How To Make Easy Apple Pie Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

I promise that no one will ever know this is the cheater version of apple pie. Read on for tips and instructions about how to make easy apple pie without sacrificing flavor!

How To Make Easy Apple Pie Recipe (1)

Original post: October 2017 | Updated: September 2020

Why This Recipe Works

Confession: I say A LOT of bad things about pies in my cookbook Cookie Remix. Please accept my apology, dear Easy Apple Pie, because I almost-kind-of-maybe want to retract my negative statements regarding your “kind” after experiencing you.

There has never been an easier Apple Pie to make and I promise that 98.8% of the population will never know that you cheated if you make this delicious recipe. When you baked the pie, you knew it was going to be good.

I really wish I’d taken a photo of the scene that took place at my counter after this baby came out of the oven. It was a total cows-at-the-trough moment.

So here’s the deal. When you make your own pie crust, pies are not super easy to make. When you purchase a pre-made pie crust, pies are super easy to make.

Some argue that you will miss out on some flakiness and flavor, but I will argue back that convenience wins over effort and often tastes just as good.

Recipe Ingredients

Apples –Use mediumbaking apples such ashoneycrisp, gala, golden delicious, jonagold or granny smith.

Spice Mixture –Feel free to add nutmeg and cinnamon to your apples for a little more complex taste. Just a little goes a long way.

Refrigerated Pie Crusts – Using a 9 inch pie crust that’s pre-made is a great way to start enjoying pie making.

Web Story For Easy Apple Pie with Fresh Apples

Check out this quick snapshot of how to put together an easy fall dessert that’s a hit with everyone – easy apple pie with fresh apples!

How To Make Apple Pie The Easy Way

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray and set aside. Fill a large bowl halfway with water. Add the lemon juice. Add the apples to the lemon water as they are being cut to avoid browning. Drain completely.

Step 2

To make the filling ingredients of your pie, in a medium bowl, combine the sugar, flour, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and salt. Mix well and add to the apples. Stir until apples are coated completely.

How To Make Easy Apple Pie Recipe (2)

Step 3

Unroll the pie crusts. Place one into the prepared pie plate and press firmly into the seams. Let excess dough hang over the edges. Use a fork to poke small holes into the bottom crust. Fill with apple mixture, packing them in tight with as few gaps as possible.

How To Make Easy Apple Pie Recipe (3)

Top with the remaining crust, be sure to cover the edges well, then seal both crusts by tucking them under around the edge and creating a ripple at the seams using your fingers.

How To Make Easy Apple Pie Recipe (4)

Step 4

Brush the egg yolk over the surface of the top crust and cut slits. Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet to avoid dripping and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.

Decrease temp to 375 degrees and bake for an additional 50 minutes, until the crust is golden.

Remove from the oven and let cool completely (at least 30 minutes) before cutting and serving! Cover loosely with plastic wrap before placing in the fridge!

Recipe Notes

  • Enjoy warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
  • Drizzle a little salted caramel sauce that you can make at home!
  • Substitute brown sugar for white sugar, yum!
  • Here is a great gluten-free pie crust recipe from my friend Melissa from Mama Gourmand. She’s knows it’s not always easy to find a gluten-free version at the store. Try hers!
How To Make Easy Apple Pie Recipe (5)

How To Keep Apples From Turning Brown

When chopping and peeling the apples, fill a large bowl about half with cool water and squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon into it. The lemon juice will keep your apples from getting brown while you get them prepped for the recipe.

Use an apple corer/peeler if you have one because they will make this process go super fast. If you don’t have one, use a potato peeler and a knife to get the job done. You’ll need to peel, core and chop the apples. Place them into the water-lemon juice mixture as you work.

How To Make Easy Apple Pie Recipe (6)

What Apples Are Best For Baking?

I recommend using a variety of apples and at the very least, use two kinds: one sweet and one tart. My favorite combo is Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples.

Sweet/Softer Apple Brands

  • Fuji
  • Honeycrisp
  • Red Delicious
  • Golden Delicious
  • Cortland
  • Gala

Tart (or a little Sour) Apple Brands

  • Granny Smith
  • McIntosh
  • Ida Red
  • Braeburn
  • Empire
  • Jonathan
How To Make Easy Apple Pie Recipe (7)

FAQ About Apples

Are apples good for you?

Good news! Apples are very good for you! Apples are high in dietary fiber and pectin found in the peels of the apples.

Are apples good for dogs?

