Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake (2-Ingredients)

Name: Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake (2 Ingredients!)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 (17.5oz) can cinnamon rolls, (cut into 1/4s); 1 (20oz) can apple pie filling, (apples cut into bite sized pieces)

This Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake is your answer to a quick breakfast or dessert! With just apple pie filling and cinnamon rolls, this two-ingredient recipe is ready for the oven in under five minutes. Perfect for a speedy sweet treat or impressing your brunch guests without breaking a sweat. Simple, delicious, and a total game-changer!

Wondering what to serve with cinnamon rolls and apple pie filling? Pairing this bake with a few simple sides can elevate your brunch spread. Here are some ideas: Whipped Cream, Coconut Whipped Cream, No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream, or Salted Caramel Sauce!

Top down image showing a white round plate with a lifted edge topped with baked cinnamon rolls and apple pie filling. A bite is sitting on a fork. The plate is sitting on a wooden table top with a teal napkin, cinnamon sticks, and apple slices off to the side

Why You’ll Love This Apple Cinnamon Rolls Bake

Quick and Easy: With just 2-ingredients and less than five minutes of prep time, it’s perfect for busy mornings.
Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: Combines the classic flavors of apple pie and cinnamon rolls without the fuss.
Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for feeding a group, whether it’s a family breakfast or a brunch with friends.

My husband helped me test this apple cinnamon roll bake. He could not believe that two ingredients could make something that tasted so good. I caught him that night, in the dark kitchen, eating the rest of the bake straight out of the pan. It’s that good.

Think of a treat that combines sweet apple pie filling with a little kick of spice from cinnamon, but with practically zero effort. That’s what this cinnamon roll apple bake is. It’s so incredibly easy to make and with one simple swap of ingredients you can have dozens of flavor options! Since that first day in the kitchen we’ve made this two more times and plan to keep it forever on our brunch rotation.

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Top down image showing a square baking pan sitting on a wooden table top with a teal napkin off to the side. Inside the pan is a can of Pillsbury Grands cinnamon rolls and a small glass bowl of apple pie filling

Ingredients You’ll Need

Because the list of ingredients for an apple bake and cinnamon rolls, I suggest reaching for whichever brand you personally feel tastes the best. Here is what you need:

Canned Cinnamon Rolls: For even baking, cut the cinnamon rolls into uniform pieces before arranging them in the baking dish. Drizzle the included icing over the bake after it comes out of the oven for an extra touch of sweetness.
Can of Apple Pie Filling: Ensure the apple pie filling is spread evenly over the cinnamon rolls for consistent flavor in every bite. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the apple pie filling for an extra kick of spice.
Optional Addition of Chopped Nuts: Toast the chopped nuts lightly in a pan before adding them to the bake for a richer, more complex flavor. Sprinkle the nuts on top just before baking to keep them crunchy and toasty.

Helpful Tools

Baking Dish: (affiliate) An 8×8 inch baking dish works perfectly for this recipe. I like the one linked here because it comes with a lid- making it perfect for storing leftovers.
Can Opener: (affiliate) To easily open the can of apple pie filling. Side note, does anyone remember those ancient can openers that would hang from the cabinets back in the 80s and 90s??
Knife: (affiliate) For cutting the cinnamon rolls into uniform pieces.
Spatula: (affiliate) To spread the apple pie filling evenly over the cinnamon rolls.
Mixing Bowl: (affiliate) Useful if you decide to mix the chopped nuts with the filling before adding.

Close up top down image showing canned cinnamon rolls that have been cut into 1/4s and are sitting in a white speckled mixing bowl

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake

Preheat Your Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and let it heat up while you prepare the ingredients.
Grease Your Baking Pan: Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking pan with baking spray or a little bit of butter.
Cut the Cinnamon Rolls: Open the can of cinnamon rolls and cut each roll into four equal pieces.
Place Cinnamon Rolls in the Pan: Spread the cut pieces of cinnamon rolls evenly in the greased baking pan.
Add Apple Pie Filling: Open the can of apple pie filling and spoon it over the cinnamon rolls, making sure it’s spread out evenly.
Optional: Add Chopped Pecans: If you like, sprinkle some chopped pecans over the top of the apple pie filling.
Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the cinnamon rolls are cooked through and golden brown.
Drizzle with Frosting: Take the pan out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, drizzle the frosting that came with the cinnamon rolls over the top.
Serve and Enjoy: Your apple pie filled cinnamon rolls are ready to enjoy! Serve warm for the best taste.

