A twist on the traditional classic dessert, this apple crumb pie has a graham crust and a lot of juicy filling. The result is fantastic. It can be made year-round, so add it to your holiday tables, casual gatherings and barbecues.
An easier alternative
A simpler apple pie that doesn't involve making the traditional crust but uses a crumb crust instead. So it's a great alternative to the much-loved classic dessert, similar to how we feel about the apple pie crumb bars.
- Minimal skills required: the crumb crust and simple filling make this recipe great for beginner pie bakers.
- Spiced and flavorful: you have enough buttery apple flavor in every bite. A change from the usual fussy, traditional double-crusted pie.
- Crowd-pleaser: Whether you're looking for a new dessert or just love to try different apple pies, this is a winner for adults and kids, similar to how I feel about this gorgeous apple pie cheesecake.
For more recipes, check out our pies with graham cracker crust roundup.
Ingredients
Quantities are listed in the recipe card towards the end of this post. The Ingredients page has more details and lists the brands we use.
- Apples: we favor Granny Smith or "the green apples". They have acidity and hold themselves well after baking. But if you favor another baking apple, by all means, use it.
- Spices: we use our homemade apple pie spice mix, but you can purchase it or use a different blend of spices you like with apples. Cinnamon and nutmeg work very well.
- Graham cracker crumbs: you need fine crumbs, so using a food processor is the best choice.
- Powdered sugar or whipped cream topping: for serving.
Easy graham cracker crust
This is a simple crumb crust.
Graham crackers are traditional cookies found mostly in the US, with honey and an earthy, sweet flavor. They are excellent for cheesecake and pie bases.
- Food processor: you need fine crumbs, so using a processor is the best choice to save you time and make it easier. It will ensure an even crust that can be easily patted on a pie pan.
- No food processor for the crumbs? Use a rolling pin, put the crackers in a large Ziploc bag, leaving a small opening (or directly on the counter, but make sure there's a lot of space as bits will spread around), and roll them until you crush them completely and have a fine mixture. It will take several minutes, but it can be achieved.
- No need to pre-bake the crust as the custard pie filling has to be baked.
- Check out our homemade graham cracker crust post with images and a video.
Types of apples to use
Depending on the kind of apples you use, you can vary the sweetness of this easy apple pie. I'm partial to tart apples, but some people like sweeter pies.
- Granny Smith apples: I use them exclusively (the green ones, my absolute favorites for baking due to their tartness). They bring some acid to the mix that complements the overall sweetness of the cake. And they hold their shape and don't turn mushy in the oven.
- Other popular apple varieties: if you have another favorite that you usually bake with (pink lady, gala apples, fuji, Honeycrisp apples), by all means, use it.
- A mix of apples: you can also mix them to create different textures and sweetness levels.
Apple filling
The most laborious part is peeling and cutting apples. But it doesn't take long.
How to cut the apples
- Thick slices: they will be crunchier and have more bite. We like this option. Don't overdo it. Medium thick is what we're aiming for.
- Thin slices: the filling will cook faster, and parts of it can be very soft, resembling a compote.
Toss the apple slices with the rest of the filling ingredients in a large bowl, and make sure they're all coated without breaking them much.
Apples shrink during baking, so mound them high on top of the crust.
Crumble topping
- Make ahead: the crumb mixture can be refrigerated for a week or frozen for a month in an airtight or freezer-safe container. When ready to use, thaw at room temperature (if frozen) and break up with your hands if needed, as large clumps can sometimes form.
- Use your hand to make a wall against the edges of the pie pan as you add the crumble slowly to avoid it spilling down the sides. Press the top slightly so it stays in place during baking.
Baking
- When is the pie done? The apples should be soft when you insert a knife or fork but still have texture. The topping will be golden brown, and the filling will bubble around the edges.
- Chilling: let the pie cool down on a wire rack. It needs to set, and the juices must regroup before you cut and eat it. This will take a few hours. If making it several hours ahead, you can cover and refrigerate it after it has cooled down completely.
Serving
This pie can be eaten at room temperature or somewhat cold. I don't recommend it straight from the fridge as the flavors are a bit lost when it's very cold.
