Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie

My 2-ingredient cinnamon roll apple pie is so easy and such a delicious twist on a classic! I love how it combines the gooey, sweet goodness of cinnamon rolls with the warm spice flavors of apple pie.

My Super Easy Apple and Cinnamon Roll Pie

I love a good apple pie recipe and love my cinnamon rolls so I don’t know why it took me so long to think about combining the two to make a cinnamon roll apple pie!

Every Thanksgiving, I serve some sort of apple pie at the Thanksgiving and Christmas dessert tables. It’s personally requested by my son Connor and, of course, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a bowl on the side. He even goes so far as to say it’s his “thankful pie.” Mine too, buddy. Mine too.

I decided to try out my crazy idea of using canned cinnamon roll dough as a pie crust because what could go wrong?! And, I honestly love the taste and ease of canned apple pie filling, so it was a no-brainer to put it in the pie to make my recipe even easier.

I spread out the dough in the pie pan, pinched all the pieces together to make a solid base, poured canned apple pie filling on top, then covered it with another layer of cinnamon roll dough.

I can’t even describe how amazing my kitchen smelled while the pie baked. I almost wanted to keep the whole pie for my family and not serve it to my extended relatives! But this recipe is so easy, so I knew I could always make another one at home.

And, if you love good pies and dessert recipes, try my recipes for canned peach pie, chess pie, my 3-ingredient pie crust, sweet potato pie with condensed milk, and pineapple dump cake recipe.

Tips and tricks for the best Cinnamon Rolls and Apple Pie Filling Recipe

• Spray the pie pan generously to prevent any sticking. I also think this helps the cinnamon roll dough crisp up around the edges!
• Roll out the cinnamon roll dough evenly for the crust. I try to roll the dough until all the pieces are ⅛ of an inch thick.
• Pinch the seams of the rolls together to create a solid layer of crust without any holes.
• Cover the pie with foil to start baking, which will help it cook all the way through without overcooking on the top. I like to remove the foil for the last 10-15 minutes so the cinnamon rolls get golden brown on top.
• Allow the pie to cool completely before adding the frosting or glaze. I have much better results doing this than when I try to add the frosting while the pie is still warm and it melts everywhere.

Cinnamon Roll apple Pie Variations and substitutions

• Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for some delicious added crunch. I like to lightly pan-toast mine to bring out their rich flavor.
• Mix in nutmeg or allspice with the ground cinnamon for an even warmer, spicier filling. I also like to add a very small pinch of cayenne sometimes to give it that extra pop!
• Make your own homemade apple pie filling instead of using store bought. When I have time, I love making my own!
• Add a drizzle of caramel sauce on top, along with the icing. It adds another layer of flavor and sweetness.
• Top with vanilla ice cream instead of the glaze. I love adding a scoop to everyone’s slice just before serving.

Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie With Apple Pie Filling Ingredients

• Canned cinnamon rolls – I used just regular sized ones with the icing too
• Canned apple pie filling – I use Lucky Leaf, but any store-bought brand will work, or a homemade one instead

How to Make Apple Pie from Cinnamon Rolls

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Make sure to grease the pie plate with nonstick baking spray so that the cinnamon roll pie crust doesn’t stick.

STEP TWO: Roll out each cinnamon roll. They should be no thicker than ⅛ of an inch, which is about the size of a palm in diameter for reference. Line the bottom of the pie pan with the cinnamon rolls. Now, pinch the seams together so that it forms one large crust.

STEP THREE: Spread the apple pie filling over the crust in an even layer, and top it with the remaining cinnamon rolls. Again, pinch the seams to seal the filling. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. 

STEP FOUR: In order to get the golden brown results on the apple pie, remove the foil and bake for 10-15 minutes more. Let the pie cool completely, then drizzle it with the icing that comes with the cinnamon rolls!

Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie FAQs

What else can be made from cinnamon roll dough?

I have so much fun making treats with canned cinnamon roll dough, especially in the fall and winter! My cinnamon roll apple pie is one of my favorites, but I also enjoy sticking cinnamon rolls in the waffle maker and then topping with apple pie filling for a decadent breakfast.

When I’m in the mood for something sweet and savory, I’ll stuff the cinnamon rolls with bacon and then bake like usual. And my whole family always goes crazy for cinnamon rolls in the air fryer!

Can I use homemade apple pie filling instead? 

When I have extra time, I love making homemade apple pie filling! I use apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape well during baking and have enough tartness to balance the sweetness of the filling.

I simply melt butter in a skillet, add brown sugar, and let it melt. Then, toss in the peeled, cored, and sliced apples along with lemon juice, apple pie spice, and a small sprinkle of salt. I cook for 5-7 minutes until the apples are soft, then whisk in a cornstarch slurry and cook for another 2-3 minutes until thickened. It’s so easy and always super delicious! Here’s my go-to recipe lately.

Do I bake the cinnamon roll pie crust before filling?

No, that’s the beauty of my recipe! There’s no need to pre-bake the crust before adding the pie filling in. I just add the bottom crust, apple pie filling, and top crust, and let it bake!

What is cinnamon roll icing made of?

Cinnamon roll glaze is just powdered sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla extract. Any time I run out of the glaze or want to use more, I melt the butter, mix it with the other ingredients, and then I have homemade glaze ready to go!

Does cinnamon roll apple pie need to be refrigerated?

I always wrap leftover cinnamon roll apple pie in plastic wrap and leave it on the counter at room temperature. It will stay fresh for up to 2 days, and this dessert almost never lasts that long in my house!

For longer storage, I’ll keep it in the fridge where it stays fresh for up to 6 days.

More Easy Holiday Recipes

• Apple pie with a graham cracker crumb crust
• Cornbread stuffing
• Blueberry cobbler recipe
• Green bean casserole with canned green beans
• Peanut butter balls
• Ham gravy
• Easy sweet potato casserole