Dogs caneatapples,as they are a nutritious snack fordogs.They are an excellent source of vitamin C, helping immunity and providing other benefits.

Are apples keto?

Apples do not align with aketodiet. One mediumapplecontains more than 20 g of carbs, making it too carb-heavy for this low-carb eating plan.

Can apples be frozen?

Apples can be frozen! They can be frozen whole for up to 9 months, or prepare applesauce, pie filling or entire pies and freeze them that way instead.

When to eat apples?

The recommendation is that you enjoy an apple in the morning hours of each day. This will help you avoid poor digestion at night. The fruit can help your stomach to empty more slowly, helping you to stay feeling full longer and not prone to snack/eat between meals.

Fall Apple Recipes

  • Appledoodles are a fun twist on the classic snickerdoodles! Great way to use up apples in the fall!
  • Easy Homemade Crockpot Applesauce is fun to prepare because it’s so easy to make. Use an assortment of green and red apples and you’ll have a flavorful snack you can enjoy; better than the store stuff!
  • Apple Pie Jam tastes just like apple pie because it’s similar to pie filling. So get ready to be addicted. Put it on your English muffins, pancakes or with peanut butter!
  • Homemade Apple Cider in your slow cooker is delicious! It’s a must have fall drink and tastes so much better when you make it yourself. Such a great way to use up apples in the fall.
  • This is the best Apple Coffee Cake recipe you’ll find. Enjoy as an indulgent breakfast treat or an any-time snack or dessert!
  • Salted Chocolate Caramel Apples – sprinkling of sea salt and a bit of chocolate turns Caramel Apples into an extravagant dessert.. Salted Chocolate Caramel Apples!
  • Apple Carrot Cake Muffins – Apples and carrots create the most delicious little muffin you could ever imagine. These babies are moist and yummy and will not last long in your kitchen.

Will you help add value to Pip and Ebby?
If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!

How To Make Easy Apple Pie Recipe (8)

How To Make Easy Apple Pie

I promise that no one will ever know this is the cheater version of apple pie. Read on for tips and instructions about how to make easy apple pie without sacrificing flavor!

No ratings yet

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 8

Calories: 460kcal

Author: Megan Porta

Ingredients

  • Juice from half of a lemon
  • 10 apples peeled, cored and sliced into 1/4-inch pieces (use a variety of sweet and tart apples for a more complex flavor)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 4 tbsp butter melted
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 refrigerated pie crusts 9-inch
  • 1 egg yolk beaten

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray and set aside. Fill a large bowl halfway with water. Add the lemon juice. Add the apples to the lemon water as they are being cut to avoid browning. Drain completely.

  • In a medium bowl, combing the sugar, flour, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and salt. Mix well and add to the apples. Stir until apples are coated completely.

  • Unroll the pie crusts. Place one into the prepared pie plate and press into the seams. Let excess dough hang over the edges. Layer the apples in the crust, packing them in tight with as few gaps as possible. Top with the remaining crust and seal both crusts by tucking them under around the edge and creating a ripple at the seams using your fingers.

  • Brush the egg yolk over the surface of the top crust and cut slits. Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet to avoid dripping and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Decrease temp to 375 degrees and bake for an additional 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes before cutting. Enjoy warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Notes

  • Enjoy warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
  • Drizzle a little salted caramel sauce that you can make at home!
  • Substitute brown sugar for white sugar, yum!
  • Here is a great gluten-free pie crust recipe from my friend Melissa from Mama Gourmand. She’s knows it’s not always easy to find a gluten-free version at the store. Try hers!

Nutrition

Calories: 460kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 374mg | Potassium: 285mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 333IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!

How To Make Easy Apple Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should you cook apples before putting in pie? ›

Should you cook the apples before baking apple pie? You don't have to pre-cook the filling before spooning it into the pie crust, but it's a quick step I recommend. Just 5 minutes on the stove begins the softening process, and also helps the flavors start to mingle.

What is apple pie filling made of? ›

Crisp apples, rich butter, a blend of sugars, cinnamon and apple juice come together in perfect harmony to create the best apple pie filling of all time! There are so many reasons to make your own apple pie filling from scratch.

How many flour do we need to make an apple pie? ›

Ingredients
  1. 8 small Granny Smith apples, or as needed.
  2. ½ cup unsalted butter.
  3. 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour.
  4. ½ cup white sugar.
  5. ½ cup packed brown sugar.
  6. ¼ cup water.
  7. 1 (9 inch) double-crust pie pastry, thawed.
Nov 8, 2023

What are the best apples for pie? ›

Go with Granny Smith apples. Known for its vibrant green color, this apple is tangy and tart and features firm flesh that won't get too mushy when cooked down. Braeburn: For a sweeter take on the spicy apple flavor, choose Braeburns for baking your pie.

