Introduction: The Cozy Treat You’ll Fall in Love With
There’s something magical about the comforting flavors of a classic apple pie. Now, imagine that same cozy feeling — tucked into a warm, buttery, flaky biscuit. Apple Pie Biscuits are exactly that little piece of heaven: sweet, spiced apples wrapped inside soft, golden pastry layers.
If you love recipes that feel homemade without the fuss, you’re in for a treat. These biscuits are easy enough for beginners yet impressive enough for weekend brunch or a cozy dessert. You’ll love how they bring together the best of two favorites in one easy-to-make, completely delicious recipe.
And the best part? I’ll share a few expert tricks to help you make your apple pie biscuits look (and taste!) like they came straight from a bakery case. Let’s dive right into this irresistible twist on two classic favorites!
What Are Apple Pie Biscuits?
Apple Pie Biscuits are a delightful hybrid — combining flaky, buttery biscuit dough with the warm, spiced filling of traditional apple pie. Each bite offers the perfect balance of tender pastry and gooey apple goodness, making them a must-try for any comfort food lover.
The idea stems from classic Southern comfort baking, where biscuits are a beloved staple and apples are often baked into simple, rustic desserts. It’s the ultimate shortcut to enjoying that nostalgic apple pie flavor without all the time and effort of rolling out pie dough.
You can go fully homemade by making your biscuit dough from scratch, or take a smart shortcut with quality store-bought canned biscuits. Either way, the results are downright delicious. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these treats are the perfect balance of impressive and approachable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need a long grocery list for these easy apple pie biscuits. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need — and why each ingredient matters:
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Biscuits: You can use homemade biscuit dough for a truly from-scratch experience, or grab a can of flaky refrigerated biscuits to keep things quick and easy.
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Apples: Choose a firm, tart variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They hold their shape and add the right balance to the sweet filling.
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Brown Sugar: Brings a deep, molasses-kissed sweetness that pairs beautifully with apples.
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Cinnamon: The essential spice for that classic, cozy apple pie flavor.
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Butter: Adds richness to the filling and helps the biscuits brown beautifully.
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Optional Flavor Boosters: A dash of nutmeg, allspice, or a splash of vanilla extract makes the filling even more aromatic.
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Icing: A simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk gives the biscuits that beautiful finishing touch.
Tip: Use tart apples to create the perfect sweet-tart balance and avoid overly sugary biscuits!
Choosing the Best Apples for Apple Pie Biscuits
Not all apples are created equal when it comes to baking. You want apples that stay firm and slightly crisp after baking — not ones that turn into mush.
The best choices for apple pie biscuits include:
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Granny Smith: Tart, firm, and holds up beautifully.
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Honeycrisp: Sweet but still crisp after baking.
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Fuji: A little sweeter, perfect when mixed with a tart apple.
Apples to avoid? Skip Red Delicious or other soft varieties — they break down too much and make the filling watery.
Quick Tip: Mix two types of apples (one tart + one sweet) for the most delicious, complex apple flavor.
How to Make Apple Pie Biscuits Step-by-Step
1. Prep the apples:
Start by peeling, coring, and dicing your apples into small pieces. In a skillet, melt a little butter and cook the apples gently with brown sugar, cinnamon, and any extra spices you like. Cook just until softened — about 5–7 minutes. Let them cool slightly before using.
2. Prepare the biscuit dough:
If making homemade dough, follow your favorite flaky biscuit recipe. Otherwise, pop open a can of high-quality refrigerated biscuit dough. Lightly flour your surface and roll out each biscuit just slightly — you want them about ¼ inch thick.
3. Assemble:
Spoon a generous amount of the cooled apple filling onto half of the biscuits. Top with the remaining biscuits (or fold each biscuit over and pinch the edges if using single rounds). Make sure the edges are well-sealed to keep all the juicy filling inside.
4. Bake to golden perfection:
Place biscuits on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with melted butter. Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for about 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown and puffy.
5. Optional drizzle:
While biscuits cool slightly, whisk together powdered sugar and milk for a quick glaze. Drizzle over warm biscuits for that gorgeous, bakery-style finish.
Important Baking Tips:
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Don’t overfill the biscuits or the filling might leak out.
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Seal edges well by pinching or crimping.
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Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning.
Pro Tip: Brush the tops with extra melted butter right when they come out of the oven for an ultra-rich flavor and shine!
Apple Pie Biscuits Variations You’ll Love
Feeling creative? Here are a few fun ways to remix your apple pie biscuits:
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Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Biscuits:
Instead of layering, roll out the dough, spread the apple mixture, roll it up cinnamon-roll style, slice into rounds, and bake!Advertisement -
Puff Pastry Apple Biscuits:
Swap biscuit dough for store-bought puff pastry. Bake at a slightly higher temp (400°F) for crisp, buttery results. -
Caramel Apple Biscuits:
After baking, drizzle warm caramel sauce over the biscuits along with the icing. Caramel + apples = dreamy. -
Mini Apple Pie Biscuit Bites:
Use smaller biscuit cuts or mini biscuit dough for bite-sized treats, perfect for brunch spreads or parties. -
Vegan Apple Pie Biscuits:
Use a plant-based butter and a dairy-free biscuit recipe (or vegan refrigerated biscuits) — and make sure your glaze uses almond or oat milk.
Tips for the Best Flaky, Flavorful Apple Pie Biscuits
Here’s how to make sure your biscuits are just as good (or better!) than bakery versions:
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Keep your butter cold!
If you’re making homemade dough, cold butter creates steam pockets = extra flakiness. -
Don’t overwork the dough.
Handle it gently. Overmixing leads to tough, dense biscuits. -
Chill before baking.
Pop assembled biscuits into the fridge for 10–15 minutes before baking. Chilled dough puffs up better and holds the filling. -
Use fresh spices.
Ground cinnamon and nutmeg lose flavor over time — fresh spices make a world of difference. -
Important: Layer your filling carefully. Too much wet filling will make the biscuit bottoms soggy.
How to Serve Apple Pie Biscuits
Apple Pie Biscuits are one of those versatile treats that fit just about anywhere!
They make an absolutely perfect breakfast paired with a hot cup of coffee or a cozy chai latte. Slightly warm and drizzled with icing, they’re even better than a morning donut.
For brunch, stack them on a cake stand as a showstopping centerpiece — they’ll disappear fast! You can even add a little extra drizzle or a dusting of powdered sugar to make them sparkle.
Feeling indulgent? Serve them as dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. The warm biscuit and melty ice cream combination is pure comfort.
They’re also a fantastic after-school snack for kids. Little hands love grabbing these soft, sweet biscuits — and you’ll feel good knowing it’s homemade!
How to Store and Reheat Apple Pie Biscuits
Storing your apple pie biscuits the right way keeps them soft and delicious for days.
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At room temperature: Store biscuits in an airtight container for up to 2 days. They’ll stay moist and flavorful.
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In the fridge: They’ll last up to 3–4 days — just be sure to bring them to room temp or warm them before serving.
Freezing:
Wrap each biscuit individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months. To reheat, pop them in a 300°F oven until warm (about 8–10 minutes).
Quick Tip: Avoid microwaving uncovered — wrap the biscuit in a damp paper towel first. It helps maintain moisture and keeps them from drying out!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even simple recipes have a few sneaky pitfalls! Here’s what to watch out for:
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Overloading the filling:
It’s tempting to stuff the biscuits full, but too much apple mixture can cause leaks and soggy bottoms. -
Underbaking:
Nobody wants a doughy center! Make sure the tops are golden and the biscuits feel firm around the edges. -
Using mushy apples:
Choose crisp apple varieties. Soft apples (like Red Delicious) break down too much and make the filling watery. -
Skipping the butter brush:
Don’t skip brushing melted butter over the tops before and after baking. It adds incredible flavor and that gorgeous golden finish.
FAQs About Apple Pie Biscuits
Can I use canned biscuits for apple pie biscuits?
Absolutely! It’s a great shortcut. Look for flaky-layer style biscuits — they bake up beautifully light and tender.
How do you keep apple pie biscuits from getting soggy?
Cook the apple filling beforehand to evaporate excess moisture. Also, avoid overloading the filling and bake until golden brown.
Can you make apple pie biscuits ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the biscuits (but don’t bake them), then refrigerate covered for up to 24 hours. Bake fresh when you’re ready to serve.
What’s the best icing for apple pie biscuits?
A quick powdered sugar glaze works wonders. For extra richness, you can also try a simple cream cheese drizzle — just mix softened cream cheese with a bit of powdered sugar and milk.
Can you freeze apple pie biscuits?
Definitely. Freeze before or after baking. When ready to enjoy, reheat gently in a 300°F oven for best results. The icing can be added after reheating if you want it extra fresh.
Conclusion: A Comforting Treat You’ll Make Again and Again
Apple Pie Biscuits are the kind of cozy treat you’ll want to make over and over again. They’re quick, flexible, and packed with that nostalgic apple pie flavor — all tucked inside a warm, flaky biscuit.
Whether you serve them for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon treat, they’re sure to win hearts every time. Plus, with so many fun variations and easy customizations, you’ll never get bored.
Have fun getting creative! Try different apple varieties, add caramel, or even swap in puff pastry for a new twist.
And don’t forget to share your delicious creations!
Apple Pie Biscuits Recipe
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Rolling pin (optional if thinning biscuits)
- Small skillet or saucepan
- Mixing bowls
- Pastry Brush
- Whisk (for icing)
Ingredients
- 1 can flaky refrigerated biscuits or homemade biscuit dough
- 2 medium apples Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 –2 tablespoons milk for glaze
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare apple filling: In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook for 5–7 minutes until apples are just tender. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract if using. Let cool slightly.
- Roll out biscuits lightly to about ¼ inch thickness if needed.
- Assemble: Place a spoonful of cooled apple filling onto half the biscuits. Top each with another biscuit or fold over if using single rounds. Pinch edges to seal.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
- Make glaze: In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar and milk until smooth.
- Drizzle glaze over slightly cooled biscuits. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Homemade biscuits work beautifully if you have time! A basic buttermilk biscuit dough is perfect.
- Mix apple varieties for deeper flavor — Granny Smith + Honeycrisp is a great combo.
- Make ahead tip: Assemble biscuits up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate until baking.
- Glaze variations: Add a pinch of cinnamon or a few drops of maple extract for a fun twist.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate up to 4 days.
- Freezer-friendly: Wrap cooled biscuits individually and freeze for up to 2 months.