Panda Express Apple Pie Egg Rolls

This recipe for light and crispy handheld apple pies makes things simple and delicious by using egg roll wrappers instead of a traditional crust.

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What makes the Panda Express Apple Pie Egg Roll a must-try recipe?

Chinese restaurants aren’t known for their desserts, but this Chinese-American creation is a real standout. Halfway between an egg roll and a hand pie, this Panda Express Apple Pie Roll recipe combines classic apple pie filling with the ease of using egg roll wrappers.

Fried to a golden brown and then coated with cinnamon sugar, these dessert egg rolls go with a lot more than just Chinese food!

Why you’ll love making these apple pie egg rolls at home 

Compact and portable, an Apple Pie Roll Panda Express style is the perfect size for taking with you to enjoy on the go. Pack them for the kids’ lunch, or take a few with you to the office and save money on your morning snack.

They are easy to make and freeze well, so you can always have something delicious in the freezer for any time you have a craving. 

Panda Express Apple Pie Roll ingredients

For preparing the filling, you’ll need:

• Granny Smith apples
• Lemon juice
• Cinnamon
• White granulated sugar
• Cornstarch

Granny Smiths are tart and don’t break down when cooked, but you can use your favorite pie apples. Braeburns, Jonasgolds, and Johnathans are all excellent options. 

For assembling and frying an Apple Pie Roll Panda Express style, you’ll need:

• Vegetable oil
• Egg roll wrappers
• Apple filling

For finishing the Apple Pie Egg Rolls, you’ll need:

• Cinnamon
• White granulated sugar

How to make this copycat of the Panda Express apple pie roll

To prepare the filling:

1. Peel the Granny Smith apples and cut them into medium dice.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the diced apples, lemon juice, cinnamon, white granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Stir well to evenly coat the apple pieces. 
3. Cook the apple mixture in a saucepan over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes while frequently stirring. Once the apples soften and the mixture thickens, remove from the heat and cool.

To assemble the pie rolls:

1. Place one egg roll wrapper on a clean work surface with a corner pointing towards you. 
2. Use a finger to dampen the top corner with a bit of water. 
3. Spoon two to three tablespoons of the apple filling into the center of the egg roll wrapper.
4. Fold the corner of the wrapper closest to you over the filling, and then fold in the sides. Continue rolling the egg roll wrapper away from you. 
5. Gently press the corner to seal, and then place the pie roll on a plate. Repeat with the remaining filling. 

To fry the apple pie egg rolls:

1. Heat two inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pan to 350°F. 
2. Use a spider to gently place two to three apple rolls in the hot oil. 
3. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown. You may need to flip the rolls over halfway through cooking. 
4. Remove the fried apple rolls and drain on a paper towel or wire rack. 
5. Repeat with the remaining apple pie egg rolls. 

To finish the pie rolls:

1. Mix the cinnamon and white granulated sugar in a bowl.
2. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on both sides of the warm pie rolls. 
3. Serve warm. 

What to serve them with 

Apple Pie Egg Rolls are wonderful additions to any game day or party snack table. Check out these other recipes that would go great with them:

Chicken Wonton Tacos. You already have the egg roll wrappers, so why not try making some wonton chicken tacos with them? Crispy wonton taco shells filled with Asian chicken and slaw with a sweet chili sauce drizzle on top.

Wonton Jalapeno Poppers. Another fusion app that takes everything you love about Jalapeno Poppers and wraps it in a wonton wrapper. Wonton Jalapeno Poppers are spicy, so make sure to serve with your favorite cool sauce like Zaxby’s Zax Sauce. 

Vanilla Ice Cream. Want to turn these simple dessert egg rolls into something exceptional? Cut them on the bias and serve them with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream. For extra decadence, drizzle some caramel sauce over the top.

How to make these ahead of time 

You can assemble Panda Express Apple Pie Rolls just to the point of frying them and then freeze them instead. To keep the pie rolls from sticking together, freeze them on a baking tray until solid, then transfer the frozen pie rolls into an airtight container and keep them in the freezer for up to a month. 

You can fry the pie rolls from frozen, but add another minute or two to the frying time. 

How to store the leftovers 

Keep fried pie rolls in the fridge inside an airtight container for up to three days. Make sure the dessert egg rolls are at room temperature before putting them in the container. 

The best way to reheat apple pie egg rolls

Warm up the fried apple pie rolls in a 350°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Place the rolls on a baking tray and cover the top of the baking tray with aluminum foil. 

More Panda Express copycat recipes

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Check out more of my easy dessert recipes and the best copycat fast food recipes right here on CopyKat!