Apple Crumble Pie with Rye Crust - a toasty rye pie crust is filled with apple filling and topped with an apple pie crumble with oats that is baked until perfectly golden. A combination of two of the best apple desserts - apple pie and apple crumble. A delicious twist on the classic apple pie.
Table of contents
Apple Crumble Pie with Rye Crust
Hi hi! It’s me again with another pie recipe. This Apple Crumble Pie is the love child of two of my favourite autumn / winter desserts - apple pie and apple crumble. It’s cemented itself a place in this year’s pie line up. I started with a rye crust, and filled it with thinly sliced apples, then topped it with an apple pie crumble with oats. The apples bake down, and the topping gets toasty - it’s perfect with a giant scoop of vanilla ice cream. All the merits of an apple crumble, combined with the deliciousness of an apple pie.
I also love this as it is super easy to prepare ahead, making it a great dish for those who like to prep some of their Thanksgiving meal ahead of time. The crumble topping can be made up to a few days in advance, and I made the pie dough and then lined the tin and crimped the crust the day before too, and stored the crust in the freezer, which meant that when it came time to assemble, all I had to do was mix up the filling, place it into the prepared crust, and then add the crumble topping on top, making the day of prep incredibly simple. This was a huge hit at my house, and I think it will be at this year’s Thanksgiving too!
How to use wholemeal flour in your pie crust
I used freshly ground rye flour in this crust. I ground mine at home, but rye flour is super easy to find in the supermarket. If you wanted to amp up the flavour you could use it in the crumble topping too for an extra dose of the beautiful nutty flavour that rye gives. If you don’t want to make a rye dough, then you can just make a regular dough!
Tips for perfect pie dough
I use a little tip that my baking bestie Erin Mcdowell taught me - to laminate my pie dough after making it but before rolling it out for use. What this does it pops a few layers within the pie dough. This makes it homogenous and easy to work with but also still nice and flaky. So you get the best of both worlds - flaky AF pie dough which is super easy to work with. Here's how you do this:
- Make your pie dough - For this recipe I make the dough then form it into a rectangle. Then I wrap tightly in plastic and chill for only an hour. This gives the butter time to chill down enough that it won't melt everywhere when you roll it out.
- Roll out and perform turn 1 - Roll the dough into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Then brush off any excess flour and perform a letter fold - where you fold it like a business letter.
- Perform turns 2 and 3 - Repeat the process again two more times. Your dough should be super homogenous at this point!
- Divide and shape - At this point I split the dough in two and shape each into a disc rather than roll out and laminate each piece individually. It is much easier this way.
This recipe makes enough for two pie crusts - they freeze super well so you can just pop one into the freezer tightly wrapped and it will store for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight.
Why is this recipe not par baked?
You will notice that you just pop the sliced apple directly into the pie shell here. This recipe does not have a par bake. This means that it is super important to make sure that you get a solid bake on the pie.
I find that the best way to get this is to use a metal pie pan. Ceramic and glass don't conduct heat as well. You can also put a baking steel or a pizza stone in your oven to sit the sheet pan on to ensure that the bottom crust gets properly cooked.
Make sure to go by how the pie crust is looking rather than judging doneness by the crumble. The filling should be bubbling up a fair amount. You can add foil to the top of the pie if you are worried about the crumble being done too early.
How to make pie ahead of time
There are a few things you can do to prepare this apple crumble pie ahead of time.
- Make the pie dough ahead of time - I either make it the night before or make it in bulk and then keep it frozen.
- Roll out the pie crust and line the pan and then chill the crust overnight so that it is ready to go.
- Prepare the crumble ahead of time - it can be stored a few days in the fridge.
If you prepare things ahead it means on the day you bake you only need to quickly assemble things and you are good to go!
How to stop the crumble topping from burning
The crumble will bake faster than the rest of the pie - especially seeing as this apple crumble pie does not have a par bake. To avoid the crumble burning, you can tent the pie with foil when it is at your desired level of doneness.
I have tested both ways - covering with foil at the start, baking until the crumble is your desired level of done then adding the foil back on, or leaving it off for the first 20 to 30 minutes then covering for the rest of the bake.
Keep a close eye on the crumble pie topping and just see how it is going. If you are worried, pop the foil onto it to make sure that it doesn't get too toasty.
FAQ for Apple Crumble Pie
- Why is there a big mound in the middle of the pie?
