These incredibly delicious (and easy) Apple Pie Bites are going to be your go-to apple dessert in a hurry!
Honestly, when I took the first bite… I thought, “How can something this easy be so damn good?”. In less than 30 minutes you can whip up these tasty little apple pies that are a perfect last-minute Thanksgiving (or anytime!) dessert.
How did I come across this idea?
I recently had the honor of contributing a recipe and photograph to my hometown elementary school’s fundraiser cookbook (those are my Cheddar Jalapeno Corn Muffins!).
I was skimming through the cookbook when I came across a recipe very similar to this one. Whenever I find a recipe that I want to make, I’ll always look for different variations of the recipe and adapt it to make it my own.
This easy recipe starts out with placing Pillsbury crescent rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You’ll spread a mixture of brown sugar and apple pie spice on the crescent rolls.
Then spread a few chopped pecans onto each crescent roll.
Next, you’ll place an apple slice (that has been dipped in melted butter) on the wide end of each crescent roll. I left the peeling on my apple slices, but you can also peel the apple if you’d like.
Roll ’em up…
Then bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown. How easy is that???
This recipe calls for apple pie spice which can be made easily at home with a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice.
Update: This recipe has been so popular with my friends and family… everyone loves it! My friend Melissa made a shortcut using canned fried apples with cinnamon, drizzled them with caramel when they came out of the oven and topped with vanilla ice cream. I tried this version and it was also DELICIOUS.
Enjoy!
More Apple Desserts You’ll Love
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Apple Pie Bites
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 8 apple pie bites
Description
Delicious, quick and easy mini apple pies made with Pillsbury crescent rolls in less than 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice, and additional apple pie spice (about ¼ teaspoon) for sprinkling on top of crescent rolls
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ⅓ cup chopped pecans
- 1 small Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced into 8 (½-inch) slices
- 1 (8 ounce) tube Pillsbury Original crescent rolls
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and apple pie spice. Set aside.
- Melt butter and toss apple slices in butter, set aside.
- Arrange crescent roll triangles on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Evenly distribute brown sugar mixture onto each triangle.
- Sprinkle each triangle evenly with the chopped pecans.
- Place an apple slice on the wide end of each triangle. Wrap crescent roll dough around each apple.
- Brush each crescent roll with remaining butter. Sprinkle lightly with additional apple pie spice.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Delicious served with vanilla ice cream and/or caramel syrup!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Inspired by Beaufort Elementary School’s Savory Eats & Seadog Treats, Adapted from Pillsbury.com
Linda Toledo
Going to try these in the morning. Sound delicious thanks for the recipe!
Jeanette
This is brilliant! I love small, cute desserts. Thanks for sharing!
Linda A Taylor
These look wonderful!!! Always looking for quick and easy!!! Thanks so much!!!
Laurie
Could these be prepped up to baking and kept in the refrigerator until ready to bake?
patti
I am sure you can! I’m going to try this when I’m busy cooking something in the oven! I will have them for dessert with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream 🙂
bev
I am going to try this using refrigerated pie crust..And will peel the apples also. Thanks!
kay feline
What is apple pie spice? I have made apple pie from scratch- would it be in the food store baking section?
Thank you
Laura Wagner
I was wondering the same thing. What is apple pie spice?
Hi Laura! Apple pie spice can be found in the spice aisle… it is a mixture of typical spices used in apple pie such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger & allspice.
Sherry
I have never seen Apple Pie Spice in my area. The ingredients you listed sound the same as Pumpkin Pie Spice with grocers here DO carry.
Kim
I found Apple Pie Spice in the baking aisle at Target. Just took them out of the oven waiting for them to cool, can’t wait, they smell good!
Charlotte Hake
Google Apple Pie Spice for recipes to make your own. Much less expensive that buying it at the store. You can also adjust the recipe to suit your taste if you prefer one spice more than another. Enjoy!
