One chilly afternoon in early October, my grandson, Daniel, came bounding into the kitchen with cheeks flushed from the autumn air. He had just returned from apple picking with his school class, proudly carrying a bag of shiny apples as if they were treasure.
I could see the sparkle in his eyes as he asked, “Grandma, can we make something fun with these?” At that moment, I thought back to the times when my own children were little, tugging at my apron strings and begging for a sweet treat after school.
Instead of turning those apples into the usual pie, I wanted to surprise him with something playful, easy to hold, and bursting with familiar comfort. That’s when the idea of Apple Pie Egg Rolls felt just right. They capture everything we love about apple pie—warm cinnamon apples, sweet filling, and a touch of buttery richness—but wrapped in a golden, crispy shell that feels almost like a carnival treat.
As Daniel watched me dice the apples and stir them with cinnamon and sugar, the kitchen filled with that unmistakable autumn aroma. His excitement grew with every step. By the time the egg rolls came out of the hot oil, dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with caramel, he could barely wait to take a bite.
Seeing him enjoy those warm, crisp rolls reminded me why I love cooking for my family. It’s not just about feeding them—it’s about creating memories around the table that linger long after the plates are cleared.
Short Description
Apple Pie Egg Rolls are a fun twist on a classic dessert—crispy wrappers filled with warm cinnamon apples, lightly dusted with powdered sugar, and perfect for dipping in caramel sauce or pairing with ice cream.
Key Ingredients
For the Apple Pie Filling:
- 3 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (to thicken the filling)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
For the Egg Rolls:
- 10–12 egg roll wrappers
- 1 egg (beaten, for sealing)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
For Topping & Serving:
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Caramel sauce, optional
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, optional
Tools Needed
- Medium skillet
- Mixing bowls
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Pastry brush
- Deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot for frying
- Paper towels for draining
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Make the Apple Filling
Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Stir and cook for 6–8 minutes until apples are tender but not mushy.
Sprinkle flour over the apples, stir well, and cook another 1–2 minutes to thicken. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and let filling cool slightly.
Step 2: Assemble the Egg Rolls
Lay an egg roll wrapper on a clean surface, positioned like a diamond. Spoon 2 tbsp of filling into the center. Fold the bottom corner over the filling, tuck in the sides, and brush the top corner with beaten egg before rolling tightly to seal. Repeat with remaining wrappers.
Step 3: Fry the Egg Rolls
Heat 2 inches of oil in a skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry rolls in batches, 2–3 at a time, for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
Alternative: Air fry at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, brushing lightly with oil before cooking.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Dust warm rolls with powdered sugar. Serve with caramel drizzle or alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crispy and Comforting: Classic apple pie flavor in a crunchy, handheld treat.
Quick and Simple: Ready in just 35 minutes from start to finish.
Family-Friendly: Fun to make and even more fun to eat, especially for kids.
Versatile: Works as a snack, dessert, or party treat.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be assembled in advance and cooked later.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Overfilling the wrappers: Too much filling can cause the rolls to burst. Solution: Stick to about 2 tbsp per roll.
Oil too hot or too cool: If too hot, wrappers burn before the filling heats; too cool and they soak up oil. Solution: Maintain 350°F consistently.
Not sealing properly: Wrappers may open in the oil. Solution: Use beaten egg to secure edges.
Apples too soft: Overcooked apples lose texture. Solution: Cook just until tender but slightly firm.
Skipping cooling time: Hot filling can tear the wrappers. Solution: Let the filling cool before rolling.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve warm with caramel sauce for dipping.
Pair with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a decadent dessert.
Present on a platter at family gatherings for a fun finger-food treat.
Dust with extra cinnamon sugar for a festive holiday twist.
Enjoy with coffee or spiced tea for a cozy afternoon snack.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Place uncooked egg rolls on a tray, freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag. Fry or bake from frozen when ready.
Reheat: To keep them crispy, reheat in an oven or air fryer at 350°F for 8–10 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it makes them soggy.
FAQs
1. Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes, bake at 375°F for 15–18 minutes until golden, brushing with oil first.
2. What apples work best?
Granny Smith for tartness, Honeycrisp for sweetness, or Fuji for balance.
3. Can I make the filling ahead of time?
Yes, prepare it up to 2 days in advance and store in the fridge.
4. Do I need to thaw frozen wrappers?
Yes, thaw according to package directions before use.
5. Can I add other fruits?
Absolutely—pears or peaches make lovely additions.
Tips & Tricks
Dust wrappers lightly with flour if they feel too sticky while rolling.
Use a thermometer to check oil temperature for consistent frying.
For a festive twist, add a pinch of allspice or cloves to the filling.
To prevent soggy rolls, drain filling if it looks too liquid before wrapping.
Serve them warm, straight out of the fryer, for the best texture.
Recipe Variations
Apple-Cranberry Egg Rolls: Add ¼ cup dried cranberries to the filling for a tart holiday flavor.
Caramel Apple Egg Rolls: Stir 2 tbsp caramel sauce into the filling before rolling.
Nutty Apple Rolls: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts inside for crunch.
Maple Apple Rolls: Replace brown sugar with maple syrup for a richer sweetness.
Mini Dessert Rolls: Use wonton wrappers instead of egg rolls for bite-sized treats.
Final Thoughts
When Daniel finally took his first bite, his smile said everything. The crisp shell gave way to soft, cinnamon-kissed apples, and he declared, “Grandma, these taste better than pie!” I laughed, knowing full well that apple pie will always have its place on our holiday table, but these little rolls have earned their own spotlight.
That evening, we shared them with my husband, who paired his with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel, making a simple snack feel like a grand dessert. It reminded me that sometimes, the best recipes aren’t the ones that take hours to prepare but the ones that bring people together in small, joyful moments.
Apple Pie Egg Rolls
Ingredients
For the Apple Pie Filling:
- 3 medium apples Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji, peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour to thicken the filling
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
For the Egg Rolls:
- 10 –12 egg roll wrappers
- 1 egg beaten, for sealing
- Vegetable oil for frying
For Topping & Serving:
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Caramel sauce optional
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream optional
Instructions
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add apples, both sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice; cook for 6–8 minutes until tender but not mushy.
- Sprinkle in flour, stir, and cook 1–2 minutes to thicken. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and let cool slightly.
- Place an egg roll wrapper on a clean surface like a diamond. Spoon 2 tablespoons of filling into the center, fold the bottom corner over the filling, tuck in the sides, brush the top corner with beaten egg, and roll tightly to seal. Repeat with remaining wrappers.
- Heat 2 inches of oil in a skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry 2–3 rolls at a time for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crisp, then drain on paper towels. For a lighter option, air fry at 375°F for 10–12 minutes after brushing lightly with oil.
- Dust warm rolls with powdered sugar and serve with caramel drizzle or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
