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Air Fryer Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cups

Name: Air Fryer Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cups
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 17 min
Ingredients: 1 package refrigerated cinnamon rolls (with cream cheese frosting); 2 large apples (peeled and diced); 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 3 tablespoons butter (unsalted)

Author: Laurie Fleming
Published: March 23, 2021

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Air Fryer Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cups take a can of refrigerated cinnamon rolls and turn them into warm, apple-pie-filled breakfast cups in under 20 minutes. They taste like a cross between a cinnamon roll and a mini apple pie — and the air fryer gives them golden edges and a soft, gooey center without heating up the whole kitchen.

Air fryer apple pie cinnamon roll cups topped with cream cheese icing

IIf you love a quick air fryer breakfast, this is one my family asks for on repeat. It’s the kind of recipe that looks impressive on a brunch table but starts with five simple ingredients and almost no effort.

Looking for more easy air fryer breakfasts? Try my Air Fryer Apple Cranberry Bread, Air Fryer Breakfast Egg Rolls, Air Fryer Breakfast Cookies, and Air Fryer 2-Ingredient Bagels.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to customize. Swap the fruit, add caramel, or top with whipped cream.
Fast. Start to finish in about 17 minutes — perfect for busy mornings.
Five simple ingredients. Refrigerated cinnamon rolls do the heavy lifting.
Kid-approved. The apple-pie filling makes them feel like a treat.
No big cleanup. One small skillet and a muffin pan.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Apple pie cinnamon roll cups ingredients laid out: cinnamon rolls, apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter

Refrigerated cinnamon rolls (with cream cheese frosting) — one package. The included icing doubles as your topping. Pillsbury Grands or regular both work; Grands make a bigger cup.
Apples — 2 large, peeled and diced. See the best apples to use below.
Ground cinnamon — warms up the apple filling.
Brown sugar — adds that apple-pie caramel note.
Butter — unsalted, for cooking the apples down.

Best Apples for Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cups

You want an apple that holds its shape and balances sweet and tart. Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Braeburn, and Pink Lady are all great choices. Granny Smith gives the most pie-like tartness; Honeycrisp is sweeter and softens beautifully.

How to Make Air Fryer Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cups

Diced apples, butter, brown sugar and cinnamon cooking in a small skillet

Step 1 — Cook the apples. In a small skillet, combine the diced apples, butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Cook over a low simmer for 4–6 minutes, just until the apples soften and the mixture is syrupy. Set aside.

Cinnamon roll dough pressed into a muffin tin and filled with the cooked apple mixture

Step 2 — Shape the cups. Grease a muffin tin (or use ramekins if your pan doesn’t fit the basket). Press one cinnamon roll into each cup, pushing the dough up the sides to form a well in the middle.

Step 3 — Fill and air fry. Spoon the cooked apple mixture into each well. Set the pan into the air fryer basket and cook at 320°F for 5–7 minutes, until the dough is golden and cooked through.

Step 4 — Ice and serve. Let them cool slightly, then drizzle with the icing from the cinnamon roll package. Serve warm.

Tip: Don’t overfill the wells — the dough puffs as it cooks, and too much filling will bubble over.

Baked apple pie cinnamon roll cups being drizzled with icing

Expert Tips

Check your fit first. Air fryer baskets vary; if your muffin pan won’t fit, silicone muffin cups or oven-safe ramekins work great.
Don’t skip greasing. The sugar in the filling can stick.
Cook in batches if needed rather than crowding the basket — airflow is what crisps the edges.
Watch the first batch closely. Every air fryer runs a little differently; pull them when the centers are set and the tops are golden.

Variations

Different fruit: swap in cherry, blueberry, raspberry, peach, or strawberry pie filling.
Shortcut version: use canned apple pie filling instead of cooking fresh apples.
Extra cinnamon: dust the tops before serving.
Homemade glaze: whisk powdered sugar with a splash of milk and drizzle.
Caramel apple: spoon warm caramel over the top.
À la mode: add whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream right before serving.

Close-up of finished air fryer apple pie cinnamon roll cups

How to Store, Freeze & Reheat

Refrigerator: Cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Freeze un-iced cups in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Ice after reheating.

Reheat: Warm in the air fryer at 320°F for 2–3 minutes, or microwave for 15–20 seconds until heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these in the oven instead of an air fryer? Yes. Bake in a greased muffin tin at 350°F for about 13–17 minutes, until golden and cooked through in the center.

Can I use canned apple pie filling? Absolutely — it’s the fastest shortcut. Chop any large pieces so the filling sits evenly in each cup.

Why are my centers doughy? The cups likely needed another minute or two, or the basket was crowded. Cook in batches and add time in 1-minute increments.

What kind of cinnamon rolls work best? Any refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing. Grands make a larger, fuller cup; standard rolls make a smaller two-bite version.

Can I make them ahead? Yes. Bake, cool, and refrigerate, then reheat and ice just before serving so they taste fresh.

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