If you don’t have a favorite fall dessert or apple pie recipe you need one. This granny smith apple pie recipe is a keeper all year round. We’ll show you how to make apple pie. This a simple apple pie recipe that anyone can make. No taking hours to soak your apples. The apple pie filling turns out perfectly. The combination of sweet and tart and flakey goodness is perfection. Just look at it!
Table of Contents
For this simple apple pie recipe you can make your own flaky crust (we love Stef’s pie crust recipe) or buy a double pie crust if you want. We love the homemade crust and it’s really quick to make!
The best apple pie recipe has a top crust. You can make them with fancy cutouts or just leave them plain. Isn’t that little apple pie cutout adorable? If you have more than one pie on the counter it’s an easy way to identify which one has the apple pie filling.
Why You’ll Love This
- Notable: flaky homemade pie crust with succulent and delicious granny smith apple pie filling
- Main Ingredients: apples, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, salt, butter, spices, pie crust
- Cooking Method: oven baked
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes prep time, 45 minutes cook time
- Pairs well with: vanilla ice cream, whipped cream
- Diets: vegetarian
- Special Equipment Needed: pie pan, pastry blender, apple slicer
Ingredients
You may have all of these ingredients for this best apple pie recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this classic apple pie recipe you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.
Best Apple Pie Ingredients
- 6 cups apple slices (Granny Smith or Pippin)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ – ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- dash salt
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 unbaked pie crusts
Variations and Substitutions
Apples: We love using granny smith apples, however, if you like using a different type of apple make sure to pick tart apples. Moreover, you can also use a combination of apples. You can find more detailed information on how to pick the best apples below.
Sugar: We use granulated sugar in this pie. If you prefer, you can use a combination of brown and white sugar.
Spices: Substitute homemade apple pie spice mix for cinnamon and nutmeg.
Lemon: You’ll need a little lemon juice to prevent the apples from turning brown. Fresh or bottled is fine.
Possible Variations:
- Carmel Apple Pie:Drizzle a little caramel over the finished pie. Yum!
- Cinnamon Roll Pie Crust:Mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon. Spread 1 tablespoon of softened butter onto your rectangular shaped rolled out pie crust then distribute half your cinnamon and sugar on top (you’ll do this for 2 pie crusts). Next, roll the dough into a log shape, Pinch the ends to seal it up then wrap in a plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour. Next, slice each log into ½”-thick rounds. Then flour the rolling surface and arrange the cinnamon roll rounds into a tight circle. Lightly flour and roll it out to a round pie crust. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Cranberry Apple Pie: Omit come apple and add 2 cups of cranberries to your apple pie filling.
- Cheddar Cheese Apple Pie:If you love cheese and apples try this cheddar crust with your apple pie filling.
WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you loved this perfect apple pie recipe with granny smith apples, try our Spiked Apple Cider. A warm, spiced spiked apple cider with hints of orange, cinnamon, anise, and cranberries spiked with the subtle sweetness of Tuaca.
Links to our favorite tools are affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link we may get a tiny portion of the sale.
Pastry Blender — We love using thispastry blenderto work butter into flour and sugar. Works quick and keeps the mess to a minimum.
Apple Slicer – We love this easy to useapple slicer, because it makes cutting up apples for fruit salad, apple pies or apple crisps so much quicker.
Pie Plate – This recipe requires a 9-inch pie plate. We love using thispie pan, because it comes with a lid for easy storage and transportation of pies. Moreover, it is also freezer safe, in case you are planning on freezing your pie.
Instructions
This section shows how to cook this easy apple pie recipe in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below.
PREPARE: Firstly, peel, remove cores, and slice the apples. Then squeeze lemon juice over the apples and toss to prevent browning. Afterwards preheat oven to 425°F and prepare one unbaked pie crust by rolling and fitting it into a 9″ pie dish.
MAKE APPLE PIE FILLING: In a large bowl, add sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt to the apples and toss to combine well.
ASSEMBLE PIE: Afterward pour apple mixture into the prepared pie pan lined with the unbaked bottom crust. Then cut butter into small pieces and place over the top of the apple mixture.
COVER PIE: With a rolling pin, roll out second piece of pie dough on a lightly floured surface. Then center it over the top of the pie. Seal top and bottom crusts together around the edges. Then sprinkle the top crust with additional sugar, if desired. Cut slits with a sharp knife (or a cute shape) into the top of the pie to allow the steam to escape while cooking.
BAKE: Then bake the double-crust pie for 40-50 minutes on the middle oven rack, until the apple filling is bubbling and the crust is golden brown. Protect the crusts of the pie with strips of aluminum foil to prevent them from over-browning.
SERVE: Allow pie to cool completely before slicing. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. We love Andrea’s no-churn vanilla bean ice cream.
WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love homemade apple pie with ice cream then you’ll love Andrea’s Apple Pie Ice Cream. This rich and creamy apple pie ice cream recipe can be made with an ice cream maker or without as a no-churn ice cream.
