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Best Apple Crumble Pie Recipe

Published , Last updated by Stef
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Meet your new favorite Apple Crumble Pie recipe! This Dutch apple pie has a juicy apple filling and buttery crumb topping that pair perfectly, and it’s so easy to make with about 10 minutes of prep time.

slice of Dutch apple pie on a small white plate
This is the best apple pie with crumb topping! Easy to make and only 10 minutes of prep required.

I readily admit that I’m a huge sucker for anything with crumb topping. I love sneaking over to the pie pan throughout the day to pick big, fat crumbs off of this dessert. (Does anyone else do this?)

This apple pie is a regular in our household – right up there with my apple cupcakes. Make sure that you have whipped cream or ice cream ready to serve alongside it.

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Ingredients

Dutch apple pie in pie plate and slice removed sitting on a plate
It’s beyond simple to make a decadent and satisfying crumb topping for apple pie with just a few ingredients!

You’ll need a few key ingredients to make this recipe:

  • Tender, flaky pie crust – Pie crust is essentially a mixture of all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, salt, and water. Some cooks insist on adding a splash of white or apple cider vinegar as well. My favorite pie crust recipe is from Stella Parks (BraveTart) with the addition of lemon zest.
  • Tart apple slices – Tart apples are always better for baking. I make apple pie filling with fresh apples to produce a flavor that canned pie filling cannot compete against. I like to use a mix of red Gala and green Granny Smith apples.
  • Sugar and brown sugar – Using both sugar and brown sugar gives the filling a more robust flavor than white sugar alone.
  • Spices – I like to use cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. As a shortcut, you could also purchase a pre-made apple pie spice blend.
  • Oats (for texture in the topping) – I’ve used both old fashioned rolled oats and quick-cook rolled oats. They both work equally well.

How It’s Made

This pie comes together SO easily.

  1. Slice the apples into 8-10 slices per apple. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to peel the apples first. It doesn’t hurt to peel them, but it isn’t necessary.
  2. Mix with the other pie filling ingredients (sugar and spices) and add to the pie crust.
Dutch apple pie filling
You’ll love this recipe for apple pie topping that’s perfect as a way to finish any apple pie!
  1. You want the apples to get nice and soft before adding the topping. Place in a 400 F oven for about 40 minutes.
  2. While it’s baking, I prepare the topping by hand by mixing together the melted butter, sugar, oats, and flour until I have big, fat crumbs.
Mixing crumb topping
With only a few main ingredients, you can easily put together this addictive apple pie crumble that you may be tempted to eat all on its own!
  1. Sprinkle the topping over the partially baked pie, being sure to cover it completely.
adding crumb topping for apple pie
Topping your apple pie with crumb topping is a great way to add an extra layer of flavor and texture that will take your baked goods to the next level.
  1. At this point, the crust may have already begun to brown. So, before putting the pie back in the oven, cover the crust with foil or a pie guard [paid link] to keep it from burning.
Pie Gaurd
A pie guard or even some foil can be helpful in preventing your apple crumble pie from getting burnt around the edges.
  1. Bake for another 20 minutes. The crumbs should be dark brown but not burnt.
  2. Wait at least three hours for the pie to set completely before cutting and serving.
Apple Crumb Pie
With tart and juicy apples and a sweet and buttery crumb topping, this crumble pie is the ultimate dessert for any occasion.

Expert Tips and FAQs

Which are the best apples to use?

Look for tart apples that have a firm flesh. These will hold their shape and won’t break down as much during the baking process.

Which pie pan do you use?

I like to use a metal pie pan. If your pan is a deep dish pan, the recipe will still work but you will need to add more apples to fill the space.

Can I add other spices to the apples?

Sure! I love throwing in a touch of cardamom for a twist. Fresh lemon zest also works really well.

What are some other ideas for the topping?

To kick up the spice in the pie, you can add spices to the crumb topping as well. I also like giving the topping a little crunch by adding chopped nuts or even granola.

Can I cut it as soon as it is out of the oven?

It smells so good and I know you want to eat it right away. You can, but it will be more liquidy and won’t hold its shape. Let it cool and set up properly; good things come to those who wait!

What’s the difference between apple pie and apple crumble?

Apple pie is topped with another layer of pie crust, while an apple crumble is topped with a delicious mixture of butter, sugar, oats, flour, and sometimes nuts. This is also sometimes called Dutch apple pie.

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
slice of dutch apple pie on small white plate
Print Pin
5 from 29 votes

Apple Crumble Pie

This apple crumble pie (or Dutch apple pie) is easy to make and has a sweet and buttery crumb topping and juicy apple filling,

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 403kcal
Author Stefani

Ingredients

Pie Ingredients

  • 2 pounds tart apples a mix of red and green, sliced into 8-10 slices per apple (no need to peel them)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 9" pie crust

Crumb Topping Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats you can substitute this for granola
  • 4 ounces nuts any variety of nuts or candied nuts will work; optional

Instructions

Pie Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 F.
  • Mix all ingredients (except the crust) together in a large bowl.
  • Pour apple pie filling into prepared pie crust at and bake for 40 minutes.

Crumb Topping Instructions

  • While the pie is baking, mix all crumb topping ingredients in a small bowl until large crumbs form. I suggest doing this with your hands. Stop as soon as you have large crumbs. Do not overmix.
  • At 40 minutes when you remove the pie from the oven, top evenly with crumbs. Cover crust with a pie guard if it is getting brown.
  • Bake for another 20 minutes. Crumbs should be dark brown but not burnt.
  • Cool for at least three hours before cutting into pie.

Notes

My favorite pie crust recipe is from Brave Tart with the addition of the zest of one lemon. You can also use any store-bought pie crust.

Nutrition

Calories: 403kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 65mg | Potassium: 198mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 395IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 2mg
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