The aroma of cinnamon and apples wafting through my grandmother’s kitchen is one of my most cherished childhood memories. Every fall, when apple season arrived, she would bake her famous apple pie that had the entire neighborhood dropping by for a slice. Years later, when I started experimenting in my own kitchen, I stumbled upon a delightful fusion that honors both my grandmother’s American tradition and my love for Mexican cuisine: Apple Pie Tacos.
These crispy, handheld treats deliver all the warm, comforting flavors of traditional apple pie but in a fun, crunchy taco shell that’s dusted with cinnamon sugar. They’re perfect for parties, family dessert nights, or anytime you want to impress guests with minimal effort. The first time I served these at a family gathering, my uncle—who claims to detest “food fusion gimmicks”—ate seven of them before asking for the recipe.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with Apple Pie Tacos
There’s something magical about the combination of warm, cinnamon-spiced apple filling nestled in a crispy, sweet taco shell that makes these treats irresistible. Here’s why this recipe deserves a spot in your dessert rotation:
- Quick preparation: Unlike traditional apple pie that requires hours of preparation, these tacos come together in about 30 minutes.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the filling with different spices or add-ins to suit your taste.
- Perfect for entertaining: Their handheld nature makes them ideal for parties—no plates or forks required!
- Kid-friendly: Children love both the interactive eating experience and the sweet flavors.
- Instagram-worthy: The beautiful presentation will have your followers asking for the recipe.
But most importantly, these Apple Pie Tacos deliver that perfect balance of textures and flavors—crispy shells, tender apples, warming spices, and sweet glaze—that makes dessert truly memorable.
What You’ll Need for Apple Pie Tacos
For the Taco Shells:
- 6 small flour tortillas (6-inch diameter)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
For the Apple Filling:
- 4 medium apples (preferably Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For Serving:
- Vanilla ice cream (optional)
- Caramel sauce (optional)
- Fresh mint leaves (optional)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Let’s Make Some Apple Pie Tacos!
Preparing the Taco Shells
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Mix the cinnamon sugar coating. In a shallow dish, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon, stirring until well blended.
Prepare your molds. Turn a muffin tin upside down. You’ll be draping the tortillas between the cups to form taco shapes.
Warm the tortillas. Microwave the flour tortillas for 20-30 seconds to make them pliable.
Brush with butter. Using a pastry brush, coat both sides of each tortilla with melted butter.
Coat with cinnamon sugar. Immediately dredge each buttered tortilla in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring both sides are well coated.
Shape the shells. Carefully place each tortilla between the cups of the upside-down muffin tin, forming a taco shape.
Bake to perfection. Place in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until the shells are golden brown and crispy. Watch them carefully as they can burn quickly!
Cool completely. Allow the shells to cool on the muffin tin before gently removing them. They’ll crisp up more as they cool.
Creating the Apple Filling
Prepare the thickening agent. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth. Set aside.
Start cooking the apples. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced apples and lemon juice, stirring to coat.
Add the sweetness and spice. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the apples begin to soften.
Thicken the filling. Pour in the cornstarch mixture and stir continuously. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the filling thickens to a nice, glossy consistency.
Cool slightly. Remove from heat and allow the filling to cool for about 5 minutes before assembling.
Assembling Your Apple Pie Tacos
Fill the shells. Spoon the warm apple filling into each cinnamon-sugar taco shell, being careful not to overfill.
Add your toppings. If desired, top with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, a light dusting of powdered sugar, or a fresh mint leaf for garnish.
Serve immediately. These tacos are best enjoyed while the shells are still crispy and the filling is warm.
Tips, Variations, and Serving Suggestions
Pro Tips:
- Choose the right apples: Firm, tart apples like Granny Smith hold their shape well during cooking and balance the sweetness.
- Make ahead: The apple filling can be prepared up to three days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just reheat before serving.
- Shell storage: If you need to make the shells ahead of time, store them in an airtight container with parchment paper between each shell to prevent sticking.
Delicious Variations:
- Apple-Pear Pie Tacos: Substitute half the apples with pears for a delightful flavor combination.
- Caramel Apple Pie Tacos: Mix 1/4 cup of caramel sauce into the filling for extra decadence.
- Spiced Cider Tacos: Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider to the filling for more intense apple flavor.
- Nutty Addition: Sprinkle toasted pecans or walnuts over the filled tacos for added crunch.
Perfect Pairings:
- Serve alongside a scoop of cinnamon ice cream
- Pair with hot apple cider for fall gatherings
- Offer a bourbon whipped cream for adult dessert parties
- Create a dessert taco bar with multiple filling options and toppings
Nutritional Information (per taco)
- Calories: Approximately 250
- Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Sugar: 26g
Please note that nutritional values will vary based on exact ingredients and portions.
A Sweet Ending to Any Meal
These Apple Pie Tacos represent what I love most about cooking—taking familiar flavors and presenting them in surprising new ways. They honor tradition while creating something uniquely delightful. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, looking for a fun weekend baking project with kids, or simply craving the comforting flavors of apple pie without the fuss, these tacos deliver in both flavor and fun.
The next time you find yourself with a basket of fresh apples or a craving for something sweet and cinnamon-spiced, I hope you’ll give these Apple Pie Tacos a try. They might just become your new favorite way to enjoy this classic American flavor combination.
And who knows? Perhaps someday your grandchildren will reminisce about the wonderful aroma of Apple Pie Tacos wafting through your kitchen, creating their own treasured memories one crispy, sweet bite at a time.
