This gluten-free apple pie has a flaky, homemade pie crust and sweet-spiced apple filling! My #1 tip for gluten-free apple pie: pre-cooking the apple pie filling! This ensures a crisp bottom crust and a thick, saucy center.
This post has all the tips and tricks you need to make a classic gluten-free apple pie with a flaky crust from scratch. Be sure to watch the full video on how to make it!
Homemade apple pie, especially gluten-free apple pie, can be tricky to say the least. From soggy pie crust to watery filling, there’s a lot that can go wrong.
I’m here to save you gluten-free pie attempts with this tested and perfected gluten-free apple pie recipe!
VIDEO: How to Make Gluten-Free Apple Pie
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For more gluten-free desserts try this gluten-free cheesecake, gluten-free pecan pie or these crustless gluten-free pumpkin desserts. You also might want to check out all my gluten-free Thanksgiving recipes.
If you love apples you also might like these recipes for gluten-free apple crumble, gluten-free apple cake, gluten-free apple muffins, apple compote and gluten-free apple crisp!
Ingredients for the Pie Crust
I use the same crust recipe that I use in my favorite gluten-free pumpkin pie.
This combination of ingredients creates a gluten-free pie dough with just the right consistency! Here are a few notes on the ingredients.
- Gluten-Free Flour: I like to use a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum for best results. This is my favorite brand.
- Vinegar: I prefer white vinegar or rice vinegar.
- Sour Cream: Gives the dough a little stability and helps it brown.
- Butter/Ice Water/Salt/Sugar: All the usual suspects when it comes to pie crust! You want cold water and butter for a flaky pie crust.
Dairy-Free? You can use dairy-free sour cream in place of the sour cream, however I don’t recommend using vegan butter. I recommend using shortening (butter flavored with you like) in place of the butter for a dairy-free option.
Tips for Gluten-Free Pie Dough Success
I really like making this pie crust in the food processor because it’s quick and reliable. You could also cut in the butter into the dry ingredients by hand using a fork or pastry cutter.
It’s important to let the pie dough sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour (up to overnight) before rolling it out. This allows the dough to hydrate form a cohesive ball.
After the chilling time, the pie dough also has to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before you roll it out.
Gluten free crust is more delicate than regular pie dough. It helps to roll the dough in-between plastic wrap so you can easily transfer it to the pie plate.
UPDATE: I now recommend using a metal pie plate for a crisp bottom crust. I find a light metal 9-inch pie pan works best for gluten-free pies in general!
Peel off the top layer of wrap and carefully invert the rolled crust onto the plate. Then peel off the remaining plastic wrap off the pie shell. After this you can trim the edges and shape the crust as usual.
Tip: Try to smoosh any cracks that form on the edges together with the rolling pin as you roll. They may form at first, but the crust will meld together as you roll it.
A Pre-Cooked Apple Pie Filling!
A pre-cooked apple filling with the apples, brown sugar and lemon juice is one of the key tricks to making a gluten-free apple pie with a crisp bottom crust!
Precooking the apples ensures the liquid thickens before it’s added to the crust. The best apples to use are tart and firm like granny smith apples.
To do this place all the filling ingredients in a large dutch oven and cook for about 5 minutes, until the apples just start to soften. Then thicken the juices with a little cornstarch and water.
The filling needs to cool completely before adding it to the pie crust.
Tip: To speed up the cooling process, pour the apple filling out onto a baking sheet and place in the refrigerator.
After the filling is made and cooled and the pie crust is chilled, it’s time to assemble the top of the pie and bake. I like to brush the top crust with an egg wash for that golden color. (SEE THE RECIPE VIDEO FOR A FULL TUTORIAL!)
Tip: Place a baking sheet in the oven as it preheats. You’ll place the pie on the hot baking sheet which will help the bottom crust bake.
Let the pie cool and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. (Try this dairy-free caramel sauce!)
Tips for Amazing Gluten-Free Apple Pie
- For the best apple pie, start with a well-tested gluten-free pie crust recipe. Like the one in this post!
