Apple Pie Bombs 🍏🍩
Apple Pie Bombs are a fun and easy dessert made with canned biscuits, filled with sweet apple pie filling, and topped with cinnamon sugar. These bite-sized treats cook up perfectly in the air fryer and are ready in less than 15 minutes! Here’s how to make them:
Ingredients:
- 1 can (8-count) refrigerated biscuits (I recommend using Pillsbury Grands for a soft and pillowy texture)
- Tip: You can also use any other large-sized biscuit dough, but the bigger biscuits hold more filling and give you larger, fluffier bombs.
- 1 can (21 oz) apple pie filling
- Tip: If you prefer fresh apples, you can make homemade apple pie filling by sautéing diced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch for a thicker filling.
- Tip #2: Make sure to drain the excess syrup from the filling so it doesn’t make the dough too soggy.
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
- Why: The melted butter helps the cinnamon sugar stick to the outside of the biscuit bombs, giving them a delicious, glossy coating and an extra rich flavor.
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Tip: Use freshly ground cinnamon for the most aromatic flavor, especially when making these apple pie bombs in fall!
- 1/4 cup sugar
- Tip: You can adjust the sugar to your preference. If you want a sweeter coating, add more sugar, but keep the cinnamon-to-sugar ratio balanced.
Equipment:
- Air fryer (or you can bake them in the oven if you prefer)
- Pastry brush for butter
- Spoon for filling the dough
- Small bowl for cinnamon-sugar mixture
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat (optional, to prevent sticking)
Instructions:
- Prepare Air Fryer or Oven:
- Air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Most air fryers heat up quickly, but it’s always good to give it a few minutes to reach the right temperature.
- Oven option: If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake these at 375°F (190°C) for about 12-15 minutes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Open the Biscuit Can:
- Pop open the can of biscuits and separate the dough into individual biscuits.
- Tip: If you want smaller bombs, you can cut each biscuit into quarters instead of leaving them whole. This gives you more bite-sized pieces and will cook a bit faster.
- Flatten the Biscuits:
- Take each biscuit and gently flatten it with your fingers or a rolling pin. You want it to be about 3-4 inches in diameter to make room for the apple pie filling.
- Tip: The dough should be soft and pliable, but be careful not to stretch it too thin, or it may break while wrapping.
- Fill with Apple Pie Filling:
- Take a spoon and add a generous spoonful of apple pie filling to the center of each biscuit.
- Tip: Use a slotted spoon to scoop the pie filling so it doesn’t add too much extra syrup into the biscuit. This helps avoid soggy dough and ensures a better texture.
- Seal the Biscuit:
- Carefully fold the edges of the dough around the apple filling, pinching them together to create a sealed ball.
- Tip: Make sure the biscuit is tightly sealed around the filling, or else the apples might leak out during cooking.
- Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- In a small bowl, combine the 1 tablespoon cinnamon and 1/4 cup sugar. Stir well until the cinnamon is evenly distributed throughout the sugar.
- Tip: If you like a stronger cinnamon flavor, you can add a little more cinnamon to the mix. Some people even like to add a pinch of nutmeg for extra warmth!
- Brush with Butter:
- Brush the outside of each apple-filled biscuit ball with the melted butter using a pastry brush. Make sure the butter covers every surface so the cinnamon-sugar mixture will stick.
- Tip: If you want to give them an extra golden shine, you can brush the biscuits with butter halfway through cooking, too.
- Coat in Cinnamon Sugar:
- Roll each buttered biscuit ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring it’s well-coated.
- Tip: If you have extra cinnamon-sugar, you can sprinkle it on top of the finished bombs once they’re done.
- Air Fry the Apple Pie Bombs:
- Arrange the coated dough balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one for even cooking.
- Air Frying Tip: Don’t overcrowd the basket, as this can result in uneven cooking.
- Air fry at 350°F for 8 minutes, or until the biscuit is golden brown and crisp on the outside.
- Tip: If you like your bombs extra crispy, you can air fry for an additional 1-2 minutes, but keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.
- Finish with Butter and Cinnamon Sugar:
- As soon as the apple pie bombs come out of the air fryer, brush them with a little more melted butter and roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture again to give them an extra sweet coating.
- Tip: You can also drizzle a little extra butter over the top before serving for even more flavor!
Serve and Enjoy!
- These Apple Pie Bombs are best served warm, right out of the air fryer or oven. They’re golden, sweet, and packed with gooey apple pie filling.
- Serving Tip: Serve them as-is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or even a light dusting of powdered sugar.
- Tip: If making them for a gathering, serve them on a platter with a small bowl of whipped cream for dipping!
Storage Tips:
- Room Temperature: You can store leftover apple pie bombs in an airtight container for 2-3 days at room temperature. Reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to get the exterior crispy again.
- Freezing: These apple pie bombs freeze well before baking! After assembling the bombs, place them on a baking sheet and freeze them until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container. When ready to bake, cook them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the air fryer time.
Variations:
- Different Pie Fillings: While apple is classic, you can try cherry, blueberry, or peach pie filling for a different twist!
- Add-ins: Stir in some chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch. You can also sprinkle in a few mini chocolate chips for a fun combo.
- Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle caramel sauce over the finished bombs for an even sweeter treat!
Enjoy these Apple Pie Bombs as a cozy, comforting dessert or a fun treat for your fall gatherings. With minimal effort, they’re sure to impress everyone! 🍏🍩✨