Crispy Air Fryer Apple Pie Taquitos: Your New Favorite Easy Dessert Recipe
Get ready to fall in love with these Air Fryer Apple Pie Taquitos! This recipe transforms a classic dessert into a fun, handheld treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Imagine warm, tender apple pie filling encased in a perfectly crispy tortilla, all coated in a delightful cinnamon-sugar mixture. It’s a truly delicious dessert that’s incredibly simple to make, whether it’s apple season or you’re craving a taste of comfort any time of year.
The magic happens when the sweet, spiced apple filling meets the irresistible crunch of a butter-brushed, cinnamon-sugar coated tortilla, all perfectly cooked in the air fryer. This method delivers a golden, crispy exterior without the need for deep frying, making it a healthier and quicker alternative. Add a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a dollop of whipped cream, and you’ve got an instant dessert that’s meant to be savored.
I absolutely adore making these apple pie taquitos for dessert after a family meal, or even as a special Saturday morning treat. Weekends are for enjoyment and relaxation, and what better way to kick off the day or wind down an evening than with a warm, sweet, and comforting dessert? It’s an experience that brings smiles and satisfaction every time.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Apple Pie Taquitos Recipe
There are countless reasons why these apple taquitos will quickly become a favorite in your household:
- Incredibly Easy: With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike.
- Quick to Make: The air fryer drastically cuts down cooking time, meaning you can enjoy these warm treats in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Perfect Texture: The air fryer gives the tortillas an amazing crispy, golden-brown finish that contrasts beautifully with the soft, warm apple filling.
- Versatile: Ideal for dessert, breakfast, brunch, or a snack. They’re also fantastic for entertaining guests or simply treating yourself.
- Family Favorite: Both kids and adults will rave about these sweet taquitos, making them a great option for family gatherings or movie nights.
- Less Mess, Less Oil: Air frying means less oil splatter and easier cleanup compared to traditional frying.
If you’re a fan of delicious apple desserts made in your air fryer, you might also enjoy these Air Fryer Apple Turnovers. For more inspiration, check out our guide to 15 Fall Desserts to Make in the Air Fryer, or explore these 12 Best Air Fryer Apple Recipes for even more fruity goodness!
Ingredients: Simple Goodness for Sweet Taquitos
One of the best things about this recipe is its simplicity. You only need a handful of common ingredients to create these delightful dessert taquitos. Here’s what you’ll need, along with a few tips for selection:
- Apple Pie Filling: You can choose the convenience of a canned filling like Comstock Apple Pie filling, which is readily available and delicious. Alternatively, for a truly homemade touch, consider making your own with our easy air fryer apples recipe. Either option provides that sweet, tender apple core for your taquitos.
- Soft Flour Tortillas: These are crucial! Soft flour tortillas are flexible and easy to roll, providing the perfect casing for your apple filling. Avoid corn tortillas as they tend to crack when rolled tightly. Medium-sized tortillas work best for a good filling-to-tortilla ratio.
- Butter: Melted butter is brushed on the tortillas before rolling them in cinnamon sugar. This helps the sugar mixture adhere beautifully and contributes to that desirable golden, crispy texture in the air fryer. Unsalted butter is usually preferred, but salted works too if that’s what you have.
- Granulated Sugar: This provides the primary sweetness and forms the crispy, caramelized coating when combined with cinnamon.
- Ground Cinnamon: The quintessential spice for apple desserts. It adds a warm, aromatic flavor that perfectly complements the apple filling and the sweet coating. You can adjust the amount to your taste.
How to Make Apple Pie Taquitos in the Air Fryer: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making these sweet taquitos is incredibly simple, and the air fryer does most of the work to give you that perfect crispy finish. Follow these easy steps for a fantastic dessert:
Get ready to assemble your delicious apple pie taquitos!
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Prepare Your Tortillas and Filling.
Begin by laying your soft flour tortillas flat on a clean surface or cutting board. Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of your chosen apple pie filling across the center of each tortilla. Make sure to distribute the filling evenly in a line, leaving enough space on the sides for rolling.
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Roll and Butter the Taquitos.
Carefully roll each tortilla tightly, ensuring the filling is secure inside. Once rolled, brush the entire outer surface of the taquito with melted butter. This butter layer is key to achieving that desirable crispiness and helps the cinnamon-sugar coating stick.
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Coat in Cinnamon Sugar.
In a shallow, flat dish (a pie plate or a wide bowl works well), stir together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until fully combined. Gently roll each buttered taquito in this fragrant mixture, ensuring the entire outside is thoroughly coated. This layer will caramelize and become wonderfully crispy during air frying.
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Load the Air Fryer.
Carefully place the coated taquitos into your air fryer basket. Arrange them seam-side down to prevent them from unraveling during cooking. It’s crucial not to stack or overlap them; ensure there’s a single layer with a little space between each taquito for even air circulation. You might need to cook them in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
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Air Fry to Golden Perfection.
Set your air fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and cook for 9-11 minutes. During this time, the taquitos will start to turn golden and crispy. After the initial cooking time, use tongs to carefully flip them over to ensure even browning on all sides. Continue to air fry for another 3-4 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of golden crispiness and the apple filling is heated through.
I typically make this recipe in my Cosori Air Fryer. Remember that air fryer models can vary in size and wattage, so cooking times may need slight adjustments of 1-2 minutes. Always keep an eye on your taquitos to prevent over-browning, especially towards the end of the cooking process.
Expert Tips for Perfectly Crispy Apple Taquitos
- Don’t Overfill: While tempting, overfilling the tortillas can lead to difficult rolling and potential leaks during cooking. Stick to about 2 tablespoons per medium tortilla.
- Roll Tightly: A snug roll keeps the filling in place and ensures a uniform shape for even cooking and crisping.
- Brush Generously with Butter: The melted butter is essential for both flavor and for the cinnamon-sugar to adhere properly, creating that delicious crust.
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: While not always strictly necessary, preheating can help achieve a more consistent cook and crispier results right from the start.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Air fryers work by circulating hot air. Overcrowding prevents proper air flow, leading to unevenly cooked or soggy taquitos. Cook in batches if needed.
- Monitor Cooking: Air fryers can cook quickly. Check your taquitos periodically, especially during the last few minutes, to ensure they don’t burn.
Customizing Your Air Fryer Apple Pie Taquitos
While the classic apple pie taquito is fantastic on its own, don’t hesitate to get creative with these delicious treats:
- Use Homemade Apple Pie Filling: If you have extra time or prefer to control the sweetness and spice, whipping up your own apple filling is a fantastic option. You can use your favorite air fryer apples recipe as a base.
- Spice It Up: Beyond cinnamon, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or a dash of apple pie spice to your sugar mixture for an extra layer of warm flavor. A tiny bit of brown sugar can also add depth to the coating.
- Different Fruit Fillings: This recipe is incredibly adaptable! Try other fruit pie fillings like cherry, peach, or blueberry for different seasonal dessert taquitos. Ensure the filling isn’t too watery to prevent sogginess.
- Cream Cheese Swirl: For an even richer experience, spread a thin layer of softened cream cheese mixed with a little sugar and vanilla on the tortilla before adding the apple filling.
How to Serve Your Apple Pie Taquitos
These warm, crispy taquitos are delicious straight out of the air fryer, offering instant gratification with that very first bite. Since they taste like traditional apple pie in a convenient new form, they’re perfect for the fall season, holiday gatherings, or simply as a great way to make a simple recipe feel special. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your dessert:
- Classic Ice Cream: A generous scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the warm taquitos is always a winner.
- Caramel Drizzle: A thin layer or generous drizzle of warm caramel sauce adds an extra touch of sweetness and sophistication. You can even sprinkle a pinch of sea salt for a salted caramel effect.
- Whipped Cream: Light and airy whipped cream provides a delightful contrast to the crispy taquito.
- Maple Syrup: For a breakfast or brunch twist, drizzle with maple syrup and an extra dash of cinnamon.
- Powdered Sugar: A simple dusting of powdered sugar makes them look elegant and adds a subtle sweetness.
- Chopped Nuts: Toasted pecans or walnuts sprinkled on top can add a nice textural crunch.
Storing and Reheating Apple Pie Taquitos
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers of this golden-brown dessert, you’re in for another treat! Properly storing and reheating your apple pie taquitos ensures you can enjoy them one more time without compromising on flavor or texture. Apple recipes like this one are surprisingly easy to store and reheat.
- Storage: Allow the taquitos to cool completely to room temperature. This prevents condensation from building up, which can make them soggy. Once cool, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- Reheating: The best way to reheat these taquitos and restore their crispiness is in the air fryer. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer (no need for extra butter or cinnamon sugar) and air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and crispy again. You can also use a conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-8 minutes. Avoid the microwave, as it will make them soft and chewy rather than crispy.
- Freezing (Uncooked): You can prepare the taquitos up to the point of air frying, then freeze them. Place the assembled, buttered, and cinnamon-sugar coated taquitos on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 1-2 months. When ready to cook, air fry directly from frozen, adding about 5-7 minutes to the cooking time, or until golden and heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Pie Taquitos
It is highly recommended to use soft flour tortillas for these apple taquitos (or caramel apple taquitos). The inherent softness and flexibility of flour tortillas are essential for rolling them tightly without cracking, which is crucial for holding in the simple ingredients. Corn tortillas tend to be stiffer and will likely break when you try to roll them, leading to a messy and less enjoyable experience.
Absolutely! If you prefer using fresh apples, granny smith apples would be a fantastic choice due to their tartness, which balances the sweetness. You can definitely opt for real apples instead of a can of apple pie filling, but be aware that the texture will be a bit firmer, and they might require a slightly longer cooking time to soften fully. Just be sure to dice the apples into small, uniform pieces (about ¼-inch cubes) before adding them to the tortillas. Same-size pieces ensure that they cook faster and more evenly, resulting in a consistent texture with just the right amount of crunch, rather than having some pieces too firm. You might also want to lightly sauté them with a little butter, sugar, and cinnamon before filling to pre-soften them and develop flavor.
While the sugar and cinnamon mixture is classic and delicious, you have plenty of room to experiment with other spices. You can certainly add a pinch of apple pie spice for a more complex flavor profile. A little bit of brown sugar can also be mixed into your cinnamon-sugar coating for a deeper, more molasses-like sweetness. If you want a truly prominent cinnamon apple flavor, simply increase the amount of ground cinnamon. For those who prefer less cinnamon, you can experiment with other warm spices like a touch of ground nutmeg, allspice, or even a hint of cardamom to complement the apples beautifully.
Medium-sized flour tortillas (usually about 6-7 inches in diameter) are ideal for this recipe. They are large enough to hold a good amount of filling but small enough to roll easily and fit comfortably in most air fryer baskets. Larger tortillas might be harder to roll tightly and could lead to too much tortilla per bite, while smaller ones might not hold enough filling.
Yes, you can! You can assemble the taquitos, brush them with butter, and roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture a few hours in advance. Store them in a single layer on a plate covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator until you’re ready to air fry. For longer storage, as mentioned above, you can freeze them uncooked and then air fry from frozen.
More Easy Air Fryer Apple Dessert Recipes
If you’re loving the convenience and delicious results of making desserts in your air fryer, especially with apples, then you’ll definitely want to try these other fantastic recipes:
- Air Fryer Apple Tart
- Air Fryer Apple Crisp
- Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs
- Air Fryer Baked Apples
- Air Fryer Bloomin’ Apples
This Air Fryer Apple Pie Taquitos recipe is a testament to how simple ingredients and an air fryer can create a truly memorable dessert. It’s perfect for any time you want a quick, comforting, and utterly delicious sweet treat. Give it a try – your taste buds will thank you!
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Air Fryer Apple Pie Taquitos
Rate
Equipment
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1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 can apple pie filling, 21 ounces
- 6 soft flour tortillas, medium
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
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Lay tortillas flat, and then spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling across the center of the tortilla.
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Roll tightly and then brush the rolled taquito with melted butter.
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In a shallow, flat dish, stir together the sugar and cinnamon, then roll the buttered taquito in the mixture, coating the outside.
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Place in the air fryer basket, seam side down, without stacking or overlapping.
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Air fry at 350 degrees F for 9-11 minutes, until the taquito is golden and crispy.
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Use tongs to flip them over, and air fry for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until they reach your desired crispness.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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