- Roll the pie crust in-between plastic wrap so it’s easier to handle
- Pre-cook the filling to get rid of extra moisture and ensure that the filling is perfectly thickened before going into the oven
- Taste the pre-cooked filling to see if you need to add more lemon or sugar to your liking
- Cook on pre-heated baking sheet for a crispy bottom crust
Make-Ahead Options
This pie is best eaten the day it’s baked. Unfortunately the gluten-free pie crust doesn’t hold up for longer storage.
To make this pie in advance I recommend making the apple pie filling and pie crust and refrigerating them until you’re ready to assemble the pie.
More Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Recipes
I hope this answers all your questions about gluten-free apple pie and sets you up for baking success! If you have any other questions please leave me a comment or star rating below. Happy Baking!
Gluten-Free Apple Pie (Homemade Crust!)
Video
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 16 tablespoons salted butter (2 sticks)
- 6 tablespoons ice water
- 3 tablespoons sour cream (dairy-free sour cream works too!)
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 2 cups gluten-free 1:1 baking flour 340 grams
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- 4 pounds apples about 6-7 large apples, see the note below recommended apple types
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon milk of choice
Instructions
Make the Crust:
- Cut the butter into small ¼-inch pieces and freeze for 10-15 minutes.
- Combine the ice water, sour cream, and vinegar in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and set aside.
- Process the flour, sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor until combined. Scatter the butter over top and pulse until the butter is the size of large peas, about 10 pulses.
- Add the sour cream mixture and pulse until the mixture begins to clump around the blade, about 10 pulses. If the crust does not clump around the blade after 10 pulses, pour it into a bowl and finish mixing with your hands or a spatula.
- Divide the dough into 2 balls. Press and shape into flat discs and wrap each disc tightly in the plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour or up to 2 days.
Make the Filling:
- Peel the apples and cut out the core. Then cut into 1/4 inch slices. Be sure to cut the apples the same size so they cook evenly.
- In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven, combine the sliced apples, butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt, lemon juice and lemon zest. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes, until apples have slightly softened but not lost their shape.
- Mix together the cornstarch and water. Pour into the apple mixture and cook for another 2-3 minutes until thickened.
- Pour the filling into a bowl and let cool to room temperature. Taste the filling to see if it needs any more sugar or lemon juice to your liking.Tip: To speed up the cooling process, pour the apple filling out onto a baking sheet and place in the refrigerator.
Assemble the Pie:
- If you refrigerated the dough longer than 1 hour, let the dough sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before rolling. Roll the pie crust out between 2 large pieces of plastic wrap to 1/4-inch thickness. Tip: Try to smoosh any cracks that form on the edges together with the rolling pin as you roll. They may form at first, but the crust will meld together as you roll it.
- After rolling, remove the top piece of plastic wrap and flip into a 9-inch pie plate. (UPDATE: I recommend a metal pie plate!) Gently ease the dough into the edges of the pan before removing the 2nd piece of plastic wrap. Place the bottom crust in the fridge to keep chilled while you roll out the top crust the same way.
- Pour the cooled filling into the prepared crust. Top with the 2nd crust. Trim any overhang or excess dough. Seal edges with a fork or with your fingers. Cut a few slits into the center of the pie for the steam to escape. Place the pie in the freeze for 10 minutes before baking for the dough to chill one last time.
- Place a baking sheet in the center rack of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400F. Tip: You want the baking sheet to be in the oven as it preheats. You'll place the pie on the hot baking sheet which will help the bottom crust bake.
- Make the Egg Wash: Whisk together the egg and milk until totally combined. Brush the pie dough with egg wash and sprinkle sugar if desired.
- Place the pie on the preheated baking sheet and bake for 35 minutes. Lightly place a piece of foil on top of the pie to keep it from over-browning (or use a pie shield), then lower the oven temperature to 375 F. Bake for an additional 35-40 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let the pie cool on a wire rack for 3 hours before slicing. (I know it's hard to wait but this is important!) Enjoy! (Tip: This pie is best eaten the day it's baked. See the notes for make-ahead instructions.)
