Don’t feel like making a traditional apple pie? This recipe will show you How to Make an Apple Pie with Graham Cracker Crust, a wonderful alternative to a traditional two-crust pie, and easy too!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Love the idea of apple pie, but hate the thought of making a homemade pie crust with all that fussing and rolling? This recipe is the perfect fix, and who knows? it may become one of your favorite pies!
Here’s some good reasons to try it:
- This classic dessert has a few steps, but it’s an easy recipe and nothing is complicated.
- Granny Smith apples are the star of the show, and give this awesome pie the tartness it needs for a perfect balance of flavors.
- All you need is a little scoop of vanilla ice cream (set it on the streusel topping) to make it extra delish.
- Traditional apple pie has nothing on this easy apple pie, which is nice enough for special occasions.
- If you love apple things, bookmark these fantastic little mini apple pies to make sometime!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the full recipe and list of ingredients, please scroll to the recipe card below.
- Apples: Granny Smith apples work best in this recipe because they hold their shape when baking and are a bit tart.
- Flour: Just regular all-purpose flour.
- Sugar: A little brown sugar, a little white.
- Graham Crackers: A cup and a half, or about 12 sheets, crushed.
- Egg: Just one for a simple crust trick (see below).
- Cinnamon: A must-have with apples.
- Lemon Juice: To enhance that fresh apple flavor.
- Butter: For the crust, to pre-cook the apples, plus a little room temperature butter for the crumb topping.
Step-By Step Instructions
For the full recipe and instructions, please scroll to the recipe card below.
To make this tasty pie, here’s all you do:
- Make a simple crust with crushed graham crackers, melted butter and sugar in a large bowl. Use a food processor or rolling pin to crush (place the crackers in a plastic bag first.)
- Spray a pie plate with non-stick baking spray, then press the crumbs into the pie pan and freeze it for a few minutes.
- Brush the bottom of the pie with egg white – insurance that the apples won’t seep through to the bottom crust. Baked crust happens in just about 12 minutes.
4. Make the apple filling in a large skillet on medium heat, this gives their cooking a head start before you bake the whole pie.
5. Make a streusel crumb topping for the top of the pie with room temperature butter, flour, sugar and cinnamon, just sprinkle on before baking.
5. Here it is with the apple mixture in the pie pan and half of the crumb topping on top. Add the rest, next stop is the oven for about 40 minutes.
6. Bake pie(s) in a moderate oven for 40 minutes.
7. Let it cool completely, then slice and serve with whipped cream alongside in a small bowl, or scoops of vanilla ice cream.
Tips for Success
- Refrigerate the crumb topping for at least 10 minutes before use so it’s chilled when placing on the pie.
- Let the pie cool completely before cutting into it.
- Freezing the crust for a few minutes before brushing on a thin layer of egg white will help the crumbs stay in place before pre-baking it.
Serving Ideas
- This pie makes 6 or 8 servings, depending how you slice it. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
- I love a homey pie like this with a cozy dinner, such as these saucy, wonderful Turkey Meatballs (made in a skillet in no time flat) or some citrusy chicken.
- Serve a tangy, fresh salad too, like this one or this reader-favorite Italian Green Bean Salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make it one day in advance. Store well-covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
I think so, but I didn’t test that recipe. That said, making the crust is super easy and well worth the few minutes it takes.
Yes, you can! Just make that portion of the recipe as directed, but transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until ready to finish preparing the pie. The apple filling can be made a day or two in advance.
More Recipes to Try
- Strawberry Cheesecake in a Jar: A very good recipe for mini no-bake pie.
- Amish Apple Fritter Recipe: A fun and easy recipe to make at home.
- Old Fashioned Apple Cake Recipe: Tender and moist and delicious.
- Sweets Things: A roundup of sweet favorites.
- Apple Hand Pies with Pillsbury Pie Crust: A nostalgic favorite.
- Best Cider Apples: Wonderful baked apples – a cozy, flavorful dessert.
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How to Make Apple Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
Ingredients
- FOR THE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST
- 1½ cups Graham Cracker Crumbs From approximately 12 graham cracker sheets
- 6 tablespoons Butter, unsalted, melted
- ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 Egg White
- FOR THE CRUMB TOPPING
- ½ cup All-purpose flour
- ½ cup Dark Brown Sugar, packed
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons Butter, unsalted, softened
- FOR THE APPLES
- 5 tablespoons Butter, unsalted
- 3 pounds Granny Smith Apples, peeled and sliced into 1" inch pieces
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1½ teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ cup All-purpose Flour
- 2 teaspoons Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking tray (cookie sheet) with parchment paper. FOR THE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST Make graham crackers into fine crumbs by pulsing in a food processor, electric blender or by placing them in a secure plastic freezer bag and pounding with a rolling pin. Transfer the crumbs to a large bowl, along with the melted butter, sugar, cinnamon and pinch of salt. Spray a 9 inch round baking dish with non-stick baking spray, then press the graham crackers into the plate and up the sides evenly, pressing firmly to set the crumbs in place. Freeze the pie crust for 10 minutes. Separate the egg white from the yolk, add to a small bowl and mix with a fork a a drop or two of water to break the egg white up. Using a small pastry brush or the back of a spoon, brush a thin layer of egg white on the bottom of the pie crust. Bake for 12-13 minutes. Crust should be lightly browned. Set aside.
- FOR CRUMB TOPPINGIn a medium-sized bowl, add the flour, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon and butter. With a pastry cutter or clean hands, mix together until it holds together in small clumps when squeezed. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- FOR THE APPLES
- Melt the butter in a large non-stick skillet, add the apples, sugar, salt and cinnamon and toss/stir to combine and coat all the apples. Put the lid on the skillet and let the apples cook over medium heat until they sizzle and release their juices, about 5 minutes. Add the flour, stir to combine, and let it cook 1-2 minutes more until the flour is fully absorbed. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and vanilla extract. Let the mixture sit to cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
- To assemble and bake the pie, place the apples in the cooked graham cracker shell, piling them slightly in the center. Sprinkle the crumb topping over the apples.
- Place the pie pan on the baking sheet and bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Let the pie cool completely before cutting and serving.
Notes
- This pie makes 6-8 slices.
- Refrigerate the crumb topping for at least 10 minutes before use so it’s chilled when placing on the pie.
- Let the pie cool completely before cutting into it.
- Freezing the crust for a few minutes before brushing on a thin layer of egg white will help the crumbs stay in place before pre-baking it.
Nutrition
- Super important to read the whole recipe before you begin
- Pay attention to the ingredient list and photos for the recipe
- If possible, prep your ingredients a little before you start
- Always use a sharp knife for safety
- Use the size of pan called for in the recipe
- For savory recipes, taste and season as you go
- Buy fresh, organic ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible
The text of this post was lightly updated for clarity, September, 2024.
Delicious and easy to do. I used a store bought pie crust and it was great!
Wonderful!
Amazing, Sept 15 2023
So happy you loved it!
I have a question I made this pie, but haven’t yet baked it for the 40 minutes at 350 as yet, because I wanted to freeze it for Thanksgiving and bake it then. Is this possible or will it ruin it? Please respond ASAP, thank you!💕
Yes, you can freeze this apple pie, unbaked. Wrap it very well in plastic wrap and then in a large freezer bag. Defrost it overnight in the fridge and proceed with baking it as instructed. Thank you!