Apple Cinnamon Croissants are my absolute favorite, especially this time of year! There’s something so comforting about the warm spices and flaky pastry.

This recipe is perfect for a weekend breakfast, a special brunch, or even a delightful dessert. It’s simpler than you might think, and the result is a treat that tastes like it came straight from a bakery.

We’re going to combine the buttery goodness of croissants with a sweet and tart apple cinnamon filling.

Recipe Overview: Apple Cinnamon Delight

This recipe takes the classic croissant and elevates it with a delicious homemade apple filling. Imagine layers of flaky, buttery pastry wrapped around tender, spiced apples.

Key characteristics? These croissants are buttery, flaky, slightly sweet, and wonderfully aromatic. The cinnamon and apples create a warm, inviting flavor that’s perfect for any cozy occasion.

They’re fantastic served warm, straight from the oven. I love to enjoy them with a cup of coffee or tea. You can also add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special dessert. A light dusting of powdered sugar also adds a nice touch!

These little pastries are perfect for anything from a casual get-together to a fancy holiday meal.

Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Croissant

Here’s what you’ll need to make these tasty treats:

Croissants: 6 large, unbaked croissants. You can find these in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores, often near the biscuits or crescent rolls.
Apples: 2 medium apples. I like to use Honeycrisp or Fuji for their sweetness and texture, but Granny Smith works well if you prefer a tarter flavor.
Brown Sugar: 1/2 cup, packed. This adds sweetness and a lovely caramel note to the filling.
Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon, ground. Make sure it’s fresh for the best flavor!
Butter: 2 tablespoons, unsalted, melted. This will be brushed on the croissants for extra richness and a beautiful golden color.
Lemon Juice: 1 teaspoon. This small amout enhances the flavor.
Cornstarch: 1 teaspoon. This helps thicken the apple filling.
Water: 2 tablespoons.
Egg: 1 large, for egg wash (optional, but it gives the croissants a beautiful shine).
Powdered Sugar: For dusting (optional).

Substitution Note: If you don’t have brown sugar, you can use granulated sugar, but the flavor won’t be quite as rich.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Your Croissants

Let’s get baking! Follow these steps for perfect Apple Cinnamon Croissants:

Prepare the Apples: First, peel, core, and dice the apples into small pieces (about 1/2 inch). You want them small enough to cook evenly and fit nicely inside the croissants.
Make the Filling: In a medium saucepan, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, cornstarch, and water. Stir everything together until the cornstarch is dissolved.
Cook the Filling: Cook the apple mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the apples are tender and the sauce has thickened. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
Preheat Oven: While the filling cools, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents the croissants from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
Assemble the Croissants: Carefully unroll each croissant on a clean surface. Spoon a generous amount of the cooled apple filling (about 2-3 tablespoons) onto the wide end of the croissant.
Roll the Croissants: Starting from the wide end with the filling, gently roll up the croissant towards the pointed end. Place the rolled croissants on the prepared baking sheet, seam-side down.
Egg Wash (Optional): In a small bowl, whisk the egg with a tablespoon of water. Brush the tops of the croissants with the egg wash. This will give them a beautiful golden-brown color and a slightly crispy crust.
Bake: Bake the croissants for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and puffed up. Keep an eye on them – oven temperatures can vary, so you might need to adjust the baking time slightly.
Cool and Dust: Once baked, remove the croissants from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. If desired, dust with powdered sugar just before serving.

Variations & Tips for the Best Apple Cinnamon Croissants

Add Nuts: For extra crunch, add 1/4 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the apple filling.
Spice it Up: Experiment with other spices, like a pinch of nutmeg or allspice, in the filling.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the apple filling a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. You can also assemble the croissants, cover them tightly, and refrigerate them overnight. Bake them fresh in the morning!
Storage: Store leftover croissants in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheating: To reheat, warm the croissants in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave them for 15-20 seconds, but they won’t be as crispy.
Serving suggestion: As I said, a simple cup of coffee is the perfect pair.

Key Details

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Total time: 40-45 minutes
Servings: 6
Equipment you’ll need: Medium saucepan, baking sheet, parchment paper, small bowl, pastry brush (optional).

Apple Cinnamon Croissant

Flaky, buttery croissants filled with a sweet and spiced apple cinnamon mixture, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 20

Total Time 40

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

6 large unbaked croissants
2 medium apples Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
1 large egg for egg wash, optional
Powdered sugar for dusting, optional

Instructions

Peel, core, and dice apples into small pieces.
In a medium saucepan, combine diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, cornstarch, and water. Stir until cornstarch is dissolved.
Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until apples are tender and sauce has thickened (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Unroll each croissant. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of apple filling onto the wide end of each croissant.
Roll croissants from the wide end to the pointed end. Place seam-side down on the baking sheet.
Optional: Whisk egg with 1 tablespoon of water and brush over croissants.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
Let cool on baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.