These Christmas Eve Cinnamon Crisps are light, crunchy, and impossibly snackable like a churro and a sugar cookie had a festive little baby. Made with simple pantry staples and ready in minutes, they’re the perfect last-minute treat for cozy movie nights, cookie platters, or setting out for Santa with a glass of milk.
Ingredients
- 6 large flour tortillas (or puff pastry sheets for an extra flaky version)
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Optional: a pinch of nutmeg
- Optional: holiday sprinkles
- Optional: melted chocolate for drizzling
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, stir together the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using) until evenly combined.
- Slice each tortilla into wedges, like a pizza, or use festive cookie cutters to punch out stars, trees, or snowflakes.
- Brush each tortilla piece lightly with melted butter on both sides, making sure the surface is coated but not soaked.
- Dip each buttered piece into the cinnamon sugar or sprinkle generously on both sides, pressing lightly so it sticks.
- Arrange the coated pieces in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each one.
- Bake for 8–12 minutes, or until golden and crisp around the edges. Keep a close eye on them, as tortillas can brown quickly.
- Remove from the oven and let the crisps cool on the pan for about 5 minutes to fully crisp up.
- Once cooled slightly, decorate with holiday sprinkles, drizzle with melted chocolate, or dust with powdered sugar, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Variations
- Puff Pastry Cinnamon Crisps: Swap the tortillas for puff pastry sheets, cut into shapes, brush with butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and bake until puffed and golden for a buttery, flaky treat.
- Churro-Style Crisps: Add a tiny pinch of salt and a splash of vanilla to the melted butter, then go heavy on the cinnamon sugar for a flavor reminiscent of classic churros.
- Maple or Caramel Drizzle: Finish the cooled crisps with warm maple syrup or caramel sauce instead of chocolate, then sprinkle with a little flaky salt for contrast.
Cooking Notes
- Ovens vary, so start checking the crisps at the 8-minute mark; once the edges deepen in color, they can go from golden to too dark quickly.
- The crisps will firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they’re slightly soft when you first take them out of the oven.
- If making multiple trays, rotate the pans halfway through baking for even browning and texture.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve alongside hot cocoa, coffee, or spiced tea for a cozy Christmas Eve dessert board.
- Pair with small bowls of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for dipping and scooping.
- Set them out on a cookie platter with other holiday treats, or package a handful in cellophane bags tied with ribbon as sweet edible gifts.
Tips
- Use day-old tortillas if possible; slightly drier tortillas crisp up more easily than very fresh ones.
- For the prettiest shapes, chill tortillas briefly in the fridge before cutting with cookie cutters to help them hold clean edges.
- If your crisps lose their crunch, re-crisp them in a 325°F (165°C) oven for 3–5 minutes and cool again before serving.
Prep Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 4g
- Sodium: 260mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make these Christmas Eve Cinnamon Crisps ahead of time?
- Yes. Bake them earlier in the day, let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2–3 days. For maximum crunch, enjoy within 24 hours.
- Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?
- You can, but the texture will be different lighter, more brittle, and slightly toasty in flavor. Keep a close eye while baking, as corn tortillas can brown even faster.
- How do I keep the cinnamon sugar from falling off?
- Make sure each piece is lightly but fully coated with melted butter before adding the cinnamon sugar, and gently press the sugar mixture onto the surface so it adheres well.
- Are these crisps kid-friendly to make?
- Absolutely. Kids can help cut shapes (with supervision), brush on butter, dip in cinnamon sugar, and add sprinkles after baking, making this a fun holiday activity.
Conclusion
These Christmas Eve Cinnamon Crisps are a simple, budget-friendly way to add a little sparkle to your holiday table. With just a few ingredients and plenty of room for sprinkles, chocolate, and fun shapes, they’re a festive tradition in the making perfect for sharing, gifting, or nibbling while you wait for Santa.
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Christmas Eve Cinnamon Crisps
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings (about 4–6 crisps per person, depending on size) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Eve Cinnamon Crisps are light, crunchy, and impossibly snackable like a churro and a sugar cookie had a festive little baby. Made with simple pantry staples and ready in minutes, they’re the perfect last-minute treat for cozy movie nights, cookie platters, or setting out for Santa with a glass of milk.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 large flour tortillas (or puff pastry sheets for an extra flaky version)
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Optional: a pinch of nutmeg
- Optional: holiday sprinkles
- Optional: melted chocolate for drizzling
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, stir together the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using) until evenly combined.
- Slice each tortilla into wedges, like a pizza, or use festive cookie cutters to punch out stars, trees, or snowflakes.
- Brush each tortilla piece lightly with melted butter on both sides, making sure the surface is coated but not soaked.
- Dip each buttered piece into the cinnamon sugar or sprinkle generously on both sides, pressing lightly so it sticks.
- Arrange the coated pieces in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each one.
- Bake for 8–12 minutes, or until golden and crisp around the edges. Keep a close eye on them, as tortillas can brown quickly.
- Remove from the oven and let the crisps cool on the pan for about 5 minutes to fully crisp up.
- Once cooled slightly, decorate with holiday sprinkles, drizzle with melted chocolate, or dust with powdered sugar, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For an extra flaky version, use puff pastry cut into shapes, brush with butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and bake according to package directions until puffed and golden.
- Sweetness is flexible—add or reduce sugar to taste, or swap in brown sugar for a deeper caramel flavor.
- These are best the day they’re made but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days.
- If using puff pastry, expect a slightly longer bake time (usually 12–18 minutes depending on thickness).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/6 of the batch)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Christmas Eve cinnamon crisps, tortilla cinnamon crisps, holiday snack, easy Christmas dessert, cinnamon sugar crisps
