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    Home » All Desserts » Pies and Tarts

    Published: Nov 5, 2021 · Modified: Jan 19, 2022 by Anthea

    Classic Vegan Apple Pie

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    4.80 from 5 votes

    This incredible vegan apple pie uses just a few common pantry ingredients, tastes like childhood and can be as simple or complicated as you make it!

    It's vegan, vegetarian, eggless and dairy-free. And you can make this pie gluten-free and refined sugar-free!

    Golden apple pie with lattice design and two scoops of vanilla ice cream on top.

    What to expect from this recipe

    This no-fuss vegan apple pie has a classic:

    • Buttery vegan shortcrust pastry which will melt in your mouth
    • Sweet apple cinnamon filling which doesn't need to be cooked beforehand

    It can be made in advance or on the day of serving. And I've included a few shortcuts if you want to make this in less than 1 hour! Perfect for Thanksgiving dessert!

    For quicker vegan apple recipes, check out my apple crumble pie, apple bread or apple crumble tea cake. Or you may prefer my apple tart!

    Ingredients you'll need

    This vegan apple pie uses common pantry ingredients including:

    Flatlay of ingredients for apple pie.

    Notes about the ingredients

    Vegan butter (block-style preferred) or solid coconut oil. It's always better to use block butter for pastry as it's easier to handle and makes the pastry flakier. If you want to use coconut oil, I'd recommend refined coconut oil if you don't like the taste of coconut. I've also included an option for using vegan margarine/spread too!

    Apples such as a sweet snacking apple, Pink Lady or Granny Smith. Or use a combination for a more complex flavor!

    Corn starch/flour. When the pie is baking, the juices come out from the apples and mix with the corn starch (and other ingredients) to create a delicious finger-licking sauce inside the pie.

    A complete list of ingredients, quantities and instructions are in the gray recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Side angle image of apple pie.

    How to make shortcrust pastry

    I prefer making shortcrust pastry in a food processor as it is quicker and mixes the ingredients more thoroughly. Just make sure you don't pulse the mixture for too long!

    If you don't have a food processor, you can just use a large bowl and a pastry cutter.

    Add all the ingredients to your food processor (or bowl) and pulse (or mix) until the mixture comes together. The dough will likely need some chilled water so add it gradually until the pastry forms flaky crumbs (like the picture on the right).

    If you're using a food processor, this will only take 1-2 minutes.

    Once the pastry comes together, place it in an airtight container or wrap it in plastic. Chilled dough is always easier to work with!

    Two image collage of shortcrust pastry in food processor.

    Making the apple pie filling

    While the pie crust is chilling, you can make the filling!

    This recipe works with peeled or unpeeled apples. Once you've thinly sliced all of the apples, simply toss them in a large bowl with the rest of the filling ingredients.

    Cover the bowl and set it aside for at least 30 minutes. This will allow all the flavors to develop and for the apple to soften and caramelize.

    Two image collage of apple pie filling in bowl.

    Rolling out the pastry

    If you've refrigerated your pastry for only 30 minutes, you should be able to roll it out immediately. If your pastry has turned into a cold solid brick, let it soften at room temperature for another 30 minutes or so.

    I'd recommend rolling out the pastry on a well-floured surface or in between two sheets of baking paper!

    Two image collage of rolling out pastry.

    Assembling the pie

    Transfer your rolled-out pastry to your greased pie tin. There are a few ways to do this which you can see in King Arthur's Youtube video. If any large holes form in the pie crust, simply patch them up with excess pastry (no one will see it after baking).

    Next, use of pair of scissors to trim off the excess pie crust. Then use a fork to prick the bottom of your pie crust.

    Pile all your apples onto the pie crust, trying to make sure there aren't any large gaps!

    For the top crust, you can 'choose your adventure' and make the pie as simple or decorative as you want!

    If you're short on time, top the pie with a single layer of pastry and cut a few 'vents' in the middle to allow air to escape while it's baking. Or you can turn the pastry into a crumble to make an apple crumble pie or skip it altogether and make my vegan apple tart.

    To see how I made a lattice design, check out the video in this blog post (at the top of the post or in the gray recipe card at the bottom).

    Four image collage of assembling apple pie.

    Shortcuts for making this apple pie

    If you just don't want to make the pastry, use store-bought shortcrust pastry. A lot of store-bought pastries use vegetable shortening so are accidentally vegan.

    Or if you don't want to prepare the apple filling, use canned pie apple! Having a pre-made filling will reduce the baking time to 30 minutes. Or bake the pie until the pastry is golden.

    To make this pie for Thanksgiving or a special celebration, you can make the pastry and filling in advance! The pastry can be made 3 days beforehand and refrigerated (or 2 weeks beforehand then frozen).

    The apples can be prepared a day beforehand and left to macerate in the fridge overnight. On the day of baking, allow your pastry to come to room temperature so you can roll it out and assemble your pie.

    Unbaked apple pie surrounded by ingredients.

    Expert tips and customizations

    Can I make this a healthy vegan apple pie?

    Yes, simply use spelt/wholemeal flour, no refined sugar (or erythritol) and solid coconut oil in the crust. You may need to add a little more water as whole grain flours are more absorbent than regular flour.

    I'd also recommend using coconut sugar or maple syrup in the pastry and filling instead (to taste). Or you can make the pie completely sugar-free by using erythritol!

