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This easy apple pie is delicious but the best part is there is no pastry crust so it’s easy! It may just be the best apple pie recipe you have ever made.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
Today’s recipe is my favorite apple pie. Not only is it yummy but if you are not a pie maker and the thought of making a pie crust scares you – there is no pie crust needed!
No homemade pie crust and you don’t even need one of those store bought ones either.
Apple Pie Without a Pastry Crust
This version of apple pie is similar to a French Apple pie with a yummy crumb topping. But not only do you use the crumb topping on top – you also use it for the bottom crust. Yum! Oh and did I mentioned this crumb topping is FULL of butter and sugar – yum, yum!!
Ingredients Needed:
- Flour. All purpose flour
- Sugar. Granulated sugar
- Egg. Only use the egg yolk
- Baking powder
- Butter. Salted butter. If using unsalted butter add a pinch of salt.
- Apples. I always use Granny Smith, see below for other options.
- Cinnamon and a little bit of nutmeg if you like.
What are the best apples for apple pie?
- Granny Smith. This is my favorite because the tart apple compliments the sweetness of the pie. They are a nice firm apple and hold well in the baking process.
- Honeycrisp – This is my second choice for apple pie. It is also a crisp tart yet sweet apple that holds up well to baking also.s..
- Golden Delicious – This apple is a little softer than the other two but it is easy to find at the store and may be less expensive.
- Jonagold – This apple is not quite as tart and a little more sweet than the others.
- Pink Lady – This apple is a nice balance of sweet and tart but maybe a little harder to find.
How to Make Easy Apple Pie
- Mix together flour, sugar, egg yolk, baking powder
- Add melted butter.
- Press 1/2 of dough into a 9 inch glass pie dish. Make sure you have an even layer on the bottom and up the sides of the pie plate and there are no holes
- Peel, core and slice apples.
- After pressing 1/2 of pie dough into pie plate, pile apple mixture onto crust.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon (sorry, no exact measurement – I just sprinkle until it looks like enough, probably a Tablespoon or two) and 1 1/2 Tbsp sugar (or more if you like it sweeter!)
- Crumble remaining dough on top by breaking it into small pieces to form crumble topping.
- Bake at 350 degrees F oven for about 45 minutes – 1 hour
Tips from Leigh Anne
- Baking time will vary depending on how thick you sliced your apples and how soft you like them. I usually slightly undercook my apples as I don’t like them mushy.
- If the top of your pie browns before the apples are cooked to your liking, cover the top of the pie with a piece of foil to prevent crumble topping from burning.
- Our favorite way to serve apple is with vanilla ice cream or cinnamon ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce is perfection! You can also top it with sweetened whipped cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
I use a potato peeler to peel my apples and then my favorite apple corer. I slice the apples to be about 1/4″ thick. You can also use a paring knife to peel and slice.
Easy apple pie can be stored, loosely covered, at room temperature for 2 -3 days. You can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freeze Unbaked Pie: Freeze the unbaked pie, wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to a month. When ready to bake, remove it from the freezer, unwrap, and place it into the oven. Bake as directed, adding on about 15 minutes to the baking time, or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling.
Freeze Baked Pie
You can freeze the entire pie by wrapping it in plastic wrap and foil or freeze individually pieces in an airtight container. When ready to serve, unwrap and let the pie thaw at room temperature. Place in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes to crisp up the top and warm the filling. You can also reheat in the microwave but the topping won’t be as crisp.
A few of my other favorite pies:
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Easy Apple Pie
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup butter melted
- 7-8 apples – sliced cored and peeled. I prefer a crisp, tart apple.
- Cinnamon probably a tablespoon or two
- 1 1/2 Tbsp sugar or more if you like it sweeter
Instructions
- Mix together flour, sugar, egg yolk, baking powder
- Add butter, melted
- Press 1/2 of dough into a glass pie plate.
- Being sure you have an even layer on bottom and up the sides of the pie plate. (no holes!)
- -8 apples – sliced, cored and peeled. I prefer a crisp, tart apple.
- After pressing 1/2 of pie dough into pie plate, pile apples onto crust.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon (sorry, no exact measurement – I just sprinkle until it looks like enough, probably a Tablespoon or two) and 1 1/2 Tbsp sugar (or more if you like it sweeter!)
- Crumble remaining dough on top by breaking it into small pieces.
- Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes – 1 hour
- (Time will vary depending on how thick you slice the apples, you want them tender but not mush! I just stick a fork in to see how tender they are.)
Tips & Notes:
- I like to peel and slice my apples to 1/4 inch thick.
- Granny Smith apples are my favorite ones to use.
- Baking time will vary depending on how thick you sliced your apples and how soft you like them. I usually slightly undercook my apples as I don’t like them mushy.
Nutrition Facts:
Libby says
I learned a lesson today. I should have printed out your French Crumb Apple Pie recipe. It appears that instead of archiving this recipe, you used the same link to post an entirely different apple pie recipe, leaving me scrambling for the most similar recipe I can find, because that recipe was perfection. I have been using it yearly for Thanksgiving since you posted it.
Leigh Anne Wilkes says
This is actually the same recipe as the French Crumb Apple Pie recipe.
Grace says
Best, easiest, and most flavorful pie crust!!! Every time I’ve made homemade pie crust, it’s always been so complicated and ends up tasting fine, but definitely lacks in flavor. This pie crust is simple and so buttery & flavorful! Will be my go-to moving forward.
Leigh Anne Wilkes says
I love hearing that – so glad you loved it!!
Gloria Barnhouse says
i made it today and it is so good and very easy. I hate making regular roll out pie crust. Thanks Leigh Anne
Kathy says
I made this and it was the easiest pie I’ve ever made and the most delicious pie I’ve ever made. 10/10 YAY!!!! Thank you for the recipe…it’s a keeper