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Home » Pies, Crisps, and Tarts

Apple Crumble Pie

Last updated on August 19, 2022Originally published November 18, 20206 CommentsSabine

Jump to Recipe

This apple crumble pie recipe is easy to make. It's a great pie for every occasion, from festive family events to everyday dessert situations. You will love this pie as a dessert after a festive Thanksgiving dinner with lots of turkey meat and apple sausage stuffing.

Decorative picture of baked apple crumble pie on bright background

By the way, if you love apples, you will love my apple pie and apple cobbler as well!

Jump to:
  • Ingredients notes and substitutions
  • Photo instructions
  • Expert tips
  • Variations
  • Make ahead and freezing instructions
  • Storing and reheating
  • More pie recipes
  • Recipe

Ingredients notes and substitutions

  • All-purpose flour - you can use gluten-free flour 1:1 instead. Use a blend with xanthan gum.
  • Unsalted butter - to make vegan apple crumble pie, use your favorite vegan butter instead.
  • Apples - I prefer Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, or Braeburn. Also, Granny Smith works fine. By the way, if you have tons of apples and don't know what to do with them, check out my post where I share 15 cakes with apples.
  • Lemon juice - use freshly squeezed lemon juice and not store-bought one.
  • Walnuts - since there are walnuts in the topping, I like to refer to this pie as apple walnut pie but if you have a nut allergy or don't like walnuts, leave them out. You could swap the walnuts for pecans if preferred.

Photo instructions

In a food processor, combine the flour, salt, sugar, and butter and pulse 4 to 6 times until larger than pea-sized butter pieces are still visible. Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of cold water (straight from the tap is fine - as cold as possible) at a time, pulsing one or two times after each addition. Stop adding water and pulsing when you notice that the dough comes together and starts to clump.

Processed pie crust in food processor

Without kneading the dough, transfer it to a sheet of plastic wrap and form into a 1- to 1 ½-inch (2.5-4cm) thick disk.

You can wrap and chill the dough as it is now or proceed with my folding technique to create the flakiest pie crust possible. Either way, it is a delicious and flaky pie crust, but I feel folding the dough brings the crust to another level.

Lift the left side of the dough and fold one-third of the dough over itself to create a section 2 layers thick. Then, take the right side of the dough and fold it on top so that it covers the previously folded left side of the dough, like a folded business letter, to make three layers.

Using just your fingers, flatten the dough again into a 1- to 1 ½-inch (2.5-4cm) thick disk and fold it again into thirds. This time fold the side of the dough facing away from you and fold it towards you. Then fold the side of the dough facing to you, away from you in the same style as described above. Form into a 1- to 1 ½-inch (2.5-4cm) thick disk and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.

The following collage shows the folding process step-by-step. Beginning from the top left corner, reading from left to right.

Collage of six photos showing pie crust folded according to instructions - letter style

In a large bowl, stir the apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and vanilla to combine. Set aside.

Prepared apple filling for pie

In another large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Use your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until combined and butter flakes are still visible. Don't overwork the butter, or it will become a paste. It should have a crumbly texture, as shown below.

Processed crumb topping without walnuts in bowl

Add chopped walnuts and combine. Place in the refrigerator until you are ready to sprinkle the topping on top of the pie.

Prepared crumb topping with walnuts in bowl

After chilling the dough, on a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into an 11-inch (28cm) even circle and transfer to a 9-inch (23cm) pie dish.

The yellow dots in the crust, as shown in the picture below, are the butter flakes. If it looks like this, your pie crust will be beyond flaky.

Unbaked pie crust in pie dish with dough hanging out around the sides

Evenly press the dough into the bottom and against the sides of the pie dish and flute the edges.

Prepared and fluted pie crust in baking dish

Evenly spoon the filling with a slotted spoon or spider skimmer into the pie crust and discard any excess liquid from the filling if there is any.

Unbaked apple filling in unbaked pie crust in pie dish

Sprinkle the crumb topping on top and bake.

Assembled and unbaked pie in baking dish

Expert tips

  • Use cold butter straight out of the fridge for the pie crust and the crumb topping. Soft and warm butter results in a pie crust that is not flaky at all, and the topping turns into a paste.
  • Don't overwork the butter in both the crust and topping, or the same outcome will happen as described before.
  • Discard any excess liquid from the filling, if there is any, otherwise, the filling could turn out a little watery.
  • Give it time to chill before you serve the pie. I prefer chilling mine overnight before serving because the filling has time to thicken up. It's a great recipe to make ahead.
  • Cover the pie loosely with aluminum foil in the beginning when baking it at a high temperature to prevent the top from burning or darkening too much.
Decorative picture of baked apple crumble pie with ice cream on top on bright background

Variations

  • Crumble topping with oats - you can add ¾ cup (75g) old-fashioned rolled oats to the topping or use the crumb topping from my strawberry rhubarb crisp recipe.
  • Top it with homemade caramel - here is a great tutorial on how to make caramel from scratch.

Make ahead and freezing instructions

This pie is even better on the second day, so it's the perfect pie to make ahead and store in the fridge overnight. You can prepare the pie crust for up to 2 days in advance and store it in the fridge or freeze it for up to 3 months. Baked pie freezes well for up to 2 months. To thaw, place in the refrigerator overnight.

Storing and reheating

Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat single slices in the microwave for 30-40 seconds if you want to serve it warm.

