Apple Pie Egg Rolls

Let me tell you, these apple egg rolls are the ultimate cozy sweet to have this fall. Get under a warm blanket, put on a good movie, and enjoy these warm and gooey rolls with a salted caramel dipping sauce. They are sweet and cinnamony, and I can assure you they will warm your soul from the inside!

Plus, I am making these entirely from scratch by using my homemade egg roll wrappers (you can cheat by using store-bought wrappers – I won’t judge)!

⭐️ Why You Will Love It

The flavors of fall in every bite.

My apple egg rolls capture all of the flavors reminiscent of fall: apples, cinnamon, caramel, and vanilla. Just the scent of these warm rolls will put you in a cozy mood!

You get the crunch of the wrapper, the juiciness of the cinnamon-infused apples, and the slightly crispy sugar coating. Oh, and when you dip them in caramel sauce, they become one of the most decadent desserts/snacks!

Simple to make.

Although they can look like a lot of work, I promise you they are not! My recipe is pretty straightforward, and I’m showing you step-by-step instructions below. You will only need 7 easy-to-find ingredients and around 1 hour to prepare them. On top of that, if deep-frying is not your thing, I’m also sharing an air fryer option!

📘 What Is It

If you have never heard of apple pie egg rolls, think of them as the sweet, westernized version of savory egg rolls. Instead of the traditional meat/vegetable filling, these egg rolls are filled with sautéed apples before being fried and then coated with cinnamon sugar.

If you are familiar with the old McDonald’s fried apple pies or Panda Express apple pie rolls, you are going to love these!

🍎 Ingredient Notes

Apples

Apples are the quintessence of Fall and the star of this recipe. I like to use sweet apples such as Gala, Red Delicious, or Fuji. If you prefer a more tart apple filling, you can use Granny Smith apples. Alternatively, you can use a mix of sweet and tart apples for a balanced taste!

How many apples to use: I used 4 small Gala apples weighing about 5 ounces (140g) each. If your apples are bigger, you might only need to use three.

Egg roll wrappers

Here, I am using my egg roll wrappers, but any store-bought wrapper will work. If you don’t plan on making your own wrappers, you can usually find them in the frozen section of most Asian supermarkets.

I do not recommend using wonton wrappers as they would not yield the same texture.

Note: Some brands of egg roll wrappers may contain eggs or milk. Hence, I suggest checking the label to ensure you are using vegan wrappers.

Sugar

To sweeten the apple filling, I use granulated sugar. You can use coconut sugar or light brown sugar instead.

Note: Depending on the type of apples you use, you might have to adjust the amount of sugar. If using Granny Smith apples, for example, I would suggest adding an extra tablespoon of salt to balance their tartness.

Cinnamon

You will need cinnamon to flavor the apple filling + make the sugar coating. Use regular ground cinnamon (Cassia cinnamon). There is no need to use the more expensive Ceylan cinnamon here.

Vanilla

A drizzle of vanilla extract elevates the apple filling by bringing gourmet, bakery-style flavors. Use good-quality store-bought vanilla extract or homemade vanilla extract.

Cornstarch

I use cornstarch for two different purposes in this recipe. The first one is to thicken the juice that forms when you cook the apples. The second one is to make a slurry to seal the egg rolls.

Substitute: Any starch works. You can use potato starch, arrowroot, or tapioca starch.

🥣 How to Make It

1. Prepare the cinnamon sugar

1. Stir together the sugar and cinnamon. Add the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon to a small plate. Using a spoon or a small whisk, stir the sugar with the cinnamon until combined. Set aside. You will use this cinnamon sugar to coat the egg rolls after frying.

2. Cook the apples

1. Peel and dice the apples. Peel and core the apples. Dice them into 3/4-inch (2 cm) cubes. Transfer to a large non-stick skillet and add the sugar, water, lemon juice, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Toss to coat.
2. Cook until tender. Heat over medium heat and cook the apples for 5-7 minutes, stirring regularly, until the apples are tender. Do not overcook – the apples should be tender but still retain their shape.
3. Let cool. Remove from the heat and transfer the cooked apples to a bowl. Let them cool for at least 25 minutes or until they are no longer hot.

3. Assemble

1. Make the slurry. In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and water until dissolved. You will use this to seal the egg rolls. Set aside.
2. Assemble. Place an egg roll wrapper on a working surface or large plate. Add 6-7 cubes (about 1/3 cup) of the cooked apples to the lower third of the wrapper. Start by folding the bottom of the wrapper to cover the apples. Next, fold the left and right sides over the apple filling. Continue rolling to form a log. Dip your finger into the cornstarch slurry and slightly wet the top edge of the wrapper before closing the roll. Note: do not try to wrap the rolls too tightly – be gentle. Transfer the egg roll to a plate or baking sheet.
3. Repeat. Repeat with the remaining apple filling and wrappers.

4. Deep-fry (or air-fry!)

1. Heat the oil. Add about 2 cups of vegetable oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat over medium heat or until it reaches 360°F (180°C). Note: you do not need a thermometer. Simply dip a wooden chopstick or spatula into the oil. If small bubbles form around it, the oil is hot enough.
2. Deep-fry. Carefully add 3-4 egg rolls to the hot oil and fry them for 10-12 minutes, turning them from time to time until they are golden brown on all sides. Once golden brown, use a slotted spoon to remove the egg rolls from the oil. Transfer to a plate lined with kitchen paper towels to remove the excess oil.

5. Coat with cinnamon sugar

1. Toss with sugar. Finally, working with one at a time, toss each egg roll with the cinnamon sugar. Transfer the coated egg rolls to a plate or cooling rack and let them cool for about 10 minutes before enjoying!

🍐 Variations

Looking to customize these? Here are a few ideas:

• Add pears: Instead of using only apples, you can use a mix of pears and apples!
• Add nuts: Finely chop candied pecans or sweet and salty almonds and add them to the filling for extra crunch.

🍯 How to Serve Them

My favorite way to serve these apple egg rolls is with a salted caramel sauce! Either serve the caramel sauce chilled (which will be thicker) or warm it in a small saucepan for a thinner consistency.

You can also serve these rolls with a dollop of vegan whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

💬 FAQ

I hope you will all love these apple pie egg rolls as much as we do! They are one of my fav treats to make in the fall. Gooey apples, cinnamon, and crispiness, count me in!

🍏 More Apple Recipes

Vegan Apple Crisp

French Apple Tart

Apple Caramel Flan (Vegan + Gluten-Free)

Classic Apple Tarte Tatin

⭐️ Did you like this recipe? Let us know in the comments below, and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!