1. Prepare the Apple Filling: In a medium saucepan, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, all-purpose flour (or cornstarch), ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice (if using). Stir gently to coat the apples evenly. Add the lemon juice, unsalted butter, and water.

2. Cook the Filling: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Cook for about 8-12 minutes, or until the apples are tender but still hold their shape, and the sauce has thickened. If the sauce isn’t thick enough, you can mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water and stir it into the filling, cooking for another minute until thickened.

3. Finish the Filling: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the apple filling to cool for at least 15-20 minutes. This is crucial; if the filling is too hot, it will make the tortillas soggy and difficult to roll. You can speed up cooling by transferring it to a shallow dish and placing it in the refrigerator.

4. Warm the Tortillas (Important for Pliability): Slightly warming the tortillas makes them more pliable and less likely to crack when rolling. You can do this by wrapping a stack of tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 20-30 seconds, or by quickly warming them one by one in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 10-15 seconds per side.

5. Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating (If Using): In a shallow dish or plate, combine the ¼ cup of granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Mix well and set aside.

6. Assemble the Taquitos: Lay a warmed tortilla flat on a clean work surface. Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the cooled apple pie filling in a line down the center of the tortilla, leaving about an inch of space at each end. Be careful not to overfill, as this will cause the filling to ooze out during air frying.

7. Roll the Taquitos: Tightly roll the tortilla around the filling to form a taquito shape. If you’re having trouble keeping them sealed, you can use a tiny dab of water or a paste made from flour and water at the edge of the tortilla to help it stick.

8. Prepare for Air Frying: Lightly brush the assembled taquitos all over with melted butter, or spray them evenly with cooking oil. This helps them get golden brown and crispy in the air fryer.

9. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes.

10. Air Fry the Taquitos: Carefully place the taquitos in the air fryer basket in a single layer, seam-side down if possible. Ensure there is some space between them for air circulation; do not overcrowd the basket. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

11. Cook: Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 7-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your tortillas. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes to prevent burning.

12. Coat with Cinnamon Sugar (If Using): As soon as the taquitos come out of the air fryer and while they are still hot, immediately roll them in the prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated. The heat will help the sugar stick. If you didn’t brush them with butter before air frying, you might need to lightly spray them with oil *after* air frying and *before* rolling in sugar to help it adhere.

13. Serve Warm: Serve the Air Fryer Apple Pie Taquitos warm as they are, or with your favorite accompaniments like vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.