Cinnamon Apple Pie Enchiladas

This is the dessert that thinks it’s a breakfast and a pie all at once. Soft flour tortillas cradle sweet apple pie filling, then get a bath in brown sugar butter and a crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping.

Baked until golden and bubbling, these enchiladas are a warm, comforting treat that comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for a weeknight indulgence or a fun twist on a classic.

Cinnamon Apple Pie Enchiladas take the familiar flavors of apple pie and wrap them in a soft, flour tortilla. The filling is spooned straight from the can, the tortillas are rolled and nestled into a baking dish, and then a simple brown sugar butter syrup is poured over the top.

A final dusting of cinnamon sugar creates a sweet, crackly crust as they bake. The result is a dessert that’s both rustic and elegant, with a warm, gooey center and a buttery, caramelized exterior. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the full effect.

Ingredients

Why this recipe works

The magic of these apple pie enchiladas lies in the contrast of textures. The flour tortillas soften as they absorb the brown sugar butter, becoming tender and almost cake-like, while the exposed edges crisp up in the oven.

The apple pie filling stays chunky and juicy, providing a burst of fruit in every bite. This combination of soft, crisp, and juicy makes each mouthful interesting and satisfying.

The brown sugar butter syrup is the backbone of the dish. As it bakes, it thickens into a rich, caramel-like sauce that coats every surface. The cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top adds a crunchy, aromatic layer that echoes the spices in the filling. This simple assembly means you can have a dessert that tastes like it took hours, but it’s ready in minutes.

Notes and substitutions

Use a good quality apple pie filling for the best results. The filling should be thick and chunky, not too runny.

If you prefer a less sweet dessert, you can use a light or no-sugar-added apple pie filling, but you may want to increase the cinnamon to compensate. Flour tortillas are essential here; corn tortillas have a different flavor and texture that won’t work as well.

The brown sugar butter sauce is simple but important. Use unsalted butter to control the salt level. If you only have salted butter, reduce or omit any added salt. The ground cinnamon in the sauce can be adjusted to taste, but 1 teaspoon gives a warm, spiced flavor without overwhelming the apples.

• apple pie filling: Use 3 cups of homemade apple pie filling or 2 large apples peeled, sliced, and tossed with 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon.
• flour tortillas: Corn tortillas work but are smaller and have a different texture; use 10 to 12 and reduce baking time by 5 minutes.
• unsalted butter: Salted butter can be used; omit the pinch of salt in the sauce if adding.

Equipment

• 9x13-inch baking dish
• small saucepan
• small bowl
• spatula
• measuring cups and spoons