These easy apple pie crescents are basically just tiny little apple pies, and they’re amazing. This apple dessert recipe is made with a delicious homemade apple filling that is wrapped in flaky crescent dough, baked until golden brown and finished with a simple, sweet glaze. It’s a semi-homemade masterpiece that will have your tastebuds begging for more.

If you’re anything like most Americans, you love apple pie. I read somewhere that it’s the most popular pie among United States residents. That’s not surprising to me. I can’t think of one party or family get-together, from a barbecue to a big holiday gathering, where apple pie wasn’t present. It’s a classic, time-honored dessert that seems to make an appearance on every table at every conceivable event. I love that because I love apple pie.
Apple Pie Crescents
These apple pie crescents are just what they sound like. They’re little hand-held apple pies. Each crescent is filled with homemade apple pie filling then baked to a flaky golden perfection. You guys, they taste exactly like apple pie. Because the filling is simply an apple pie mixture with the apples diced small to fit in the dough, you get real, true apple pie flavor. The crescent dough crust is actually extremely close in flavor and texture to regular pie crust, so you get all that classic goodness, as well. Basically, you get hand-held mini pies with everything you love about this classic pie flavor. It’s a win all the way around!
Honestly, I can’t think of an apple pie variation that captures the flavor and spirit of this classic dessert more than these apple pie crescents, and I’m not just saying that because I made them! I’ve had my share of recipe flops from experimenting to find the best flavors and textures, but this one came together in one try. It’s sweet, apple kismet.
Tips
This is an extremely easy recipe. As anyone who’s ever made apple pie knows, cooking the filling is very simple, and because this recipe uses crescent dough, there’s no need for baking or all the accompanying tools the go with it. It’s so easy, you’ll be in and out of the kitchen in no time.
Of course, even the simplest of recipes can be made even better if you know all the little secrets to make them extra amazing. These tips are going to help you do that. All of the following tips are very easy, but they make a big difference in the outcome of your apple pie crescents.
Finely Dice the Apples
Unlike a full-size apple pie, these apple pie crescents don’t have a lot of space for filling. You’ll need to dice your apples into small pieces for two reasons. One, they’ll fit better in the dough. Two, they’ll add to that bite-size feel when people eat them. Remember, this recipe is not for a spiced hunk of apple wrapped in dough. It’s for what essentially are tiny apple pies. Dicing the apples helps give it that feel.
Always Use Low Heat
This recipe calls for bringing the apple mixture to a boil over low heat. That can take a few minutes. Don’t get impatient and simply crank the heat too high to get things rolling, as it were. You need the mixture to come to a boil on low heat to help get the apples soft and allow all those tasty flavors to meld. If you go too fast, you’ll have apples that are too firm and flavors that aren’t properly combined.
Wet the Dough to Seal
When you roll up your crescent dough around the pie filling, dot the edges of the dough with water to help it seal. Don’t go too heavy on the water. You want just enough to make the dough tacky. You don’t want it to be soggy.
Variations
This is a great recipe for mixing things up. You can use any filling you like in it! Just cook up your favorite filling on the stove top, or even buy filling if you’re pressed for time, and wrap it up in the crescent dough. That’s it! Some of my favorite fillings are:
- Apple
- Peach
- Blueberry
- Cherry
- Pumpkin
- Sweet Potato
Serving Apple Pie Crescents
In my opinion, these delicious apple pie crescents don’t need anything at all. I usually just serve them with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. However, because these are tiny apple pies, I will bring along some Cool Whip to add to a bowl when I take this dessert to a potluck or gathering. Guest can spoon out a dollop and dip the mini pies into the Cool Whip for a truly classic apple pie experience!
You know how to serve these delicious treats, but where should you serve them? The answer is easy: everywhere! These apple pie crescents are so easy to make that they’re perfect for a weeknight dessert or an afternoon snack. They’re also so full of classic apple pie flavor that they’re always a great option for barbecues, potlucks, and holiday gatherings.
Storing Apple Pie Crescents
These apple pie crescents will keep well in an air-tight container in a cool, dark place for about two to three days. You can refrigerate them in an air-tight container for up to five days, as well. For longer storage, you can freeze these little pies for up to a month in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag.
To freeze the pies, place them on a cookie sheet and allow them to completely freeze. After they’re frozen, place them in an air-tight container and burp to remove as much air as possible. Alternately, you can place them in heavy-duty freezer bags and press out as much air as possible.
Try These Easy Apple Pie Crescents
These apple pie crescents are super easy to make and absolutely overflowing with classic apple pie flavor. The homemade apple pie filling wrapped up in flaky crescent dough is a fantastic semi-homemade treat that is always a winner. Try this recipe today and see how easy and delicious it is.
Ingredients for Apple Pie Crescents
- Pillsbury crescent rolls
- Granny Smith apples
- Sugar
- Water
- Cornstarch
- Cinnamon
- Lemon juice
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
How to Make Easy Apple Pie Crescents
- Preheat oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, bring water, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and lemon juice to a boil, stirring constantly until sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add apples, stir, reduce heat and let simmer for 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
- Roll out crescent rolls and evenly spread apple mixture over each roll. Roll up and place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-13 minutes or until crescent rolls are golden brown.
- In a small bowl, mix together powdered sugar and milk until smooth.
- Drizzle glaze over the top of crescent rolls and enjoy!
Try These Delicious Dessert Crescents Today
Here are a few more delicious apple desserts that you might enjoy too!
- Apple Fritters
- Apple Cinnamon Hand Pies
- And Apple Pie Bites
- And here is an Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze from Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Easy Apple Pie Crescents
Ingredients
- 1 package Pillsbury crescent rolls
- 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, diced into small pieces
- ¾ cup water
- â…“ cup sugar
- â…› cup cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, bring water, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and lemon juice to a boil, stirring constantly until sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add apples, stir, reduce heat and let simmer for 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
- Roll out crescent rolls and evenly spread apple mixture over each roll. Roll up and place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-13 minutes or until crescent rolls are golden brown.
- In a small bowl, mix together powdered sugar and milk until smooth.
- Drizzle glaze over the top of crescent rolls and enjoy!