Dutch Apple Crumble Pie

Dutch Apple Crumble Pie is a deliciously sweet apple pie filling in a flaky pie crust with tons of buttery cinnamon crumble topping. Bake it up and enjoy the warm, sweet fragrances of apple pie!

The Pie That Changed Our Holiday Tradition

I have always made a traditional two crust apple pie for the holidays; it is one of those family traditions that never changes. But one year I wanted to try something new, and I made this Dutch Apple Crumble Pie instead.

All the men in my family are apple pie lovers, and I was a little nervous to change things up! Well, that was the last year anyone asked for the old recipe. Now every holiday they come through the door asking if I made the crumble pie.

Dutch Apple Pie is one of those recipes that fills your whole house with the most wonderful smell, warm apples, cinnamon, and a buttery crumble topping baking to golden perfection. I have always believed that a homemade apple pie is the best way to welcome any season, and this one is a family favorite every single fall.

This easy Dutch Apple Pie recipe has a flaky single pie crust on the bottom, a sweet cinnamon apple filling in the middle, and a generous crumble topping on top. It is simple to prepare, and the whole family will love it.

Why You’ll Love This Dutch Apple Crumble Pie

• That buttery cinnamon crumble topping is truly irresistible. It makes every single bite delicious.
• You only need one pie crust, which makes it so much simpler than a traditional two-crust pie.
• Works perfectly with store-bought or homemade pie crust so that you can make it your way.
• Perfect for any family gathering, Thanksgiving, or a cozy weeknight dessert, it has that wow factor.
• Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you will have everyone asking for another slice

The Difference between 2 Crust Apple Pie and Apple Crumble Pie

A classic American apple pie has both a top and a bottom crust. Dutch Apple Pie, also called Apple Crumb Pie, uses only a single bottom crust and replaces the top crust with a sweet buttery crumble topping.

Traditional Dutch Apple Pie actually comes from the Netherlands and Germany, and often uses a lattice top. Over the years, the version with a crumble topping became the most popular style here in the United States, and honestly, I think the crumble topping is the best part!

Note: This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will earn a small commission, which helps keep my blog up and running, but it will not cost you a penny more!

Ingredients Needed

• 1 bottom pie crust, made from scratch or store-bought.
• 6 to 8 apples peeled, cored, and sliced
• Cold water and lemon juice for soaking the apples to keep them from turning brown

For the Apple Filling

• 3/4 cup white sugar (or use 1/2 cup white sugar and 1/4 cup monk fruit as a swap)
• 2 tablespoons of flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Crumbles

• 1/2 butter, melted
• 1 cup of flour
• 2/3 brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Susan’s Tips for the Perfect Crumble Pie

• Use cold butter for the crumble. Cut your butter into small cubes and pop them back in the freezer for about 10 minutes before mixing the topping. Cold butter is what gives you those beautiful, chunky crumble pieces instead of a sandy paste.
• Peel and slice your apples thinly. I have always found that apples sliced about a quarter inch thick bake through perfectly without turning mushy. Thicker slices can leave you with crunchy apple in the middle, and nobody wants that on a holiday table.
• Let the pie rest before slicing. I know it is so hard to wait, but give your pie at least 20 to 30 minutes after it comes out of the oven. The filling sets up as it cools, and you will get those gorgeous, clean slices instead of a runny mess.
• Cover the crumble if it browns too fast. Every oven runs a little differently. If you notice the crumble topping is getting dark before your apples are bubbly, lay a loose piece of foil right over the top for the last 15 minutes. The filling will keep cooking without burning the topping.

Equipment You Will Need

• 8 or 9-inch pie pan (glass works great, so you can see the bottom crust browning)
• Large mixing bowl
• Fork for mixing the crumble topping
• Vegetable peeler and apple slicer & peeler
• Mini food processor, if making a homemade crust. (recipe for homemade pie crust in a mini food processor)

How to Make a Dutch Apple Crumble Pie

1. Preheat your oven. Set it to 400°F so it is ready when your pie goes in.
   Pro tip: Always preheat fully before baking any pie so the bottom crust sets properly and does not get soggy.
2. Prepare your pie crust. If using a store-bought premade crust, set it out on the counter to soften. If you are making my quick homemade pie crust in a mini food processor, mix it up and refrigerate for 15 minutes before rolling it out.
   Pro tip: A cold crust rolls out so much easier; do not skip that rest time.
3. Make the crumble topping. In a bowl, use a fork to mix together 1 cup of flour, 2/3 cup of brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Pour in the 1/2 cup of melted butter and stir until crumbly.
   Pro tip: If the topping feels too soft and will not hold its crumbly shape, pop it in the fridge for 5 minutes or stir in one more tablespoon of flour.
4. Prep the apples. Fill a large bowl with cold water and 1/4 cup of lemon juice. As you peel, core, and slice your apples, drop them right into the lemon water. When you are ready to make the filling, drain the apples and give them a rinse with cold water. This keeps them from browning while you work. Pro tip: Granny Smith apples hold up beautifully in a baked pie, but a mix of sweet and tart apples gives you the best flavor.
5. Mix the apple pie filling. In a large bowl, combine the drained apples with 3/4 cup of white sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Stir everything together well.
6. Assemble the pie. Press your pie crust into the bottom of an 8 or 9-inch pie pan. Leave about an inch of crust hanging over the edge, then fold it over and crimp to make a pretty edge. Spoon the apple filling evenly.
7. Add the crumble topping. Scatter the crumble a little at a time over the apple filling, covering all the apples generously.
   Pro tip: Do not press the crumble down; just let it sit loosely on top so it bakes up with that wonderful crunchy texture.
8. Bake. Place the pie in your preheated 400°F oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the filling is bubbly and the crust and crumble are a beautiful golden brown.
   Pro tip: If the crumble topping is browning too fast, lay a piece of foil loosely over the top for the last 10 minutes of baking.

You May Also Like This Apple Pie Recipe

• Homemade As American Apple Pie
• Pie Crust – Easy as Pie

Serving Suggestions

I have always loved this pie served warm, right out of the oven. A big scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over that cinnamon crumble topping is pure comfort food. A dollop of fresh whipped cream is wonderful too. This pie is perfect for any family gathering, holiday table, or just a cozy evening at home.

Variations

• Lower sugar: Swap half the white sugar in the filling for monk fruit sweetener; it works beautifully.
• Add oats: Stir 1/4 cup of rolled oats into the crumble topping for extra texture.
• Caramel apple: Drizzle caramel sauce over the top right before serving for a caramel apple pie twist.
• Deep dish: Use a deep dish pie pan and add 2 extra apples to the filling for a heartier pie.
• Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free pie crust and swap the flour in both the filling and topping for a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Store any leftover pie loosely covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat, place a slice in a 325°F oven for about 10 minutes to warm it through and crisp the crumble topping back up. The microwave works in a pinch, but the crumble will soften.

I know your family will love this Dutch Apple Crumble Pie just as much as mine does. It is one of those recipes that never gets old, and every single time I bake it the whole house smells like a warm autumn day. Make sure to save this one for Thanksgiving, because it is always the first dessert to disappear from the table!

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