    What are the best ways for serving this vegan apple pie?

    Hot from the oven or cold from the fridge haha. Serve it with scoops of ice cream, thick whipped cream, pouring cream or, my favorite, custard!

    Individual slice of apple pie showing layered of caramelised apples.

    More vegan pie recipes

    • Easy Vegan Apple Crumble Pie
    • Vegan Banoffee Pie
    • Vegan Peanut Butter Pie with Jam
    • Vegan Chocolate Mousse Tart

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    Print Recipe
    4.80 from 5 votes

    Incredible Vegan Apple Pie

    Incredible vegan apple pie with just a few common pantry ingredients. Tastes like childhood and is as easy or complicated as you make it!
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time1 hr
    Total Time1 hr 20 mins
    Cuisine: American, Vegan
    Servings: 10 serves
    Author: Anthea

    Ingredients

    Shortcrust pastry

    • 2 ½ cups (310g) all-purpose plain flour, (note 1 for gluten free)
    • 1 cup (225g) vegan block butter, or solid coconut oil (chilled, note 2)
    • 3 tablespoons cold water, or as needed
    • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, or coconut sugar
    • Pinch of any good quality salt, if using coconut oil

    Pie Filling

    • ~4 x (720g) cored apples, sliced thinly (note 3)
    • ½ cup (95g) granulated sugar, brown sugar or coconut sugar
    • 3 tablespoons (20g) corn starch / corn flour
    • 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice and zest, (approximately 1 lemon)
    • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, or to taste
    • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • Pinch of any good quality salt

    To glaze

    • 1 tbsp maple syrup
    • 1 tbsp water

    Instructions

    Preparing the pastry:

    • Mix all the pastry ingredients in a medium size bowl or food processor. If the mixture is too crumbly, add some extra water and mix until it becomes a pliable dough. If the mixture is too wet, add a little more flour and mix again. Divide the pastry into 2 balls, wrap or cover in an airtight container and chill for at least 30 minutes.

    Preparing the filling:

    • Toss all ingredients in a bowl until combined and set aside.

    Assembling the vegan apple pie:

    • Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 9 inch (23 cm) pie dish.
    • Remove the pie dough from the fridge. If the dough is too cold, allow it to come to room temperature for 30 minutes.
    • On a floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll out one half of the pastry into a thin circle. It should be about 5 mm (¼ inch) thick. Transfer the pastry to your pie dish and press it against the base and sides to form a crust.
    • Trim off the excess pastry and prick the bottom with a fork. Set aside.
    • Layer all the apple pieces (and any excess juices) into the pie crust.
    • On a floured surface, roll out the remaining half of the pastry into a thin circle. Transfer the pastry to your pie dish for the top crust. If you'd like to create a lattice design, cut your pastry into 1.5 cm (~½ inch) strips and layer them on your pie (refer to the video for a visual guide). Trim off the excess pastry from the pie.

    Glazing and baking your apple pie:

    • Combine the maple syrup and water in a small bowl. Brush the mixture on your unbaked pie.
    • Bake the pie for 1 hour or until the surface is golden and the apples are tender. If your pastry is browning too quickly but your apples are not tender, reduce the oven to 160°C (320°F) and/or cover with aluminum foil.
    • Slice and serve the apple pie with a few dollops of cream or ice cream. Enjoy!

    Notes

    1. To make this apple pie gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten free all purpose flour OR 1 ½ cups (150g) almond flour and 1 cup (160g) gluten-free flour all-purpose flour. If you use almond flour, your pie crust may brown quicker so just cover your pie with aluminum foil if needed. 
    2. If you only have access to vegan margarine/spread, use ¾ cup (170g) of chilled margarine, 2 ¾ cups (345g) flour and less or no water. Your pastry will be softer and more delicate.
    3. Apples were weighed after they were peeled and cored. You can leave your apples unpeeled if you prefer.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 serve | Calories: 359kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 19g | Sodium: 150mg | Potassium: 141mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did you Make this Recipe?Rate it & leave your feedback in the comments section below, or tag @rainbownourishments on Instagram and hashtag #rainbownourishments!

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Georgia says

      November 30, 2022 at 8:45 pm

      5 stars
      I made this pie for thanksgiving and it went down a treat! Everyone loved it and went back for seconds, the recipe is super easy to follow and the results are amazing! I will be making again for Christmas day! Thank you for the recipe x

      Reply
    2. Niki says

      December 31, 2021 at 12:46 am

      5 stars
      Hi Anthea, I just made it today, and it turned out great! That was my first ever apple pie. 🙂

      It became a little dry with 50 minutes of baking, so maybe I should have baked it less. But all in all, the recipe is great, I saved it for other occasions! 🙂

      The result:
      https://photos.app.goo.gl/iE2x63S7fVRy5uou6

      Reply
      • Anthea says

        January 14, 2022 at 8:20 pm

        Oooh your apple pie looks GORGEOUS and so golden! You did an amazing job for your first homemade apple pie! Thanks so much for your comment! x

        Reply
    3. Sarah says

      September 20, 2021 at 9:58 am

      5 stars
      Made this and it was amazing, thank you!

      Reply
      • Anthea says

        September 23, 2021 at 7:47 pm

        So glad to hear! Thanks for leaving a comment x

        Reply

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