Crumble Crust Apple Pie

Buttery crumble crust apple pie with tender cinnamon apples and a golden crumb topping, perfect for fall and holiday baking.

Crumble Crust Apple Pie with buttery graham cracker crust, cinnamon apple filling, and golden crumble topping served warm with vanilla ice cream

This apple pie is my own inspired twist on a classic—bringing together the warm, cozy flavors of traditional apple filling with the sweet crunch of a graham cracker crust and topping. Instead of the usual pastry dough, I went with a buttery graham cracker base and a crisp crumb topping to give it extra texture and a nostalgic, toasty flavor. It’s the perfect balance of old-school comfort and creative flair—easy to make, bursting with apple-cinnamon goodness, and guaranteed to make your kitchen smell amazing. A must-try for pie lovers looking for something a little different!

Slice of crumble crust apple pie with cinnamon apples, buttery crumb topping and vanilla ice cream

Cozy Crumble Crust Apple Pie with Cinnamon Apples

This crumble crust apple pie is warm, buttery and packed with tender cinnamon-spiced apples. The fruit bakes down until soft and juicy, while the crumb topping turns golden and slightly crisp. It has that homemade apple pie flavour without needing a traditional top crust, which makes it feel a little easier and more relaxed.

Why You’ll Love This Crumble Apple Pie

The contrast in texture is what makes this pie so good. The apples stay soft and saucy underneath, while the crumble adds a buttery, lightly crisp finish. I like letting it cool for a bit before slicing because the filling settles and the pieces hold together much better.

Perfect for Fall, Holidays and Cozy Desserts

Serve this crumble crust apple pie for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Sunday dinner or any cool-weather dessert. It’s especially good warm with vanilla ice cream, but it also tastes great at room temperature the next day once the filling has had time to set.

Simple Ingredients for Crumble Crust Apple Pie

This crumble crust apple pie starts with apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, warm spices, vanilla and a little flour to help thicken the filling as it bakes. The combination gives the apples a rich, cozy flavour without making the filling overly sweet. Keeping the ingredients simple lets the apples stay the star, while the spices and sugar create that classic fall apple pie taste.

Graham crumb crust for crumble crust apple pie brushed with egg white before adding the apple filling

Prepare the Graham Crumb Crust for Apple Pie

Press the graham crumb crust firmly into the pie plate, then brush the base with egg white before adding the apple filling. This helps create a slightly firmer barrier between the crust and the juicy apples, which can help the bottom hold its texture better as the crumble crust apple pie bakes.

Crumble Crust Apple Pie with buttery graham cracker crust, cinnamon apple filling, and golden crumble topping served warm with vanilla ice cream

Add the Cinnamon Apple Filling to the Graham Crumb Crust

Pile the cinnamon-spiced apples generously into the prepared graham crumb crust, spreading them so the filling is fairly even from edge to centre. The apples will soften and settle as the crumble crust apple pie bakes, so it’s fine if they look slightly heaped at this stage. That generous layer gives the finished pie a thick, tender apple centre with plenty of warm cinnamon flavour.

Crumble Crust Apple Pie with buttery graham cracker crust, cinnamon apple filling, and golden crumble topping served warm with vanilla ice cream

Tips and Tricks for the Best Crumble Crust Apple Pie

• Use firm baking apples: Apples that hold their shape give this crumble crust apple pie a better texture and keep the filling from turning too soft.

• Slice the apples fairly evenly: Similar-sized slices cook at the same rate, so you don’t end up with some pieces mushy while others are still firm.

• Don’t skimp on the spices: Cinnamon and warm spices are what give the apple filling that classic cozy flavour. Toss the apples well so every slice gets coated.

• Press the graham crumb crust firmly: A well-packed crust holds together better when sliced and gives the pie a sturdier base.

• Brush the crust with egg white: This helps create a light barrier between the crust and juicy apple filling, which can help keep the bottom from becoming too soft.

• Heap the apples slightly: The apples will settle as they bake, so a generous mound of filling is exactly what you want.

• Let the pie cool before slicing: Give the crumble crust apple pie time to set after baking. The filling thickens as it cools, and the slices hold together much more cleanly.

Real Kitchen Tip: Let the Apple Pie Cool Before Slicing

For the best crumble crust apple pie, give the pie plenty of time to cool before cutting into it. The apple filling is quite loose straight from the oven, but it thickens as it sits. That extra resting time also helps the graham crumb crust firm up, so the slices hold together better instead of falling apart on the plate.

Crumble Crust Apple Pie with buttery graham cracker crust, cinnamon apple filling, and golden crumble topping served warm with vanilla ice cream
Crumble Crust Apple Pie with buttery graham cracker crust, cinnamon apple filling, and golden crumble topping served warm with vanilla ice cream

Crumble Crust Apple Pie

A cozy homemade apple pie with a buttery graham cracker crust, warm cinnamon-spiced apple filling, and a crisp graham crumble topping. Perfect served warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people
Calories 429 kcal

Equipment

  • 9-inch pie plate
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Rubber spatula or spoon
  • Sieve or colander
  • Peeler and knife

Ingredients
  

Graham Cracker Crust

  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp cinnamon optional
  • 6 tbsp butter unsalted and melted
  • 1 egg white lightly beaten

Apple Filling

  • 5-6 apples medium sized, peeled and sliced (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or your favorite baking apples)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Graham Cracker Crumble Topping

  • ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter melted

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until evenly mixed.
  • Firmly press the mixture into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate.
  • Brush the crust with lightly beaten egg white to help prevent sogginess.
  • Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.

Step 2: Make the Apple Filling

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice.
  • Toss until apples are evenly coated.
  • Let the mixture rest for 30 minutes to allow the apples to release their juices.

Step 3: Prepare the Crumble Topping

  • In a small bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until crumbly.

Step 4: Assemble the Pie

  • Drain excess liquid from the apple mixture using a sieve or colander.
  • Spoon the apples evenly into the pre-baked graham cracker crust.
  • Sprinkle the graham cracker crumble topping evenly over the apples.

Step 5: Bake

  • Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour 10 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.
  • Cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
  • Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for the best flavor and texture.
    Draining the apple juices helps keep the crust crisp.
    Cover the edges loosely with foil if the crust browns too quickly.
    Let the pie cool before slicing so the filling can set properly.

Notes

  • This homemade apple pie features a buttery graham cracker crust for extra flavor and crunch.
  • Use firm baking apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best apple pie texture.
  • Draining the apple juices before baking helps prevent a soggy pie crust.
  • The graham cracker crumble topping adds a delicious crisp texture to every bite.
  • For a richer flavor, use a blend of tart and sweet apples.
  • Fresh lemon juice brightens the apple filling and balances the sweetness.
  • Bake until the topping is golden brown and the apples are fork tender.
  • Let the pie cool before slicing to help the filling set properly.
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a classic dessert pairing.
  • A drizzle of caramel sauce makes this crumble apple pie extra indulgent.
  • This easy apple pie recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and fall baking season.
  • Store leftover pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat slices in the oven to keep the crumble topping crisp.
  • You can prepare the graham cracker crust ahead of time for easier assembly.
  • Cinnamon and nutmeg create a warm spiced apple pie flavor that tastes homemade and comforting.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 429kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 3gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 236mgPotassium: 201mgFiber: 4gSugar: 49gVitamin A: 503IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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