Nora Egan
I googled “Apple Pie Spice” because why buy when it’s so simple. The one ingredient everyone is leaving out is cardamom. Equal parts of all the others.
CJ SHU
Yes! ….and mace, too!
Brenda
Penzey’s Spice ( https://www.penzeys.com/ ) makes a wonderful Apple Pie Spice. You can order online or find a store near you. The yrun Free Shipping specials quite a bit if you are placing a small order. All their spices are fresh and high quality.
Hi Kay! Apple pie spice can be found in the spice aisle. It is a mixture of typical spices used in apple pie such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger & allspice.
nana
I make my apple pie spice using 4 teaspoons of cinnamon, 2 teaspoons of nutmeg and 1 teaspoon of cardamom. It’s delicious in apple pie, strudel or in these little apple bites. I also sauté peeled apples in butter, bit of this spice and a bit of brown sugar before using them in these apple bites. Delicious!
Stef
Will do this for a ladies’ game night tonight. It’s a potluck kind of thing, and the house is about 15 minutes away from mine.
Do you think I could use that gal’s microwave to warm up? If so, how long – what setting would you guess? OR would they be just fine as is?
Thanks, Stef
patti
I’dsay a couple minutes or less…When warm serve whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on the side…YOU WILL be remembered for them!!!! 🙂
Jackie
How would you store these overnight? Room temperature or refrigerate?
I refrigerate and heat up in the toaster oven. Hope you enjoy!
Kimberly
Did you cook them, refrigerate and then heat up in toaster? If so how long in tiaster?
Hi Kimberly, these are always best fresh out of the oven. I’ve never timed them when reheating… please use your best judgement. I hope you enjoy them if you make them!
Nayla
Made these tonight and they were a big hit. The apples were tender and the croissants perfectly browned. Thanks for this recipe.
Thank you, Nayla! 🙂
SHARON
LOVED THE APPLE BITES, WILL TRY THEM THIS WEEK-END.
patti
I have my sisters making them….awesome warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on the side…
I don’t use cool whip,(gross) I whip the whipping cream with sugar…no chemicals ……
Sesi Miller
i use powdered sugar when whipping cream, it seems to incorperate bette(no crunchy or hrainy texture), and hold its stiffned better! it may seem like it takes a lot at first, but it’s about a 2:1 ratio compared to granulated sugar..ive had cream whipped with powdered (10x or Confectioners) sugar hold peaks for a few days in the refrigerator.
Valerie
Made these last night for dinner. Love the simplicity, but wished the apple would have been more cooked/done. I found it to still be quite crisp after it cooked. 🙁
Hi Valerie, so sorry your apples were crisp! I didn’t find that to happen. You can also substitute canned fried apples.
frogquilter
I just have to ask…..What are “canned fried apples”? Are they like cooked canned pie filling? What area of the US do you find these…just curious if this is a regional commodity? Thanks for sharing a fun, quick recipe.
Lisa
The fried apples are over by the other canned fruit, not by the pie filling. I’m not sure if it’s a regional thing or not, though. I’m from Texas, so fried apples are a “normal” thing here. They serve them at Cracker Barrel restaurant, too.
Mona
Maybe next time slice them a less thick.
deana
I made these with a can of apple pie filling. Was amazing. Sometimes, I use a little cream cheese for something different. Have also used cherry pie filling.
patti
Maybe slice them thinner..??
Sherrie
I just made these yummy treats tonight and they were awesome!!! The only thing that I would do different, which will take some of the simplicity out of the recipe, is peeling the apple first. The skin of the apple bothered me… It made it somewhat difficult to easily bite through the apple pie without having to aggressively tear the skin to separate your bites, if that makes sense. Just my preference, but other than that, TOTAL AWESOMENESS!
Hi Sherrie, so glad you enjoyed them… thank you for taking the time to comment! At the end of the post I added that my friend made them with canned fried apples and they were also delicious! 🙂
Nikole
What is apple pie spice?
ella jane
Apple pie spice is found on your spice display in the super market. It is a blend of spices.
