Save Last autumn, my neighbor dropped off a bag of apples from her tree, and I had no idea what to do with all of them. These roll-ups happened by accident when I was too impatient to make a proper pie crust, and now my family actually requests them over the real thing. The whole house smells like cinnamon sugar, which is basically happiness in scent form.
My daughter helped me make these for her class party, and the teacher asked for the recipe before the last crumb disappeared. Something about tortillas instead of pastry makes them feel approachable, like a treat that does not take itself too seriously.
Ingredients
- Apples: Granny Smith holds its texture best, but Honeycrisp brings natural sweetness so you can cut back on sugar a bit
- Flour tortillas: Medium size works perfectly, and slightly stale ones actually roll up tighter without cracking
- Ground cinnamon: Fresh makes a huge difference, and I always add an extra pinch because cinnamon is the whole point here
- Unsalted butter: Melted for brushing and cooking the apples, salted works too but then skip the pinch of salt in the filling
- Granulated sugar: Creates that irresistible crunchy coating on the outside that everyone fights over
Instructions
- Warm up the oven:
- Preheat to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper so nothing sticks and cleanup is effortless.
- Cook the apples:
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, then add diced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, stirring for 4 to 5 minutes until the fruit softens and the juices turn syrupy.
- Fill the tortillas:
- Lay out tortillas and divide the apple mixture along one edge of each, leaving a little space so the filling does not escape while baking.
- Roll them tight:
- Starting from the filled edge, roll each tortilla snugly around the apples and place seam side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Butter and sugar them:
- Brush the tops with melted butter, then mix the cinnamon and sugar together and sprinkle it generously over every roll up.
- Bake until golden:
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the tortillas are crisp and golden brown, with the sugar coating starting to caramelize slightly.
Save These showed up on a dessert table at a potluck, and honestly, nobody touched the fancy cake next to them. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the ones that stick around.
Serving Ideas
Warm is absolutely how you want to eat these, straight from the oven while the sugar is still crackling. A scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top turns them into something that feels like a restaurant dessert. Caramel sauce drizzled over everything is not strictly necessary, but it is definitely not a mistake either.
Make Ahead
You can cook the apple filling up to two days ahead and keep it in the refrigerator, then just warm it slightly before rolling. The rolled but unbaked roll ups actually freeze beautifully, just add a couple minutes to the baking time if going straight from frozen. I have started doubling the apple filling just to keep some in the freezer for emergency sweet cravings.
Flavor Variations
Chopped pecans or walnuts inside the roll ups add such a nice crunch against the soft apples. Pears work beautifully in place of apples, especially with a little ginger added to the spice mix. Sometimes I swap the cinnamon sugar coating for a mixture of sugar and cardamom when I want something that feels a little more special.
- Try a dollop of lemon curd inside the roll ups for brightness that cuts through the sweet
- Whole wheat tortillas actually add a nice nutty flavor and make it feel slightly more wholesome
- A pinch of cayenne in the sugar coating makes these unexpectedly sophisticated
Save These prove that sometimes the best desserts come from taking shortcuts rather than following all the rules.
Kitchen Help
- → What type of apples work best?
Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples are ideal due to their balance of tartness and sweetness, which holds up well when cooked.
- → How do I achieve a crisp finish?
Brushing the roll-ups with melted butter before baking and sprinkling cinnamon sugar helps create a golden, crispy exterior.
- → Can I use whole wheat tortillas?
Yes, whole wheat tortillas add fiber and a nuttier flavor while maintaining the roll-ups' texture.
- → Are there suggested toppings?
Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel sauce complement the warm spiced apples beautifully.
- → How long should I bake them?
Baking for 12–15 minutes at 375°F (190°C) ensures the roll-ups turn golden and crisp without drying out.