The Ultimate Apple Oat Crumble Pie: Your Go-To Recipe for Sweet, Spiced Perfection
There’s an undeniable magic in a perfectly baked apple oat crumble pie. It’s the kind of dessert that instantly conjures images of cozy autumn evenings, family gatherings, and the comforting aroma of cinnamon and baked apples filling your home. This recipe offers all the beloved flavors of a classic apple pie, but with a delightfully simple, crunchy oat streusel topping that eliminates the fuss of a traditional lattice crust. The result is a wonderfully textured pie with a tender, spiced apple filling crowned by a golden, buttery, and utterly irresistible oat crumble. While apples are often associated with autumn harvests, this versatile fruit allows us to enjoy this exquisite pie year-round, bringing a touch of seasonal comfort whenever the craving strikes. It’s truly a must-serve with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, and perhaps a drizzle of rich caramel sauce, making every bite an unforgettable experience.
Often referred to as a Dutch apple pie or an apple crumb pie, this delightful creation features a luscious filling of sweet, tender, cinnamon-spiced apples nestled within a perfectly flaky pie crust. What truly sets it apart is the generous layer of crunchy oat streusel that bakes to a golden-brown perfection, adding an incredible textural contrast to the soft fruit. While I personally love baking this pie in my favorite homemade flaky pie crust, you absolutely have the option to use a high-quality store-bought pie crust for convenience, without compromising on flavor. This recipe is wonderfully adaptable, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
The beauty of an apple crumble pie recipe lies in its sheer simplicity. There’s no intricate lattice design to worry about, making it a stress-free dessert that comes together in just a few straightforward steps. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, you’ll find this recipe incredibly rewarding. If you’re looking for a delightful mini version of this treat, be sure to explore my mini apple pies with puff pastry for individual servings that are just as charming and flavorful.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Apple Oat Crumble Pie!
- Effortless Elegance: This pie offers all the deliciousness of a traditional apple pie but with a much simpler assembly. The oat crumble topping is incredibly easy to make and looks stunning, giving you a beautiful dessert without the fuss of a lattice crust. It’s the perfect choice when you want a show-stopping pie that doesn’t require advanced decorating skills.
- A Symphony of Flavors and Textures: Prepare for a delightful interplay between the sweet, warmly spiced apple filling and the crunchy, buttery oat streusel topping. The tender apples melt in your mouth, while the crumble provides a satisfying textural contrast that makes every bite exciting. This combination makes it an ideal dessert for any season, but it particularly shines during Fall, Thanksgiving, and the entire holiday season.
- Utilizes Everyday Pantry Staples: You’ll be pleased to know that this recipe relies on readily available ingredients typically found in most kitchens. We’re talking about simple, wholesome items like fresh apples, flour, oats, butter, and a selection of warming spices. There’s no need for exotic or hard-to-find components, making this pie a convenient choice for spontaneous baking.
- Flexible Crust Options: Whether you’re a purist who loves a flaky homemade pie crust or you prefer the convenience of store-bought, this recipe is designed to accommodate both. Our homemade crust recipe yields a wonderfully tender and buttery base, but if time is a factor, a good quality pre-made crust will work beautifully, allowing you to focus on the delicious filling and topping.
- The Ultimate Accompaniment: While this pie is spectacular on its own, it truly reaches its peak when served warm with a generous scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream. The cold, creamy ice cream perfectly contrasts with the warm, spiced apples and crunchy topping. For an extra touch of indulgence, a drizzle of homemade or store-bought salted caramel sauce takes this dessert from delicious to absolutely divine.
Essential Ingredients for Your Apple Oat Crumble Pie
Crafting the perfect apple oat crumble pie begins with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:
- Apples: You’ll need approximately two pounds of apples for this recipe. My personal preference for baking pies is Granny Smith apples due to their tartness and ability to hold their shape well, preventing a mushy filling. However, you can also achieve excellent results with other firm, slightly tart varieties like Fuji, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or even a mix of two different types for a more complex flavor profile. Ensure they are peeled, cored, and sliced into consistent half-inch wedges for even cooking.
- Apple Cider Vinegar (or Lemon Juice): While many apple pie recipes traditionally call for lemon juice to brighten the flavors and prevent browning, I was inspired by Claire Saffitz’s clever use of apple cider vinegar. It performs a similar function by adding a subtle tang and preventing oxidation, but with the added benefit of enhancing the overall apple essence in the pie. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand or simply prefer the classic taste, feel free to substitute it with an equal amount of fresh lemon juice.
- Warm Spices: A blend of warm spices is key to that quintessential apple pie flavor. This recipe calls for a harmonious mix of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. These spices complement the apples beautifully, creating a fragrant and comforting aroma as the pie bakes. For an extra layer of depth and warmth, consider adding a tiny pinch of ground cardamom – it’s a delightful secret ingredient that can elevate your pie even further.
- All-Purpose Flour: Flour plays a crucial role in thickening the apple filling, ensuring it’s not watery but rather perfectly spoonable. It mixes with the apple juices released during baking to create a beautiful, cohesive sauce. If you prefer, cornstarch can be used as an alternative thickening agent, typically requiring half the amount of flour.
- Unsalted Butter: Good quality unsalted butter is indispensable for both the richness of the apple filling and the irresistible crispiness of the streusel topping. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall salt content of the pie. Ensure your butter for the crumble is very cold, as this is essential for achieving that desirable crumbly texture.
- Old-Fashioned Oats: For the oat crumble topping, it’s crucial to use rolled oats or old-fashioned oats. These types of oats retain their shape and provide a satisfying chewiness and crunch when baked. Avoid using quick oats or instant oats, as their finer texture will result in a powdery, less appealing crumble. The goal is a rustic, textural topping, and old-fashioned oats deliver just that.
- Light Brown Sugar: This provides a deep, molasses-rich sweetness to both the apple filling and the oat crumble, enhancing the warm flavors.
- Kosher Salt: A touch of salt balances the sweetness and brings out the vibrant flavors of the apples and spices in both the filling and the crumble.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla adds a layer of fragrant sweetness and rounds out the overall flavor profile of the apple filling.
- Pie Crust: As mentioned, you can use either your favorite homemade flaky pie crust or a good quality store-bought version. The key is to have it well-chilled before filling.
See the full recipe card below for precise measurements and quantities.
Easy Step-by-Step Instructions to Bake Your Apple Oat Crumble Pie
Baking this delicious apple oat crumble pie is a straightforward process, designed for enjoyment rather than stress. Follow these steps for a perfect pie every time:
Step 1: Prepare the Irresistible Oat Crumble Topping. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients for your oat crumble topping: all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt. Add the very cold, cubed unsalted butter. Now, get your hands in there! Using your fingertips, “smoosh” and rub the butter into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some larger, pea-sized pieces of butter still visible. The mixture should be evenly moist and come together when squeezed. This hands-on method helps incorporate the butter effectively. Once mixed, transfer the crumble to the fridge to keep it chilled while you prepare the apples. Preheat your oven to 400ºFahrenheit (200ºC).
Step 2: Craft the Flavorful Apple Filling. Begin by peeling and coring your chosen apples, then slice them into consistent half-inch wedges. Uniform slices ensure that all the apples cook evenly. Place these sliced apples into a large bowl. To this, add your light brown sugar, all-purpose flour (or cornstarch), ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves (and a pinch of cardamom if using), vanilla extract, apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice), and kosher salt. Toss everything together gently but thoroughly until every apple slice is beautifully coated with the spiced sugar mixture. This ensures every bite of the filling is bursting with flavor.
Step 3: Assemble Your Pie. Carefully pour the apple pie filling into your prepared pie dish. Whether you’re using a store-bought crust or a homemade one, it should be well-chilled and crimped around the edges. Take a moment to arrange the apple slices with your hands, ensuring they form an even layer within the crust. This prevents large gaps and ensures a beautiful, full pie after baking. A slight mound in the center is desirable, as the apples will cook down.
Step 4: Add the Crumble and Bake. Distribute the cubed tablespoon of unsalted butter evenly over the surface of the apples. Retrieve your chilled oat crumble topping from the fridge. Generously sprinkle the entire crumble mixture over the apples, making sure to cover them completely. Don’t be shy – it might seem like a lot, but it will settle and crisp up beautifully during baking. Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any potential drips) and bake in the preheated 400ºF (200ºC) oven for an initial 20 minutes. This high heat helps to set the crust and crisp the topping. After 20 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350ºF (175ºC) and continue to bake for another 50-60 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and you can see the apple juices bubbling enticingly around the edges.
To prevent the crust from browning too quickly, I highly recommend placing a pie crust shield around the edges after the first 20 minutes of baking. If the oat crumble topping appears to be browning too fast, you can loosely tent the pie with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time. The pie is perfectly baked when the top is a deep golden brown and the filling is visibly bubbling. Once removed from the oven, resist the urge to slice immediately! Let the pie cool for at least 3 hours on a wire rack. This crucial cooling time allows the filling to set properly, ensuring clean, beautiful slices and the best texture. Enjoy!
