Wholesome Delicious Apple Crumble Dairy Free Pie
When the weather begins to cool, and Cape Cod starts to settle in for the winter, that is when I amp up my baking skills and pull out one of our favorite recipes. Indulge in this delicious dairy-free pie with the perfect blend of sweet cinnamon-kissed apples and a golden delicious “buttery” crumb topping.
Making an apple crumble dairy free pie is not much different than a regular pie. One only needs a few simple ingredients, but the type and quality of ingredients are what really matter.
I try to use the most healthy organic ingredients I can find whenever I am cooking, especially when I am making desserts such as pies, cakes, and cookies.
Using quality ingredients enhances the overall healthfulness of desserts, and it provides alternatives to more processed store-bought treats.
They are kinder to our bodies, and to the planet, without compromising flavor or satisfaction.
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Fall Is The Perfect Time To Bake Apple Pie
Fall here in New England is such a beautiful time of year, and it is the perfect time to bake an apple pie for a special occasion, or just for fun, and one that the whole family will enjoy.
Apples during the fall reach their peak ripeness, offering a bounty of fresh crisp apple options, and making it the perfect time to bake a delicious apple crumble dairy free pie.
There is a unique comfort when baking during the fall. The inviting smells of cinnamon and spices, and the warmth of a cozy home.
There are all kinds of dairy-free pies you can make. Pecan pie, coconut cream pie, key lime pie, vegan chocolate cream pie, fruit pies, savory pies, and so many more.
But nothing beats savoring a slice of wholesome apple crumble dairy free pie during the fall and winter seasons while you cozy up with a warm blanket by the fire.
Best Apples To Use For A Dairy Free Pie
Here is a list of the best apples to use for a delicious dairy free pie.
- Granny Smith – these apples are the most commonly used for apple pies and for good reason. They are crisp and tart and hold their shape well during the baking process. They are a pleasant contrast to the sweetness of pie filling.
- Honeycrisp – these apples are known for their crisp texture and their sweet-tart flavor making them lovely for an apple dairy free pie.
- Pink Lady – these apples also have a sweet-tart texture, and they maintain their shape and structure well during baking. So pink lady apples are a wonderful addition to your apple dairy free pie repertoire.
- Fuji – fuji apples are sweet and firm, and they are another great option. They will add a pleasant sweetness and juiciness to your dairy free apple pie filling.
- Empire – these apples are delicious, and an empire apple is a great choice if you prefer a sweeter dairy free pie.
5 Tips For Preparing And Peeling Apples For A Dairy Free Pie
Here are some of my favorite tips to prepare and peel apples for a dairy free pie.
- Wash and Dry Apples Thoroughly – wash the apples under running water to remove any dirt and residue. Use a combination of baking soda, white vinegar, and water to remove any wax. Then pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- Use a Sharp Paring Knife or Peeler – using a sharp paring knife or a peeler is very important for safety and efficiency. The knife should be very sharp to make the process easier.
- Work in a Steady Motion – while holding the apple firmly in one hand, start from the top of the apple near the stem. In steady, even strokes, work your way down the apple turning it as needed.
- Trim the Core and Ends – after peeling, trip the top and bottom of each apple to remove any skin you find remaining. Then carefully remove the core and seeds.
- Keep Apples Submerged – as you are peeling the apples, place them in a bowl of water with a touch of lemon juice or white vinegar. This helps to prevent the apples from browning as you peel multiple apples for your pie.
Apple Crumble Dairy Free Pie Notes
Apple Crumble Dairy Free Pie Tips
Handy Kitchen Tools To Consider
glass mixing bowls – I like to use glass instead of metal or plastic.
measuring cups – I really like these measuring cups as I try to move away from plastics and even metal as much as possible.
measuring spoons – the same with these measuring spoons – to match the measuring cups! 😉
silicone spatula – I find I use silicone spatulas all the time. For cooking, and especially for baking.
pastry cutter – not many people use these I find but they are indispensable when making crumbles. Whether it’s for a pie, muffins, coffee cake, or even to cut in butter when making biscuits. I must have in every baker’s kitchen.
mesh strainer – these work great to sift flour and sugar. I own all three sizes.
Baking Sheet – this baking sheet comes as a set with 3 different size baking sheets, silicone baking sheets, and cooling racks. I use them all of the time!
Cooling rack – again, this one is part of the set with the baking sheets.
Apple Crumble Dairy Free Pie Ingredients
- 4 large granny smith apples – preferably organic
- 1 cup pure cane sugar – preferably organic
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon – preferably Ceylon cinnamon
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour – preferably organic, and gluten-free if desired.
- 1/3 cup vegan butter – I often like to bake with Earth Balance non-dairy butter, which can be found at your local grocery store.
- 1 9″ frozen vegan pie crust – preferably organic whole wheat OR gluten-free if desired.
- NOTE: A dairy-free graham cracker crust also works well.