It is just from the quantity of the apples. It is important to mound an apple pie as it will cook down in the oven. - How do you know when the pie is cooked?
You need to check that the pie is cooked right through - watch for the juices to be bubbling. - What can I use instead of Almond meal?
You can sub 80g of all-purpose flour. - Is there a substitute for the raw / turbinado sugar?
You can use either brown or white sugar as a substitute for the raw sugar. If you can find some though, grab it - it adds an amazing crunch to the topping.
For more Apple recipes, check out:
Made this recipe and love it?
If you made this recipe then I would LOVE for you to leave me a review below to let me know how you liked it! Also, please make sure to tag me on Instagram if you make it!
A note on salt and oven temperature
It is important to note the type of salt that is called for in a recipe. I use Diamond Crystal salt throughout my recipes - if you use a different sort of kosher salt or regular table salt you will need to adjust accordingly as some salt is 'saltier' than others. Morton's salt is twice as salty, so you will need half the quantity. Same goes for a regular table salt. I am working to get gram measurements throughout my recipes for salt but still getting there.
All oven temperatures are conventional unless otherwise stated. If you are baking on fan / convection, you will need to adjust the temperature. An oven thermometer is a great investment to ensure that your oven is the correct temperature.
Using the double / triple function in the recipe card
You will notice that there is a '1X' '2X' '3X' button in my recipe card. This can be used for doubling or tripling a recipe. However, please note that this only doubles the ingredient quantities in the ingredients list and NOT in the method. If there are quantities or pan sizes in the method of the recipe (for example weigh out 150g brown butter), you will need to scale this number manually. It will also not change the baking time in the recipe so you will need to adjust this yourself too. It is always a good idea to read through a recipe fully before doubling it just to check this. If you would like to scale this recipe or convert for another pan size, use my calculator!
Tools and equipment
For a list of my go-to tools and equipment, I have a post you can refer to here.
Why is this recipe in grams?
I post my recipes in grams as it is the most accurate way to bake. Cups are not only inaccurate but they vary in volume worldwide. There is no way for me to provide one cup measure that works for everyone. However, posting in weight fixes this issue. If you would like the recipe in cups you are welcome to convert it yourself via google, but please do not ask me to do it for you as I am not comfortable providing a recipe using a method that I have not tested. Baking with a scale is easy, accurate, and also makes cleanup super simple. Here is the scale that I use if you would like a recommendation! Here's to accurate baking!
Recipe for Apple Crumble Pie
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Apple Crumble Pie with Rye Crust
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: One 9" pie 1x
- Category: Pie
- Cuisine: American
Description
Apple Crumble Pie with Rye Crust - a toasty rye pie crust is filled with apple filling and topped with an oaty crumble that is baked until perfectly golden. A combination of two of the best apple desserts - apple pie and apple crumble. A delicious twist on the classic apple pie.
Ingredients
Rye Pie Dough
- 275g all-purpose flour
- 100g rye flour
- Pinch of Salt
- 2 tsp sugar
- 225g cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 240g cold water
- 1 cup ice
- 60g Apple cider vinegar
- Egg wash - 1 egg whisked with 1 Tbsp water
Crumble Topping
- 100g almond meal
- 100g all-purpose flour
- 80g old fashioned or rolled oats
- 100g brown sugar
- 50g raw or turbinado sugar
- ¾ tsp salt
- 130g unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes
Apple Filling
- 1100g apples, peeled and sliced thinly (You should have about 800g sliced apple)
- 40g all-purpose flour
- 80g raw / turbinado sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
RYE PIE DOUGH
- Place flour, rye flour, salt, and sugar into a large bowl. Mix to combine. Cut butter into chunks, and add to the flour. Toss lightly to coat. Working quickly, using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour mixture until there are only pea-sized chunks left. You want a few lumps of butter remaining to keep the pastry nice and tender.
- Combine ice, water and cider vinegar in a bowl. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of the ice water into the flour and butter mixture, and using a stiff spatula or your hands, mix in well. Continue adding water a tablespoon at a time ( I normally start with 120g and go from there), until you have a dough that holds together well, but is not too wet. Squeeze together with your fingertips to make a homogenous dough. Shape the dough into a rectangle, wrap tightly and rest in the fridge for an hour.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a rectangle, fold it in thirds like a letter, then roll again and repeat the folding. Repeat this process one more time. Divide the dough into two pieces, and shape each into a disc by folding the edges under. Rewrap tightly in plastic, and rest for at least two hours, or preferably overnight, before using.
