evenly; I like to keep the skin on for extra texture and a bit more flavor. Then toss the slices in a big bowl with brown sugar, cinnamon, a touch of nutmeg, and a pinch of salt to brighten everything up.

While you’re at it, preheat your oven to 350ºF (180ºC), and line your 9-inch pie dish or baking sheet with parchment for easy cleanup and to keep things from sticking.

Making the Perfect Pie Base

Now onto the crust! For this recipe, we’re using a puff pastry sheet as our base. Lay it carefully into your pie dish, then blind bake it for about 10 minutes to get it started.

Place the puff pastry in the pie dish and add baking beans or weights on top.

Blind bake the crust for about 10 minutes to keep it crisp.

What does blind baking mean? You cover the pastry with parchment and fill it with baking beans or rice to keep it from puffing up too much. It helps your crust stay just right for our filling.

Assembling the Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie

Next, slice your cinnamon roll dough cylinder into ½-inch thick slices. Once the puff pastry base has cooled down a little, spread your spiced apple slices evenly over it.

Arrange the apples evenly in the pie crust for an even bake.

Place the cinnamon roll slices snugly on top of the filling and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Now place your cinnamon roll slices right up against each other on top of the apples. They’ll puff and spread during baking, creating a gorgeous, spiral-topped pie crust that looks as good as it tastes.

Baking to Golden Brown Perfection

Slide that beauty into the oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. Keep an eye out for a perfect, golden brown on those cinnamon rolls and bubbling apple filling peeking through underneath.

Honestly, the smell filling your kitchen will nearly steal the show before you even taste it. Cinnamon and apples baking together—pure magic!

Whisk together powdered sugar, water, and cinnamon for a simple glaze.

Once slightly cooled, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top for that final sweet touch.

Glazing for an Extra Touch of Sweetness

While the pie is baking, you can mix up a super simple glaze. Just combine powdered sugar, a bit of water, and a pinch of cinnamon in a small bowl.

When your pie comes out of the oven and has cooled just a bit, drizzle that sweet glaze all over the cinnamon roll top. It makes everything shine and adds a little extra sweetness that’s just perfect.

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

• Choosing Apples: Picking the right apples really helps your pie shine. Gala or Royal apples hit a nice balance of sweet and tart. But if you want a punchier tartness, Granny Smiths are great. For more natural sweetness, Honeycrisps add a lovely touch. Feel free to experiment or even mix varieties for more depth.
• Substituting Fruits: Not an apple fan? Pears are a fantastic swap. They have a similar texture and sweetness and pair really well with cinnamon. You could also toss in some cranberries along with apples for a festive, tangy twist that brightens up the flavor.
• Perfecting the Cinnamon Roll Top: When arranging your cinnamon roll slices, pack them close—they’ll spread as they bake and fill in any gaps, making one seamless, beautiful crust. If you notice they brown too fast near the end, just tent the pie loosely with foil to keep the tops from over-browning.
• Homemade vs. Store-Bought Cinnamon Rolls: Using store-bought is a huge time saver and totally fine. However, if you have a favorite homemade cinnamon roll recipe, go for it! Just make sure they’re baked enough so they hold their shape when you add them to the pie.
• Glaze Tips: Want a thicker glaze? Use less water. If you like a zesty twist, swap the water for a splash of lemon juice—it’s a lovely, fresh contrast to the sweet apples. For best results, drizzle while the pie’s still warm so the glaze sinks in a bit.
• Make-Ahead: You can assemble your pie up to a day ahead! Just cover tightly and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, you might have to add a few extra minutes since it’ll be cold going into the oven.

Variations & Simple Swaps

Ready to make this pie truly yours? Here are some easy swaps and tasty twists that won’t change the basic method:

• Swap the fruit: Pears (Bosc or Anjou) are a natural stand-in for apples—treat them just the same when slicing and seasoning. Or add fresh or dried cranberries to apples for that festive pop of tartness.
• Switch up apples: Granny Smith for a tangier pie, Honeycrisp for sweetness, or mix two types for a fuller flavor profile and interesting texture.
• Change the crust: If you don’t have puff pastry, a refrigerated pie crust or homemade shortcrust pastry work great. Want crunch and sweetness? Press in a graham cracker crust—just adjust baking time as needed.
• Choose your cinnamon rolls: Store-bought is quick and easy, but homemade or flavored varieties (like maple or caramel) add a fun twist. If your rolls are really soft, give them a quick par-bake so they hold their shape on top.
• Spice it up: Try adding ¼ to ½ teaspoon nutmeg, allspice, or cardamom to the filling for warm, cozy flavors. A teaspoon of lemon zest brightens the filling beautifully without changing any other steps.
• Add crunch: Toss chopped pecans or walnuts into the apple mix, or sprinkle an oat streusel over the filling before topping with cinnamon rolls for some extra texture.
• Glaze ideas: Swap out the powdered sugar glaze for a cream cheese glaze (softened cream cheese + powdered sugar + splash of milk) or add vanilla or lemon juice to the existing glaze for an added layer of flavor.
• Diet-friendly swaps: Go gluten-free by using gluten-free puff pastry and cinnamon rolls. For dairy-free, pick dairy-free versions and swap milk in the glaze for a plant-based alternative.
• Mini versions: Make individual pies by assembling this recipe in ramekins or muffin tins—bake until golden and bubbly. Perfect for smaller gatherings or on-the-go treats.

