Apple Cinnamon Roll Casserole
Apple Cinnamon Roll Casserole is an easy breakfast recipe that combines cinnamon spiced apples that are sautéed in butter, and canned cinnamon rolls. It's a cozy favorite that you will make over and over!
I absolutely love an easy and seasonal breakfast, and this Apple Cinnamon Roll Casserole checks both of those boxes! Canned cinnamon roll dough is used in this sweet breakfast casserole recipe and make this recipe so, so easy. I make a cinnamon roll casserole almost every time we go to the cabin or have a weekend with family, and I wanted to put a fall spin on it.
Enter: apples! Specifically, apples that have been sauteed in butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and brown sugar resulting in a caramelized situation that is oh-so delicious. It is perfect for a cozy fall breakfast or for Christmas morning!
This cinnamon roll casserole with apples really was everything I was hoping it would be and everyone who tried it loved this delicious breakfast, especially my kids.
Be sure to check out my TikTok Cinnamon Rolls and Pumpkin Spice TikTok Cinnamon Rolls for two fun ways to used canned cinnamon rolls!
Ingredients
The ingredients in this apple cinnamon roll bake are super simple and common items you will find in your pantry and refrigerator.
- Apples - most varieties work here! I used Sweet 16's, which we picked from the orchard, and I think Granny Smith and Fuji would also work!
- Butter - unsalted butter is used for sauteing the apples as well as the brown sugar/butter mixture that gets poured over the cinnamon rolls.
- Spices - cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves
- Canned Cinnamon Rolls - I love using Annie's cinnamon rolls or Grand's cinnamon rolls in this casserole.
- Brown Sugar
Variations
Add Vanilla - you can add 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the apples.
Add Nuts - if you want a little crunch to your apple cinnamon roll bake, you can add some chopped pecans or walnuts to the apple mixture.
Different Fruit - instead of apples, you could use peaches in the summer or pears.
Make it a Dessert - this is really good enough to be dessert. You could serve it with vanilla ice cream.
Different Sweetener - instead of brown sugar, you could use white granulated sugar or maple syrup.
Step by Step Instructions
Photo 1. Peel and dice the apples.
Photo 2. Add butter to large skillet and cook over medium heat until melted. Add the apples, brown sugar, and spices.
Photo 3. Sauté apples in butter with the spices and brown sugar until they're softened, about 4-5 minutes.
Photo 4. Cut each cinnamon roll into six smaller pieces.
Photo 5. Place cut up cinnamon rolls in a greased deep dish pie dish or 8x8" baking dish.
Photo 6. Evenly layer sautéed apples on top of cinnamon rolls.
Photo 7. In a bowl, combine melted butter and brown sugar.
Photo 8. Whisk until it's completely combined.
Photo 9. Pour the brown sugar mixture over the apples and cinnamon rolls.
Photo 10. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes, until the casserole is no longer gooey on the inside and the top is golden brown.
Photo 11. In a small bowl, whisk together the frosting from the cans of cinnamon rolls and cinnamon.
Photo 12. Drizzle over the warm casserole. Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Storage - store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. You can either transfer to an airtight container, or cover the baking dish with foil or plastic wrap.
Prep Ahead - you can prep this casserole ahead of time, up until the step of baking. Once assembled, cover with foil, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Recipe FAQs
Unfortunately, this isn't a casserole that would do well made ahead because of the nature of the canned cinnamon rolls. You can, however, saute the apples in advance, if needed.
I have made this using Pillsbury cinnamon rolls and also Annie's cinnamon rolls, both with great results. Annie's cinnamon rolls are a little bigger so I cut them into 8 pieces, and they also come in a larger can so I use about 1.5 cans of the Annie's cinnamon rolls. Grand's Cinnamon Rolls also work really well.
I like to serve sweet breakfast items with scrambled eggs and jalapeño bacon to balance it out a little bit. You could also do sausage links or patties and fried eggs.
Yeah that would work. Just use one can of apple pie filling instead of the apple mixture made on the stove.
Other Sweet Breakfast Recipes to Consider
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #greensnchocolate.
Apple Cinnamon Roll Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 medium apples (I used Sweet 16) peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp ground cloves
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 12.4 ounce cans cinnamon rolls
- 5 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet.
- Add the apples along with the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, until the apples begin to soften.
- Add the 2 tablespoon of brown sugar and cook another 1-2 minutes, until the brown sugar melts into the apples.
- Spray a 9-10" pie dish/baking pan with cooking spray.
- Cut each cinnamon roll into six pieces. I did this by cutting each one in half and then each half into thirds.
- Put the cinnamon roll pieces in the pie dish and then top with the sauteed apples, making sure they're evenly distributed on the cinnamon rolls.
- In a bowl, mix together the 5 tablespoon of melted butter with the ⅓ cup brown sugar until well combined.
- Pour the butter/brown sugar mixture on top of the cinnamon rolls and apples.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until slightly golden and cooked through.
- Warm the frosting from the cinnamon roll can and mix with ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Drizzle over warm cinnamon roll casserole.
- Enjoy!
Made this for Christmas morning and it was wonderful! Everyone loved it!