Apple Crumble Pie

Best Apple Crumble Pie Recipe – Easy Homemade Dessert

ByBella Skye
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Delicious Apple Crumble Pie

Apple crumble pie is one of those comforting desserts that perfectly captures the warmth of homemade baking. It combines the best parts of a traditional apple pie and a baked apple crumble recipe: a buttery, flaky crust filled with tender, cinnamon-spiced apples and topped with a crisp, golden crumb topping. The texture contrast the juicy apple filling beneath a crunchy crumble layer makes every bite feel indulgent yet cozy.

More Hearty Desserts

This pie stands out among apple crumble dessert recipes because it brings the sweetness of baked apples together with a crumble that stays crunchy even after baking. It’s the kind of apple crumble dessert that feels like home but tastes like something from a professional bakery. Whether you’re baking for a family dinner, a fall gathering, or a weekend treat, this easy apple crumble pie recipe promises the best apple crumble results every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This apple crumble pie captures everything that makes homemade desserts unforgettable warmth, aroma, and texture. It’s a classic that feels both nostalgic and freshly made every time you bake it. Here’s why this recipe truly stands out:

  • Perfect Flavor Balance: The combination of tart and sweet apples ensures that every bite tastes layered and bright. The filling isn’t overly sweet, letting the natural fruit flavor shine through.
  • Golden, Buttery Crumble: The topping bakes into a crisp, buttery layer that contrasts beautifully with the soft apple filling. It adds texture and that irresistible crunch that makes every forkful satisfying.
  • Simple to Make, Expert Results: Even with basic pantry ingredients, this recipe gives you a professional-level pie crust and a bakery-style crumble topping. The method is foolproof and easy to follow for home bakers.
  • Versatile and Adaptable: You can customize this recipe to your taste mix apple varieties, add nuts for crunch, or a hint of ginger for spice. It’s flexible enough to fit every season or occasion.
  • Smells Like Home: The aroma of baked apples, cinnamon, and butter fills the kitchen with that unmistakable “homemade” warmth that no store-bought dessert can match.
  • Crowd-Pleasing and Comforting: Whether served warm with ice cream or chilled the next day, this apple crumble pie feels cozy and indulgent, the kind of dessert that makes people ask for seconds.

This recipe delivers all the satisfaction of a traditional apple pie with the added charm and crunch of a crumble topping making it a dessert that’s as beautiful to look at as it is to eat.

Apple Crumble Pie

Preparation and Cooking Time, also Serving

  • Preparation Time: 25 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 50 minutes
  • Cooling Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Servings: 8

This recipe makes one 9-inch apple crumble pie, ideal for serving 8 generous slices.

Ingredients

Pie Crust

  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons ice water

Apple Filling

  • 6 medium apples
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Crumble Topping

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 8 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • Pinch of salt

Substitution Notes

  • Pie Crust:
  • Use a store-bought 9-inch crust to save time.
  • Substitute with a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
  • Apples:
  • Mix tart and sweet varieties (like Granny Smith and Fuji) for more depth.
  • Replace lemon juice with apple cider vinegar for a sharper taste.
  • Sugar:
  • Swap in coconut sugar or light brown sugar for a richer caramel flavor.
  • Crumble Topping:
  • Replace half the flour with rolled oats for a rustic finish.
  • Use coconut oil instead of butter for a dairy-free version.
  • Add ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and nutty aroma.
Apple Crumble Pie

Step-by-Step Instructions

pie cake

Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust

In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar. Add the chilled butter cubes and work them in with your fingertips or a pastry cutter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Gradually drizzle in the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, just until the dough comes together. It should feel slightly firm but not sticky. Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This rest allows the butter to chill and the gluten to relax, resulting in a flaky texture.

pie cake

Step 2: Roll and Line the Pie Pan

Once the dough has chilled, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about ⅛-inch thickness. Fit it into a 9-inch pie dish, gently pressing into the corners. Trim any excess dough from the edges and crimp decoratively. Return the crust to the refrigerator while preparing the filling.

pie cake

Step 3: Prepare the Apple Filling

Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. Place them in a large bowl, then add granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Toss everything together until the apple slices are evenly coated. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to draw out some of the natural juices.

pie cake

Step 4: Make the Crumble Topping

In another bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and rub them between your fingers until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Keep it slightly chunky rather than sandy those little butter pieces are what create the signature crumble texture.

pie cake

Step 5: Assemble the Pie

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the chilled crust from the refrigerator. Spoon the apple filling into the crust, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the apples, covering them completely without pressing down too firmly.

pie cake

Step 6: Bake

Place the pie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to catch any drips. Bake for about 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges. If the topping begins to brown too quickly, cover loosely with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.

pie cake

Step 7: Cool Before Serving

Let the pie cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing. This allows the filling to set so each slice holds together neatly.

How to Serve

Apple crumble pie tastes best slightly warm. Serve each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a dollop of whipped cream. For a bakery-style presentation, dust lightly with powdered sugar before serving.

Pair it with black coffee, hot chocolate, or apple cider for a cozy dessert moment. If you’re serving it at a dinner gathering, warm the slices in the oven for a few minutes before plating to revive that fresh-baked aroma.

