Dutch Apple Pie also known as Apple Crumble Pie, has a homemade flaky crust, a delicious cinnamon apple pie filling and the most amazing buttery sweet streusel topping! This Dutch Apple Pie recipe is guaranteed to become one of your favorite desserts!
If you love apple pie, you should try my Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars, they are super easy to make and outrageously delicious!
Whether you call it Dutch apple pie, crumble pie or apple crumb pie, one thing is certain, this apple pie recipe is absolutely delicious and the perfect dessert to serve any day of the week or during the holidays.
The Best Dutch Apple Pie
Dutch apple is my husband’s favorite pie. He calls it French apple pie for some reason so that’s how we all call it at home.
Every time I bake this easy pie recipe, I always cut a slice of pie and hide it. Yes, I know that’s weird but my boys go crazy for this apple pie, and unless I take a slice before anyone else, I’m out!
I can’t blame them. The combination of warm cinnamon apples, tender flaky crust and buttery crumb topping is hard to resist!
What Is Dutch Apple Pie?
Unlike an old fashioned apple pie which has two crusts, one on top and one at the bottom, a Dutch Apple pie is an open face, one crust pie topped with a sweet crumb streusel topping.
Apple streusel pie is sweeter than other apple pies because of the cinnamon-sugar topping which also adds a nice slightly crunchy texture to the pie.
Apple Crumble Pie Ingredients
- Apples: I like using more than one type of apples when making pies. Different apples add different textures and different levels of sweetness to pies and desserts.
- Pie Crust: This is my absolute favorite homemade pie crust. I’ve been baking pies with the same pie crust recipe for years! It is reliable, easy to make and absolutely foolproof!
- Granulated Sugar and Brown Sugar: Brown sugar, cinnamon and apples are a match made in heaven! The perfect fall combination if you ask me!
- Butter: I use unsalted butter for baking goods.
- Lemon Juice and Zest: The lemon zest is optional, but I really love the fresh flavor that adds to the apple filling.
- Flour: I use all purpose flour.
- Ground Cinnamon and Nutmeg: I love using whole nutmeg and grinding it myself with the help of a microplane grater.
How To Make Dutch Apple Pie
Detailed instructions for this Dutch apple pie recipe can be found in the recipe card below.
The Pie Crust
I’ve been making pies with the same pie crust recipe for many years. This perfect homemade pie crust recipe is made with a combination of butter and shortening which makes the crust flaky while having the best flavor.
In this post, How To Make Pie Crust from scratch you can find my tutorial, tips and step by step photos for making this foolproof pie crust. After trying my recipe, you won’t be buying pie shells at the store any more.
The Apple Pie Filling
I know most people love the crust part of the pie best however, my favorite part is the warm gooey sweet cinnamon-apple filling. The pie filling is very easy to make and you can customize it to your taste by adding different spices or flavorings.
I like using a variety of apples which gives the pie filling great texture and flavor. Some apples are juicier, some are sweeter or more firm than others! It definitely makes the filling a bit more interesting.
Peel, core and slice the apples. It’s best to cut the apples the same thickness so they cook evenly.
For this apple crumble recipe, I slice the apples thinly (about 1/4-inch thick). Thicker slices usually don’t have enough time in the oven to become tender, while thinner slices turn into a mush.
Although I cut my apples with a regular paring knife, a mandolin is very helpful for this task.
- In a large bowl, toss the apples, lemon juice, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon zest (if using), and sugar. Mix to combine and set aside while preheating the oven.
- Roll out the chilled pie dough and place it on a 9-inch pie plate.
- Spoon the apple filling into the pie crust and trim the edges. Crimp the edges or simply press the dough around the edges with the tines of a fork.
The Crumble Topping
According to my husband, the best part of this crumble apple pie recipe is the streusel crumb topping! You really can’t go wrong with rich buttery brown sugar cinnamony goodness!
- Combine the flour, both sugars and cinnamon. Using a fork, mix in the butter until crumbly.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon crumble over the apples and place the pie on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes, reduce the oven heat and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
- Allow the pie to cool for about 20 minutes before serving.
What Are The Best Apples For Apple Crumble Pie?
There are many apple varieties to choose from when making an apple dessert. I like to use 2 to 3 kinds of apples when making apple pie.
Granny Smith apples are tart, crisp and hold their texture beautifully when baked. Combined with Honeycrisp apples which are a bit sweeter, it creates the perfect balance of flavors.
Jonagold, Braeburn, Pink Lady, Baldwin apples and Fuji are also good options.
Dutch Apple Pie Recipe Tips
- Dutch apple pie will keep on the kitchen counter for up to 2 days.
- Store your apple crumbled pie covered in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
- You can use a store bought pie shell for your convenience.
- If you notice that the pie topping is getting brown too early, place a piece of aluminum foil over the pie.
- When baking pie, always set the pie plate on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The baking pan will catch any spills that may occur. It also makes removing the pie from the oven a lot easier!
Take A Look At These Other Apple Recipes:
- Apple Upside Down Cake
- Caramel Apple Pie Party Mix
- Apple and Sausage Stuffing
- Pork Chops with Maple Bourbon Glaze and Saute Apples
- Spiced Honeycrisp Apple Cocktail
Apple Crumb Pie
Ingredients
For The Filling
- 5 large apples cored. peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch thick (about 8-10 cups total) (I use a combination of Granny Smith, Pink Lady and Fuji apples)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
For The Crumble
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup butter, cut into large dice (salted or unsalted)
Instructions
To Make The Filling
- In a large bowl, toss the apples, lemon juice, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon zest (if using), and sugar. Mix to combine. Set the filling aside while the oven preheats.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a floured work surface. Roll the dough from the center to the edge, turning the dough until you have a circle of about 12 inches in diameter. Carefully place the dough in a 9 x 2 inch pie dish.
- Spoon the filling into the crust and with a paring knife, trim the excess pie dough off the edges and crimp the edges.
To Make The Crumble
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar and cinnamon. Using a fork, mix in the butter until crumbly.
- Sprinkle the crumble over the apples and place the pie on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, reduce the heat to 375 degrees and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Poke the center of the pie with a skewer or a knife to make sure the apples are soft in the center/middle.
- Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool for about 20 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Recipe Notes
- If you notice that the pie topping is getting brown too early, place a piece of aluminum foil over the pie.
- When baking pie, always set the pie plate on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The baking pan will catch any spills that may occur. It also makes removing the pie from the oven a lot easier!
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