This Apple Crisp Pie is a warm and cozy dessert that perfectly pairs sweet apples with a crunchy topping. It’s like a hug in dessert form, great for chilly nights!
The blend of cinnamon and brown sugar makes the apples so tasty! I love serving it warm with a scoop of ice cream on top—because pie needs ice cream, right? 🍏🥧
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Apples: I love using a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples. This combo offers a nice balance of tartness and sweetness. If those aren’t available, feel free to use Fuji, Braeburn, or even Golden Delicious—but make sure to mix tart and sweet for the best flavor!
Pie Crust: You can go for a store-bought crust for convenience, but if you’re up for it, making your own crust can elevate this pie. A homemade crust adds a lovely flakiness. If you’re gluten-free, try a gluten-free pie crust or even a crumble topping made with almond flour!
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds depth with its molasses flavor. If you’re out, you can use white sugar, but the taste will be slightly different. Alternatively, coconut sugar can be a great substitute if you want a healthier option!
Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These spices are essential for that warm, cozy flavor. Don’t skip them! If you want a twist, try adding a touch of ginger or cardamom for extra warmth.
How Do You Achieve the Perfect Pie Topping?
The crisp topping can truly make or break your apple pie! Here’s how to get that crunchy goodness just right:
- Mix together oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Use cold butter, cut into small pieces; this helps create a flaky texture. You can use a pastry cutter or your fingers to combine until it looks like coarse crumbs.
- Spread the topping evenly over the apples. Be generous! The more topping, the better.
- If it looks like it’s browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil. This prevents burning and lets the filling continue cooking.
Let the pie cool for a couple of hours after baking—this helps the filling set up nicely for clean slices!
Apple Crisp Pie Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Pie:
- 1 refrigerated pie crust (9-inch) or homemade pie crust
- 6 to 7 medium apples (about 3 lbs), peeled, cored, and sliced (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (to thicken filling)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Crisp Topping:
- 3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
How Much Time Will You Need?
This scrumptious Apple Crisp Pie will take you about 20 minutes to prep and 50 to 60 minutes to bake, plus an additional 2 hours to cool and set. So, plan for around 3 hours total before you can dive into a slice of deliciousness!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place your pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish, and if you’d like, trim and crimp the edges to make it look pretty. Set this aside for now.
2. Prepare the Apple Filling:
In a large mixing bowl, toss the sliced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, flour, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Mix it well so every apple slice is coated. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes. This lets the flavors meld and the juices to escape from the apples. Yum!
3. Assemble the Pie:
Pour the apple mixture into your prepared pie crust, spreading it out evenly so every bite has that delicious apple filling.
4. Make the Crisp Topping:
In a separate medium bowl, combine the old-fashioned rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter pieces and mix using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Don’t worry if it gets a little crumbly; that’s what makes it a crisp topping!
5. Add the Topping:
Evenly sprinkle that yummy crisp topping over the apples in the pie dish. Don’t be shy—cover those apples generously!
6. Bake the Pie:
Place the pie dish on a baking sheet to catch any drips during baking (trust me, you’ll thank me later!). Bake in your preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If it looks like it’s browning too quickly, you can loosely cover the pie with foil halfway through the baking time.
7. Cool the Pie:
Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for at least 2 hours. This cooling time helps the filling set up nicely so you can get beautiful slices when serving.
8. Serve & Enjoy:
Serve the pie warm or at room temperature, and if you’re feeling indulgent, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top. Enjoy every single mouthful of this warm, comforting Apple Crisp Pie!
Can I Use Different Types of Apples?
Absolutely! A mix of tart and sweet apples works best. Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are great options, but you can also use Fuji, Braeburn, or Golden Delicious for a different flavor profile.
Can I Prepare This Pie in Advance?
Yes! You can prepare the pie a day ahead of time. Just store it covered in the refrigerator before baking. When you’re ready, bake it straight from the fridge, but it might take a few extra minutes to cook through.
What Should I Do with Leftover Pie?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, pop a slice in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes for the best taste.
How Do I Make a Gluten-Free Version of This Pie?
To make a gluten-free version, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure your oats are certified gluten-free for the topping, and you’re all set!