Need more pie recipes? Try my vegan sweet potato pie, buttermilk pie, chocolate pudding pie, and healthy pumpkin pie next. If you love the look of apple pies but the texture of apple crisp, you’ll love my apple crumble pie recipe. It’s the best of both worlds, with a flaky pie crust and tender, caramelized apple filling. The only difference is I replaced the lattice top with a fuss-free crumble topping.
Why I love this recipe
Convenient. You can make a homemade pie crust or buy one from the store, and it’s equally delicious served hot, cold, or at room temperature. Easily made vegan and gluten-free. Easily adjust this recipe to suit any diet at your dinner table. Minimal prep needed. You’ll only need 5 minutes of prep time and the oven does the rest. Make it in advance. I’m a fan of holiday desserts that offer flexibility. This apple pie can be made up to three days in advance, and you don’t have to worry about the crumb topping going soggy!
Ingredients needed
Pie crust. Either use a homemade pie crust or buy a 9-inch crust from the store. Use a gluten-free crust if needed. I’ve included an option for both. Apples. A must for an apple recipe! They’ll need to be sliced ¼-inch in thickness, not chopped. Sugar. I used brown sugar, but any type of sugar can be used. All-purpose flour. For the crumb topping. Use gluten-free flour if needed. Cinnamon. A must in any apple pie recipe! Walnuts. For the added streusel topping. You can omit this or substitute it with pecans or hazelnuts. Unsalted butter. For the topping. Use dairy-free butter if needed.
How to make apple pie with crumb topping
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Generally, I prefer the flavor of green apples (like Granny Smith apples) so the tartness balances out the sugar. Red apples (like Honeycrisp) can also work if you’re in a pinch.
Arman’s recipe tips
Think about the pan you’re using. I tested this recipe with a stainless steel pie dish, but if you’re using a glass pie pan, know that it will take roughly 5-7 minutes longer to bake. Don’t worry about adding too many apples. When you add them to your pie crust, it may look like there are WAY too many apples, but don’t worry—they’ll settle and sink as they release their juices. Bake the pie on a baking sheet. If there is any spillage, it will spill onto the baking sheet and not your oven. Keep an eye on the pie. If the crust turns golden before the center is warm, lightly wrap the edges of the crust in foil for the final 15 minutes of baking.
Storage instructions
To store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Make a more traditional apple pie. Since the apples are sliced, this is more of a Dutch apple pie recipe. If you prefer the American way, use chopped apples. Make a lattice top. Make double the pie dough and follow my healthy apple pie recipe for how to lattice perfectly. Toss the apples in two tablespoons of lemon juice. This will help prevent them from browning, and it also adds a tart flavor, which is helpful if you’re using sweeter apples. Add spices. A few teaspoons of apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice can seriously level up this recipe. Don’t forget a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce for the ultimate holiday dessert!
To freeze: Cover the leftover pie (or pie slices) in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze them for up to six months and let them thaw overnight in the fridge. To reheat: Microwave leftovers in 20-second intervals or until warm.
Frequently asked questions
More apple desserts to try
Healthy apple crisp Applesauce cake Healthy apple cake
Originally published October 2022, updated and republished August 2024 If you’re planning to bring this pie to Thanksgiving dinner, bake the pie (topping and all) and let it cool. Store it, covered, in the fridge for up to three days. Let it come to room temperature for 20 minutes, then pop it in the oven to reheat for 10 minutes or until warm.