Expert Tips & Tricks for a Flawless Apple Oat Crumble Pie
Achieving a truly exceptional apple oat crumble pie is easier with a few insider tips:
- Slice Apples Consistently: The uniformity of your apple slices is key to an evenly cooked pie. Aim for half-inch wedges. If some slices are too thick, they might remain firm, while thinner ones could turn mushy. Consistent slicing ensures every piece of apple in your pie will be perfectly tender.
- Thoughtful Apple Layering: Instead of simply dumping all the apple slices into the pie crust, take a moment to layer them with your hands. Arrange them in a slightly mounded fashion in the center. This strategic layering helps prevent large air gaps, ensuring the pie holds its shape beautifully after baking and results in a more substantial and visually appealing slice.
- Transform into a Caramel Dutch Apple Pie: Elevate this already delicious pie by incorporating caramel. You can stir a ½ cup of high-quality salted caramel sauce directly into the apple filling before topping it with the streusel. Alternatively, for a simpler approach, serve each warm slice with a generous drizzle of salted caramel sauce on top of the baked pie and ice cream. Both methods add an incredible depth of flavor.
- Monitor the Topping’s Browning: The oat crumble topping is meant to be golden and crispy, but it can brown quickly. Keep a close eye on your pie, especially during the latter half of the baking time. If you notice the topping getting too dark too fast, loosely cover the entire pie with a piece of aluminum foil. This will protect the crumble from burning while allowing the apples underneath to finish cooking to perfection.
- Prevent a Soggy Bottom: To ensure your pie crust remains wonderfully crisp and doesn’t get soggy, consider blind baking your pie crust for about 10-15 minutes before adding the filling. This pre-baking step creates a barrier against the moisture from the apple filling.
- Chill the Crumble: Always keep your oat crumble topping chilled until just before sprinkling it over the pie. Cold butter in the crumble will create steam as it bakes, resulting in a crispier, more defined streusel texture.
- Cool Completely for Best Slices: Although it’s tempting to dive into a warm pie right out of the oven, allowing your apple oat crumble pie to cool for at least 3 hours (or even longer) is crucial. This cooling time allows the apple filling to set properly, preventing it from oozing out when sliced and ensuring neat, attractive portions. The flavors also meld and deepen as it cools.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Oat Crumble Pie
Here are answers to some common questions you might have while baking this delicious pie:
For baking pies, you generally want to select apples that are firm and hold their shape well, rather than turning to mush. A slight tartness is also desirable to balance the sweetness of the other ingredients. This is why Granny Smith apples are a top choice for pie baking, as they offer a great balance of tartness and texture. Other excellent varieties include Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, and Pink Lady. You can also experiment with a combination of two different apple types to create a more complex and nuanced flavor profile in your pie.
While both feature delicious spiced apples and a crumbly topping, there’s a key distinction. An apple oat crumble pie is baked within a traditional pie crust or base, giving it a structured foundation. In contrast, a pure apple crumble (or apple crisp) does not have a pie crust; the fruit filling is simply topped with the streusel mixture and baked in a baking dish, typically served straight from the dish.
There are several indicators that your apple oat crumble pie is perfectly baked. The oat topping should be beautifully golden brown and appear crisp. More importantly, you should be able to see the apple juices bubbling up from underneath the crumble topping, especially around the edges of the pie. If you’re unsure, you can also gently insert a thin knife or skewer into the filling through the crumble (avoiding the crust) to test the tenderness of the apples. If it goes in easily, your apples are likely cooked through.
Yes, you absolutely can! The pie can be fully baked and cooled, then covered loosely with foil or plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for up to 24 hours. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to 4-5 days. You can gently reheat slices in the oven or microwave before serving, which often helps to re-crisp the topping slightly.
To make it gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour in both the crust and crumble with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend that contains xanthan gum. Ensure your oats are certified gluten-free. For a dairy-free version, use a high-quality plant-based butter alternative that’s suitable for baking in both the pie crust and the crumble. Make sure your pie crust is also dairy-free if using store-bought.
Discover More Delicious Apple-Inspired Recipes!
