The Ultimate Vegan Apple Pie (A Foolproof Recipe!)

There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of a freshly baked apple pie filling your home. It’s a timeless dessert, perfect for holiday gatherings, summer picnics, or a cozy evening.

But creating a vegan version that rivals the classic? That can feel like a challenge.

Many recipes fall short, with soggy crusts or overly sweet fillings. This recipe is different.

It’s the result of countless tests to achieve a truly perfect vegan apple pie. We’re talking a crust so flaky and buttery it shatters at the touch of a fork, and a filling that’s packed with tender, perfectly spiced apples that hold their shape.

This is the pie that will have everyone asking for the recipe, and no one will believe it’s 100% plant-based.

What Makes This Apple Pie So Good?

This isn’t just another recipe; it’s a guide to mastering the art of vegan apple pie. Here’s the secret to its success:

• The Perfect Apple Blend: We use a mix of apples to achieve a complex flavor and texture—tart Granny Smiths for structure and a bright tang, paired with sweet Honeycrisps for their crispness and flavor, a combination also recommended by America’s Test Kitchen. If you can’t get enough of cozy apple desserts, you’ll also love our Easy Vegan Apple Fritter Bread.
• A Truly Flaky Crust: The secret is in the technique. Our all-vegan butter crust recipe uses simple ingredients but relies on keeping everything ice-cold for maximum flakiness.
• Pre-Cooked Filling: By gently cooking the apple filling before it goes into the pie, we remove excess moisture. This is the key to preventing the dreaded soggy bottom and ensuring your filling is perfectly tender, not watery.

Expert Tips for a Foolproof Pie

Before you begin, here are a few baker’s secrets that guarantee success. These small details make a huge difference in the final texture and flavor of your pie.

Keep Everything Cold

For the flakiest pie crust, your vegan butter and water must be ice-cold. Cold butter creates small pockets in the dough. When baked, these pockets release steam, separating the dough into delicate, flaky layers. In fact, according to a 2018 study in the International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science, fat particle size and temperature are critical for creating flaky pastry. I recommend cubing your butter and chilling it in the freezer for 15 minutes before you start.

Don’t Overwork the Dough

When mixing your pie dough, stop as soon as it comes together. Overworking develops the gluten in the flour, which can result in a tough, chewy crust instead of a tender, flaky one. You should still see small, pea-sized pieces of butter in the dough—that’s a good thing! For more in-depth techniques, King Arthur Baking offers excellent guidance on handling pie dough.

Let the Pie Set

This might be the hardest part! You must let the pie cool for at least 30-45 minutes after it comes out of the oven. This allows the molten filling to set and thicken properly. Slicing into it too early will result in a runny filling that spills everywhere. Patience is a key ingredient here.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Your Best Pie

This recipe is broken down into two main parts: preparing the crust and creating the filling. While the full, printable instructions are in the recipe card below, this section walks you through the ‘why’ of each step.

First, you’ll create the pie dough, dividing it into two discs and letting them chill. This resting period is crucial for relaxing the gluten.

Next, you’ll prepare the filling by peeling and slicing your apples and cooking them briefly on the stovetop with sugar, flour, and spices. This step, as mentioned, is the game-changer for texture.

Once the filling has cooled slightly, you’ll roll out the bottom crust and lay it in your pie plate. Pile the apple filling in, dot it with a few pieces of vegan butter for extra richness, and then top it with your second crust.

You can do a full top crust with vents or get creative with a lattice design. Finally, a quick brush of non-dairy milk and a sprinkle of coarse sugar creates a beautifully golden, sparkling finish.

How to Store and Freeze Vegan Apple Pie

One of the best parts about this pie is that it stores wonderfully, and you can even prepare it ahead of time. Here’s how:

• Storing at Room Temperature: A baked and cooled apple pie can be stored, lightly covered, at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Refrigerating: For longer storage, you can keep the pie in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. It’s delicious cold, or you can reheat individual slices in the oven or microwave.
• Freezing: You have two options for freezing. You can freeze the fully baked pie by letting it cool completely, then wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. It will last for up to 3 months. Alternatively, you can prepare the pie without baking it, wrap it securely, and freeze it. Bake it directly from frozen, adding about 15-20 minutes to the baking time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent a soggy bottom crust?

The number one trick is pre-cooking the filling to control the moisture content. Another pro tip is to bake the pie on the lowest rack of your oven, which ensures the bottom crust gets direct heat and cooks through properly. Some bakers even place a preheated baking sheet under the pie plate.

Can I make this pie gluten-free?

Yes, absolutely. You can substitute your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the crust. For the filling, you can replace the all-purpose flour with cornstarch or arrowroot powder as a thickener (use about half the amount).

What are the best vegan butters to use?

For pie crust, a firm, high-quality vegan butter in stick form is essential. Brands like Miyoko’s Kitchen Cultured Vegan Butter or Melt Organic Vegan Butter perform exceptionally well because they have a higher fat content and stay solid when cold, which is crucial for creating flaky layers.

Conclusion

Baking a vegan apple pie from scratch doesn’t have to be intimidating. With these detailed steps and expert tips, you have everything you need to create a stunning, delicious dessert that captures the essence of classic American baking. It joins the ranks of other foolproof vegan classics, like our rich and creamy Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake.

It’s a recipe built on simple, wholesome ingredients and proven techniques, designed to bring joy and comfort to your table. So preheat your oven, put on your favorite apron, and get ready to fall in love with your new go-to apple pie.