This dessert is perfect for weeknights, holidays, fall gatherings, or any time you crave something sweet, warm, and comforting. Best of all, each taquito takes just seconds to assemble and only minutes to air fry. If you love easy desserts, budget-friendly treats, or air fryer recipes that taste decadent but require minimal effort, this recipe is for you.
Why These Air Fryer Apple Pie Taquitos Are So Popular
There are plenty of dessert ideas out there, but this one checks every box:
✔ Quick and effortless
No fancy tools, no complicated dough — simply roll, coat, and air fry.
✔ Apple-pie flavor without baking a full pie
You still get the sweet cinnamon-spiced apple filling, the warm pastry-like shell, and the caramelized sugar coating, but without making pie crust or baking for an hour.
✔ Perfect for the air fryer
Flour tortillas get incredibly crispy with just a light coat of butter. The result mimics a deep-fried dessert, but it’s much lighter and easier.
✔ Uses budget-friendly ingredients
Everything is simple: tortillas, canned apple pie filling, cinnamon, sugar, butter — ingredients most people already have at home.
✔ Kid-friendly and party-friendly
Kids love them because they’re sweet and handheld. Adults love them because they taste like mini apple pie chimichangas.
✔ Ideal for fall, holidays, and cozy desserts
These taquitos taste like autumn in every bite — warm apples, cinnamon, sweet buttery flavor.
Choosing the Best Ingredients
Although this recipe is simple, choosing the right ingredients makes a noticeable difference. Below is a breakdown to help you get the best taste and texture.
Apple Pie Filling (21 oz can)
We keep the same ingredient — a can of apple pie filling — but you have options to enhance flavor:
Tips for choosing apple pie filling:
- Choose a filling with chunks of real apples, not overly mushy ones.
- Some brands add extra spices; these work great for richer flavor.
- If you want a more gourmet version, you can chop the apples into smaller pieces for easier rolling.
You can also add a personal twist:
- A splash of vanilla extract
- A pinch of nutmeg
- A pinch of apple pie spice
- A tiny squeeze of lemon juice for brightness
Flour Tortillas (medium-sized)
Soft flour tortillas are essential for perfect taquitos. They crisp beautifully and roll without tearing.
What size works best?
Medium or 6-inch tortillas make ideal dessert taquitos — not too large, not too small.
Tips:
- Warm your tortillas for 5–10 seconds in the microwave to make rolling even easier.
- Don’t use corn tortillas — they will crack and won’t give the same dessert-style texture.
Butter (melted)
The melted butter serves two purposes:
- Helps the tortillas crisp up in the air fryer
- Allows the cinnamon-sugar mixture to cling perfectly
For a richer flavor, you may use:
- Brown butter
- Salted butter for contrast
- A mix of butter + a little oil (prevents burning)
Cinnamon and Sugar Mixture
This is the magic coating that turns simple taquitos into a dessert masterpiece. When the warm butter meets the cinnamon-sugar mix, it creates a caramelized outer layer that tastes like churros, pie crust, and cinnamon toast all in one.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Air Fryer Apple Pie Taquitos
Below is an in-depth walkthrough to ensure every taquito comes out beautifully golden and crisp.
Step 1: Prep Your Tortillas
Lay each tortilla flat on a clean surface.
If your tortillas are stiff, microwave for a few seconds to soften.
Tip: Warm tortillas roll better, stay tighter, and prevent splitting during cooking.
Step 2: Add the Apple Pie Filling
Spoon about 2 tablespoons of apple pie filling across the center of each tortilla.
Spread it into a line rather than a mound — this helps with tight rolling.
Rolling Tip:
Keep filling slightly away from the edges to prevent leakage while air frying.
Step 3: Roll the Taquitos Tightly
Starting from one side, roll each tortilla into a tight taquito.
A tighter roll = crispier outside + warm gooey filling inside.
Make sure the seam side faces down — this helps the taquito stay closed without toothpicks.
Step 4: Brush with Melted Butter
Use a pastry brush to lightly coat the outside of each rolled taquito with melted butter.
You only need a thin layer — enough for crispiness and to help cinnamon sugar stick.
Step 5: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
In a wide shallow dish, mix ½ cup of sugar with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon.
Roll each buttered taquito in the mixture until coated on all sides.
Tip:
The more generously you coat them, the sweeter and more churro-like they become.
Step 6: Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket
Place each taquito seam side down in the air fryer basket.
Important: Don’t Overlap
Airflow is essential to create even browning and crispness. Cook in batches if necessary.
Step 7: Air Fry to Golden Perfection
Set your air fryer to 350°F.
Cook for 9–11 minutes, until the outer layer becomes golden and crispy.
Then flip using tongs and continue cooking for 3–4 minutes, or until the taquitos reach your desired crispness.
The result?
A beautiful dessert: crispy outside, warm apple filling inside, and a fragrance that smells like a bakery in autumn.
Serving Suggestions
These Apple Pie Taquitos are delicious on their own, but serving them with something extra can take them from great to unforgettable.
Try pairing them with:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Caramel drizzle
- Whipped cream
- Maple syrup
- Cream cheese dip
- Powdered sugar dusting
They’re also the perfect dessert for:
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas gatherings
- Potlucks
- Kids’ parties
- Sunday brunch
- Cozy fall nights
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Taquitos
✔ Don’t overfill — too much filling makes them burst.
✔ Keep rolls tight — prevents leaking.
✔ Leave space between taquitos — airflow = crispness.
✔ Flip halfway — even browning.
✔ Serve immediately — they taste best fresh and hot.
✔ Customize flavor — add nutmeg, pumpkin spice, or vanilla.
Storage and Reheating
While best eaten fresh, you can store extras.
To store:
Keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
To reheat:
Air fry at 320°F for 3–4 minutes to re-crisp.
