Bake the perfect homemade apple pie without any fuss using our quick and easy recipe. Make it entirely from scratch or take some of our cheats' shortcuts!
When it comes to desserts, this simple homemade apple pie is one of our 5 most popular recipes along with apple crumble, butterscotch pudding, Baileys cheesecake and New York baked cheesecake! You can follow our recipe and make it entirely from scratch (which is super easy) or take some of our time-saving shortcuts.
Homemade Apple Pie Recipe From Scratch
It can sound a little daunting to make an apple pie completely from scratch... but I promise that you won't believe how easy it is!
There are two parts to making an apple pie - the pastry and the filling. While they're a tiny bit more time consuming than the cheats version (see notes below), the end result is well worth it!
From flakey, melt-in-your-mouth homemade pastry to the sweet apple filling, this is going to become your go-to dessert in no time.
How To Make Apple Pie Pastry
Homemade pastry: Apple pie pastry is a homemade sweet shortcrust pastry. Once you've made it, you'll become OBSESSED and want to use it in everything!
And best of all, you only need: plain flour, butter, caster sugar and water.
You can make this pastry in just 5 minutes (plus chilling time) using either a food processor or a Thermomix (see the full methods in the recipe card below).
While I usually like to blind bake my homemade pastry first, this recipe doesn't require any blind baking at all! Simply fill it with the homemade apple filling and bake. It couldn't be easier!
Time saving shortcut: Use store-bought sheets of pastry instead.
Apple Pie Filling Recipe
Homemade apple pie filling: Our apple pie filling is the perfect mix of sweet with a subtle cinnamon flavour and is made from: apples (see my notes below for the best apples to use), raw (granulated) sugar, lemon juice and a little bit of water.
Simply cook the apple filling for a few minutes in a saucepan or Thermomix, pour it onto your pastry base and top with extra pastry.
Time saving shortcut: Alternatively, you can skip this step entirely and use canned pie apple (like this one) instead.
Why You're Going To LOVE This Apple Pie Recipe
There's a very good reason this recipe ranks in our Top 5 most popular dessert recipes! Here's a few reasons you need to make it TODAY:
- it's quick and easy
- an absolute family favourite
- it's made from pantry and fridge staples, meaning that this is a very budget-friendly recipe
- once you've tried our homemade version, you'll never be able to go back to store-bought
- it's always a winner with adults and kid alike
- the pastry will melt in your mouth while the filling is perfectly sweet (but not overly sweet!)
- it's easy to make this recipe entirely from scratch or use some of our time saving hacks!
Tips & Tricks For Making Apple Pie
Types of apples to use:
Granny Smiths are generally considered the best apples to use for apple pie. They don't go as mushy as other varieties and their tartness is the perfect contrast to the sweet pastry. You can however use any type of apple you like! I've also used Pink Lady and Jonathan apples, although Granny Smith are my favourite pie apple.
Store-bought pastry vs homemade pastry:
If you're short on time or don't have a food processor or Thermomix, then by all means use store-bought pastry and be rest assured that your apple pie will still taste amazing. You can either use shortcrust pastry on the base and the top or a combination of shortcrust pastry on the bottom and puff pastry on the top. However, if you have the time and equipment, then making your own pastry is a game changer in this recipe!
Equipment:
To make your own pastry, you'll need either a food processor or a Thermomix, plus a rolling pin.
To make the homemade apple pie filling, you'll need a saucepan and stovetop or a Thermomix.
If you don't have these pieces of equipment then simply use store-bought pastry and canned pie apple!
Egg Wash:
Before baking, I recommend brushing a lightly beaten egg over the top of the pastry. This helps it cook into a beautiful golden colour and with a lovely crispy texture.
Sprinkling over raw (granulated) sugar:
Sprinkling sugar over the top of the pie before baking gives it a beautiful crunch when cooked. It also adds a little extra sweetness to the pie.
How do you know when the pie is cooked?
All ovens are slightly different, so here's how to check to see if your pie is cooked:
- the pastry will be golden and firm when touched
- the filling will be hot in the centre
How to store apple pie:
Apple pie can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Alternatively, it can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
Apple pie is absolutely delicious on it's own.... but these accompaniments take it to the next level:
- salted caramel sauce (store-bought or make your own using this super easy recipe)
- ice-cream (my personal FAVE!)
- cream - either pouring cream or whipped cream
- custard
More Winter Dessert Recipes
If you love this apple pie recipe, then you're going to fall head over heels in love with our collection of winter recipes (including our famous chocolate self-saucing pudding, lemon delicious, sticky date pudding and golden syrup dumplings).
