Easy Apple Pecan Puff Pastry Rolls Recipe

These Apple Pecan Pastry Rolls make any morning magical. Flaky puff pastry is filled with tender baked apples and crunchy pecans, topped with a drizzle of warm cinnamon‑brown sugar. It tastes like that cozy hug we all want to wake up to.

These pastries are everything a cozy morning needs—flaky, buttery pastry wrapped around warm apples and crunchy pecans, all tied together with a gooey cinnamon-brown sugar glaze. They look fancy but are easy enough to whip up before the second cup of coffee.

Our puff pastry rolls are perfect for brunch tables or sharing plates, but quick and easy enough to make breakfast or afternoon tea special. With only a few simple ingredients, you can have a plate of these beautiful apple-filled pastry rolls on your table in no time.

Ingredient Notes

Here’s what makes these apple pecan pastries so magical:

Glaze: A simple mix of butter, brown sugar, milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla. You can adjust the consistency to be drizzly or thick and dreamy. If you’re going for simplicity, you can dust your homemade pastries with a sprinkle of powdered sugar as I often do.

Puff Pastry: Store-bought puff pastry is the secret shortcut. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight or on the counter for about 40 minutes. It gets beautifully crisp and golden in the oven.

Apples: I love using Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Their tartness holds up against the sweet glaze and softens just enough while baking. Peel them for a softer texture or leave the skins on for a rustic feel.

Pecans: Toasting your pecans adds a deep, nutty flavor. If you’ve got 5 extra minutes, it’s worth it!

Brown Sugar & Cinnamon: This combo makes that classic cinnamon roll flavor shine. I use dark brown sugar for extra richness, but light brown sugar works too.

Flour & Butter: A touch of flour in the filling helps soak up apple juices, so you don’t end up with soggy bottoms. And cold butter brings that crumbly, streusel-like magic.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the pastry: Thaw the puff pastry at room temp (about 40 min). Preheat oven to 375 °F and line a pan with parchment.

Mix filling: In a bowl, stir together flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Work in 2 Tbsp cold butter until crumbly. Fold in apples and pecans.

Roll & assemble: On a floured surface, roll pastry to about 15×10″. Lightly moisten edges with water. Spread filling in the center, leaving a 1″ border. Roll like a jelly roll and slice into 12–14 one‑inch slices.

Bake: Place the rolls 2 inches apart on parchment. Bake 15 min until golden. Let rest for 5 min.

Glaze: Optional. Microwave 1 Tbsp butter, 2 Tbsp milk, and ¼ cup brown sugar until melted (15 sec). Stir in powdered sugar, vanilla, and a dash of cinnamon until smooth. Adjust consistency with extra milk or sugar.

Finish & serve: Drizzle glaze generously over warm pastries. Serve with coffee or tea, and watch the smiles bloom!

Pro Tips

Use Granny Smith apples—they stay tart and firm.

Chop pecans by crushing in a bag with a rolling pin—chunky is best.

Parchment paper helps you transfer warm pastries to a cooling rack easily—no stick, no stress.

Easy Variations

Want to make them your own? Try one of these ideas:

Apples can be switched out for fresh pears or apples. We don’t recommend canned fruit because of the excess juice, which would make your pastry soggy.

Swap the nuts: Walnuts or almonds are great stand-ins for pecans. Or skip the nuts altogether if you’re baking for someone with allergies.

Add raisins or dried cranberries: A small handful adds extra sweetness and a chewy bite.

Add a touch of orange zest: Just a little wakes up the whole pastry—especially nice around the holidays.

Make it savory-sweet: Add a sprinkle of shredded sharp cheddar cheese with the apples (trust me—it’s delicious).

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat Apple Pecan Pastries

Storage

Once cooled, these pastries can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If your kitchen runs warm or humid, pop them in the fridge instead—they’ll keep well for up to 5 days.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze them! Once completely cooled (and before glazing is ideal), lay them flat on a baking sheet and freeze until solid—about 1–2 hours. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep their flavor and texture for up to 2 months.

✨ Pro Tip: If you’ve already glazed them, freeze them the same way—just know the glaze might lose a little shine when thawed (but still tastes delicious!).

Thawing & Reheating

If you froze them unglazed, drizzle on the fresh glaze after reheating for bakery-fresh magic.

Thaw at room temperature for 30–60 minutes, or in the fridge overnight.

To reheat, warm in a 300°F oven for 8–10 minutes or microwave for 10–15 seconds.

More Cozy Treats You’ll Love

If you’re in the mood for more flaky, fruity, or cinnamon-swirled goodness, I’ve got you covered. Try my Apple Kolaches, which is just as easy and perfect for weekend brunch. Or bake up a batch of Apple Cider Muffins—they’re soft, spiced, and taste like a fall hug in muffin form. And if you loved the brown sugar glaze here, don’t miss these Cinnamon Twist Bread for your next sweet splurge. Just like these Caramel Apple Empanadas, they’re the kind of treats you’ll want to share… or not.

Did You Make It?

Have you tried our apple pecan pastry rolls recipe? We’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tell us about any variations you tried. Don’t forget to rate this recipe with 5 stars if you loved it – it helps other home cooks find these delicious recipes too!

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This Apple Pecan Pastry recipe was first released on August 5, 2014, and has been updated to enhance our readers’ experience. No changes were made to the actual recipe.