Best Apple Pie Bites

Finding a quick dessert that feels homemade but doesn’t require hours in the kitchen can seem impossible, especially when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to commit to baking an entire pie. And let’s be honest, cleaning up after a big baking project is nobody’s idea of fun, particularly on a busy weeknight when you just want to relax.

That’s where these apple pie bites come in handy. They give you all the cozy, cinnamon-apple flavor of traditional apple pie in a fraction of the time, use simple ingredients you probably already have, and make cleanup a breeze since everything bakes in a muffin tin.

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What Kind of Apples Should I Use?

For apple pie bites, you’ll want to go with tart apples that hold their shape when baked. Granny Smith apples are the classic choice because they’re nice and firm with just the right amount of tartness to balance out the sweet cinnamon sugar coating. Other good options include Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady apples, which all have that perfect combo of tartness and texture that won’t turn to mush in the oven. Whatever you choose, make sure your apples are firm to the touch – soft apples will get too mushy and won’t give you those nice, defined bites you’re looking for.

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Options for Substitutions

This recipe is pretty straightforward, but here are some swaps you can make if needed:

• Refrigerated pie crust: You can use homemade pie dough if you prefer, or even puff pastry for a flakier texture. Just roll it out to about the same thickness as store-bought crust.
• Tart apples: Granny Smith apples are the go-to here, but Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady apples work great too. You want something that holds its shape when baked and isn’t too sweet.
• Ground cinnamon: If you want to mix things up, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or apple pie spice blend instead of just cinnamon.
• Sugar: You can swap white sugar for brown sugar for a deeper, more caramel-like flavor. The texture will be pretty much the same.
• Butter: Melted coconut oil can replace butter if you need a dairy-free option, though the flavor will be slightly different.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake when making apple pie bites is cutting your apples too thick, which leaves them undercooked and crunchy instead of tender – aim for slices about 1/4 inch thick so they soften properly during the short baking time.

Another common error is skipping the step of brushing butter on the pie crust before adding the cinnamon sugar, as this helps the topping stick and creates that golden, crispy texture everyone loves.

To prevent soggy bottoms, make sure your oven is fully preheated to the correct temperature before baking, and don’t overcrowd the baking sheet since the bites need space for air to circulate.

For extra insurance against leaking, press the edges of each bite firmly with a fork to seal them completely, and if you’re serving them with caramel sauce, wait until they’ve cooled for a few minutes so the caramel doesn’t just slide right off.

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What to Serve With Apple Pie Bites?

These little apple pie bites are perfect on their own, but they’re even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. I love serving them warm so the ice cream melts just a bit and mixes with the cinnamon-sugar coating. A drizzle of caramel sauce (which is already listed as optional in the recipe) takes them over the top, or you could try them with some fresh whipped cream if you want something a little lighter. They’re also great alongside a hot cup of coffee or apple cider, especially during fall when you want something cozy and sweet.

Storage Instructions

Store: Keep your apple pie bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. They’re great as a quick snack throughout the week, and honestly taste amazing whether they’re warm or cold.

Freeze: These little bites freeze really well for up to 3 months. Just layer them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container so they don’t stick together. It’s nice to have a stash ready when you need a quick dessert or sweet treat.

Reheat: Pop them in a 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes to warm them up and get that pastry crispy again. You can also microwave them for 15-20 seconds if you’re in a hurry, though they won’t be quite as crispy. Drizzle with caramel sauce right before serving for the best results.

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1400-1550
• Protein: 8-12 g
• Fat: 60-70 g
• Carbohydrates: 215-235 g

Ingredients

• 2 sheets refrigerated pie crust (I use Pillsbury)
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon (freshly ground preferred)
• 2 medium tart apples (Granny Smith work best, peeled and diced)
• caramel sauce (I prefer Ghirardelli)
• 3 tbsp butter (room temperature)
• 1/2 cup sugar

Step 1: Prepare Mise en Place and Apple Filling

• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 medium tart apples
• 1/2 cup sugar

First, preheat your oven to 425˚F (220°C) to ensure it’s ready when the bites are assembled.

In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, mixing well; set aside 1 tablespoon of this mixture for later.

Next, peel and thoroughly dice the 2 medium tart apples.

I prefer to dice them rather than wedge for a better apple-to-crust ratio in each bite.

Step 2: Prepare and Season the Pie Crusts

• 2 sheets refrigerated pie crust
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

Unroll both sheets of refrigerated pie crust onto a clean surface.

Using a ruler or a sharp eye, trim each sheet to an 8-inch square.

Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter.

Brush the entire surface of both crusts evenly with the melted butter, then generously sprinkle the reserved cinnamon-sugar mixture over both crusts.

This sets the stage for those delicious crispy edges!

Step 3: Assemble and Bake the Apple Bites

• 2 sheets refrigerated pie crust
• 2 medium tart apples
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

Cut each seasoned 8-inch pie crust square into eight 1-inch wide strips.

For each apple bite, take a prepared apple wedge and tightly wrap one pastry strip around it, making sure the sugared side faces inward to get beautifully caramelized.

Arrange these wrapped apple bites on a baking sheet, leaving a little space between each.

Brush the tops of the bites with the remaining melted butter and lightly sprinkle with the 1 tablespoon of reserved cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Step 4: Bake and Serve

• caramel sauce

Bake the apple bites in the preheated oven for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed.

Keep an eye on them; ovens can vary!

Once baked, allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet for a few minutes before serving.

For an extra treat, I love to drizzle warm caramel sauce over them just before serving; it creates a delightful contrast of flavors and textures.

Best Apple Pie Bites

Delicious Best Apple Pie Bites recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 11 minutes mins

Cook Time 23 minutes mins

Total Time 34 minutes mins

Servings 4

Calories 1475 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 2 sheets refrigerated pie crust (I use Pillsbury)
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon (freshly ground preferred)
• 2 medium tart apples (Granny Smith work best, peeled and diced)
• caramel sauce (I prefer Ghirardelli)
• 3 tbsp butter (room temperature)
• 1/2 cup sugar

Instructions

 

• First, preheat your oven to 425˚F (220°C) to ensure it's ready when the bites are assembled. In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, mixing well; set aside 1 tablespoon of this mixture for later. Next, peel and thoroughly dice the 2 medium tart apples. I prefer to dice them rather than wedge for a better apple-to-crust ratio in each bite.
• Unroll both sheets of refrigerated pie crust onto a clean surface. Using a ruler or a sharp eye, trim each sheet to an 8-inch square. Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Brush the entire surface of both crusts evenly with the melted butter, then generously sprinkle the reserved cinnamon-sugar mixture over both crusts. This sets the stage for those delicious crispy edges!
• Cut each seasoned 8-inch pie crust square into eight 1-inch wide strips. For each apple bite, take a prepared apple wedge and tightly wrap one pastry strip around it, making sure the sugared side faces inward to get beautifully caramelized. Arrange these wrapped apple bites on a baking sheet, leaving a little space between each. Brush the tops of the bites with the remaining melted butter and lightly sprinkle with the 1 tablespoon of reserved cinnamon-sugar mixture.
• Bake the apple bites in the preheated oven for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed. Keep an eye on them; ovens can vary! Once baked, allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet for a few minutes before serving. For an extra treat, I love to drizzle warm caramel sauce over them just before serving; it creates a delightful contrast of flavors and textures.