Browse our entire collection of winter desserts here.
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Classic Apple Pie
Ingredients
For the pastry:
- 300 g (2 cups) plain flour
- 45 g (3tbs) caster (superfine) sugar
- 150 g butter chopped
- 2-3 tbs ice cold water
For the filling:
- 7-8 apples peeled, or 800g canned pie apple (see notes)
- 2 tbs water only for conventional method
- ⅓ cup raw (granulated) sugar
- 1 tbs lemon juice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 3 tbs raw sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
Conventional Method
- To make the pastry, place the flour, sugar and butter into a food processor and process it until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Slowly add the iced water and mix until a smooth dough forms. Knead the dough into a ball on a lightly floured surface. Wrap in plastic wrap and place it into the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes. When you're ready to use your dough, divide it into 2 portions (one ⅔ for the base and one ⅓ for the top) and then roll out each portion until 3-5mm thick. If using store-bought pastry sheets, place them onto the bench to defrost.
- Preheat oven to 190 degrees celsius (180 if using fan forced). Grease a 24cm pie dish and set aside.
- Meanwhile, place the apples and water into a saucepan over medium high. Stir occasionally for 5 minutes or until the apple has just started to soften. Mix through the sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon.
- Place the larger piece of pastry over the pie dish and press down so that it covers the base and sides. Trim any excess.
- Drain any excess liquid from the apple mixture. Add the apple mixture to the pie dish and spread out evenly.
- Place the smaller piece of pastry over the apples, and crimp the edges lightly with your fingertips to seal around the rim of the dish.
- Brush the lightly beaten egg over the top of the pie. Sprinkle over the raw sugar (optional).
- Cut a 3-4 slits into the top of the pastry.
- Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until the pie pastry is lightly golden and crispy.
Thermomix Method
- To make the pastry, place the flour, sugar and butter into the Thremomix bowl and mix on Speed 6 for 10 seconds (or until it resembles fine breadcrumbs). Add the iced water and knead for 2 minutes on interval speed. Knead the dough into a ball on a lightly floured surface, wrap in plastic wrap and place into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. When you're ready to use your dough, divide it into 2 portions (one ⅔ for the base and one ⅓ for the top) and then roll out each portion until 3-5mm thick. If using store-bought pastry sheets, place them onto the bench to defrost.
- Preheat oven to 190 degrees celsius (180 if using fan forced). Grease a 24cm pie dish and set aside.
- Place the apple slices into the Varoma dish. Fill the Thermomix bowl with 500g water and cook for 15 minutes, Speed 2, Varoma temperature.
- Sprinkle over the sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon and mix to combine.
- Place the larger piece of pastry over the pie dish and press down so that it covers the base and sides. Trim any excess.
- Drain any excess liquid from the apple mixture. Add the apple mixture to the pie dish and spread out evenly.
- Place the smaller piece of pastry over the apples, and crimp the edges lightly with your fingertips to seal around the rim of the dish.
- Brush the lightly beaten egg over the top of the pie. Sprinkle over the remaining raw sugar (optional).
- Cut 3-4 slits into the top of the pastry.
- Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until the pie pastry is lightly golden and crispy.
E.L.M Tree
LOVED IT! We had an overstock of apples so I decided to make apple pie for me and my family of two sisters, mum & dad, and a baby brother. Delicious stuff this is! I've bookmarked this page and looking forward to another bite! 🙂
Lucy
Yay! I'm so thrilled to hear that!
Vera
Can I make party without a food processor? I'm not keen on buying the pastry already made and I don't have a food processor.
Lucy
Absolutely!!! You can definitely make your own pastry by hand!
Esther
I followed the TX version of the recipe and other than having to add a bit more water to the pastry it turned out perfectly. We like our apple a little firmer so will reduce steaming time a little, next time. Thanks for the easy-to-follow recipe and instructions. Will be making again!
Lucy
That's fantastic! Thank you so much!
malcolm webster
oven temp would be helpful please.
malcolm webster
yes ive just spotted the temp.....its 190
Lucy
Hi Malcolm, all the info you need (including the oven temp) is in the printable recipe card - you can either scroll to the bottom or click 'jump to recipe' to find it. Good luck with your pie!
Kate
I have made this recipe twice this week! It is so easy and so amazing. The second time I omitted the cinnamon as my husband doesn’t like cinnamon. And it is still amazing! Thank you for sharing!
Lucy
Oh that's fantastic!! Thank you so much!
Leisa
Hi just wondering do you use salted butter or unsalted?
Lucy
Either is fine!