Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Pie with Oat Flour Crust
This gluten-free apple crumble pie with oat flour and pecans has everything you want in an apple dessert. The oat flour crust presses into the pan, so no messy rolling pin is required. With fresh apples, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and a buttery pecan crumble, it’s flavorful and easy to make!
This Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Pie with oat flour and pecans is everything you want in an apple dessert—classic apple pie flavors, a flavorful crust, and a delicious crumble topping. Whether you’re trying your hand at pie dough for the first time or you’re a pie-making pro, this recipe couldn’t be easier. With fresh apples, maple syrup, and coconut sugar, the apple pie filling has the perfect balance of sweetness without being overly sugary like regular pie recipes.
What sets this recipe apart is the oat flour pie dough is foolproof and presses right into the pan—no messy flour or rolling pin needed. The crumb topping, made with old-fashioned oats, butter, pecans, and a hint of vanilla, makes the top of the pie irresistibly crunchy and full of flavor. This easy recipe is a favorite for Thanksgiving and Christmas because everyone loves it regardless of whether or not they have a gluten allergy or sensitivity. And I love it because it’s made with clean, natural ingredients.
Why You’ll Love This Oat Flour Apple Pie Recipe
- Simple Gluten-Free Crust: This easy oat flour crust is beginner-friendly and tastes incredible.
- Perfect Crumble Topping: Buttery oats and pecans make the topping irresistible.
- Customizable Apples: You can use whatever apples you love for the filling—it’s always delicious.
- No Fuss Needed: Press the crust into the pan—no rolling required! But you can roll it if you prefer.
What is the difference between a gluten-free oat flour pie crust and a regular pie crust?
A gluten-free oat flour pie crust is made without wheat flour, so it doesn’t have the stretchy, elastic texture that gluten provides. Instead, it has a tender, slightly crumbly texture with a subtle nutty flavor from the oats. It’s also typically easier to press into the pan, so you can skip the rolling pin! A regular pie crust, on the other hand, is usually more flaky and elastic because of the gluten in traditional flour. Both are delicious—just a little different in texture and flavor!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make the best homemade apple pie with oat crumble recipe:
Crisp Apples: You can use any variety of apples you like, including Honeycrisp and granny smith apples. My favorites are cosmic crisp apples.
Oat Flour: You can use storebought oat flour or grind your own from quick or old-fashioned oats in a bender or food processor.
Tapioca Flour: You can use arrowroot powder or cornstarch instead. You can also omit the tapioca flour in the crust and add an additional 1/2 cup of oat flour.
Butter: Try coconut oil or a dairy-free butter if you need a vegan option.
Maple Syrup: Honey or agave syrup are great substitutions here.
Coconut Sugar: Brown sugar or regular white sugar will do the trick.
Cornstarch: Arrowroot or tapioca starch can also be used.
Old-Fashioned Oats: Quick oats can work, but skip instant oats—they’ll change the texture. Be sure to use certified gluten-free oats if you have an allergy.
Pecans: Walnuts are a great swap, or leave them out altogether for a nut-free version.
How to Make My Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Pie Recipe
Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions for making my gluten-free apple crisp pie recipe. The instructions are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Make the Crust
Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a mixing bowl or food processor, combine 1 cup oat flour, 1/3 cup tapioca flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Pulse until blended. Cut 1/2 cup butter into small pieces and 2 tablespoons maple syrup into the mixture and pulse until the mixture is crumbly. Add 1 tablespoon cold water and pulse until a dough forms.
You can either press the dough into your pie pan by hand or roll the dough out on parchment paper with a little extra tapioca flour. Then, place the dough inside the pie pan and shape it as desired.
Place the pie crust in the fridge while you prep the filling.
Step 2: Make the Apple Filling
Core and thinly slice 4 large apples, 5 medium apples, or 6 small apples. Peeling the apples first is optional. I like to use a mandoline slicer and then cut the thin apple rings into fourths.
Toss the apples in a bowl with 1/3 cup coconut sugar, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 4 teaspoons cornstarch.
Step 3: Make the Crumble Topping
In a bowl, stir together 3 tablespoons melted butter, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, 1/2 cup oats, 1/4 cup oat flour, 1/3 cup chopped pecans, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Step 4: Assemble the Apple Pie
Spread the apple slices in the pie crust. Arrange them so they are all horizontal and fill in any cracks. Pour any additional liquid from the bottom of the bowl over the apple slices in the pie.
Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the apple filling. I like to leave a 1″ gap between the crumble and the edge of the pie so the apple slices are visible.
Step 5: Bake the Pie
Cover the pie loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20-25 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling. Allow the pie to cool completely on the counter or in the fridge before slicing and serving.
Helpful Recipe Notes
Cold Butter Works Best: Keep the butter in the fridge until you cut it into the crust.
Chill the Dough: If the dough becomes too soft, place it in the fridge for 15 minutes or until it is firmer.
Toast Your Pecans: Toasting the pecans before adding them to the crumble adds extra depth of flavor.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
- Top with Whipped Cream: Fresh or coconut whipped cream makes this pie extra special.
- Add a Scoop of Ice Cream: Vanilla ice cream is always a winner with warm apple pie.
- Drizzle with Caramel: A little caramel sauce takes it over the top.
- Enjoy for Breakfast: Pair a slice with some Greek yogurt for a cozy morning treat.
- Make It a Holiday Dessert: Perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas celebrations.
Do you love apple recipes? Check out more of my easy and nutritious apple recipes:
Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Pie with Oat Flour Crust
Ingredients
Oat Flour Pie Crust:
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1/3 cup tapioca flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon cold water
Apple Filling:
- 4 large apples
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 teaspoons cornstarch
Oat Pecan Crumble:
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup oat flour
- 1/3 cup pecans
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In a mixing bowl or food processor, combine 1 cup oat flour, 1/3 cup tapioca flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Pulse until blended. Cut 1/2 cup butter into small pieces and 2 tablespoons maple syrup into the mixture and pulse until the mixture is crumbly. Add 1 tablespoon cold water and pulse until a dough forms.
- You can either press the dough into your pie pan by hand or roll the dough out on parchment paper with a little extra tapioca flour. Then, place the dough inside the pie pan and shape it as desired. Place the pie crust in the fridge while you prep the filling.
- Core and thinly slice 4 large apples, 5 medium apples, or 6 small apples. Peeling the apples first is optional. I like to use a mandoline slicer and then cut the thin apple rings into fourths.Toss the apples in a bowl with 1/3 cup coconut sugar, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 4 teaspoons cornstarch.
- In a bowl, stir together 3 tablespoons melted butter, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, 1/2 cup oats, 1/4 cup oat flour, 1/3 cup chopped pecans, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- Spread the apple slices in the pie crust. Arrange them so they are all horizontal and fill in any cracks. Pour any additional liquid from the bottom of the bowl over the apple slices in the pie.Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the apple filling. I like to leave a 1" gap between the crumble and the edge of the pie so the apple slices are visible.
- Cover the pie loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20-25 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling. Allow the pie to cool completely on the counter or in the fridge before slicing and serving.
Video
Amazing adaptation
Thank you for the review, Rhonda! 🙂
This is a really good pie!!!
Thank you, Nancy 🙂
Developing this recipe was a delicious labor of love and I’m excited to share the result with you! This apple crumble recipe has all the flavors of fall with the natural sweetness of the apples and texture and crunch from the buttery oat crumble. I hope you enjoy it, too!