Apple crumble pie is the best of both worlds: all the deliciousness of a traditional pie, without the hassle of perfecting a top crust! But this recipe is for my fellow gluten-free friends – the gluten-free apple crumble pie you’ll ever have.

I’d always had a bit of trouble making pie crust from scratch. No matter how finicky I would get with the ingredients – especially the butter – the dough would turn out either too thick, too dry, or just not the right texture. And when it would come time to roll it out, I’d struggle to get it thin enough without it tearing or falling apart. Until after many attempts, I found the right way through trial and error (see below).

Suffice it to say, I cannot sacrifice my love of apple pie because of the crust!  I’m too fond of the warm, spiced filling and that irresistible balance of tartness and sweetness. So instead of battling with traditional pie crust, I found my own solution: apple crumble pie. It’s the perfect compromise between the two desserts I love.

The bottom is similar to a pie, but the top is all about that buttery, crumbly goodness of a crumble. It satisfies my apple pie cravings without the stress of making a finicky crust. Plus, the crumble topping adds a nice texture and flavor that complements the apples beautifully.

So when I’m pressed for time and can’t make a proper homemade gluten-free crust, I’ll opt for an open-faced pie – like this delicious apple crumble pie.  It’s not quite a pie, not quite a crumble – it’s the best of both! You must use Cortland or Northern Spy apples – they retain their firmness when baked!

 Here is my recipe for the best gluten-free apple crumble pie you’ll ever have! 

The Best Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 unbaked pie crust (I use gluten-free crust, or make one myself using my Gluten-Free Pie Crust recipe

Filling

• 5 cups peeled and sliced Cortland or Northern Spy apples
• 3 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoon tapioca flour (you can use regular flour if you’re not gluten-free)
• 2 tablespoons butter, chilled, unsalted butter, diced
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
   

Topping

• 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
• 1/2 cup mixture of brown rice flour, sorghum flour and tapioca flour
• 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 1/3 cup packed brown or coconut sugar
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon each All Spice and/or cloves (if desired)
• 1/3 cup chilled, unsalted butter, diced

Directions:

1. Mix sliced apples with sugar, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon and diced butter.
2. Add to pie crust. 
3. For the topping, mix together all ingredient except butter.
4. Then add butter and with hands, lightly work in by pinching until the ingredients clump together.
5. Spread over apples, and press down using your hands so that the topping seals together and to the sides of the crust.
6. Bake in a 350F pre-heated oven until topping is nice and crisp, about 45 minutes.
7. Top with vanilla ice cream if you wish and enjoy! 

Yield: 1 pie

The Best Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Pie

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Apple crumble pie is the best of both worlds: all the deliciousness of a traditional pie, without the hassle of perfecting a top crust! 

Instead of battling with making a traditional pie crust when short on time, make an apple crumble pie! It's the perfect compromise between apple pie and apple crumble.

The bottom is similar to a pie, but the top is all about that buttery, crumbly goodness of a crumble. It satisfies your apple pie cravings without the stress of making a finicky crust from scratch. Plus, the crumble topping adds a nice texture and flavor that complements the apples beautifully.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 unbaked pie crust (I use gluten-free crust, or make one myself using my Gluten-Free Pie Crust recipe
• Filling
• 5 cups peeled and sliced Cortland or Northern Spy apples
• 3 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoon tapioca flour (you can use regular flour if you're not gluten-free)
• 2 tablespoons butter, chilled, unsalted butter, diced
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Topping
• 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
• 1/2 cup mixture of brown rice flour, sorghum flour and tapioca flour
• 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 1/3 cup packed brown or coconut sugar
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon each All Spice and/or cloves (if desired)
• 1/3 cup chilled, unsalted butter, diced

Instructions

Mix sliced apples with sugar, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon and diced butter.
Add to pie crust. 
For the topping, mix together all ingredient except butter.
Then add butter and with hands, lightly work in by pinching until the ingredients clump together.
Spread over apples, and press down using your hands so that the topping seals together and to the sides of the crust.
Bake in a 350F pre-heated oven until topping is nice and crisp, about 45 minutes.
Top with vanilla ice cream if you wish and enjoy! 

Updated 2024