CRUMBLE TOPPING
- Combine the almond meal, flour, oats, brown sugar, raw sugar, and salt. Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips until combined and crumbly. Place in an airtight container in the fridge while you prepare the rest of the pie.
ASSEMBLY
- Once the dough has rested, unwrap one disc and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll out to ¼” (6mm) in thickness, turning the dough 45˚ often as you are rolling to keep it even. You want the circle to be slightly larger than your pie tin. Transfer to a 9” pie tin, and arrange to ensure that the dough is well settled.
- Trim the dough using scissors or a sharp knife, leaving about one inch excess around the edges. Gently tuck the dough under and onto itself, to give you a neat folded edge. Chill in the fridge for 15-20 minutes, then remove from the fridge and crimp as desired. Dock all over with the tines of a fork, then chill for a further 30 minutes (this can be done the night before).
- While the crust is in the fridge, preheat the oven to 425°f / 220°c.
- Place the sliced apples in a large bowl. Add the vanilla bean paste. Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a small bowl, then add to the apples and toss well to combine. Transfer the filling to the lined pie dish a little at a time, packing the slices of apple in tightly, and mounding in the middle. Remember that it will bake down a little, so it is ok for the pie to seem a bit full.
- Top with the crumble - use as much as you like. I like a heavy crumble.
- Place the assembled pie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 30 minutes at 425°f / 220°c, then reduce the oven temperature to 375°f / 190°c and bake until the pastry is deeply golden and the filling is bubbling, 50 to 60 minutes. Watch the crumble topping carefully and tent the pie with foil once the crumble is your desired level of done.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Store leftovers lightly covered at room temperature.
Notes
If you do not want to make a rye crust, you can make a regular pie crust - just use 375g all-purpose flour.
Keywords: Apple Pie, Apple Crumble Pie, apple crumb pie, dutch apple pie
Comments
I made this for Thanksgiving and it was so, so delicious! Thanks for such a great recipe!
★★★★★
This Apple pie is amazing! I don’t think I’ll ever go back to making a top crust for apple because I’ll just regret not making this one. The crumble does make a lot so I find some of mine falls off. And I used a bit less apples. But it is amazing! Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Aw yayyyyy! I turned this recipe into an apple crumble too and the recipe is coming super soon! So good
I love the crumble, I can't wait to make the pie!!
★★★★★
This is going to be perfect for Thanksgiving!!
★★★★★
What kind of apples do you recommend using?
Sorry I missed this! I usually use a mix - granny smith then something else in there too usually works well
I made this for a mini thanksgiving dinner and it was so so good! I’m pretty sure I’ve never managed to get pastry to turn out so well before, thanks for the detailed tips!
★★★★★
Ah yay you are so welcome!
YUMMY! I made this for Thanksgiving this year, I don't usually like pie but this one really was so delicious will definitely be making it again!!
★★★★★
So, I’ll tell you how good this recipe is. I didn’t even make the dough from scratch bc I was too scared. So I used a store bought crust. I also didn’t have a metal pie pan, just ceramic on a stone preheating in the oven. After all of this, it still may have been one of the best pies ever. I’m looking forward to gaining my crust confidence and making it per the recipe. But come on, how good is this recipe if I phoned it in and it still turned out amazing?!?
★★★★★
Hi!!!! I made this pie for thanksgiving and my family absolutely loved it! The two issues I had were just some minor temperature things like having room temp butter for the crumble instead of cold but that is because there was a lot of pie baking happening. The second temperature thing was the top of the crumble burned after just 25 min. so I had to scrape that bit off and then i just waited til we got to my abuelas house thursday and i tented it and put it in for another 20 min and it worked. 🙂 Next recipe I'm going to try is the black forest bundt cake!!!!!
★★★★★
Hi! So happy to hear you enjoyed! Yess if you're having issues with the topping, just pop some foil on once it is as done as you like 🙂
I made this for Thanksgiving and it was delicious. The thin cut apples made all the difference it how amazing it was !
★★★★★
I've made this twice and love this recipe. The rye pie crust is so good. So flakey and such rich flavor.
And I now prefer the crumble vs. pie crust topping too.
★★★★★