These apple cinnamon rollups are easy to make with flaky puff pastry and a warm apple cinnamon filling! Baked until golden brown then drizzled with glaze, they are easier than apple pie and a family favorite.Â
If you love apple recipes, other favorites include apple pie cookies, apple pie bars and apple turnovers.
I love apple season and these apple cinnamon roll ups are easier than apple pie! Instead of pie dough like I use in my apple pie crescent rolls I used puff pastry like I do in my puff pastry apple pie for an easy sweet treat!
Rolled up pinwheel style, they might remind you of my quick and easy cinnamon rolls but with a sweet apple pie filling. They are perfect for a sweet breakfast or serve them with a scoop of ice cream and drizzle of caramel for dessert!
Why I Love These Apple Pie Rollups
- Easy to make: While I love these caramel apple cinnamon rolls, apple puff pastry rolls come together easily using frozen store-bought puff pastry and a simple apple filling.
- Versatile: Make these ahead of time to bake fresh later or even change the fruit filling, I love how these baked apple pie roll ups are adaptable!Â
Recipe Ingredients
- Apple: You will need one large apple diced small. I like to use a tart apple like a Honey Crisp or Pink Lady.
- Lemon juice: This helps prevent the apples from browning.
- Puff pastry: I used frozen puff pastry found in the freezer section. You can use homemade puff pastry if preferred!Â
- Butter: Softened butter is spread onto the puff pastry for a rich taste.
- Cinnamon sugar: Adds that classic apple pie taste! I used brown sugar but granulated sugar would also work.
- Vanilla glaze: Powdered sugar, cream and vanilla extract.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Rollups
To start, make the apple filling by sprinkling the peeled and diced apple with lemon juice, brown sugar and cinnamon then tossing to combine.Â
Next, on a flat surface unroll puff pastry and gently flatten with a rolling pin. Spread with softened butter then evenly spread the apple filling on top.
Roll up the dough tightly from the short side then wrap in plastic and refrigerate for an hour or up to overnight.
Slice the pastry roll into 10 slices then place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Chill again while the oven is preheating.
Bake until golden brown. Cool on pan for 5 minutes. Combine glaze ingredients then drizzle over puff pastry cinnamon rolls with apple and serve warm or room temperature!Â
Tips and Variations
- Frosting: Turn these into apple pie cinnamon rolls by adding cream cheese frosting on top! I love this maple cream cheese frosting from my pumpkin cupcakes or maple frosting from my apple butter cinnamon rolls.
- Powdered sugar: Skip the glaze and simply dust with powdered sugar before serving!Â
- Cold puff pastry: You want your puff pastry to be thawed yet still cold. If your puff pastry is too soft, the butter starts to melt and it becomes harder to roll and work with to make this recipe. If it’s too soft, just pop it in the fridge to chill again.
- Peeled vs. unpeeled apples: It really is a matter of preference! I peeled mine but you don’t have too if you would like to save time.
- Chilling time: Don’t skip the chilling time! This gives the apple filling time to become flavorful as well as chills the pastry dough so your apple cinnamon roll ups are flakier with crispy edges.Â
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper: This makes for easier clean up when making this apple cinnamon roll ups recipe!Â
What are the best apples to use?
I like to use whatever apples I have on hand as this recipe is pretty forgiving! If you are buying apples to make these apple puff pastry rolls though, I would choose Honeycrisp or Granny Smith.Â
How to quickly defrost puff pastry?
If you forgot to set your puff pastry in the refrigerator to thaw, set it on a lightly floured surface and it should thaw quickly within 30-40 minutes. I recommend turning it over once while it is on the countertop.Â
More Recipes with Puff Pastry
These Apple Cinnamon Rollups are so easy to make and so delicious, I hope you enjoy them too! Enjoy!
- 1 large apple (diced very small) (about 1¾ – 2 cups / 210 grams)
- 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 puff pastry roll (thawed)
- 3 tablespoons butter (very soft)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
VANILLA GLAZE
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Peel and core the apple, then cut into small cubes, sprinkle with the lemon juice and toss to combine. Add the brown sugar and cinnamon and gently combine.
On a flat surface unroll the puff pastry, and gently roll with a rolling pin to flatten and even out. Spread with the softened butter. Evenly spread the apple filling on top. Roll up the dough tightly from the short side. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least an hour or until firm. (I left mine overnight).
Slice the roll into 10 slices (approximately ¾ inch each). Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Chill while the oven is pre-heating 15-20 minutes.
Pre-heat oven to 350F / 180C.
Bake for approximately 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool on pan 5 minutes then move to a wire rack to cool completely or eat warm. Serve dusted with powdered sugar or with a simple vanilla glaze. Enjoy!
How to store leftovers?
Puff pastry apple cinnamon rolls are best fresh (while still warm) but can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days. I like to warm them up briefly in the oven, microwave or air fryer.ÂCan I freeze these?
Yes, you can freeze these apple cinnamon roll ups before baking or after baking. To freeze before baking, assemble, slice and then flash freeze on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer safe container or bag and freeze until ready to bake. Bake from frozen, increasing the baking time by a few minutes. To freeze these after baking, cool completely then store unglazed cinnamon apple pastries in a freezer safe container. Reheat in the oven to crisp and serve warm drizzled with glaze. .Â
Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 89mg | Potassium: 44mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 118IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg