Apple Pie Tacos: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Favorite

When you think of apple pie, what comes to mind? The warmth, the sweetness, and the comforting aroma of cinnamon and baked apples that fill your home during the fall season. But what if you could take all of that cozy goodness and turn it into something playful, fun, and unexpected? Enter apple pie tacos—an exciting, delicious twist on your traditional apple pie that combines the best of both worlds: the crispy, handheld convenience of a taco with the rich, spiced filling of apple pie. In just 20 minutes, you can have a dessert that’s not only a visual treat but also a memorable experience for your taste buds.

If you’re looking to make something new and extraordinary, apple pie tacos are the answer. Whether you’re hosting a gathering, treating your family to something special, or simply indulging in a fun new dessert idea, these tacos will impress everyone who tries them. They’re easy to make, customizable, and absolutely delicious. Let’s dive into the recipe, tips, and tricks that will have you making this dessert over and over again.

The Story Behind Apple Pie Tacos

The journey to apple pie tacos started with a fun family camping trip. One autumn, my niece Lily, always brimming with creative ideas, challenged me to make apple pie… but in the fire. While I vetoed open-flame pastry (safety first, after all), the idea stuck in my mind. A few days later, I was standing in my kitchen, staring at leftover taco shells when the thought struck me: what if I could swap the savory taco filling for something sweet? That was the moment the apple pie taco was born.

The first attempt was less than perfect, with molten apple filling making quite the mess. But after a few adjustments (like baking the taco shells with a buttery vanilla crumb coating instead of frying), I finally had a dessert that was worthy of the idea. It was a hit from the very first bite. As my niece took her first taste, her eyes widened, and she said, “It’s like a pie you can hug!” That moment was the spark that turned this simple concept into the most requested dessert at every family gathering since.

What You Need for Apple Pie Tacos

Before you dive into this fun dessert adventure, let’s gather everything you’ll need to make these mouthwatering apple pie tacos. You don’t need anything too fancy, just a few key ingredients that come together beautifully to create this delicious treat.

Ingredients for the Shells:

• 6 small flour tortillas (4.5-inch street taco size for the perfect crunchy texture)
• ⅓ cup salted butter, melted (salted butter helps balance the sweetness, but you can use coconut oil for a dairy-free version)
• ¾ cup finely crushed vanilla wafer crumbs (or graham cracker crumbs for a slightly different flavor)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (or apple pie spice, which has extra warmth from cardamom and other spices)

Ingredients for the Filling:

• 20 oz canned apple pie filling (an easy shortcut, but fresh apples sautéed with brown sugar and lemon juice work great too)
• ¼ cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative)

Toppings (Optional):

• Whipped cream (a dollop of whipped cream adds a luxurious touch)
• Caramel sauce (for that irresistible, sweet finish)

These simple ingredients come together to create a dessert that feels indulgent but is easy enough to prepare for any occasion. You can also get creative and add your own twist, like using different pie fillings or toppings that suit your taste.

How to Make Apple Pie Tacos

Now that you have all your ingredients, it’s time to start creating your apple pie tacos. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a batch of crispy, caramel-drizzled goodness in no time.

Step 1: Prepare the Taco Shells

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Using a pastry brush, generously coat both sides of each tortilla with melted butter. This will help them crisp up beautifully in the oven.
• In a shallow dish, mix together the finely crushed vanilla wafer crumbs and cinnamon.
• Press each tortilla into the crumb mixture, ensuring both sides are coated. This step is key to creating that delicious crunch. The cinnamon will also enhance the apple pie flavor.
• Place the coated tortillas on a wire rack for 5 minutes. This allows the crumb coating to set before baking.

Step 2: Shape and Bake the Taco Shells

• Now comes the fun part. Drape each tortilla over the bars of your oven rack or use a taco mold (an upside-down muffin tin works well if you don’t have a taco mold).
• Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the shells are golden brown and crispy. You want them to have a nice crunch, just like the edges of a well-baked pie crust.
• Let the shells cool for about 5 minutes after baking. As they cool, they’ll crisp up even more, making them the perfect vessel for the warm apple filling.

Step 3: Warm the Apple Filling

While the shells are baking, it’s time to prepare the apple filling. If you’re using canned apple pie filling, this step is a breeze. Just open the can and heat it in a saucepan with the heavy cream over medium heat. Stir frequently until the mixture is warm, bubbly, and slightly thickened—this usually takes about 5 minutes. For an extra kick of flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or some additional cinnamon.

If you’re feeling fancy, you can sauté fresh apple slices with brown sugar and lemon juice for a homemade filling that adds even more depth of flavor.

Step 4: Assemble the Tacos

Once the shells are cooled and the filling is ready, it’s time to assemble the tacos:

• Spoon the warm apple filling into the taco shells, letting the apples overflow for a deliciously messy presentation.
• Top each taco with a dollop of whipped cream, allowing it to melt slightly into the warm filling.
• Drizzle caramel sauce generously over the tacos for that irresistible sweet finish.

Serving Suggestions for Apple Pie Tacos

Apple pie tacos are a fun and festive dessert, and how you serve them can make the experience even better. Presentation is key when it comes to a dessert like this. You can serve these tacos on a rustic wooden board or platter with extra caramel drizzled artfully around the plate. This will add an elegant touch while emphasizing the indulgence of the dessert.

For gatherings, set up a taco bar with additional toppings in small bowls. This allows your guests to personalize their tacos. Some great toppings include:

• Crushed pecans or walnuts for extra crunch
• Cinnamon sugar for a little extra sweetness
• Shredded coconut for a tropical twist
• A sprinkle of sea salt (this can bring out the flavors beautifully)

Pair your apple pie tacos with hot apple cider, spiced coffee, or vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat. These pairings will enhance the flavors and make for an unforgettable dessert experience.

Nutritional Information for Apple Pie Tacos

It’s always helpful to know what you’re working with when it comes to nutritional value. Here’s the breakdown of the approximate nutritional information for each apple pie taco:

• Calories: ~270 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fat: 13g
• Sugar: 18g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: ~1g
• Cholesterol: ~15mg
• Sodium: ~180mg
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: ~6g
• Trans Fat: ~0g

You can adjust the nutritional content by modifying certain ingredients. For example, using Greek yogurt instead of whipped cream will reduce the fat content while still keeping the dessert creamy. If you’re looking for a lighter version, you could try using fewer toppings or swapping in a lower-sugar caramel sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion: Your New Favorite Fall Dessert

Apple pie tacos bring together the comforting flavors of apple pie with the playful, crispy fun of taco shells. They are a creative and delicious way to elevate your dessert game, whether you’re serving them at a party, making them with your family, or simply enjoying them as an afternoon treat. Easy to make, versatile, and totally irresistible, apple pie tacos are sure to become a new favorite in your recipe collection. So, get into the kitchen, have fun with this recipe, and most importantly—enjoy every bite!

More Relevant Recipes

• Apple Bread: A moist and spiced quick bread bursting with apple flavor—perfect for fans of sweet apple desserts like apple pie tacos.
• Amish Apple Fritter Bread: This cozy loaf features apple chunks and a cinnamon-sugar swirl, offering the same warm, comforting flavors in a sliceable form.
• Pumpkin Pie Cookie: A fall-flavored cookie with pumpkin spice and pie crust vibes—an excellent seasonal companion to apple pie tacos on a dessert table.

Apple Pie Tacos

Print Recipe

Apple Pie Tacos are a fun, crispy twist on traditional apple pie. These tacos feature buttery, crunchy shells filled with warm cinnamon-spiced apples, topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce for the ultimate dessert experience.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 tacos
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 6 small flour tortillas (4.5-inch street taco size)
• ⅓ cup salted butter, melted
• ¾ cup finely crushed vanilla wafer crumbs
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (or apple pie spice)
• 20 oz canned apple pie filling (or fresh sautéed apples)
• ¼ cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk)
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Caramel sauce (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Brush both sides of each tortilla with melted butter.
3. In a shallow dish, mix the crushed vanilla wafer crumbs and cinnamon, then press each tortilla into the mixture to coat both sides.
4. Place the coated tortillas on a wire rack for 5 minutes to allow the coating to set.
5. Place the tortillas over the bars of an oven rack or use a taco mold, and bake for 8-10 minutes until golden and crispy.
6. Let the shells cool for 5 minutes to ensure they crisp up fully.
7. In a saucepan, combine the canned apple pie filling and heavy cream, and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until bubbly and slightly thickened (about 5 minutes).
8. Spoon the warm apple filling into the taco shells, letting the filling overflow.
9. Top with whipped cream and drizzle with caramel sauce to finish.

Notes

• Use coconut oil instead of butter for a dairy-free option.
• For a homemade filling, sauté fresh apples with brown sugar and lemon juice.
• To prevent soggy taco shells, let the filling cool slightly before adding it to the shells.
• These taco shells can be baked up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container.
• If you want to make the recipe gluten-free, substitute gluten-free tortillas and almond flour cookies for the crumbs.