Apple Pie Tacos are a playful, delicious twist on the classic apple pie. These handheld desserts deliver all the warm, spiced apple flavor of a pie but in a fun taco form that’s quick to assemble—perfect for fall evenings or whenever you want a cozy, comforting treat.
Using street taco tortillas, crisp Honeycrisp apples and a few pantry staples, you can make a delicious dessert in minutes. You can use a quick homemade apple pie filling or a store-bought version, but fresh apples and warm spices really make these stand out.
Related: Fruit Tacos
We recommend making a simple apple pie filling from scratch for the best texture and flavor. A homemade filling lets you control sweetness and spice and often tastes brighter than canned fillings. If you have kids helping, they’ll love stirring the apples and watching the sauce thicken.
How to Make Dessert Taco Shells
Tip: If you only have large burrito-style tortillas, cut 3.5″ circles from them for an easy street-taco size. That diameter is simple to work with, but use what you have.
There are two easy ways to create the crisp cinnamon-sugar taco shells:
Stovetop method:
- Heat about 1½” of neutral oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Using tongs, briefly fry each tortilla—about 5 seconds per side—folding it into a taco shape while it browns. Fry until crispy on both sides, then drain and immediately toss in the cinnamon-sugar mixture so it adheres while still warm.
Oven method (kid-friendly):
This method is safer for children and allows baking many shells at once:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Dust tortillas with cinnamon-sugar on both sides and place each one over the inverted cups of a muffin tin so it keeps a taco shape.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until the edges turn golden and the shells are crisp. If underbaked they may be chewy, so allow adequate time. Let cool before filling.
Ingredients Needed for Making Homemade Apple Pie Tacos
- Honeycrisp apples (or your favorite crisp apple) — peeled and chopped
- Street taco tortillas — or cut circles from larger tortillas
- Salted butter — or unsalted if preferred
- Seasonings: granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for the shells
- Toppings (optional): whipped cream and caramel sauce for drizzling
How to Make Apple Pie Tacos
Make the apple filling:
Peel and chop 4 medium apples into bite-sized pieces.
In a large saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat and stir in 1 teaspoon apple pie spice.
Add 1/3 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons water and the chopped apples. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften slightly.
Whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water until smooth, then stir into the apple mixture. Cook about one minute more until the sauce thickens, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Prep and bake shells: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place melted butter in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl mix 2/3 cup granulated sugar with 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon. Dip each tortilla in butter, then coat both sides with the cinnamon-sugar. Arrange tortillas over the inverted cups of a muffin tin and bake 10 minutes or until golden and crisp. Let cool before filling.
Assemble and serve: Spoon the warm apple filling into each taco shell. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce if you like. Serve immediately so shells stay crisp.
Reader-Favorite Apple Recipes
- Air Fryer Apple Fritters — fluffy, fruit-filled pastries that are quick to make.
- Apple Pecan Salad — seasonal flavors in a crisp, refreshing salad.
- Chocolate & Caramel Apple Bites — bite-sized sweets that combine classic fall flavors.
- Sheet Pan Caramel Apples — great for feeding a crowd and easy to serve.
- Baked Apples — warm, cozy dessert topped with a walnut filling.
- Apple Cinnamon Waffles — perfect for a fall breakfast or brunch.
- Easy Pear & Apple Nachos — a simple, kid-friendly snack.
Apple Pie Tacos
Ingredients
For the apple pie filling:
- 4 medium-sized apples, chopped or sliced
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 3 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp apple pie spice
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water (to mix with cornstarch)
For the tacos:
- 6 street taco tortillas
- 8 tbsp butter, melted
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
Optional toppings:
- Caramel sauce for drizzling
- Whipped topping or whipped cream
Instructions
Make the apple filling:
- Peel and chop the apples into bite-sized pieces.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat and stir in the apple pie spice.
- Add sugar, water and apples; stir and cook until apples soften slightly.
- Mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water, add to apples, cook until sauce thickens, then remove from heat.
Make the taco shells:
- Preheat oven to 400°F and invert a muffin tin to form taco shapes.
- Put melted butter in a shallow dish, and in another dish combine sugar and cinnamon. Dip tortillas in butter, then coat both sides with cinnamon-sugar. Place over inverted muffin cups.
- Bake about 10 minutes until golden and crispy. Cool before filling.
Assemble and serve:
- Spoon apple filling into each shell, top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel, and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
Additional Info