Variations:

While I love these baked apple cinnamon rolls, you can definitely play with the flavors! Here are a few of our favorites:

Berry Cinnamon Roll Bake: Substitute the apple pie filling with blueberry or mixed berry pie filling for a fruity twist.
Peach Cinnamon Roll Bake: Use canned peach pie filling instead of apple for a summery flavor.
Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake: Drizzle caramel sauce over the apple pie filling before baking for a richer, sweeter treat.
Maple Pecan Cinnamon Roll Bake: Add a few tablespoons of maple syrup and sprinkle extra chopped pecans on top for a nutty, maple flavor.

Top down image showing a white baking dish filled with chopped canned cinnamon rolls. The dish is sitting on a wooden table with a teal napkin

Top down image showing a white baking dish filled with chopped canned cinnamon rolls and apple pie filling. The dish is sitting on a wooden table with a teal napkin

Tips for Success:

Can you make it in a muffin tin? Yes, you can! Simply cut the cinnamon rolls into smaller pieces and distribute them evenly into the greased muffin tin cups. Spoon a small amount of apple pie filling over the cinnamon roll pieces in each cup. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes or until the cinnamon rolls are cooked through.

Can you use other types of pie filling? Absolutely! You can use other types of pie filling like cherry, blueberry, peach, or mixed berry. Just substitute the apple pie filling with your chosen pie filling for a delicious variation.

Can you make it half-size in a loaf pan? Yes, you can make a half-size version in a loaf pan. Use half a can of cinnamon rolls and half a can of pie filling. Follow the same instructions, but check for doneness a bit earlier, around 35-40 minutes, since it’s a smaller portion.

How to keep it from being too soggy? To avoid a soggy bake:

Drain Excess Liquid: If the pie filling is very watery, drain some of the excess liquid before adding it to the cinnamon rolls.
Spread Evenly: Make sure the pie filling is spread evenly and not too thick in any one spot.
Bake Thoroughly: Ensure you bake it until the cinnamon rolls are fully cooked through and golden brown. You can cover the top with foil if it starts to brown too quickly but still needs more time to cook.

Top down image showing a white baking dish filled with an apple cinnamon roll dish with a drizzle of frosting. The dish is sitting on a wooden table top with a teal napkin, cinnamon sticks, and apple slices around

Storage and Leftover Instructions

Storage:

Cool Completely: Allow the Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake to cool completely before storing.
Refrigerator: Place the leftovers in an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze the bake. Cut it into individual portions, wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.

Reheating:

Microwave: For a quick reheat, place a portion on a microwave-safe plate and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through. Covering it with a damp paper towel can help retain moisture.
Oven: To reheat larger portions or the entire bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bake in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.
Toaster Oven: For a crispy exterior, use a toaster oven. Place a portion in the toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.

Tips:

Prevent Dryness: If the bake seems dry after reheating, you can drizzle a bit more frosting or a light glaze made from powdered sugar and milk over the top to add moisture.
Single Servings: Store leftovers in single-serving containers to make reheating easy and convenient.
Check for Freshness: Always check for signs of spoilage before consuming leftovers, especially if stored for a longer period.

fork holding a bite of cinnamon roll with apple pieces hovering over a white round plate with more. The plate is on a wooden table with apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and teal napkins

Recipe FAQs

Can I assemble this bake ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake ahead of time. Prepare the recipe as instructed, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes while you preheat the oven.

Can I swap homemade cinnamon rolls for store-bought?

Absolutely! You can use homemade cinnamon rolls in place of store-bought ones. Just prepare your homemade dough and cut it into pieces as you would with the store-bought cinnamon rolls. Follow the rest of the recipe as directed.

Can I use other store-bought pie fillings?

Yes, you can use other store-bought pie fillings. Cherry, blueberry, peach, or mixed berry pie fillings are great alternatives. Simply substitute the apple pie filling with your chosen pie filling for a different flavor.

Is it possible to use homemade apple pie filling instead of canned?

Yes, you can use homemade apple pie filling. Prepare your homemade filling with fresh apples, sugar, cinnamon, and a bit of cornstarch. Let it cool before adding it to the cinnamon rolls to ensure the bake cooks evenly.

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5 from 1 vote