Holly
Apple pie spice is simply cinnamon, ground clove, and ground nutmeg…found this reading the label on apple pie spice at the grocery store. For this recipe, I used 1 teaspoon of cinnamon with a dash of nutmeg and clove and it came out wonderful!
Lisa
Would you still need the butter and apple pie spice if using the canned fried apples with cinnamon?
Yes I would still use apple pie spice, but not the butter. Hope you enjoy them! 🙂
Laughter
You could slice through the peel 2 or 3 times to solve that problem – I like the peels on!
Angie Armenta
Yes I agree, peel apple first.. i also added some cinnamon to the brown sugar mixture.. came out wonderful. I only had a sheet of Crescents , so cut it in triangles..definitely making these again….Great aroma for the Holidays….
patti
I love making these! I alway’s use Pillsbury crescent dough, white sugar and cinnamon on each triangle and thin sliced granny smith apples…They come out perfect!! 🙂
Christine
Hi Amy, I live in NZ. We don’t have Pilsbury products over here. I wonder if you would mind telling me if these crescent rolls are similar to a puff pastry? Or are they more like a croissant?
How do you think they would go using a puff pastry?
Thanks
Hi Christine! They’re more like a croissant. Hope you can find a good substitute and enjoy them as much as I have! 🙂
Janice
What about people who have to eat gluten free. Is there a recipe that can be used to make in lieu of the croissants?
Thank you, janice
Sharon
I found this recipe, but haven’t made them. I plan to use just a GF flour mix Namaste. Note the person who posted the recipe from is the “I”. Sorry I don’t have the name. Hope this helps. My suggestions are in [ ] GF Crescent Rolls
1/2 stick butter (note – that is 1/4 cup), room temperature
3/4 cup small curd cottage cheese (sour cream or Greek yogurt)
1 cup of flour mix (I used the rice/potato starch/ tapioca blend) [Pamela’s or another pre-made blend ]
1 tsp xanthan gum [not needed if using Pamela’s?]
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 TBS sugar
In the bowl of your mixer, combine the butter and cottage cheese. Add dry ingredients. Mix until a ball of dough forms.
Wrap in plastic wrap and chill 2 hours (I left mine overnight, as I wanted it ready in the morning).
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On lightly floured piece of parchment paper, roll the dough into a 14 inch circle. Cut into 8 triangles (really easy with a pizza cutter).
Roll each triangle from wide end to tip, turning ends to form a crescent shape. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment and bake 20 to 30 minutes.
Jennifer
I am not the person who posted this recipe. But I am sure you could use puff pastry and follow the baking instructions on the package.
patti
That would be great, also!!!! Why not? 🙂
Cody
Thank you
Lida
I think short crust pastry will work better than puff pastry.
ANGELA
I was thinking the very same thing myself…..would imagine they’d be as – if not more delicious – using puff pastry from the supermarket’s refrigerator/freezer section. I am going to try them this way. Have to be delish!!! After reading more comments, I’ve decided to melt a little butter in a skillet, add some cinnamon and the apple slices and cook for about 5 mins. then use in the recipe. I like my apples on the soft side when it comes to apple pie.
Patti
What kind of apples did you use???
Patti
Angela,
Excellent idea I am going to try that! I also like my apples soft! I will also peel the apples first.
patti
I slice my apples thin and they are soft after baking these in crescent rolls
Reese
Ive made these many times and have three variations. Because I lime my apples on the soft side and to cut down on butter but not taste, I follow the recipe, leaving off the butter, place them in a two inch pan and pour Mountaindew over them until the tops bave all been wet and theres about half an inch standing in pan. I use a 9×12 because we bave seven to feed, so if i’m making for company the recipe is always doubled. I am also a type 1 diabetic, so I have used diet before(my 3rd variation) and nobody noticed until I told them. You can also do the same thing with peaches, using all three choices, except the drink is changed to orange. It may not sound like it but they are great. And yes, for those wondering, diabetics can have sweets. Times have changed, we nust cover the carbs with insulin, and of course not go overboard.
