Easy Apple Pie Egg Rolls

Craving the warm, comforting taste of apple pie but looking for a fun, new way to enjoy it? Look no further than these Easy Apple Pie Egg Rolls! This delightful dessert fusion takes the classic flavors of apple pie and tucks them into a crispy, golden egg roll wrapper. It’s an unexpectedly delicious combination that’s perfect for a quick treat, a unique party appetizer, or a charming dessert for any occasion. Forget the fuss of making a full pie crust; these egg rolls deliver all the apple cinnamon goodness in a convenient, hand-held package that’s ready in a fraction of the time.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the delightful contrast of textures. You get the tender, spiced apple filling, reminiscent of your favorite apple pie, encased in a shatteringly crisp exterior. Each bite is a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you reaching for another. And the best part? They’re incredibly customizable! You can adjust the spices to your liking, add a touch of vanilla, or even serve them with a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra touch of indulgence.
Let’s dive into how you can create these irresistible treats right in your own kitchen.

The Perfect Filling: Sweet and Spiced Apples

The heart of these apple pie egg rolls is, of course, the apple filling. The key to a delicious filling is using the right kind of apples and achieving the perfect balance of sweetness and spice.

Choosing Your Apples

For apple pie, and by extension, apple pie egg rolls, you want apples that hold their shape well during cooking and offer a good balance of tartness and sweetness. Here are some excellent choices:

Granny Smith: These are a classic for a reason! Their tartness provides a wonderful counterpoint to the sweetness of the sugar and spices, and they maintain their structure beautifully.

Honeycrisp: Sweet, crisp, and slightly tart, Honeycrisps are a fantastic all-around apple that will cook down nicely without turning to mush.

Fuji: Another sweet and crisp option that holds up well.

Braeburn: Offers a nice balance of sweet and tart, and a firm texture.

Golden Delicious: While sweeter, they can work if you prefer a less tart filling, but be mindful not to overcook them as they can become softer.

A great tip is to use a combination of two different types of apples. For example, combining Granny Smiths with Honeycrisps can give you the best of both worlds: a pleasant tartness from the Granny Smiths and a lovely sweetness and texture from the Honeycrisps.
You’ll need about 3-4 medium-sized apples for this recipe, depending on how generously you want to fill your egg rolls.

Preparing the Apples

Peel, core, and dice your apples into small, uniform pieces, about ¼ to ½ inch cubes. Smaller pieces will cook more evenly and be easier to roll into the egg roll wrappers.

The Spice Blend

The classic flavors of apple pie come from a warm blend of spices. For this recipe, you’ll want:

Ground Cinnamon: The star of the show! It brings warmth and that quintessential apple pie aroma.

Ground Nutmeg: A pinch of nutmeg adds depth and complexity to the spice blend.

A pinch of Ground Cloves or Allspice (optional): These can enhance the “pie spice” flavor, but use sparingly as they can be potent.

Combine your diced apples with granulated sugar (adjust to your apples’ sweetness and your preference), a touch of brown sugar for molasses notes, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice (this brightens the flavor and prevents browning), and your chosen spices. A tablespoon of cornstarch or all-purpose flour can also be added to the mixture. This acts as a thickener, ensuring your filling isn’t too watery and stays neatly inside the egg roll wrapper when cooked.

Cooking the Filling

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine your prepared apples, sugars, lemon juice, spices, and cornstarch/flour. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples have softened but still retain a slight bite (al dente). This usually takes about 5-10 minutes. You don’t want them to be mushy; remember, they will cook again when fried or baked in the egg roll wrapper. The liquid in the pan should thicken into a glossy sauce. Once cooked, remove from heat and let the filling cool completely before assembling your egg rolls. A cool filling is much easier to work with and helps prevent the wrappers from becoming soggy.

The Crispy Exterior: Egg Roll Wrappers

Egg roll wrappers are the unsung heroes of this recipe. They provide that incredibly satisfying crunch and golden-brown exterior. You can find them in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores, usually near the produce or tofu.

How to Work with Egg Roll Wrappers

Keep them covered: Egg roll wrappers can dry out quickly, becoming brittle and difficult to fold. Keep them covered with a damp paper towel or plastic wrap while you’re working to maintain their flexibility.

Orientation: Typically, you’ll place an egg roll wrapper with one corner pointing towards you, like a diamond shape. This makes rolling much easier.

Sealing: You’ll need a “glue” to seal the wrappers. A simple egg wash (one egg beaten with a tablespoon of water) or even just plain water will work perfectly.

Assembling Your Apple Pie Egg Rolls

This is where the magic happens! With your cooled apple filling and ready-to-use egg roll wrappers, assembly is straightforward.