Apple Crumble Pie

Additional Tips

  • Chill your butter well before making the crust and topping for extra flakiness.
  • Always use fresh, firm apples; overly ripe ones will turn mushy after baking.
  • If your apples are very juicy, sprinkle 1 extra tablespoon of flour in the filling to prevent sogginess.
  • For an extra caramel flavor, replace 1 tablespoon of sugar in the filling with maple syrup.
  • Letting the pie rest before slicing helps the filling set for neat, clean cuts.

Recipe Variations

  • Classic Apple Crumb Pie Recipe: Add 1 tablespoon of rolled oats and a pinch of clove to the crumble topping.
  • Apple Crumble Tart Recipe: Bake the same filling and topping in a tart pan without a bottom crust.
  • Apple Crumble Recipe Healthy Version: Replace sugar with coconut sugar and butter with coconut oil, and use almond flour in the topping.
  • Best Apple Crumble Pie Recipe with Nuts: Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the crumble for an added crunch.

Freezing and Storage

  • To Store: Keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • To Reheat: Warm slices in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10 minutes, or microwave for 30 seconds.
  • To Freeze: Wrap the baked pie tightly in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat before serving.

Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)

  • Calories: 380
  • Fat: 17g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Carbohydrates: 55g
  • Sugar: 32g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Sodium: 120mg

Final Words

Baking apple crumble pie at home is one of those rewarding moments where simplicity meets perfection. You get the buttery aroma of homemade crust, the tender apples spiced just right, and the golden crumb topping that turns every slice into comfort on a plate. Once you make this best apple crumble pie recipe from scratch, you’ll understand why home-baked pies will always outshine store-bought ones.

This apple crumb pie recipe also teaches a valuable baking truth: good desserts don’t need to be fancy they just need balance. The right apples, the right crumble texture, and the patience to let it cool slightly before slicing make all the difference. Once you’ve mastered this, you’ll be able to adapt it into countless versions mini apple crumble tarts, crumble bars, or even an apple crumble dessert served in ramekins for individual portions.

Whether you call it apple crumb pie, apple crumble tart, or simply your favorite fall dessert, this dish will always feel timeless and full of love. Make it once, and it’ll become a permanent addition to your go-to apple crumble dessert recipes.

FAQ’s

Yes. You can assemble the pie completely and refrigerate it unbaked for up to 24 hours. When ready, bake directly from the fridge, adding 5 extra minutes to the baking time.

Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Fuji are all excellent choices. Combining tart and sweet apples gives the best flavor balance.

Use whole-wheat flour, reduce the sugar slightly, and swap butter for coconut oil. You can also use honey or maple syrup instead of refined sugar.

It usually happens if the butter melted too much before baking or if the filling released too much liquid. Keep the topping cold and don’t overmix the butter into the flour.

Yes, but drain the excess syrup to prevent the crust from getting soggy. Homemade filling gives fresher flavor and better texture.

At least 20 minutes, ideally 30, so the filling firms up and the slices cut cleanly.

Definitely. Add about ¼ cup rolled oats for extra texture and a classic apple crumble flavor.

Best Apple Crumble Pie Recipe - Easy Homemade Dessert
Print

Best Apple Crumble Pie Recipe – Easy Homemade Dessert

Recipe by Bella SkyeCourse: Desserts
Servings

8

servings
Prep time

25

minutes
Cooking time

50

minutes
Calories

380

kcal
Cooling Time

20

minutes

Ingredients

  • Pie Crust

  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

  • 3 to 4 tablespoons ice water

  • Apple Filling

  • 6 medium apples

  • ½ cup granulated sugar

  • ¼ cup brown sugar

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Crumble Topping

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour

  • ½ cup brown sugar

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar

  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 8 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

  • Pinch of salt

Directions

  • In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar. Add the chilled butter cubes and work them in with your fingertips or a pastry cutter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Gradually drizzle in the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, just until the dough comes together. It should feel slightly firm but not sticky. Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This rest allows the butter to chill and the gluten to relax, resulting in a flaky texture.
  • Once the dough has chilled, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about ⅛-inch thickness. Fit it into a 9-inch pie dish, gently pressing into the corners. Trim any excess dough from the edges and crimp decoratively. Return the crust to the refrigerator while preparing the filling.
  • Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. Place them in a large bowl, then add granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Toss everything together until the apple slices are evenly coated. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to draw out some of the natural juices.
  • In another bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and rub them between your fingers until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Keep it slightly chunky rather than sandy those little butter pieces are what create the signature crumble texture.
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the chilled crust from the refrigerator. Spoon the apple filling into the crust, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the apples, covering them completely without pressing down too firmly.
  • Place the pie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to catch any drips. Bake for about 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges. If the topping begins to brown too quickly, cover loosely with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
  • Let the pie cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing. This allows the filling to set so each slice holds together neatly.

Notes

  • Chill your butter well before making the crust and topping for extra flakiness.
  • Always use fresh, firm apples; overly ripe ones will turn mushy after baking.
  • If your apples are very juicy, sprinkle 1 extra tablespoon of flour in the filling to prevent sogginess.
  • For an extra caramel flavor, replace 1 tablespoon of sugar in the filling with maple syrup.
  • Letting the pie rest before slicing helps the filling set for neat, clean cuts.

Similar Posts