Sue
As a fellow type 1diabetic, I love your post. I never heard of baking fruit in diet soda pop. I will be trying it as soon as I can get to the store.
I loved your comment about diabetics being allowed some sweets. I’ve been well controlled, with no complications for over 20 years. The last thing I care to hear is a nondiabetic telling me what I can eat!
jane turner
angela—that sounds like me—soft apples—-so cooking a few minutes with the spices is a great idea–going to ty it soon—thanks for theidea
Louise
They are croissants, BUT I bet puff pastry would be great.
Marilyn Kennedy
I’m not a big fan of purchased items and would be tempted to make a pie pastry or even a sweet dough for this recipe.. super great idea
Shirley going
Try biscuits from the dairy. Flaky if you have them. Treat just like crossiant
sprinkleandglitter
wow, these look so cute and easy, going to make them first thing tomorrow..thanks!! 🙂 http://sprinkleandglitter.blogspot.com/
Thank you! Hope you like them as much as I do! 🙂
sherri
Can these be made with puff pastry vs the brand you’ve suggested?
Hi Sherri! I’ve personally never made these with puff pastry so I can’t say. However, I’d give it a try because it sounds delicious!
Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen
I swear, anything rolled up in crescent roll dough is amazing. Love this idea for the holidays!
flora stewart
looks so good can’t wait to try
Irene DiMaggio
Also I hope you pet is ok!
Thanks so much, Irene! Chance got a bite of one of these and loved it too. 🙂 I hope you enjoy them as much as we did!
Joyce
Could I use Pillsbury gluten free dough to make these?
Tim
Yes you can cause there is no sugar in any of the dough, regular or gluten free…
April Spring
I’m allergic to apples, but can eat pears with no problem. I baked a batch of pears bites as well as apple bites. Everyone loved them!!!!! I was hesitate to use apple pie spice until I found the ingredients are cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. Sprinkled the top of spice mix with a touch of brown sugar and baked on a cooling rack on a cookie sheet so the bottoms weren’t soggy as some of the comments mentioned for 12 minutes. Then flipped them over and baked another two minutes. Of course, I plated them right-side up. Wonderful aroma when family is waking up… Hope those allergic to apples will try the pear bites. I’ve been waiting 50+ years to enjoy a faux apple pie.
Hi April, Thanks so much! I’m so glad you were able to adapt it so you could enjoy these, too. I love pears and that sounds so good! 🙂
Erin
Is this a recipe I could prepare the day before, refrigerate and cook the day of? Thanks
No, this recipe is best when cooked immediately. The crescent rolls will dry up in the fridge and the apples will brown and dry as well. Hope you enjoy!
Irene DiMaggio
Just love those apple crescents! Oh wow….that’s for me easy! Thanks so much….sometimes you need to see somethng to understand….making a whole pie is too much for me…uh……ANYWAY IM DOING IT,
connie
I agree…love the pics to accompany…makes it real easy to follow the directions!!! Awesome easy recipe to do with my 5 yr old niece
patti
When mine are warm,I put on a plate and put vanilla or whipped cream along side of it 🙂
Judy Burmett
Don’t really bake but this is so simple I want to try Apple Bites for our Halloween Party at work. Can I make ahead of time and stop at the point before they go into the oven, then bake the day of the party? Or should I just bake, refrigerate and warm the day of the Party? If I am just rewarming, do I completely cover in aluminum foil and at what temperature? Also do I have to spread a little melted butter on them before rewarming?
Belinda
make a small batch and see witch works best for your liking’s
Nicol
Did you find any info on the reheating
Pink
Same I tried it and with the leafy over dought I rolled it up in to a circle and duped it in the brown surged thing and they tasted like Cinnabon
CJ
I have a recipe similar to this. They are superior, although I use less sugar than called for with the canned apples, but I may seriously try them with cannwd pears. I’ll bet they are wonderful too.