Two Ingredient Cinnamon Apple Cobbler

If you need an easy fall breakfast that tastes like you spent way more time in the kitchen, this two ingredient cinnamon roll apple cobbler is it. Made with just two ingredients, this warm, gooey apple cobbler combines sweet apple pie filling with refrigerated cinnamon rolls for a ridiculously simple recipe that's ready in about 30 minutes.

There are some recipes that require a grocery cart full of ingredients and an entire Sunday afternoon. This is not one of them.

This is the recipe I want when the weather starts cooling down and I'm craving something that tastes like fall without turning my kitchen upside down. It's especially good for a fall brunch, but I also love the idea of making it ahead for breakfast during a busy school week. If you like this kind of shortcut baking, my five-ingredient one pan peach cobbler runs on the exact same logic.

Why You'll Love This Cinnamon Roll Apple Cobbler

There are plenty of reasons to keep this recipe in your back pocket.

It only takes two ingredients. You need a can of apple pie filling and a tube of refrigerated cinnamon rolls. That's it.

It comes together quickly. Cut up the cinnamon rolls, toss them with the apple pie filling, and bake. The whole thing takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.

It works for breakfast or dessert. Serve it warm for brunch with a cup of coffee, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and call it dessert.

It tastes like fall. The combination of apples, cinnamon, and that sweet icing on top gives you all the flavors you want this time of year with almost none of the work.

And honestly, sometimes easy is exactly what I want. If you are stocking up on cozy recipes right now, my full collection of easy fall recipes is where I keep the rest of them.

Cinnamon Roll Apple Cobbler Ingredients

Apple pie filling. Grab your favorite 20-ounce can of apple pie filling. You can use whatever brand you normally buy. If your family likes a little more cinnamon, you can also choose a cinnamon-spiced apple filling. If the apple slices are long, cut them into smaller pieces so every bite gets fruit.

Refrigerated cinnamon rolls. You'll need one 12.4-ounce tube of refrigerated cinnamon rolls, including the icing. Regular rolls work better than Grands here, because the smaller pieces bake through in the same time the apples heat up.

Cut each cinnamon roll into quarters before combining them with the apple pie filling. This gives you little pieces of cinnamon roll throughout the cobbler and helps them bake evenly.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Apple Cobbler

1. Preheat and prep. Heat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
2. Cut the rolls. Separate the cinnamon rolls and cut each one into four pieces. Set the icing aside because you definitely want that for later.
3. Combine. Add the cinnamon roll pieces and apple pie filling to a large bowl and gently toss everything together.
4. Bake. Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish, spread it into an even layer, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cinnamon rolls are golden brown and cooked through.
5. Cool slightly. Let the cobbler rest for a few minutes while you get the icing ready.
6. Warm the icing. Here's my favorite little trick: microwave the cinnamon roll frosting for about 10 seconds. It makes it extra gooey and much easier to drizzle over the warm cobbler.
7. Serve. Pour that glorious icing over the top and serve warm.

How to tell when it's done: the center pieces should be puffed and matte, not shiny or doughy. If you want to be certain, an instant-read thermometer inserted into a center piece should read about 190°F.

The Best Way to Serve It

For breakfast or brunch, I love serving this cinnamon roll apple cobbler warm with coffee. It's sweet enough to feel special but easy enough that you don't have to spend the entire morning cooking.

It would also be a fun addition to a fall brunch spread alongside scrambled eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, and a big pot of coffee. If you're building out a bigger menu, my ham and hashbrown casserole covers the savory side, blueberry butter swim biscuits and cranberry orange scones round out the bread basket, and my famous deviled eggs always disappear first.

For dessert, serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold ice cream melting into the warm apples and cinnamon rolls is pretty hard to beat.

Can You Make Apple Cobbler Ahead of Time?

Yes. This is one of the reasons I think this recipe is so handy for busy mornings.

You can assemble the cobbler ahead of time, cover it, and refrigerate it until you're ready to bake. When you're ready, pop it into the oven and allow a few additional minutes of baking time if needed.

That makes it a great option when you want something homemade for a weekend brunch without actually having to get up early and do all the work. My praline French toast casserole is the other make-ahead breakfast I lean on for exactly this reason.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Cover leftover cobbler tightly or transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds, or warm the whole dish, covered with foil, at 325°F for about 15 minutes. It is best the day it's baked, since the cinnamon roll pieces soften as they sit.

Easy Variations

The beauty of a two-ingredient recipe is that you really don't need to mess with it. But if you want to change things up, there are a few easy additions.

Add pecans. Sprinkle chopped pecans over the top before baking for a little crunch. Apples and pecans are such a good pair that I built a whole apple pecan Boursin dip around them.

Use a different apple filling. Try a caramel apple or cinnamon-spiced variety if you find one you love.

Make it a double batch. Two tubes of rolls and two cans of filling in a 9x13-inch dish will feed a crowd. Add 10 to 15 minutes to the bake time and check the center for doneness.

Serve it with ice cream. This turns a simple breakfast recipe into an incredibly easy fall dessert.

Cinnamon Roll Apple Cobbler FAQ

Do I need to add eggs or heavy cream?
No. Many apple cinnamon roll casserole recipes add a custard of eggs and cream, which makes a denser bake and a much longer cook time. This version skips it entirely, which is what keeps it at two ingredients and 30 minutes.

Can I use Grands cinnamon rolls?
You can, but the pieces are much thicker and take longer to bake through. Cut them into six pieces instead of four and add 10 minutes, checking the center before you pull the dish.

What size dish should I use?
A 2-quart baking dish is ideal for one tube of rolls and one 20-ounce can of filling. If the layer is too deep, the middle pieces stay doughy.

Is this a cobbler or a casserole?
Both names show up for this recipe. Baked in a shallow dish with the icing drizzled over the top like this, it eats like a cobbler. Layered with a custard in a 9x13, it's closer to a cinnamon roll casserole.

Can I make it in a slow cooker?
Yes, in a greased slow cooker on low for 2 to 3 hours, though the tops won't brown the way they do in the oven.

A Fall Recipe Worth Keeping

I love recipes like this because they make everyday life feel a little more special without requiring a huge production.

This cinnamon roll apple cobbler is proof that you don't need a complicated recipe to put something delicious on the table. Two ingredients, a baking dish, and about 30 minutes are all you need.

Make it for a fall brunch. Make it for Saturday morning. Prep it ahead for a busy school week. Or warm it up for dessert when you need something sweet.

Just don't forget the extra-gooey icing.

More Easy Fall Recipes

If you're looking for more simple recipes to make this season, browse my easy fall recipes for cozy breakfasts, weeknight dinners, desserts, and entertaining. You can also jump straight to more breakfast recipes and easy desserts, or start from the full recipe index.

A few reader favorites to try next:

• Five-Ingredient One Pan Peach Cobbler — the summer version of this shortcut
• Praline French Toast Casserole — make-ahead holiday brunch
• Blueberry Butter Swim Biscuits — easy, buttery, foolproof
• 2-Ingredient Cashew Date Bars — another two-ingredient win
• Cranberry Orange Scones — cozy fall baking

There's nothing better than having a few dependable recipes ready to go when the calendar gets busy.