How To Choose Apple For A Simple Apple Pie Recipe
Baking apples are often different than the apples you’d choose to eat. We love the Granny Smith apple pie because of the apple’s tartness. They hold up well after baking, which is important. We love the Pippin apple for the same reason. It’s firmness makes it perfect for baking. It’s highly aromatic, rich flavor is just what you want in a pie.
If you want something a little sweeter, try the Honeycrisp apple. It is extra crisp and holds up well after baking, too. I also love baking with the Golden Delicious apple. It’s sweet and bakes well but will become a little softer than some other varieties when baked.
Stef says….
Another one of my favorite apple desserts is Apple Bread Pudding. Each bite is warm, chewy, and melt in your mouth delicious.
Recipe Tips
Follow these tips to make the best apple pie recipe.
- Tip: Use slightly sweet and tart apples such as granny smith or pippin.
- Tip: Make your own apple pie crust. It doesn’t take long to make a quick pie crust recipe, but it makes all the difference when it comes to flakiness and flavor.
- Tip: Don’t let the top of your pie brown too fast. Cover the top edge with aluminum foil, to keep the crust from catching.
More Apple Recipes
When apple season rolls around and farmers markets are bursting with juicy apples we love turning them into perfect autumn desserts. Here are some of our best apple recipes:
Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats
Apple Pie Bars
Apple and Blackberry Crumble
Handmade Apple Turnover Recipe
More Fruit Pie Recipes
Another one of our dessert favorites during the summer months are fruity hand pies. These classic American treats combine a sweet and flaky crust with a flavorful and juicy fruit filling.
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Hand Pies
Cherry Cheesecake Hand Pies
Peach Hand Pies
Raspberry Hand Pies
How To Store
Refrigerate: Store apple pie leftovers tightly wrapped with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The FDA will tell you that it will last 3-4 days but for the best taste you’ll want to eat it within 2 days.
Freeze: Once your pie is completely cool, double wrap in aluminum foil or store in a freezer safe container or freezer bag. Label then freeze for up to 3 months.
Defrosting: The best way to thaw apple pie is in the fridge overnight. Alternatively, you can keep it on the counter for a couple of hours.
How To Reheat
In case you prefer eating homemade apple pie warm, pop it in the microwave for a couple of seconds.
Common Questions
How do you make apple pie healthier?
We’re firm believers in just eating smaller portions rather than sacrificing taste. But if you must, use less sugar or a sugar substitute and omit the butter.
How to make apple pie gluten free?
I love a good gluten free flour mix as a substitute for all purpose flour. I usually Use Cup 4 Cup or King Arthur’s brands of gluten free flour mix. Sometimes a dessert needs more than that to make the gluten free version work well. Try this gluten free pie crust recipe (or buy a gluten free crust) and substitute your gluten free flour for the flour in this recipe.
How to make apple pie vegan/dairy free?
Use Stef’s oil pie crust recipe. Then substitute your favorite butter alternative for the 2 tablespoons required in the apple pie filling recipe.
5 from 33 votes
Granny Smith Apple Pie Recipe
Author Andrea + Stef
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes minutes
Total Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
8
Classic apple pie recipe with the perfect balance of tart apples and a sweet filling in a sugar-sprinkled crust. Make this delicious apple pie dessert to accompany any meal.
Equipment
pie plate
apple slicer
mixing bowl
knife and cutting board
Rolling Pin
Ingredients
- 6 cups sliced apples Granny Smith or Pippin
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½-¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- dash salt
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 unbaked pie crusts
Instructions
Peel, remove cores, and slice the apples.
Preheat oven to 425°F. Prepare one unbaked pie crust by rolling and fitting it into a 9" pie plate.
Squeeze lemon juice over the apples and toss to prevent browning.
Add sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt to the apples and toss to combine well.
Pour apple mixture into a prepared, unbaked pie crust.
Cut butter into small pieces and place over the top of the apple mixture.
Roll out second unbaked pie crust and center over the top of the pie. Seal top and bottom crusts together around the edges.
Sprinkle the top of the pie with additional sugar, if desired. Cut slits (or a cute shape) into the top of the pie to allow the steam to escape while cooking.
Bake for 40-50 minutes, until the pie is bubbling and the crust is golden brown. Protect the crusts of the pie with strips of aluminum foil to prevent them from over-browning.
Allow pie to cool completely before slicing. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
Follow these tips to make the best apple pie recipe:
- Use slightly sweet and tart apples such as granny smith or pippin.
- Make your own apple pie crust. It doesn’t take long to make a quick pie crust recipe, but it makes all the difference when it comes to flakiness and flavor.
- Don’t let the top of your pie brown too fast. Cover the top edge with aluminum foil, to keep the crust from catching.
Nutrition
Calories: 309kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 179mg | Potassium: 154mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 58IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg
