King’s Hawaiian Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

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I didn’t think King’s Hawaiian cinnamon rolls could get any better, and then I went and stuffed apple pie filling right in the middle. Game over. These King’s Hawaiian apple pie cinnamon rolls take a 12-pack of those pillowy sweet rolls, layer them up with brown sugar, cinnamon, and gooey apple pie filling, then finish it all off with a classic icing drizzle. It’s a semi-homemade shortcut that comes together in about 20 minutes and tastes like you fussed way harder than you did. Big thanks to a couple of followers for putting me on to this one.

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What Makes These King’s Hawaiian Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls So Good

You get the best of two desserts in ONE bite. The sweet rolls stay buttery and soft, the brown sugar and cinnamon melt into that classic cinnamon-roll flavor, and the apple pie filling brings warm, gooey chunks of spiced apple right through the middle. Then the icing drizzles over the whole thing. It takes the cake. Or maybe the pie.

The real magic is how easy it is. No dough, no rising, no rolling. This is the same kind of sweet-roll shortcut as my King’s Hawaiian roll cream cheese danishes, just leaning into cozy apple-pie territory instead.

How Do You Make Cinnamon Rolls With King’s Hawaiian Rolls?

You slice the whole connected 12-pack in half horizontally, like you’re splitting a giant slider bun. Butter the bottom layer, add your brown sugar and cinnamon, spread on the apple pie filling, then set the top back on, butter it, and add more cinnamon sugar before baking. It’s basically a pull-apart cinnamon roll slab. King’s Hawaiian makes their own cinnamon roll version too, and you can see the original sweet rolls over at King’s Hawaiian.

Can You Use Canned Apple Pie Filling?

Yes, and that’s the whole point. A can of Comstock apple pie filling hands you tender, pre-spiced apples in a glossy sauce with zero peeling or chopping, which is a HUGE win. Just spread it in an even layer so every roll gets its share. If you would rather make your own, a homemade apple filling works too, but the canned stuff is what keeps this a legit 20-minute recipe.

Tips for Making King’s Hawaiian Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

1. Use a serrated knife for a clean split

Keep the rolls connected and use a gentle sawing motion with a bread knife to slice the whole slab into a top and bottom layer. A serrated edge cuts through the soft rolls without squishing them flat.

2. Don’t overload the filling

An even, moderate layer of apple pie filling is the move. Too much and the rolls slide around and get soggy in the middle instead of holding together into neat pull-apart pieces.

3. Watch them closely near the end

Fifteen minutes at 350F is usually the sweet spot. The rolls are already cooked, so you’re really just melting the butter and sugar and warming the filling. Pull them when the tops are golden and glossy.

4. Ice them warm, not hot

Let the rolls rest a few minutes before drizzling so the icing sets into a glaze instead of melting off. For another dessert that turns store-bought sweet rolls into something special, my King’s Hawaiian ube ice cream sandwiches are a fun one.

If you want to stay in tropical territory with those same rolls, these King’s Hawaiian pineapple coconut buns go full pineapple and coconut for a pull-apart dessert that is just as easy.

Storage & Leftovers

These are best warm and fresh, but leftovers keep well. Store them covered at room temperature for up to two days, or in the fridge for up to four. Warm a roll in the microwave for a few seconds to soften it back up. If you love a cinnamon-roll dessert, my cinnamon roll tres leches is another easy way to stretch that flavor into something new.

Equipment

• Bread knife
• Baking pan
• Mixing bowls

Ingredients

Cinnamon Rolls

• 1 King’s Hawaiian Rolls 12-pack
• 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, softened
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 can Comstock apple pie filling (20 oz)

Icing

• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter, melted
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 2 to 3 tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Keeping the King’s Hawaiian rolls connected, use a bread knife to slice the whole pack in half horizontally so you have a top and bottom layer. Place the bottom layer on a nonstick or lightly buttered pan.
2. Combine the dark brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Spread a quarter cup of the softened butter over the bottom layer, then sprinkle on two-thirds to three-quarters of the cinnamon sugar. Add an even layer of apple pie filling on top.
3. Set the top layer of rolls back on and butter it with the rest of the softened butter. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar evenly over the top.
4. Bake for 15 minutes, until the tops are golden.
5. While they bake, make the icing. Whisk together the melted butter, powdered sugar, salt, milk, and vanilla. Start with 2 tbsp of milk and add another if you want it thinner.
6. Transfer the rolls to a plate, drizzle on the icing, and serve warm.

This is the kind of shortcut I’ll always take. The rolls are already sweet and soft, so all you’re really adding is the part that makes it taste like pie, and nobody at the table is asking whether you made the dough.

It’s a holiday morning move, or any morning you’ve got people staying over. One pan, twelve rolls, done. 🙌

If you make these King’s Hawaiian apple pie cinnamon rolls, leave a star rating on the recipe card and drop a comment to let me know how they turned out. It really helps other readers find the recipe!

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