With a fast cooking method, ample apple flavor, and lower added sugars, these yummy Mini Apple Tarts are a favorite dessert to share. You can make the apple filling ahead of time, too!

I’ve made my Sauteed Apples for years and recently discovered they are the perfect filling for Mini Apple Tarts! Fast, yummy, and they make a great dessert for kids to share.
Quick Look: Mini Apple Tarts
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Flavor Profile: Apple cinnamon flavor with crisp pastry shells
- Difficulty: Easy, perfect for everyday baking and holidays
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Table of Contents
These have become one of our favorite apple recipes, along with my Cinnamon Apples and Baked Sliced Apples.
Why This Recipe Works
With a quick cooking method and shortcut tart shells, you can make the yummiest Mini Apple Tarts to share with a lot less effort.
Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to have on hand to make Mini Apple Tarts so you know what to pick up from the store or have ready.

- Butter: I like to use unsalted butter to cook the apples to give it classic apple pie flavor. You can use a neutral oil such as canola or avocado if you prefer, though.
- Apples: I use firm cooking apples in this recipe, like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Cosmic Crisp, so the apples have a little texture (instead of becoming mushy).
- Cinnamon: Adding ground cinnamon ensures the apples have ample flavor.
- Honey or maple syrup: Adding a little sweetener enhances the flavor of the apples and helps the filling have a consistency more similar to that of apple pie.
- Frozen prepared mini tart shells: Look for these in your grocery store near other frozen desserts. They are fully cooked and just need to be crisped up in the oven for about 5 minutes, making them a real time saver!
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How to Make Mini Apple Tarts
Here’s a preview of how to make these Mini Apple Tarts so you know what to expect from the process. Scroll down to the end of this post for the full information, including the amounts and the timing.

Step 1. Chop the apples. Warm the butter or oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat.

Step 2. Add the apples to the skillet. Stir to coat, and cook until soft when poked with a fork. Stir in the cinnamon and sweetener.

Step 3. Add the tart shells to a baking pan.

Step 4. Fill each tart shell with some of the apple mixture. Bake to crisp the shells. Serve.
TIP: You can add whipped cream or a little vanilla ice cream to the top of each tart right before serving, if desired.
Mini Apple Tart FAQs
You can use pie crust, though it will require a few more steps to pre-bake it so the prepared tart shells are my favorite option.
Sure! You can add fresh berries and whipped cream or swap in diced pears for the apples here.
How to Store
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Pop into an air fryer or toaster oven for 2-3 minutes to crisp the tart shells.
Best Tips for Success
- Use butter or coconut oil, according to your preference.
- Use any type of apple you prefer, though firmer cooking apples work well here.
- If you use apples that are softer when eaten fresh (like Gala), they may cook a little faster.
- Top with ice cream or even my Vanilla Yogurt.
More Apple Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please rate and comment below!

Mini Apple Tarts (15 Minutes!)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (or coconut oil)
- 2 medium apples (cored and finely diced; about 2 cups)
- 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup or brown sugar)
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 15 frozen prepared mini tart shells (this is one standard box, typically)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Warm the butter or oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- When melted, add the apples. Stir to coat and cook for 10 minutes or until soft when poked with a fork. Stir in the cinnamon and honey.
- Place the tart shells on a rimmed baking sheet. Fill each with about 2 tablespoons of the apple mixture.
- Bake for 5 minutes, remove from oven to let cool for a few minutes, and serve.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Pop into the air fryer or toaster oven for 2-3 minutes at 350 degrees F to crisp the shells. (They soften as they sit in the fridge.)
- Use butter or coconut oil, according to your preference.
- Use any type of apple you prefer, though harder cooking apples such as Granny Smith, Cosmic Crisp, or Honeycrisp work well here.
- Serve any leftover apples over yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, chicken, pork, or another favorite meal.























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