Most of these swaps won’t require changing the assembly steps much. Just watch your pie as it bakes, especially if using wetter fruits like berries—you may want to add a little cornstarch or flour to thicken any extra liquid.

How to Store Leftover Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie

Leftover pie? Lucky you! Here’s the best way to keep it fresh and delicious.

Keeping It Fresh in the Fridge

Once your pie has cooled down, pop it in the fridge within two hours to keep it fresh.

Wrap it up in a pie keeper or airtight container to keep moisture in and keep fridge odors out. Your pie should stay delicious for 4 to 5 days stored this way.

Freezing for Longer Storage

If you want to freeze it, make sure it’s completely cool first. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to lock in freshness.

Put the wrapped pie in a large resealable bag or airtight container before popping it in the freezer.

Properly stored, it will keep its best taste and texture for about 2 to 3 months.

Reheating to Perfection

To reheat from the fridge, either zap a slice in the microwave for a quick fix or warm it up in a 350ºF (175ºC) oven for 10 to 15 minutes to get that fresh-baked vibe back.

If reheating from frozen, let it thaw overnight in the fridge first. This helps keep the crust crisp and the filling just right.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use store‑bought cinnamon rolls for the topping?

A: Absolutely! Using pre-made cinnamon roll dough is a big time saver and guarantees that soft, gooey topping we all love. If you’d rather use homemade dough, make sure your rolls are firm enough to keep their shape when placed on the apple filling.

Q: Can I assemble the pie ahead of time?

A: Yes! You can put it all together, cover it well, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just remember that baking time might need a few extra minutes if you bake it straight from the fridge.

Q: How do I know when the pie is done?

A: Look for that beautiful golden brown on the cinnamon roll topping and bubbling apple juices peeking around the edges. That means your apples are perfectly cooked through.

Q: My cinnamon rolls are browning too quickly. What now?

A: If the tops are getting too dark before the filling finishes cooking, loosely cover the pie with foil to protect them while the rest finishes baking.

Q: What apples should I use?

A: Gala or Royal apples offer a nice sweet-and-tart balance. Want a tangier pie? Pick Granny Smith. For sweeter, try Honeycrisp. Mixing apples works beautifully too.

Q: Can I swap other fruits for apples?

A: Definitely! Pears work wonderfully and pair so well with cinnamon. You might also enjoy a mix of apples and cranberries for a fresh, tart twist.

Q: How do I best store and reheat leftovers?

• Chill within two hours of baking in an airtight container or wrapped tightly; it’ll stay good for 4-5 days.
• For freezing, cool completely, wrap tightly in plastic and foil, and freeze for 2-3 months.
• Reheat from fridge in microwave for a quick fix or warm in oven (350ºF) for 10-15 minutes. If frozen, thaw overnight before warming.

Q: How can I adjust the glaze?

A: For thicker glaze, use less water. For a citrus twist, swap water with a small splash of lemon juice for a fresh zing.

What to Serve with Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie

Want to take your pie to the next level? Here are some delicious ideas for serving it up.

A Scoop of Classic Vanilla Ice Cream

There’s nothing like a warm slice of apple pie paired with a scoop of cool, creamy vanilla ice cream. That contrast of temperatures and textures just hits all the right notes every time.

The ice cream’s smooth richness pairs perfectly with the warm, naturally spiced apples and that sweet cinnamon roll crust. Trust me, your family will thank you.

A Dollop of Whipped Cream

Looking for something a little lighter? Top your slice with freshly whipped cream—fluffy and airy makes a heavenly partner.

Want to mix it up? Whip in a touch of bourbon or maple syrup for a twist that brings extra flavor and fun.

A Pour of Caramel Sauce

For the caramel lovers out there, drizzle some warm caramel sauce over your pie slice. It adds just the right amount of gooey sweetness and richness.

The buttery caramel works wonderfully with the spiced apples and sweet cinnamon roll topping, creating a rich, comforting dessert experience.

A Mug of Hot Coffee or Tea

Sometimes, simple is best. A warm mug of coffee or tea alongside your slice feels like pure comfort.

Try bold black coffee or a spiced chai or apple cinnamon tea to complement and balance the sweetness of the pie. Perfect for cozy afternoons or after-dinner treats.