Apple Crumble Dairy Free Pie Recipe Instructions
PREPARATION:
- Place the oven rack on the second lowest level, and preheat the oven temperature to 400°F.
- Wash and dry the apples thoroughly.
- Peel and core the apples, removing the skin and seeds.
- Thinly slice the apples and place them in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
- Take the pie plate crust out of the freezer to semi-thaw
- NOTE: This is optional but I like to do it.
BAKING:
- In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup white sugar with the cinnamon. Mix thoroughly and then sprinkle over the sliced apples.
- Using the silicone spatula, gently stir the apples to make sure the sugar-cinnamon mixture is evenly coated onto all of the apples. Set aside.
- In a medium glass mixing bowl, sift 1/2 cup of white sugar with the flour. Stir to combine.
- Cut in the butter, using the pastry cutter, until the mixture resembles crumbs no bigger than the size of a pea.
- Pour the apple mixture into the pie crust, spreading the apples evenly.
- Using your hands, sprinkle the crumble over the apples evenly, and fill in all of the empty spaces.
- Place the apple crumble dairy free pie onto the baking sheet, and place it in the oven. NOTE: For even more protection from drips, you can line the baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
- Bake for approximately 50 minutes or until inserting a toothpick into an apple feels soft without any hesitation.
- Once the apples are thoroughly cooked, and the flaky crust is golden brown, take the pie out of the oven and allow it to cool on the cooling rack to room temperature before serving. So good with a dollop of dairy free whipped cream or ice cream. ENJOY!
How to store
This apple crumble dairy free pie stores well on your kitchen counter, covered with either aluminum foil or plastic wrap. It will last on your kitchen counter for approximately 3-4 days.
If you’d like to keep your dairy free pie fresh longer, then place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It will last in your refrigerator for approximately 5-7 days.
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Printable recipe card for you to enjoy
Wholesome Apple Crumble Dairy Free Pie
Equipment
- mesh strainer
Ingredients
- 4 large granny smith apples – preferably organic
- 1 cup pure cane sugar – preferably organic
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon – preferably Ceylon cinnamon
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour – preferably organic, and gluten free if desired.
- 1/3 cup vegan butter
- 1 9" frozen pie crust – preferably organic whole wheat OR gluten free if desired.
Instructions
Preparation:
- Place oven rack on the second lowest level, and preheat oven to 400°F.
- Wash and dry apples thoroughly.
- Peel and core the apples, removing the skin and seeds.
- Thinly slice the apples and place them in a large glass mixing bowl. Set aside.
- Take the pie crust out of the freezer to semi-thawNOTE: This is optional but I like to do it.
Instructions:
- In a small glass mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup white sugar with the cinnamon. Mix thoroughly and then sprinkle over the sliced apples.
- Using the silicone spatula, gently stir the apples to make sure the sugar-cinnamon mixture is evenly coated onto all of the apples. Set aside.
- In a medium glass mixing bowl, sift 1/2 cup of white sugar with the flour. Stir to combine.
- Cut in the butter, using the pastry cutter, until the mixture resembles crumbs no bigger than the size of a pea.
- Pour the apple mixture into the pie crust, spreading the apples evenly.
- Using your hands, sprinkle the crumble over the apples, evenly and fill in all of the empty spaces.
- Place the apple crumble dairy free pie onto the baking sheet, and place it in the oven.
- Bake for approximately 50 minutes or until inserting a toothpick into an apple feels soft without any hesitation.
- Once the apples are thoroughly cooked, take the pie out of the oven and allow it to cool completely on the cooling rack before serving. ENJOY!
Notes
- Aim to choose the most high-quality ingredients you can find. This means organic pure cane sugar, organic all-purpose flour, Ceylon cinnamon, etc.
- If you want to make this apple crumble dairy free pie gluten-free, you can use buckwheat flour or even a gluten-free all-purpose flour. I’ve done both and it still turns out delicious.
- Make sure to slice your apples thin, otherwise, they won’t cook as well or as evenly. Also, the crumble may get too brown before the apples are done.
- When I am sprinkling the crumble onto the apple slices, I do this over the sink or garbage can, as the crumb mixture can get messy.
- If you find your crust is getting too brown and dark before the apples are tender, place some strips of tin foil around the crust portion only. This is a wonderful tip and works great!
- If you find your entire pie getting too brown and dark before the apples are tender, place some aluminum foil over the entire pie to prevent the crust and crumble from burning.
- To make sure the apples are tender, insert a toothpick into one or two slices. The toothpick should go in easily and without resistance.
- This pie tastes delicious fresh out of the oven but it also tastes great the second or even third day. All of the ingredients and melded together and the pie itself has settled and molded. Delicious for breakfast with a cup of coffee too!
- This apple crumble dairy free pie stores well on your kitchen counter, covered with either aluminum foil or a plastic cover. It will last on your kitchen counter for approximately 3-4 days.
- If you’d like to keep your dairy free pie fresher longer, then cover it and store it in the fridge. It will last in your refrigerator for approximately 5-7 days.