Should I Prebake the bottom crust for apple pie? ›

You do not need to pre-bake a pie crust for an apple pie or any baked fruit pie really, but we do freeze the dough to help it stay put. Pre-baking the pie crust is only required when making a custard pie OR when making a fresh fruit pie.

Should you soak apples before baking? ›

Some experts will tell you to par-cook apples before filling a pie by pouring boiling water over cut apples and soaking them for 10 minutes. Others say to roast them to reduce water content. Still, others say to let cut apples sit for 30-40 minutes to drain natural juices.

What is the best thickener for apple pie? ›

Cornstarch has thickening power similar to Instant ClearJel. Like flour, it lends a cloudy, semi-transparent look to filling. It can also give filling a starchy taste. For full effectiveness, make sure the pie filling is bubbling up through the crust before removing your pie from the oven.

Why do you put lemon juice in apple pie? ›

The acid in lemon juice helps prevent browning and keeps the apples looking nicer. It also adds brightness to the flavor. The filling may be watery because of the variety of apples you are using. Some fruit produces more juice than others.

Is flour or cornstarch better for filling apple pie? ›

Cornstarch makes for a shiny, glossy filling. A little goes a long way because it has twice the gelling power of flour. Flour thickens nicely but leaves more of a matte finish. You'll need to use twice as much as you would with cornstarch.

Can I use self rising flour instead of all purpose for apple pie? ›

Ordinarily, you would want to use either all purpose or pastry flour for pie crust. It will give you better texture. But any home made pie is better than none, and self rising flour won't be too bad unless you're entering your pie in a contest, in which case the texture will make a difference.

What flour is best for pies? ›

What kind of flour makes the best pie crust? Well, not high-protein bread flour! Use that for your chewy bagels. What you want for pie is flour that yields a tender, flaky crust, which means medium-protein all-purpose flour or low-protein pastry flour.

What apples should not be used for apple pie? ›

There are a few apples that don't make the cut. While great for snacking, Gala, Fuji and Red Delicious are the most common apples that won't hold up in the oven and will give you a watery-mushy pie, tart or cake.

Why is my apple pie watery? ›

One of the chief reasons bakers end up with apple soup under the crust is failure to bake their pie long enough. There's almost no such thing as over-baking an apple pie; I've baked apple pies for 2 hours and longer, and they turn out just fine.

Do you peel apples for pie? ›

Unpeeled apples will add a bit of color and texture to your pie, but they may prevent the apples from melding together when baked. Peeled apples will give you a delicately soft pie with no tough surprises, but some people argue that you lose the apple's nutritional value once the peel is removed.

How do you keep apples from getting mushy in a pie? ›

Here are some tips to prevent runny apple pie.
  1. Precook the filling. ...
  2. Reduce the juice. ...
  3. Experiment with different thickeners. ...
  4. Vent the top crust. ...
  5. Try a lattice or crumb top crust. ...
  6. Bake thoroughly — and then some. ...
  7. Let the pie cool completely — preferably overnight.
Sep 19, 2018

How do you keep apples from browning when making a pie? ›

Any type of citrus juice—lemon, lime, or orange juice—will work here; pineapple juice will do the trick too. These fruit juices contain citric acid, which slows the chemical reaction and prevents browning. (You can also sprinkle the fruit with powdered citric acid, but it may leave a strong sour flavor.)

How do you soften apples before baking? ›

Melt the butter in a frying pan over medium heat. As soon as the butter melts completely, add the apple slices. Stir and flip the slices constantly to coat the apples in butter for 2-5 minutes until your desired doneness. For slightly sautéed or small pieces, cook for 2 minutes.

Does it matter if apples brown before baking? ›

The brown apples and the fresh apples baked up equally tender and juicy and were similar in flavor, and—surprisingly—all had pretty much the same light golden color.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nicola Considine CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5843

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nicola Considine CPA

Birthday: 1993-02-26

Address: 3809 Clinton Inlet, East Aleisha, UT 46318-2392

Phone: +2681424145499

Job: Government Technician

Hobby: Calligraphy, Lego building, Worldbuilding, Shooting, Bird watching, Shopping, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.