If you’ve loved this apple oat crumble pie, you’re in for a treat! Apples are incredibly versatile, lending themselves to a multitude of sweet and comforting desserts. Explore these other fantastic apple-related recipes that are perfect for any occasion:
- Apple Crisp Cheesecake
- Blackberry Apple Crumble
- Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling
- Harvest Pear and Apple Crisp with Ginger Oat Topping
If you’ve had the pleasure of making this delightful apple oat crumble pie recipe, we’d absolutely love to hear from you! Please take a moment to leave a ⭐️ rating and review below – your feedback is invaluable and helps others discover this wonderful dessert. We’re always thrilled to see your culinary creations, so don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @alpineella so I can see what you’ve baked! You can also stay connected and find more delicious inspiration by following along on Pinterest,Facebook and TikTok!
Recipe Card
Apple Oat Crumble Pie
Ella Gilbert
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Equipment
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9-inch pie dish
Ingredients
Pie Dough
- 1 unbaked pie crust
Apple Filling
- 2 lb Granny Smith Apples
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch ground nutmeg
- pinch ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter cubed
Oat Crumble
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ¾ cup old fashioned oats
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter cold
Instructions
Pie Crust Preparation
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If you are using a store-bought pie crust, ensure it remains in the fridge until you are ready to use it. If you are preparing a homemade pie crust, follow the instructions on my homemade flaky pie crust recipe up to step 9 (which typically involves chilling and preparing the crust for filling).1 unbaked pie crust
Prepare the Oat Crumble Topping
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In a medium bowl or large jug, combine all the dry crumble ingredients: all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter. Use your hands to thoroughly mix the butter into the dry ingredients, squishing the pieces of butter with your fingertips until the mixture is evenly moist and resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter bits. There should be no dry, floury spots. Place this crumble mixture into the fridge to chill while you prepare the apple filling.1 cup all purpose flour, ¾ cup old fashioned oats, ½ cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
Assemble and Bake the Apple Pie
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Preheat your oven to 400℉ (200℃).
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Peel, core, and slice the apples into uniform half-inch wedges. Place the sliced apples in a large bowl. Add the light brown sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, apple cider vinegar, kosher salt, and vanilla extract. Toss gently until all the apple slices are evenly coated with the spice and sugar mixture.2 lb Granny Smith Apples, ½ cup light brown sugar, ¼ cup flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, pinch ground nutmeg, pinch ground cloves, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Pour the apple pie filling into your chilled and crimped pie dish. Use your hands to gently arrange the apple slices, creating an even layer within the unbaked pie crust. A slight mound in the center is ideal as the apples will cook down.
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Evenly dot the top of the apple filling with the cubed tablespoon of unsalted butter.1 tablespoon unsalted butter
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Retrieve the oat crumble mixture from the fridge and generously sprinkle it over the apples, covering the entire surface of the pie. It might seem like a lot of streusel, but it will bake down and create a perfect crispy topping.
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Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any overflow) in the middle rack of the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes at 400℉ (200℃). After 20 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350℉ (175℃) and continue baking for an additional 50-60 minutes. To prevent the pie crust edges from over-browning, I recommend placing a pie crust shield around them after the first 20 minutes. If the oat crumble topping becomes too dark before the apples are tender, loosely tent the top of the pie with aluminum foil.
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Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack for at least 3 hours before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set properly for clean, beautiful slices.
Video Tutorial
Recipe Notes & Substitutions
Spices: The recipe includes cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Feel free to add a tiny pinch of ground cardamom for an extra layer of warm, aromatic flavor.
Flour: All-purpose flour is used as a thickener in the filling. If you prefer, you can swap it out for cornstarch, using half the amount (e.g., ⅛ cup cornstarch for ¼ cup flour).
Apple Cider Vinegar: This ingredient adds a subtle tang and enhances apple flavor. You can easily swap it out for an equal amount of fresh lemon juice if you prefer or if it’s what you have on hand.
Oats for Crumble: For the best texture, always use whole oats, old-fashioned oats, or rolled oats. I do not recommend using quick oats or porridge oats, as their finer texture can make the crumble topping dry and powdery.
Pie Crust: This recipe calls for one pie crust. I often use half of my homemade flaky pie crust recipe, which typically yields two crusts. Alternatively, a good quality store-bought pie crust is a convenient and perfectly acceptable option.
Pie Dish: I use a standard 9-inch pie plate for this recipe. Please note that this is not a deep-dish pie dish, so adjust if using a different size.
Storage: To store your baked apple oat crumble pie, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It will keep well in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. For best results, gently reheat individual slices in the oven to re-crisp the topping.
Nutrition Information