But most of you already know how you like to eat your apple pie, don't you?
Reheating (optional): If you prefer to enjoy your pie warm, you can reheat individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds or in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. If reheating a frozen pie, allow it to thaw first for the best results.
Whipped cream topping
Though this is a great pie to eat plain, a whipped topping adds a creamy texture. It can be made ahead, so you don't have to whip at the last moment.
I add a dollop to the served slice on the plate, but you can spread it at the center of the pie (like in this pumpkin pie) or pipe rosettes like in the sweet potato pie with graham cracker crust.
To make a more stable whipped cream, use a tablespoon or two of cream cheese. It thickens the mixture and is easier to pipe.
Storing
- At room temperature: it keeps well, covered in plastic wrap or under a cake dome, the day it's made and before you add the whipped cream, if you're using it.
- Refrigerating: keep it in the fridge and cover it to prevent it from drying out quickly and absorbing other odors. I use plastic wrap, but you can use aluminum foil or a pie container with a lid that fits in your fridge.
- Freezing: cover the cooled pie in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Or place it in an airtight container or a resealable freezer bag. Be sure to label it with the date. It can be frozen for up to a month. To thaw, transfer it to the refrigerator for several hours or overnight, or thaw it at room temperature, uncovered.
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Apple Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
Ingredients
For the crumb crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the apple filling:
- 4 pounds apples
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons apple spice mix
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, orange for a sweeter pie
For the crumble mixture:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, diced and cold
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup white sugar
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar
Instructions
For the crumb crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Have ready a 9-inch pie plate or pie pan with a removable bottom and high sides.
- For the cookie crumbs, the easiest way is to use a food processor and process until you have fine crumbs. Make sure there are no large pieces or that it's a very coarse crumb mixture as it will prevent the mixture from compressing well.
- By hand: mix 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs with 2 tablespoons brown sugar in a medium bowl. Add ½ cup unsalted butter and combine everything until it resembles wet sand and no dry spots remain.
- Food processor: you can make the mixture directly in the bowl of the processor. Simply process the graham crackers with the sugar and add the melted butter to the bowl of the processor, pulse a few times, and you have your graham mixture ready.
- Press the mixture onto the pan, starting at the edges and the angles where the base and sides join together and make sure it's compacted. This will help when removing the pie from the pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack before filling.
- Don't turn off the oven.
For the crumble:
- Mix 2 cups all-purpose flour, ⅔ cup white sugar and ⅔ cup light brown sugar in a medium bowl.
- Add 1 cup unsalted butter in pieces and integrate them with a fork, a pastry cutter, or your hands (my choice).
- Keep refrigerated while making the filling.
For the apple pie filling and assembly:
- Wash, dry, peel and core 4 pounds apples.
- Cut in half and then in half again to have 4 wedges. Remove the seeds with the hard center parts. Cut into medium-thick slices with a kitchen knife and transfer to a large bowl.
- Sprinkle ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup brown sugar and 2 teaspoons apple spice mix on top. Dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 1 tablespoon lemon juice and drizzle over the apples. Mix with a spatula or spoon until the apple pieces are all covered in the sugar-spice mixture.
- Transfer the apples to the prepared crumb, mounding them carefully in the center. It will be tall.
- Sprinkle the crumble carefully to cover the apples completely. Start at the center and then aid yourself by placing one hand on the edge of the pan, creating a wall as you distribute the crumb mixture with the other hand. Some of it might spill. It is a bit messy. Press very lightly so the crumble is not so loose.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, until the topping is golden brown, the filling bubbles and apples are easily pierced with a knife. If the sides are browning too quickly, tent with foil, creating a ring, and continue baking.
- Let cool on a wire rack before serving with a dusting of powdered sugar or whipped cream.
Michael McPhee says
It’s been quite a few years since I’ve made an apple pie, but I had a graham cracker crust and also a shortbread in the cupboard. I used 3 pound bag of granny Smith apples and two gala, your recipe said piled high, but there was in fact enough apples and crumble topping to make two pies. The other with the shortbread.which by the way both were the best apple pies that I had ever!
Paula Montenegro says
Thanks for the feedback Michael!