These apple cinnamon roll ups? Oh, they’re like little bites of fall. Warm, sweet, and super easy to make.

I whipped up a batch on a lazy Sunday, and my kitchen smelled amazing. The apples and cinnamon just melt together so perfectly.

If you love quick treats that taste homemade, you’ve gotta try this one. Let’s roll ‘em up and bake some happiness.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Balance of Sweet and Spicy: The combination of cinnamon and apple creates a perfect sweet-spicy balance that’s familiar yet so satisfying.
Quick and Easy: This recipe doesn’t require hours of preparation—just a few minutes to assemble and bake.
Kid-Friendly: Kids love the mini rolls, and they’re perfect for snacking or lunchboxes!
Versatile and Customizable: You can modify this recipe with different fruits or toppings to suit your taste.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare them in advance, then bake when you’re ready to serve, or even store leftovers for a quick treat.

Required Kitchen Tools

Baking tray or sheet
Rolling pin
Knife for slicing
Small saucepan for the apple filling
Small bowl for cinnamon sugar
Pastry brush (optional)

Ingredients

To make these delicious Apple Cinnamon Roll Ups, you’ll need a few simple ingredients that you might already have in your pantry and fridge. Here’s a breakdown of what you need for the roll ups and the apple filling:

For the Roll Ups:

White Bread Slices – 8 slices (regular white bread works best for these roll ups because of its softness)
Castor Sugar or Brown Sugar – 2 tbsp (either works, but brown sugar adds a richer, caramel-like flavor)
Cinnamon Powder – ½ tsp (adds warmth and depth of flavor to the sugar mixture)
Melted Butter – for brushing the roll ups before baking, this helps them crisp up and gives them a beautiful golden finish

For the Apple Filling:

Apple – 1 large apple (you can use either red or green apples, depending on your preference for sweetness or tartness)
Water – 2 tbsp (helps cook down the apple)
Brown Sugar – 1-2 tsp (depending on the sweetness of the apple, adjust as needed)
Corn Flour (Cornstarch) – 1 tsp (thickens the apple mixture for a smooth consistency)
Cinnamon – ½ tsp (brings that signature spice to the filling)
Vanilla Extract – ¼ tsp (adds richness to the apple filling)
Lemon Juice – Optional (adds a tangy freshness and prevents the apple from browning, though it can be skipped if you prefer)

Variations for Apple Cinnamon Roll Ups

Apple Cinnamon Roll Ups are versatile, and you can easily modify them to suit your taste or dietary preferences. Here are some ideas to change up this classic recipe:

Add Nuts: Add a handful of chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, to the apple filling for added texture and a nutty flavor.
Use Other Fruits: While apples are the star of this recipe, you can substitute them with other fruits, such as pears, peaches, or berries. Just adjust the cooking time to suit the fruit you choose.
Add Caramel: Drizzle caramel sauce on top of your roll ups once they’re baked for a decadent treat.
Make It Vegan: Use dairy-free butter and replace the bread with a vegan-friendly option. You can also swap out the milk in any glaze with almond milk or coconut milk.
Try a Different Spice: While cinnamon is a must for this recipe, you can experiment by adding ground nutmeg, ginger, or cloves to the sugar mixture for a different flavor profile.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Apple Cinnamon Roll Ups

1. Prepare the Apple Filling

Before making the roll ups, we need to make the sweet and aromatic apple filling. This part is quick, and you’ll love how it fills your kitchen with delicious smells!

Peel and Chop the Apple: Start by peeling the apple and cutting it into small cubes (about ½ inch). You can choose red or green apples depending on whether you want a sweeter or slightly tangier filling.
Cook the Apple: In a small saucepan, add the chopped apples, water, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally. The apples should soften and break down a bit as the mixture thickens.
Add Vanilla and Lemon Juice: Once the apples have softened, stir in the vanilla extract and lemon juice (if using). Allow the mixture to cook for another 1-2 minutes to ensure everything is well combined and the filling is thick. Set aside to cool slightly.

2. Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Mixture

While the apple filling cools, it’s time to prep the cinnamon-sugar mix that will add sweetness and spice to the outside of the roll ups.

Mix Cinnamon and Sugar: In a small bowl, combine the 2 tablespoons of castor or brown sugar with the cinnamon powder. This will be the perfect topping for the roll ups.

3. Assemble the Roll Ups

Now that everything is prepped, it’s time to assemble the roll ups. This is where the fun happens!

Flatten the Bread: Lay the slices of white bread on a flat surface. Using a rolling pin, gently roll each slice of bread flat. This step is essential because it helps the roll ups become tender and gives them a greater surface area to hold the apple filling.
Spread Butter: Brush melted butter generously over one side of each flattened bread slice. This will give them a golden and crisp exterior once baked.
Add the Apple Filling: Spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of the cooled apple filling onto the center of each flattened bread slice. Don’t overfill them to avoid the filling spilling out.
Roll Them Up: Carefully roll each slice of bread tightly into a cylinder, making sure the apple filling stays inside.

4. Bake the Apple Cinnamon Roll Ups

Once the roll ups are assembled, it’s time to bake them to golden perfection.

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it with a little butter or oil to prevent sticking.
Arrange the Roll Ups: Place the prepared roll ups on the baking sheet, making sure they’re not touching each other. Brush each roll up with a little extra melted butter for a crispier finish.
Sprinkle Cinnamon Sugar: Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top of each roll up, ensuring they’re coated evenly.
Bake: Bake the roll ups in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crisp. Keep an eye on them as baking times may vary slightly depending on your oven.
Cool: Once baked, remove the roll ups from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the filling to firm up slightly.

Serving and Decoration

How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Roll Ups

These Apple Cinnamon Roll Ups are delicious on their own, but they can also be dressed up in a few different ways:

With Ice Cream: Serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or cinnamon ice cream for a decadent dessert experience.
With Caramel Sauce: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the top of the roll ups for extra sweetness and richness.
With Whipped Cream: Top with a dollop of whipped cream for a light, airy contrast to the warm, spiced rolls.
As Breakfast: These roll ups make a perfect weekend breakfast when served with a side of fresh fruit or a drizzle of maple syrup.
As a Snack or Dessert: Whether for a mid-afternoon snack or after-dinner treat, these rolls are a crowd-pleaser.

Garnish Ideas:

Powdered Sugar: Dust the top with a little powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
Chopped Nuts: Sprinkle crushed walnuts or pecans over the top to add crunch and flavor.

Storing Apple Cinnamon Roll Ups

Apple Cinnamon Roll Ups are best when eaten fresh from the oven, but you can store leftovers if you have any.

Leftovers: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They will lose some of their crispiness, but they will still taste delicious.
Reheating: To reheat, simply place the roll ups in a preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until warm and slightly crisped on the outside again.
Freezing: You can freeze the assembled but unbaked roll ups. Just place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, and then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, you can bake them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Nutrition

Here’s a general nutritional breakdown per serving (1 roll up):

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	150 kcal
Carbohydrates	30g
Protein	2g
Fat	4g
Fiber	2g
Sugar	12g
Sodium	85mg

(Note: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on the specific ingredients used.)

Conclusion

Apple Cinnamon Roll Ups are a must-try recipe that combines the best of apples, cinnamon, and soft bread in one irresistible treat. Whether you serve them as a snack, a breakfast, or a dessert, they’re sure to delight. The warm apple filling and crispy bread exterior create the perfect balance of flavors and textures that everyone will love. Plus, this recipe is so easy to make and can be customized to suit your preferences.

So, why not give this simple yet delicious recipe a try? Whether you’re baking them for yourself or sharing them with friends and family, these Apple Cinnamon Roll Ups are bound to become a new favorite in your recipe repertoire.