Dulce de Leche Apple Pie Parfaits

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If you’re craving all the cozy flavors of fall—think cinnamon, apples, and rich caramel—but want to skip the oven, these Dulce de Leche Apple Pie Parfaits are exactly what you need. With layers of warm spice, creamy dulce de leche, and buttery graham cracker crumbs, these no-bake treats are one of my favorite easy fall desserts to whip up in minutes. They’re decadent, delicious, and just fancy enough to serve at a fall party or holiday gathering—without the hassle of baking a pie.

Whether you’re planning a cozy night in, a festive brunch, or a fun fall dessert table, these parfaits deliver everything you love about apple pie, with none of the effort.

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Ingredients for Dulce de Leche Apple Pie Parfaits

You only need a handful of simple ingredients to create these layered beauties:

2 cans (21 oz) apple pie filling (You may not use all of the second can, but definitely can if you want to!)
1 cup crushed cinnamon graham crackers (I usually buy the pre-crushed, but you can also crush graham crackers in a food processor)
2 tsp ground cinnamon, divided
½ tsp nutmeg
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp butter, melted
1 ½ cups whipped cream (store-bought or homemade, for topping)
½-3/4 cup dulce de leche (I just bought 1 small can from the store, but didn’t use the whole thing), warmed slightly
Optional: 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream (to help the texture of your dulce de leche)

How to Make Dulce de Leche Apple Pie Parfaits

These parfaits come together in just a few minutes and look extra cute layered in small mason jars or clear cups. Here’s how to build them:

1. Chop the apples in the pie filling into smaller pieces for easier layering and better texture in every bite.

2. Mix the apple pie filling with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon (save the other teaspoon for the graham cracker crust) and ½ teaspoon nutmeg. Set aside.

3. Mix together graham cracker crumbs, your leftover 1 teaspoon cinnamon, melted butter and brown sugar together to form the crust layer

chopped apple pie filling mixed with cinnamon and nutmeg

4. Microwave your dulce de leche for just 5-10 seconds. Quickly stir in a bit of heavy cream to make it a little thinner and more pourable. Adjust the amount of cream as necessary and keep stirring until it is completely incorporated into the dulce de leche.

Layer your parfaits:

Layer 1 – Crust: Start with a tablespoon or so of crust at the bottom of each jar or cup.
Layer 2 – Apple Pie Filling: Spoon in a generous layer of apple pie filling over the crumbs.
Layer 3 – Dulce de Leche: Drizzle about 1 tablespoon of dulce de leche over the apples.
Repeat layers 1-3 again (and maybe again if you like, depending on how tall of a cup or jar you’re using).
Layer 4 – Whipped Cream: Add a pretty swirl of whipped cream from a can or homemade whipped cream. See my note below about homemade whipped cream.

layered dulce de leche apple pie parfait side view

dulce de leche apple pie parfait with whipped cream

Pro Tips for Perfect Parfaits

Make them ahead: You can assemble these a few hours in advance—just wait to add the top whipped cream until right before you serve.
Go for small layers: I tested quite a few different strategies for layering this parfaits! To me, the best way to do it was with smaller, thinner layers than I would have thought necessary. Just a small sprinkling of graham cracker crumbs, a spoonful of apple pie filling and a small drizzle of dulce de leche was all it took for one layer. I was able to fit in 3 layers into one parfait and it tasted absolutely divine.
Upgrade the whipped cream: If you want whipped cream that holds up for hours (great for potlucks or cozy gatherings), beat 1½ cups of heavy cream with ¼ cup powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla until stiff peaks form. Pipe it on with a star tip for a festive finish!
Go mini or big: Make mini parfaits for a dessert sampler, or go big for a shareable treat. I got 8 medium parfaits, but this will vary depending on your jars and layering style.

FAQs

How should I store these?
Just to be safe, I would store these in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them. I have left them sitting out at room temperature for longer than food safety guidelines would probably dictate and survived. However, I would recommend storing them in fridge just in case.

Is dulce de leche the same as caramel?
Not exactly! Dulce de leche is creamier and made by slowly cooking sweetened milk, while caramel is made from sugar. Dulce de leche gives these parfaits a rich, luxurious flavor that’s perfect with apples and cinnamon.

How many parfaits does this make?

It really depends on how big your cups or jars that you use are, unfortunately. I got about 8 medium-large-sized cups out of mine, but it all depends on the size of the containers you use and how big of layers you make.

How long do these last?

They’ll be okay sitting out for a little while during your fall festivities, but for best texture and food safety, keep them chilled until ready to serve. I would say they can last up to 3 days in the fridge, but if you use whipped cream from a can, make sure to add that only right before serving.

These Dulce de Leche Apple Pie Parfaits are the ultimate no bake fall dessert—rich, spiced, cozy, and unbelievably easy to make. Whether you’re throwing a fall party, hosting Thanksgiving, or just treating yourself to something sweet, they’re sure to impress. I’d love to hear if they make it to your fall dessert table this year!