Notes
- Use tart, firm apples. I prefer Granny Smith apple for this pie!
- Roll the pie crust in-between plastic wrap so it’s easier to handle
- Pre-cook the filling to get rid of extra moisture and ensure that the filling is perfectly thickened before going into the oven.
- Taste the pre-cooked filling to see if you need to add more lemon or sugar to your liking
- Cook on pre-heated baking sheet to get the bottom crust extra crispy
What apples are best to use
I like to use Granny Smith apples!
Hi Erin!
Can this pie be be baked then frozen?
Thanks,
Cindy
I think that should work! Here are the instructions I would use: https://everydaypie.com/how-to-bake-a-frozen-pie/
Can you make the filling earlier and freeze it ?
I wouldn’t freeze the filling in advance. You can definitely make it up to a week in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to make the pie. I hope this helps!
I want to make this dairy free. You mentioned not recommending swapping out butter, but if I use Earth Balance butter sticks, would that work or fail?
You can use dairy-free sour cream in place of the sour cream, however I don’t recommend using vegan butter. I recommend using shortening (butter flavored with you like) in place of the butter for a dairy-free option. I hope this helps!
Question – I like to use a cookie cutter to put shapes on the top of the pie, will it work with this gf crust?
Question #2 – I don’t have a metal pie plate. Does it make sense to line the glass one with aluminum foil?
You can use a glass pan no problem! I wouldn’t use aluminum foil. And yes cookie cutter pie shapes will work great on the top of the pie! I hope it turns out for you 🙂
Beautiful golden & crisp crust!! The filling is delicious!! I am always looking for gluten-free recipes & this does not disappoint!!
as someone who is freshly going gluten-free, this is amazing and I am thankful for the tips and tricks on how to make it the best
I love a good gluten free recipe. This apple pie is legit! so simple to make and very delicious! My husband couldnt tell it was gluten free. I’d say thats a win!
Amazing flaky crust!
First time making this, haven’t tasted it yet but I had a devil of time ro,ling this out, I still see the little butter pieces in the crust, should’ve I used my hands more to warm up the butter to incorporate it? I will try it again but what a chore!
My family just had this as a ” birthday pie” tonight everyone loved it. I asked the next Birthday person what type of dessert they wanted…. and this pie was requested again! I added unsweetened dried cranberries & walnuts. BIG HIT!
MANY THANKS!
I love this recipe!! It’s been third recipe I tried, and it turned out wonderful, you can’t tell its gluten free pastry!! At this point, I have full trust in anything I find on this website, no joke!!
Erin, I love all your recipes so much! Followed you for a while now, and was so grateful I didn’t have to wonder if this pie would actually turn out! I had some skeptics when they saw the crust, but it rolled out beautifully. The pie was DELICIOUS! Only dessert that didn’t have any leftovers, for both the gluten-containing and gluten free people!
Only note- I almost put the foil on for the first baking period, but it goes in for the second. Read closely!
Thanks for creating such great recipes, you make me so much happier at the holidays!
This is the best comment! I’m so happy the pie turned out for you. I know making a pie from scratch is a lot of work so I’m glad it was a success! Happy holidays!
Quick question…you mention above that you do not recommend swapping out ingredients to make the crust dairy free as well but in the recipe you said we could use dairy free sour cream. I have a sensitive to dairy so a little is usually ok for me. Do you recommend not using the dairy free sour cream or will both work fine if that’s all I swap out? Sorry just want to make the best GF DF Apple pie that no one is the wiser lol.
Great question! Thanks for asking this. It works great to use dairy-free sour cream (like Toffuti) in place of the sour cream. However I don’t recommend swapping out the butter. I hope this helps!
The BEST apple pie. Like flaky crust, tender apples, the best subtle spices.
Oh my PIE!! This is the flakiest, butteriest, most decadent apple pie in the world! It is so good and NOBODY knows it is gluten-free…that is a HUGE WIN! Thank you so much for details instructions for both the crust and the filling as well.