Viral Twisted Apple Pie Rolls

These viral twisted apple pie rolls are filled with buttery cinnamon-maple apples and wrapped in a soft, lightly sweet homemade dough. Each roll gets braided into that signature twisted shape, then baked until golden and finished with a sweet glaze. They’re warm, soft, and packed with apple pie flavor in every bite.

Why I Love These Apple Pie Twists

I’ve been all about apple recipes lately, from my apple pie pull-apart bread to my cinnamon roll apple pie, so when I saw these twisted apple pie rolls from @bymesika going viral, I had to give them a try. Apple season is one of my favorite times to bake, and these looked like such a fun way to do something different with those classic cinnamon-apple flavors.

What sold me was the combination of soft homemade dough and that thick apple-maple filling tucked inside every twist. The braided shape makes them look way more impressive than a regular sweet roll, but you still get all the buttery, spiced apple flavor of a traditional apple pie. They’re perfect for a fall brunch, holiday breakfast, or just a weekend baking project when you want something a little different.

Ingredients You'll Need

For the dough:

• 500 grams bread flour
• 180 grams whole milk, lukewarm
• 120 grams plain Greek yogurt
• 1 egg
• 25 grams sugar
• 1 teaspoon yeast
• 1 teaspoon yeast
• 80 grams butter, melted and cooled

For the filling:

• 6-8 large Granny Smith apples
• 50 grams butter
• 65 grams brown sugar
• 50 grams maple syrup
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 10 grams cornstarch plus
• 15 grams water

For the glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons milk, plus more as needed
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Ingredient Notes That Make These Twisted Apple Pie Rolls Better

• Bread flour: Bread flour gives the dough enough structure to hold the apple filling and twisted shape while still baking up soft. All-purpose flour can work, but the rolls may be a little less chewy.
• Greek yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt keeps the enriched dough soft and adds a little extra moisture. Full-fat or low-fat both work.
• Yeast: Use dry yeast and make sure it’s still active. Since this dough contains butter, milk, egg, and yogurt, it needs a full proof to become light and fluffy.
• Granny Smith apples: Their tart flavor balances the brown sugar and maple syrup, and they hold their shape well as the filling cooks. Honeycrisp or Pink Lady would also work if you want a sweeter filling.
• Maple syrup: The maple syrup adds a deeper sweetness to the apple filling without making it taste overly sugary. Use pure maple syrup for the best flavor.
• Cornstarch slurry: This thickens the apple juices so the filling stays inside the rolls instead of leaking out while they bake.
• Butter. Let the melted butter cool before adding it to the dough. Hot butter can affect the yeast and make the dough harder to work with.

How to Make Twisted Apple Pie Rolls

Step 1: Make the Dough

Add all of the dough ingredients to the bowl of a stand mixer. Knead on speed 2 for 12-15 minutes, or until the dough is smooth, elastic, and just slightly sticky.

Step 2: Portion and Proof

Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces, about 75-80 grams each, and shape them into balls. Place the dough balls on a lightly greased, parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let them rise for 1-1½ hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 3: Make the Apple Filling

While the dough rises, melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the apples begin to soften. Reduce the heat to low, stir in the cornstarch slurry, and cook for another minute until the filling is thick. Stir in the vanilla, then spread the filling into a shallow dish and let it cool completely.

Step 4: Fill the Rolls

Roll one dough ball into a 7-8-inch circle. Spoon about 2 ounces of cooled apple filling onto the bottom half, leaving a small border around the edge. Fold the dough over the filling to form a half circle and gently press the edges together to seal.

Step 5: Create the Twisted Shape

Lay a chopstick down the center of the filled half circle. Make 5 evenly spaced cuts on each side of the dough, stopping when you reach the chopstick so the center stays intact.

Cross and braid the strips over the chopstick, alternating sides as you go. Tuck the ends underneath, then carefully slide out the chopstick. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.

Step 6: Final Proof

Arrange 6 rolls on each parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let them rise again until noticeably puffed and almost doubled in size. The dough is ready when you gently press it with a finger and the indentation slowly springs back.

Step 7: Bake and Glaze

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush each roll with egg wash, then bake for 20-25 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.

Whisk the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt together until smooth. Add milk ½ teaspoon at a time if needed until the glaze is thick but easy to drizzle. Let the apple pie rolls cool for about 5–10 minutes, then drizzle the glaze over the tops while they’re still slightly warm.

My Expert Tips for the Best Twisted Apple Pie Rolls

• Use a kitchen scale for the dough. Keeping all 12 portions close to the same weight helps the rolls proof and bake evenly.
• Keep the filling away from the edges. Leave a clean border around the apple filling so the dough seals properly and the filling is less likely to leak out.
• Make the strips as even as possible. Similar-width strips give you a cleaner twist and prevent thin pieces from browning too quickly.
• Chill the dough briefly if it gets too soft. Warm dough can stretch and tear while shaping. A quick 10-minute chill makes the rolls much easier to braid.
• Bake one tray at a time if your oven has hot spots. These rolls look best when the twists brown evenly, so the center rack gives you the most consistent result.

Twisted Apple Pie Rolls FAQs

What are twisted apple pie rolls?

Twisted apple pie rolls are soft homemade sweet rolls filled with a spiced apple filling and shaped into a braided twist before baking. This version uses cinnamon, maple syrup, and Granny Smith apples in the filling, then finishes the golden rolls with a simple vanilla glaze.

Can I make twisted apple pie rolls ahead of time?

Yes. You can prepare the apple filling up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate it in an airtight container. You can also make and shape the rolls the night before, cover them tightly, and refrigerate them before the final proof. Let them come to room temperature and finish proofing before baking.

Can I knead the dough without a stand mixer?

Yes, but it will take more work since this is a soft, enriched dough. Mix everything until a shaggy dough forms, then knead by hand on a lightly floured surface until it becomes smooth and elastic. Avoid adding too much extra flour just because the dough feels slightly sticky.

Can I use instant yeast?

Yes. Instant yeast works well in this recipe and can be mixed directly into the dough ingredients. If you use active dry yeast instead, you can dissolve it in the lukewarm milk first and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes before mixing the dough.

Do I need a chopstick to shape the rolls?

No, but a chopstick makes the twisted shape much easier. You can use another thin, straight utensil, such as the handle of a wooden spoon, as a guide for where to stop cutting the strips.

How should I store leftover apple pie rolls?

Store completely cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If refrigerated, warm them slightly before serving so the dough softens again.

Can I freeze twisted apple pie rolls?

Yes. Let the baked twists cool completely, then freeze them without the glaze in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature, warm them briefly in the oven, and add fresh glaze before serving.

What is the best way to reheat apple pie rolls?

Warm the rolls in a 300°F oven for about 5-10 minutes, just until soft and heated through. Individual rolls can also be microwaved briefly, but the oven does a better job of bringing back the freshly baked texture.

How should I serve twisted apple pie rolls?

They’re best slightly warm with the vanilla glaze on top. Serve them for a fall breakfast or brunch, or turn them into dessert with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a little caramel sauce.

More Viral Fall Recipes You'll Love

• Pumpkin snickerdoodles
• Cinnamon roll dip
• Caramel apple cheesecake dip
• Pumpkin bread with maple glaze