Decorative picture of slice of apple crumble pie with ice cream on top on plate

More pie recipes

There is no doubt that pies are a delicious treat. No matter how you fill them or prepare them, there is the perfect pie for every occasion. Here are some of my favorites:

  • Banana cream pie
  • Pumpkin pie
  • Custard pie
  • Blueberry pie
  • Chocolate cream pie
  • Strawberry rhubarb pie

Recipe

Decorative picture of baked apple crumble pie on bright background

Apple Crumble Pie

5 from 4 votes
Author Sabine Venier
Calories: 426kcal
Servings: 12 servings
Prep 1 hour
Cook 45 minutes
Chill 6 hours
Total 7 hours 45 minutes
Print Pin Rate
This apple crumble pie recipe is easy to make. It's a great pie for every occasion, from festive family events to everyday dessert situations. Flaky pie crust filled with juicy, sweet cinnamon-spiced apples and topped with crunchy crumb topping. It's perfectly spiced and delicious. Serve it warm or cold with your favorite toppings.

Ingredients
 
 

Crust

  • 1 ¼ cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ cup cold unsalted butter
  • 4-6 tablespoon cold water

Filling

  • 6 large apples, peeled, cored, and sliced into â…›-inch slices
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • 1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped

Instructions

  • Crust: In a food processor*, combine the flour, salt, sugar, and butter and pulse 4 to 6 times until larger than pea-sized butter pieces are still visible. Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of the cold water at a time, pulsing one or two times after each addition. Stop adding water and pulsing when you notice that the dough comes together and starts to clump.
  • Without kneading the dough, transfer it to a sheet of plastic wrap and form into a 1- to 1 ½-inch (2.5-4cm) thick disk.** Lift the left side of the dough and fold one-third of the dough over itself to create a section 2 layers thick. Then, take the right side of the dough and fold it on top so that it covers the previously folded left side of the dough, like a folded business letter, to make three layers. Using just your fingers, flatten the dough again into a 1- to 1 ½-inch (2.5-4cm) thick disk and fold it again into thirds. This time fold the side of the dough facing away from you and fold it towards you. Then fold the side of the dough facing to you, away from you in the same style as described above. Form into a 1- to 1 ½-inch (2.5-4cm) thick disk and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.
  • Filling: In a large bowl, stir the apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and vanilla to combine. Set aside.
  • Topping: In another large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Use your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until combined and pea-sized butter flakes are still visible. Don't overwork the butter, or it will become a paste. It should have a crumbly texture. Add chopped walnuts and combine. Place in the refrigerator until you are ready to sprinkle the topping on top of the pie.
  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). After chilling the dough, on a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into an 11-inch (28cm) even circle and transfer to a 9-inch (23cm) pie dish. Evenly press the dough into the bottom and against the sides of the pie dish and flute the edges.
  • Evenly spoon the filling with a slotted spoon or spider skimmer into the pie crust and discard any excess liquid from the filling if there is any. Sprinkle the crumb topping on top. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Then remove the aluminum foil, let the pie in the oven, turn down the temperature to 375°F (190°C), and bake additional 30-35 minutes. Cover the last 15 minutes with aluminum foil again to prevent heavy browning if necessary. Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature. Then chill for at least 4 hours in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave or serve cold with your favorite toppings. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months.

Notes

* If you don't have a food processor, then make the crust with a pastry cutter or two forks instead: In this case mix together flour, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Then add butter and cut it into the mixture until it resembles coarse meal with pea-sized butter flakes. Then add water little by little until the texture starts to clump.

** Make your pie crust extra flaky
You can prepare the crust in the food processor, wrap, and chill the dough without folding it. The folding technique is just an additional step to create the flakiest pie crust possible. Either way, it is a delicious and flaky pie crust, but I feel folding the dough brings the crust to another level.

Video

You can find the video in the post above. If you don't see a video, please check your browser settings.

Nutrition

Calories: 426kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 5gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 203mgPotassium: 212mgFiber: 4gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 533IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 2mg
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword apple crumble pie, apple crumble pie recipe, apple walnut pie
Did you make this recipe?Leave a feedback and rate this recipe!
« Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Easy Cheesecake Bars »

About Sabine

Sabine is a professional baker, cookbook author, and award-winning food photographer.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vyoleta

    March 20, 2022 at 10:03 pm

    What a scrumptious treat ! Never made pie before so did not have high expectations and I was pleasantly surprised- turned out so well! Thanks for the detailed instructions, tips, and video!

    I added extra walnuts and some oats for the top filling which made it even more hearty 🙂

    Reply
  2. Janet

    November 26, 2020 at 6:47 am

    5 stars
    That is THE most scrumptious Apple Pie I have ever seen. Cannot wait to try it. We have 2 apple trees that produce abundantly every year, so we have a very good supply with which to make this pie. Thanks for a great recipe

    Reply
  3. Marina

    November 14, 2019 at 8:43 pm

    Very easy recipe. I had all of the ingredients at home. If you follow the instructions you will ohave a beautiful looking and tasty pie.
    Thanks Sabine!

    Reply
    • Sabine

      November 26, 2019 at 4:25 am

      Thank you so much for your feedback! I'm happy that you like this pie as much as we do!

      Reply
  4. Becky

    January 25, 2019 at 5:42 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for the fantastic recipe!

    Reply
  5. Corinna

    November 19, 2017 at 8:05 pm

    5 stars
    this recipe sounds delicious! and I love your pictures! makes it even more appealing to the eye!

    Reply

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Portrait photo of Sabine Venier

Hi, my name is Sabine Venier! I’m a cookbook author and food blogger. Here on Also The Crumbs Please you will find my collection of treasured family recipes.

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