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Apple Pie {grain free}

December 23, 2008 by Erica 42 Comments

Apple pie

This grain-free apple pie is baked in parts and then combined for the finale. The primary reason for doing this is to limit the baking time of the almond flour crust. This makes for a perfect crust, while adding just a few more steps to the desired outcome.

This is one of my first pie recipes, and I try to bake many of my pies this way, preparing the filling at least partially ahead of baking the full pie in the grain-free crust because the almond flour tends to darken easily.

Apple pie slice

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5 from 3 votes

Apple Pie {grain free}

You can make this plant-based using olive or coconut oil in place of butter, and flaxseed eggs in place of eggs.
To make a flaxseed egg, mix one tablespoon ground flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water. Mix together, and let sit in your fridge for 15 minutes to set.
I use large apples which usually yield about 6 cups of apple slices.
Updated: I removed the 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda from the crust
How to increase the amount of dough: If you prefer more dough in your pies or finding you don't have enough, increase these amounts of crust ingredients: 4 cups of almond flour, 5 tablespoons of coconut oil, 3 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup, 1.5 eggs (steel some egg from the egg wash) and a pinch more salt.
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 408kcal

Ingredients

Filling

  • 8 large apples peeled, cored, and sliced (slice apples up to 1/4 inch thick)
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil or olive oil or unsalted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
  • water or apple juice as needed optional to keep the apples moist while simmering; covering the apples should keep them moist

Crust {top and bottom}

  • 3 cups blanched almond flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon optional
  • 4 tablespoons coconut oil or unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 egg for an egg wash on the top crust of the pie optional
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Make the filling

  • Make the apple filling by placing all the filling ingredients in a large frying pan or saucepan and bring to a steady simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer for about 15 minutes or until the mixture is not watery and the apples are semi-soft. If it gets too dry, add enough waterer apple juice to keep the filling moist. You can also add a bit more oil or butter if you like. Another option is to cover the apples while they simmer and then take the top off at the end.
  • While the apples are simmering, preheat your oven to 310 degrees F.

Make the crust

  • Next make the crust. Combine all the crust ingredients in a food processor, or combine them well by hand using a fork.
  • Separate the dough into two balls, with one ball being slightly larger than the other. Cover the larger ball and place it in the refrigerator to chill.
  • Press the smaller dough ball into a pie dish (8 or 9 inches in diameter) with your fingers. The dough can be pressed half-way up the side of the pie dish. You'll use the cold dough to cover up the space on sides and top.
  • Bake the crust in the pie dish for about 10 minutes, or until it begins to turn dark in color. Take the pie dish out of the oven, cool for a few minutes and then place the apple mixture on top of the baked crust.
  • Take the second dough ball out of the refrigerator and roll it on parchment paper in a circle large enough to fit over the pie filling. Carefully place the large top crust circle over the filling and press the dough down in the corners.
  • Optionally, scramble the extra egg to use it as an egg wash, and brush the top crust with the egg wash. If you don't have a pastry brush use a clean paint brush.

Bake the pie

  • Bake the pie in the oven at 310 degrees F for 15 minutes, or until the the top crust is slightly brown.
  • Cool the pie for a few minutes before serving. Store in the refrigerator for a few weeks.

Nutrition

Calories: 408kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 68mg | Potassium: 214mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 194IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 2mg
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Filed Under: Desserts, Gluten-Free, Lactose Free, Paleo, Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), Vegetarian Tagged With: almond flour, apples

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jessica W.

    November 18, 2021 at 8:54 am

    5 stars
    Is it possible to freeze this pie in order to bake it another day? Would it be gross/crumble apart if I did that?

    Reply
    • Erica

      November 18, 2021 at 9:00 am

      I haven’t tried it yet, but you could make the pie in parts, both the filling and the crust, freeze them, and then combine it on the day of baking.

      Reply
      • Jessica W

        November 18, 2021 at 9:56 am

        5 stars
        That’s a good idea. Would I want to keep the dough in a ball to roll out later or already rolled out in advance?

