Maple Glazed Apple Crisp Cinnamon Buns

The Recipe Rebel / Desserts

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 40 votes

Prep Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 22 minutes mins

Servings 18 buns

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Last updated on January 26, 2024

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These Maple Glazed Apple Crisp Cinnamon Buns are stuffed with apples, topped with crunchy brown sugar streusel, and drizzled with maple glaze. They’re the ultimate cinnamon roll for fall!

Maple Glazed Apple Crisp Cinnamon Buns - The Recipe Rebel (2)

Ingredients Needed:
How to Make Apple Crisp Cinnamon Buns
FAQs for Homemade Cinnamon Buns
Tips and Notes
More Apple Crisp-Inspired Recipes to Try
Maple Glazed Apple Crisp Cinnamon Buns Recipe

Does anyone else think that apple crisp is maybe the best fall dessert ever? I know I love a warm bowl of apple crisp on a cool, crisp day. But you know what I also now love on a cool, crisp day? One of these Maple Glazed Apple Crisp Cinnamon Buns.

This cinnamon bun recipe could not be easier or more perfect for fall. These buns are rolled up with a sweet apple filling, topped with a perfect crisp topping, and drizzled with a sweet glaze.

This recipe is an old favorite made new and exciting!

Love apple crisp for breakfast? Try my Overnight Apple Crisp French Toast, Baked Maple Glazed Apple Crisp Doughnuts or Apple Crisp Pancakes!

Ingredients Needed:

Maple Glazed Apple Crisp Cinnamon Buns - The Recipe Rebel (3)

Bun Dough

Milk: start with warm milk to activate the yeast. I microwave mine for 30-45 seconds and the temperature is perfect.
Butter: melted to add moisture and buttery flavor to the dough.
Granulated Sugar: adds a touch of sweetness.
Eggs: binds the dough and creates an ultra soft texture.
Instant Yeast: keeps the rise time to a minimum but still yields soft, fluffy dough. If you use active dry yeast, you may have to let rise a little longer.
Salt: enhances the flavor in the bun dough.
All-Purpose Flour: gives the dough its structure.

Streusel

Oats: large old-fashioned oats create a delicious crispy topping for the buns.
Brown Sugar: you’ll need ½ cup of brown sugar, packed so the streusel is nice and sweet!
Butter: the butter helps hold the streusel topping together.
Flour: just use regular all-purpose flour.
Cinnamon: adds a touch of warm sweetness to the topping.

Cinnamon Buns

Butter: coating the dough in softened butter adds more buttery flavor and helps the cinnamon and sugar stick.
Brown Sugar and Cinnamon: coats the inside of the rolled up dough for the best flavor.
Apple: you’ll need one peeled and very finely diced apple.

Glaze

Powdered Icing Sugar: sweetens and thickens the glaze.
Butter: thins the glaze and adds delicious buttery flavor.
Maple Syrup: gives the glaze warm sweetness and creates a thinner texture perfect for drizzling.

How to Make Apple Crisp Cinnamon Buns

This cinnamon buns require a little bit of hands-on time, but they’re still super simple—and so worth it!

Make the dough: In a stand mixer, combine milk, butter, sugar, eggs, yeast, and salt. Beat until combined, then slowly add in flour. Oil the top of the dough, turn to coat, then cover and place in a warm spot to rise for 1 hour.
Make the streusel: In a bowl, mix together oats, brown sugar, butter, flour, and cinnamon.
Roll the dough: On a clean surface, roll the dough out into a large rectangle. Top with softened butter, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Add on the diced apples, then roll the dough up. Pinch the ends together to fasten.
Assemble the buns: Slice the dough roll into pieces about 1-1.5″ thick, then place them into two 9×13″ pans. Sprinkle with streusel, then cover with plastic wrap and let them rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.
Bake: Remove the plastic wrap, then bake the buns at 350ºF until light golden-brown.
Add the glaze: In a bowl, mix together the glaze ingredients. Drizzle the glaze over the buns, then cool slightly and serve.

Maple Glazed Apple Crisp Cinnamon Buns - The Recipe Rebel (5)

Maple Glazed Apple Crisp Cinnamon Buns - The Recipe Rebel (6)

FAQs for Homemade Cinnamon Buns

What kind of apple to use:

In general, I like to pair a more tart apple with a sweeter dish. So for recipes like this one, apples like Granny Smith or Braeburn are great.

How to store:

Finished cinnamon buns will last in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days, in the fridge for 4-5 days, or in the freezer (unfrosted) for up to 1 month. To enjoy again, thaw overnight on the counter or in the fridge, then dig in or warm in the oven. Simply cover with foil and heat at 300 degrees for 20 minutes or until warm.

Maple Glazed Apple Crisp Cinnamon Buns - The Recipe Rebel (9)

Tips and Notes

Pack the brown sugar. The sweeter the better, right?!
Don’t add too much flour. You’ll gradually add flour to the dough only until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to add too much or you’ll end up with dry dough. We want soft and fluffy!
Let it rise. Don’t skip these steps. Letting the dough rise after you make it, then also after you assemble the buns makes for the perfect light, soft texture.
Finely dice the apple. Make sure you chop the apple up into very small, even pieces so it cooks quickly.
You’ll know the buns are done when they are light golden-brown all over.
Make extra. This cinnamon bun recipe uses my regular bun dough recipe, so I like to make a double batch and make some plain buns along with the cinnamon buns. The homemade buns are perfect for dipping in any of your favorite soup recipes, which is also perfect for fall!

Maple Glazed Apple Crisp Cinnamon Buns - The Recipe Rebel (10)

More Apple Crisp-Inspired Recipes to Try

Desserts

Maple-Glazed Apple Crisp Cookies

Desserts

Apple Crisp Blondies

Breakfast

Apple Crisp Smoothie

Desserts

Baked Maple Glazed Apple Crisp Doughnuts (Donuts)

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written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 40 votes

These Maple Glazed Apple Crisp Cinnamon Buns are stuffed with apples, topped with crunchy brown sugar streusel, and drizzled with maple glaze. They're the ultimate cinnamon roll for fall!

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Ingredients

Bun dough:

▢ 1 cup warm milk (I put mine in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds)
▢ ½ cup melted butter
▢ ¼ cup granulated sugar
▢ 2 eggs
▢ 3 teaspoons instant yeast
▢ ¾ teaspoon salt
▢ 4 cups all-purpose flour

Streusel:

▢ ¾ cup large oats
▢ ½ cup brown sugar packed
▢ ¼ cup butter
▢ ¼ cup flour
▢ ½ tsp cinnamon

Apple Crisp Cinnamon Buns

▢ ¼ cup butter softened
▢ ½ cup packed brown sugar
▢ 2 teaspoons cinnamon
▢ 1 apple peeled and very finely diced

Glaze:

▢ ¾ cup powdered icing sugar
▢ 1 tablespoon melted butter
▢ 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

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