These Apple Pie Tarts are made simple with store-bought tart shells and a homemade buttery apple pie filling rich with warm spices and a kiss of vanilla!
If you love my Brown Sugar Vanilla Apple Pie, you will also love this recipe for mini apple tarts! The apple pie recipe does feature a homemade butter pie crust, but I opted for the shortcut of using store-bought frozen tart shells for these apple tarts. Otherwise, the filling is the same in both recipes! It is rich, buttery, decadent, and flavored with brown sugar, cinnamon, black pepper (yes!), and a delicious burst of vanilla extract.
I have quite a few recipes for easy yet yummy tarts here on my website. From classic Canadian Butter Tarts and Pecan Pie Tarts to bright and summery Raspberry Lemon Tarts and Blueberry Custard Tarts. They aren't too fancy, made easy with store-bought frozen tart shells, but quick to make and perfect to make for events or holidays when you need single-serving desserts.
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⭐️ Why You Need to Make This Recipe
- Method: Don't have much time, but need to make a dessert for Thanksgiving? This recipe is perfect for last-minute baking as it only takes about 30 minutes and is so easy to whip together!
- Flavor: I may be biased, but I think this homemade apple pie filling is the best out there. It is rich, flavorful, and so cozy!
- Texture - The combination of crisp pie crust and gooey apple filling is perfect.
🧈 Ingredients
Here are the ingredients needed to make these easy apple pie tartlets.
Ingredient Notes
- Tart Shells - I always use store-bought unsweetened frozen tart shells for convenience. If you are feeling adventurous, you could try making this recipe with homemade tart shells; just make sure they are well chilled before adding the pie filling.
- Apples - My favorite variety of apples to use for pie and tarts is Gala. If you prefer a tart apple flavor, use Granny Smith apples instead.
- Brown Sugar - Light or dark brown sugar would work here.
- Vanilla - Not usually found in apple pie filling but I love adding vanilla extract to mine! Trust me, it is delicious!
See the recipe card for the full list of ingredients with measurements.
📃 Instructions
Step 1: Chop the apples into small bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Stir in the brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, black pepper, baking soda, salt, and vanilla.
Step 3: Add the butter and cook over medium heat while stirring often for about 5 minutes or until the apples are tender and the mixture thickens.
Step 4: Fill each of the tart shells with the pie filling while it is still hot, distributing it evenly between all 18 tart shells.
Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the edges of the tart shells are golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Let the tarts cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
💡 Top Tip
These tarts are yummy served alone, or they are extra delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream!
❓ Recipe FAQs
Yes. You can substitute with homemade unbaked but chilled tart shells.
Yes. Simply use gluten-free storebought tart shells or make them homemade with gluten-free flour.
Store any leftover fully cooled tarts covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
🍎 More Apple Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
If you tried these Mini Apple Pie Tarts or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and write a little note telling me how it went in the comments below. Thank you!!
📖 Recipe
Apple Pie Tarts
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped Gala apples (cored and peeled)
- ⅔ cup packed brown sugar
- 4 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon finely ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup salted butter
- 18 unsweetened frozen tart shells
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375℉.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, stir together the chopped apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, black pepper, baking soda, salt, and vanilla. Add the butter and cook over medium heat while stirring often for about 5 minutes or until the apples are tender and the mixture thickens.4 cups chopped Gala apples, ⅔ cup packed brown sugar, 4 teaspoons cornstarch, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon finely ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, ¼ cup salted butter
- Arrange 18 frozen unbaked tart shells on a large baking sheet. Fill each of the tart shells with the pie filling while it is still hot, distributing it evenly between all 18 tart shells.18 unsweetened frozen tart shells
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the edges of the tart shells are golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, or let cool fully.
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