Introduction
Remember those crisp autumn days, the smell of cinnamon wafting through the air, and the sheer joy of a warm slice of apple pie? I sure do! It’s one of those classic flavors that just feels like home. But what if I told you that you could capture that same comforting apple pie goodness in a fun, bite-sized package that’s even easier to make? Yep, get ready for Apple Pie Tacos! These little wonders are a total game-changer for a quick dessert, a fun family activity, or even a sweet little treat to bring to a potluck. You won’t believe how simple they are!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Seriously, these come together in a flash. Perfect for when that sweet craving hits!
- Easy: No complicated steps here. Even beginner bakers can whip these up with confidence.
- Giftable: Imagine sharing a little box of these warm, spiced apple pie tacos with friends or neighbors. They’ll be so touched!
- Crowd-pleasing: Who can resist warm apple pie flavor in a fun taco shape? Kids and adults alike will devour them.
Ingredients
Gather ’round, friends! Here’s what you’ll need to create these delightful apple pie tacos:
- 6 street taco flour tortillas (4.5 inch size): These are the perfect little edible shells for our apple pie filling.
- ⅓ cup salted butter, melted: This is our flavor enhancer and what makes our taco shells wonderfully crisp.
- ¾ cup vanilla wafer crumbs, finely crushed: Think of these as our magic dust, adding a sweet, slightly crunchy coating. You can crush them in a food processor or just use a rolling pin in a ziplock bag!
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or apple pie spice: This is where the cozy apple pie magic really happens. Use your favorite!
- 20 ounces apple pie filling (1 x 20-ounce can): The star of the show! I love using a good quality canned filling because it’s so convenient.
- ¼ cup heavy cream: A little swirl of cream makes the apple filling extra luscious and smooth.
- Whipped cream (optional garnish): Because what’s dessert without a dollop of fluffy whipped cream?
- Caramel sauce (optional garnish): A drizzle of caramel takes these to a whole new level of deliciousness.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get our aprons on and make some magic happen!
- Preheat your oven: Get that oven warmed up to 375°F (190°C). This is the perfect temperature for getting our tortilla shells nice and crisp.
- Prep the tortillas: Lay your 6 street taco tortillas out on a baking sheet. Now, grab a pastry brush and generously brush both sides of each tortilla with that melted butter. Don’t be shy – the butter is your friend here!
- Add the crunch: In a small bowl, mix together your finely crushed vanilla wafer crumbs and that wonderful cinnamon or apple pie spice. Sprinkle this delightful mixture evenly over both sides of your buttered tortillas. Make sure they’re well coated!
- Bake ’em up: Pop that baking sheet into your preheated oven. You’ll want to bake them for about 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on them! You’re looking for them to be slightly crisp and a lovely golden brown. Once they’re ready, carefully take them out of the oven and let them cool just a little bit so you can handle them.
- Warm the filling: While your tortillas are doing their thing in the oven, let’s get the apple pie filling ready. Pour your can of apple pie filling into a saucepan and heat it gently over medium heat. You just want to warm it through until it’s lovely and bubbly. Once it’s warm, stir in that ¼ cup of heavy cream until everything is beautifully combined and extra creamy.
- Assemble your tacos: Now for the fun part! Spoon that warm, spiced apple pie filling right into your freshly baked taco shells. Fill them up generously!
- Add the finishing touches: This is where you get to play! If you’re feeling fancy (and why wouldn’t you be?), add a swirl of whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce on top. It’s like a party in your mouth!
Substitutions & Additions
You know I love a good recipe tweak! Here are some ideas to make these apple pie tacos your own:
- Tortillas: If you can’t find small street taco tortillas, you can cut larger flour tortillas into quarters and use those. Just adjust the baking time slightly.
- Spice it up: Love a little warmth? Add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to your wafer crumb mixture.
- Fresh Apples: Feeling ambitious? You can totally make your own apple pie filling from scratch using fresh apples, sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of cornstarch. It’s a bit more work, but oh-so-worth-it!
- Nutty Crunch: Add a tablespoon or two of chopped pecans or walnuts to the wafer crumb mixture for an extra nutty flavor and crunch.
- Cheesy Twist: A sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese on top of the warm apple filling is surprisingly delicious and a classic apple pie pairing!
Tips for Success
A few little pointers to make sure your apple pie tacos are absolutely perfect!
- Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on those tortillas while they’re baking. You want them crisp, but not burnt! They’ll continue to crisp up a bit as they cool.
- Warm Filling is Key: Make sure your apple pie filling is nicely warmed through before spooning it into the shells. It makes all the difference in the texture and flavor.
- Prep Ahead: You can make the baked taco shells a few hours ahead of time and store them at room temperature in an airtight container. Just warm them up slightly in the oven before filling. The filling can also be made ahead and gently reheated.
- Gentle Handling: These taco shells can be a little delicate once baked, so handle them with care when filling and serving.
How to Store It
These apple pie tacos are definitely best enjoyed fresh and warm. However, if you have any leftovers (which I doubt!), here’s how to store them:
- Best Enjoyed Immediately: For the ultimate texture and flavor experience, I recommend making these right before you plan to eat them.
- Storing Components Separately: If you must store them, keep the baked taco shells in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day. Store the apple pie filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the shells gently in a warm oven and warm the filling on the stovetop before assembling.
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
Q: Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?
A: You could, but flour tortillas tend to be more pliable and get crispier in the oven without becoming brittle. If you do use corn tortillas, you might want to warm them slightly before buttering and baking to make them more flexible.
Q: How do I make sure the wafer crumbs stick?
A: The melted butter is crucial for this! Make sure you brush both sides of the tortilla evenly with butter so the crumbs have something to adhere to.
Q: Can I make these ahead of time for a party?
A: Yes! As mentioned in the tips, you can bake the shells ahead of time. You can also prepare the apple filling and reheat it just before serving. Assemble them right before guests arrive for the best experience.
Easy Apple Pie Tacos
Equipment
- Oven Preheat to 375°F (190°C)
- Baking Sheet
- Pastry brush
- Small bowl
- Saucepan
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 6 street taco flour tortillas street taco flour tortillas 4.5 inch size
- 0.333 cup salted butter melted
- 0.75 cup vanilla wafer crumbs finely crushed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or apple pie spice
- 20 ounces apple pie filling 1 x 20-ounce can
- 0.25 cup heavy cream
- whipped cream optional garnish
- caramel sauce optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lay your 6 street taco tortillas out on a baking sheet. Generously brush both sides of each tortilla with melted butter.6 street taco flour tortillas street taco flour tortillas
- In a small bowl, mix together the finely crushed vanilla wafer crumbs and cinnamon or apple pie spice. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over both sides of the buttered tortillas.6 street taco flour tortillas street taco flour tortillas
- Bake for about 8-10 minutes, until slightly crisp and golden brown. Let cool slightly.
- While tortillas bake, warm the apple pie filling in a saucepan over medium heat until bubbly. Stir in the heavy cream until combined.6 street taco flour tortillas street taco flour tortillas
- Spoon the warm apple pie filling into the baked taco shells.6 street taco flour tortillas street taco flour tortillas
- Add optional garnishes like whipped cream and caramel sauce.6 street taco flour tortillas street taco flour tortillas