        Reply
        • Erica

          November 18, 2021 at 10:23 am

          You can do either. If you roll it out in advance I would seal it in both parchment paper and then wrap it again to seal it.

          Reply
  2. Anne

    October 23, 2021 at 4:36 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely loved this pie! My fiance and I ate it up. I doubled up on the butter in the filling… so delcious!

    Reply
    • Erica

      October 23, 2021 at 10:59 pm

      Thanks! So great to hear, and yum on the double butter.

      Reply
  3. M. Thomas

    October 4, 2018 at 12:50 pm

    Would you know what is the equivalent in volumetric terms (cups) of “•6-7 apples, peeled and sliced”?

    Reply
    • Cynthia

      April 23, 2020 at 6:26 pm

      I used 5 apples, and I could have used 10 to fill the pie dish

      Reply
      • Erica

        April 23, 2020 at 6:43 pm

        Thanks. I originally had 6 to 7 but changed it a range of 6 to 8. I can usually fill it with about 6 large apples but if you like a lot of filling, yes, go with more apples.

        Reply
  4. M. Thomas

    September 18, 2018 at 8:55 am

    Precisely what is the role/function of lemon juice (“•Juice from one lemon”) in the filling?
    (a) For taste?
    (b) To prevent oxidization of the apples (wouldn’t that happen anyway as a matter of course in cooking/baking them)?
    (c) Other?

    Reply
    • Erica

      September 18, 2018 at 4:26 pm

      Good question. I like the flavor of it, however you can omit it if you’d like.

      Reply
  5. Sara

    March 8, 2018 at 9:07 am

    This pie is wonderful! I’ve made it several times, now, as I had to go gluten free for health reasons. I’d like to make it for an office party, and one of my co-workers can’t tolerate eggs. Do you have any recommendations for making the crust without egg?

    Reply
    • Erica

      March 9, 2018 at 7:06 pm

      Yes, if you can use flax seed egg to replace the egg, it should work well. The ratio is one tablespoon of ground flax seeds (flaxseed powder) plus three tablespoons of water to replace one egg. Whisk the powder in the water until it becomes gooey and then add it to the recipe.

      Reply
      • Sara

        March 12, 2018 at 7:54 pm

        Great, thanks for the tip!

        Reply
  6. Aynur

    January 21, 2018 at 10:52 am

    I baked it and in voted my friend for cup of tea – we all fell in love with this recipe! Thank you!!!

    Reply
    • Erica

      January 21, 2018 at 6:32 pm

      Thanks! It is an oldy and goody.

      Reply
  7. Deb

    September 7, 2015 at 8:41 pm

    Made this today with my 9 year old daughter. It was easy, and my whole family LOVED it! We also used ghee, as my son can’t tolerate butter. We followed the recipe exactly, thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Erica

      September 13, 2015 at 9:42 am

      great to hear. I have to make this again and it’s the perfect season in the US for it!

      Reply
  8. carrie

    March 22, 2015 at 8:41 am

    Thanks for the great recipe. I made it for my son for Pi day last week. I made the pie open (no crust on top) so I had enough dough for two pies. Used ghee for crust came out great. So yummy! Thx!

    Reply
  9. Ellen

    October 16, 2014 at 9:18 am

    Has anyone tried this with shortening or another replacement for butter?

    Reply
  10. Celine

    November 7, 2013 at 1:39 am

    Hmm looks heavenly :)!

    Reply
  11. Olivia

    October 5, 2013 at 12:52 am

    I made this stunning recipe yesterday for my sister’s birthday and all I can say is “Thank you!” it was simple and probably one of the most delicious thing i’ve ever baked. I was very very proud .

    Reply
    • Erica

      October 8, 2013 at 9:29 pm

      ooh, so good to hear. I haven’t made this in a while, I think you’ve inspired me to make it again!

      Reply
  12. Jen

    April 23, 2013 at 10:48 am

    Is there a way to successfully make this without butter? I fear the crust would just not work without it.

    Reply
    • Erica

      April 23, 2013 at 8:07 pm

      While I haven’t tried it personally, I think coconut oil or vegetable shortening would also work.

      Reply
  13. Erin

    January 23, 2013 at 6:24 am

    Have you ever made this as a dutch apple pie with a streusel topping instead of a double crust? If so, what do you use for the topping?

    Reply
    • Erica

      October 13, 2013 at 10:45 pm

      woops, sorry I never replied to this comment. I would use a topping similar to the one I used in the blackberry crumble recipe.

      Reply
  14. Laurie

    November 26, 2012 at 9:20 am

    My father makes a killer Apple pie and I have really been missing it since going Paleo a year ago. I cannot wait to make this and satisfy that craving! Quick question-What is 2 tablespoons of hone? I googled it with no luck.

    Reply
    • Erica

      November 26, 2012 at 9:26 am

      woops. thanks for the catch. That was honey – somehow I lost the “y” but it’s back now.

      Reply
  15. Lyza @ Chic Shades of Green

    September 16, 2012 at 8:38 am

    This looks really delicious and I love your recipes but, I don’t have any almond flour. Would this work with coconut or brown rice flour? I know coconut oil is much drier. Should I just wait until I get almond flour, which is on my list?

    Reply
    • Erica

      September 16, 2012 at 9:57 am

      sorry – the ratio would be much different, so no, it wouldn’t work.

      Reply
  16. Sherri

    February 5, 2012 at 9:45 pm

    My husband follows the SCD diet for medical reasons. I like to try new recipes that both he and the rest of the family will enjoy. I had been craving apple pie for awhile and decided to try this recipe as a Superbowl dessert. It did not disappoint! Will definitely make this again.

    Reply
  17. Keoki

    January 31, 2012 at 2:02 am

    I have tried your apple pie recipe and I must say that it was fabulous, nourishing and gone in seconds! Although I am a an expert cook, this was the first time that I made an apple pie. I was blown away with the taste and flavors, as well as my very picky son, who kept raving on about it. Thank you very much for sharing.

    Reply
    • Erica

      January 31, 2012 at 10:55 pm

      Nice to hear! thanks.

      Reply
  18. Dina

    January 8, 2012 at 5:20 pm

    Made for after dinner tonight….its almost gone. It was VERY good! And not hard to make. AlthoughI had a hard time not eating all the apple’s out of the pan while the first crust cooled!

    Reply
  19. Erica

    September 11, 2010 at 8:50 pm

    Thanks Paul! I love it too 🙂

    Reply
  20. Paul

    September 11, 2010 at 10:38 am

    This is an incredible pie.
    Usually when I eat a pie the crust is a not very exciting part of the dish, but when I ate this, I loved the crust. It was the best crust I have ever had in a pie.
    Very tasty, very good. Thanks so much!

    Reply
  21. Sarah

    August 3, 2010 at 10:35 am

    LOVE this recipe!!!

    Reply
  22. ddawgz

    June 23, 2009 at 8:59 am

    I tried the recipe and it was AWESOME!!!! post some more like this

    Reply
  23. EricaKerwien

    January 21, 2009 at 9:14 am

    Thanks Lauren! Yes, it came out great!

    Reply
  24. Lauren B

    January 20, 2009 at 9:36 pm

    That almond flour crust looks lovely! What a gorgeous grain-free pie.

    Reply
  25. max

    December 23, 2008 at 11:06 pm

    looks good! I have to remember to try that tomorrow.

    Reply

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Measurement equivalents

1 tablespoon 3 teaspoons
1/4 cup 4 tablespoons
1 cup 8 ounces
1 teaspoon 5 ml
1 tablespoon 15 ml

Temperature conversions

Gas Mark Fahrenheit Celsius
  1/4  225  110
  1/2  250  130
    1  275  140
    2  300  150
    3  325  170
    4  350  180
    5  375  190
    6  400  200
    7  425  220
    8  450  230
    9  475  240

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I create recipes using simple, nutrient-dense ingredients, staying as close to the earth as possible.

One of my boys was diagnosed with Crohn’s, which inspired me to start Comfy Belly, and create recipes to share my love of good, healthy food. Read More →

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