Prepare your workstation: Lay out your wrappers, have your apple filling handy, and a small bowl of egg wash or water for sealing. You’ll also want a baking sheet lined with parchment paper nearby to place the assembled egg rolls.
Position the wrapper: Place an egg roll wrapper on a clean, dry surface so it looks like a diamond (a corner pointing towards you).
Spoon in the filling: Place about 1-2 tablespoons of the cooled apple filling just below the center of the wrapper, closer to the corner pointing towards you. Don’t overfill, or they’ll be difficult to roll and more prone to bursting.
Fold the bottom corner: Take the bottom corner (the one closest to you) and fold it up and over the filling, tucking it snugly.
Fold in the sides: Fold in the left and right corners towards the center, creating an envelope shape.
Roll it up: Starting from the bottom, tightly roll the wrapper upwards, away from you. As you roll, ensure the filling stays contained and the roll is firm but not overly tight (which could cause it to burst).
Seal the edge: Before you reach the top corner, dab a little egg wash or water on the exposed top corner of the wrapper. This acts as a glue. Continue rolling until the top corner is sealed.
Repeat: Continue this process with the remaining wrappers and filling.

Cooking Methods: Fry or Bake!

You have two excellent options for cooking your apple pie egg rolls, depending on your preference for crispiness and your desired level of indulgence.

Deep Frying (For Ultimate Crispiness)

Deep frying delivers that classic, incredibly crisp and golden-brown egg roll texture.

Heat the oil: In a deep pot or Dutch oven, pour about 2-3 inches of a neutral-flavored oil (like canola, vegetable, or peanut oil). Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure accuracy, as oil that isn’t hot enough will result in greasy egg rolls, and oil that’s too hot will burn them before the filling warms through.
Fry in batches: Carefully place 2-3 egg rolls into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Overcrowding will lower the oil temperature, leading to less crispy results.
Cook until golden: Fry for 2-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are beautifully golden brown and crispy on all sides.
Drain: Using tongs, carefully remove the cooked egg rolls from the oil and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet lined with paper towels. This allows excess oil to drain off and helps maintain their crispness.
Repeat: Continue frying in batches until all egg rolls are cooked.

Baking (For a Lighter Option)

Baking offers a lighter, still crispy alternative, though the texture will be slightly different from deep-fried.

Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare baking sheet: Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
Brush with oil: Arrange the assembled egg rolls on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Lightly brush the tops and sides of each egg roll with a neutral oil (like olive oil or canola oil). This helps them crisp up and achieve a golden color.
Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary.

Finishing Touches: The Cinnamon Sugar Coating

No apple pie experience is complete without a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar! This step is optional but highly recommended as it adds a wonderful sweetness and aroma to the exterior.
While your egg rolls are still warm (either just out of the fryer or oven), whisk together some granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow dish. Carefully roll or sprinkle each egg roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated. The warmth of the egg rolls will help the sugar adhere.

Serving Suggestions

These Easy Apple Pie Egg Rolls are fantastic on their own, but here are some ideas to elevate your serving experience:

A La Mode: Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast of warm, crispy egg roll with cold, creamy ice cream is heavenly.

Caramel Drizzle: A generous drizzle of warm caramel sauce takes these to the next level.

Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream is always a welcome addition.

Powdered Sugar: A simple dusting of powdered sugar makes for an elegant presentation.

Dipping Sauce: Consider serving them with a side of cream cheese frosting dip, a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk, or even a fruit dip.

Tips for Success

Cool the filling completely: This is crucial. Hot filling can make the wrappers soggy and difficult to work with, and can lead to uneven cooking.

Don’t overfill: A common mistake is to put too much filling in the wrapper, which makes it hard to roll and can cause the egg rolls to burst during cooking.

Seal tightly: Ensure the wrappers are sealed well to prevent the filling from leaking out.

Don’t overcrowd the fryer: If deep frying, cook in batches to maintain oil temperature and achieve maximum crispiness.

Adjust sweetness and spice: Feel free to modify the amounts of sugar and spices in the filling to suit your personal taste.

Storage: Leftover apple pie egg rolls are best enjoyed fresh. However, if you have any, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat them in an oven or air fryer to regain some crispness.

Make ahead: You can prepare the apple filling in advance and store it in the refrigerator for a day or two. You can also assemble the egg rolls and refrigerate them for a few hours before cooking. If refrigerating assembled egg rolls, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cover lightly with plastic wrap.

Why You’ll Love These Easy Apple Pie Egg Rolls

Quick & Easy: Much faster than making a traditional apple pie from scratch.

Irresistibly Crispy: The egg roll wrapper provides a delightful crunch.

Portable: Perfect for parties, picnics, or a grab-and-go dessert.

Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike will adore this fun take on a classic.

Customizable: Easily adaptable to your favorite apple varieties and spice preferences.

These Easy Apple Pie Egg Rolls are a testament to how simple ingredients and a creative approach can transform a classic dessert into something truly special and exciting. They’re comforting, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen novice, this recipe is accessible and guaranteed to impress. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and get ready to create a dessert that will have everyone asking for more! Enjoy the process, and most importantly, savor every crispy, apple-filled bite.