Mini Apple Pie Bites
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All the cozy flavors of apple pie, baked into adorable, bite-sized treats! These Mini Apple Pie Bites are the perfect fall and holiday dessert when you want something sweet, shareable, and easy to serve. Made with just a handful of simple ingredients, they’re ideal for parties, potlucks, or any time you’re craving apple pie without all the work of rolling out a full crust.
These little bites deliver the best of homemade apple pie – sweet cinnamon-spiced apples and flaky crust – but in a fun, popable version that guests can easily grab and enjoy. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving, a holiday open house, or just a cozy weekend gathering, these sweet bites are guaranteed to disappear fast.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: No need to fuss with pie crust dough or even crescent rolls. These come together in 30 minutes or less.
- Perfect for parties: Bite-sized desserts mean no slicing, serving, or plates required.
- Make-ahead friendly: Bake the shells earlier in the day, assemble just before guest arrive, and serve at room temperature. (See detailed notes below.)
- Full of cozy flavor: Warm cinnamon and sweet apples make these taste just like fall.
Perfect for the Holidays
Mini Apple Pie Bites are an easy way to bring that homemade apple pie flavor to your dessert table – without adding more stress to your holiday baking list. They’re great for Thanksgiving dessert spreads, Christmas happy hours, or holiday brunches when you want something sweet but light.
Because they’re small, they’re perfect for guests who want to sample a little bit of everything – a tray of these next to pumpkin pie or alongside other festive treats, like my chocolate pecan turtles or peppermint candy cane bark makes for a beautiful and balanced dessert table.
Ingredients
- Phyllo cups – These small phyllo dough cups can be found in the freezer section of your local grocery store. Do not confuse them with puff pastry shells or mini pie crusts. Only use phyllo cups.
- Cream cheese – Any kind of dairy cream cheese – full fat, low fat, or fat free – will work here. I have not tested this recipe with non-dairy cream cheese.
- Maple syrup – 100% pure maple syrup will give this recipe the best flavor, but you can use pancake syrup if that’s what you have on hand.
- Apples – Choose your favorite sweet apple for this recipe. I love using gala apples.
- Brown Sugar – I use light brown sugar for this recipe. You can swap this for maple syrup if you prefer.
- Lemon – Either fresh squeezed or a quality bottled lemon juice will work for this recipe.
- Cinnamon – The ground cinnamon in your pantry is all you need here.
- Walnuts (optional) – I love the crunch a sprinkle of finely diced toasted walnuts (or pecans) gives these little apple pies, but if you don’t like nuts or have an allergy in your group simply leave them off.
How to Make Mini Apple Pie Bites
To Make the Filling
Bake phyllo cups according to package directions. Set aside.
In a small pot over medium-low heat, combine apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon.
Cook until the apples begin to soften. Remove from heat. Allow the apple mixture to cool.
While the apple mixture is cooling, mix cream cheese and maple syrup together in a small bowl. Set aside.
To Assemble the Apple Pie Bites
Place half a teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture into the baked phyllo cup.
Top with a teaspoon of the apple mixture.
Sprinkle with chopped nuts.
Serve immediatley and enjoy!
Mini Apple Pie Bites
Ingredients
- 15 phyllo cups
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 ½ cup apples, cored, peeled and finely diced (about 2 small apples)
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp toasted walnuts, optional
Instructions
- Place phyllo cups on a baking sheet and bake according to package directions. Set aside.15 phyllo cups
- In a small pot over medium-low heat, combine apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, salt, and cinnamon.1 ½ cup apples, 3 Tbsp brown sugar, ½ tsp lemon juice, ½ tsp cinnamon, ⅛ tsp salt
- Cook until the apples begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Allow the apple mixture to cool until it’s warm, but no longer hot. (It will thicken a bit as it cools.)
- While the apple mixture is cooling, mix cream cheese and maple syrup together in a small bowl. Set aside.2 oz cream cheese, 1 Tbsp maple syrup
To assemble the Apple Pie Bites:
- Place half a teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture into the baked phyllo cup.
- Top with a teaspoon of the apple mixture.
- Sprinkle with chopped nuts.2 Tbsp toasted walnuts
- Serve immediately.
How to Make These Bites Ahead of Time
To save time the day you’re serving this appetizer, make the apple mixture and cream cheese mixture can each be made up to 3 days ahead of time. Store separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
To serve: Bring the cream cheese mixture to room temperature before using. Warm the apple mixture in the microwave or on the stove over low heat before assembling the apple bites as instructed above.
Recipe Tips
- Do NOT assemble the entire appetizer more than an hour before serving. The cream cheese will cause the cups to soften if you assemble them more than an hour in advance.
- Do NOT refrigerate the phyllo cups after baking them, even if they’re filled. The phyllo cups will lose their crispness if you refrigerate them.
How to Toast Walnuts on the Stove
Heat a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Add walnuts in a single layer. Stir or shake frequently for 5-7 minutes, until golden and fragrant. (Watch closely – walnuts can burn quickly!) Transfer to a plate to cool completely before using. Store any extra walnuts in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Try These Other Easy Small Bite Recipes
Phyllo cups are my favorite thing to use in appetizer recipes at the holidays. They’re easy to keep on hand and you can fill them with just about anything! Add another sweet bit with my Fresh Strawberry Bites with Cream Cheese. Or try them as savory small bites like these Smoked Salmon and Cucumber Bites, Honey, Walnut, and Goat Cheese Bites or Brie Cheese and Spiced Cranberry Bites.
My family really enjoyed this recipe.
So happy to hear that!