A sugar-free apple crumble pie with oat topping

Is there anything better than a freshly baked apple crumble pie, served with a good dollop of whipped cream and a cup of hot cocoa. A delicious pie filled with Bramley apples, sweetened with honey and topped with oats for a healthy and delightful treat.

At our home, we love apple crumbles just as much as apple pies, so this apple crumble pie is the best of both worlds. There is just something about that crumbly crisp topping that makes something so delectable. A crumbly topping that hides the tart but sweet pale golden goodness that are apples. And underneath them hides an ever so lightly sweet crumbly buttery pastry bottom. Together the crumble topping and shortcrust pastry bottom encase the lightly sweetened apple filling and create a little slice of heaven.

This apple crumble pie is only lightly sweetened with a dollop of honey. Making it a perfect treat that won’t give you a sugary punch in the face. After all, apples already have quite a bit of sweetness to them. Making it unnecessary to add too much sugar.

Give your apple crumble pie a personal twist

Give your apple crumble pie a personalised twist by swapping one apple variety for another or adding some cinnamon.

Apple varieties

Your apple crumble pie will differ in taste depending on the apple variety that you choose to use. Since every apple variety has its own unique flavour, some being more tart where others are sweeter. Especially some of the older heirloom varieties can have surprisingly complex flavours. So experiment and find which apple you enjoy the most.

Some common cooking apple varieties are Bramley, granny smith, golden delicious, gala. Although some of these varieties are also commonly eaten fresh. And in truth, you can use any apple you have on hand, after all, I’ve never found an apple that I didn’t like.

Tarter or sweeter

Talking about personal flavour preferences, you might have more of a sweet tooth than me. If so, then you could add a bit more honey to the apple filling. This recipe only adds 2 tablespoons of honey to the apple filling, but you could add more tablespoons if you prefer your pies a bit sweeter.

If you prefer to use sugar instead of honey. Then you can simply switch the honey for the sugar. Although for the shortcrust pastry bottom, you will want to add a splash of water if you find that your pastry is too dry. Since the sugar won’t add any moisture to your pastry, as the honey does.

Maybe you prefer to make your apple pies with a dash of cinnamon or a splash of vanilla extract. If so, then just add half a teaspoon to a full teaspoon of your preferred flavouring to the apple filling.

Crumbly topping

If you like a crunchier crumble topping that also adds an extra depth of flavour, then you might want to add some walnuts. Simply chop up some and add them into the mix after you’ve rubbed in the butter.

You could also add some spices like cinnamon or vanilla extract to your crumble topping if you like. Add any dry powder spices before rubbing in the butter so that they can mix properly with the flour. For liquid flavourings like vanilla extract, just add them together with the butter.

If you want to add more sweetness to your crumble topping, then you might want to use an extra spoonful of honey. Alternatively, you might want to switch the honey for some maple syrup to give your apple pie more of a winter vibe. Or switch out the honey and replace it with a spoonful of sugar.

How to make homemade apple crumble pie

Apple crumble pie that is only lightly sweetened with some honey for a healthy treat. It is super easy to make & topped with a crumbly oat crumble and filled with slightly tart, sweet golden apple goodness.

Makes: 1, 25 cm, 10″ diameter pie
Bake at 200 °C, 390 °F
Prep: 15 min
Bake: 30 min

Ingredients for the shortcrust pastry bottom:

• 100 gr plain flour (3/4 cup)
• 100 gr rolled oats (1 heaped cup)
• 85 gr butter cubed & cold (3/8 cup)
• 20 gr honey roughly 1 tablespoon

Ingredients for the crumble topping:

• 100 gr plain flour (3/4 cup)
• 100 gr rolled oats (1 heaped cup)
• 85 gr butter cubed & cold (3/8 cup)
• 20 gr honey roughly 1 tablespoon

Ingredients for the apple filling:

• 3 Bramley cooking apples see notes
• 50 ml water (1/4 cup)
• 40 gr honey roughly 2 tablespoons
• 15 gr butter (1 tbsp)

Preparation for the shortcrust pastry bottom:

Add the flour to a medium-sized bowl, then add in some cubed butter and rub the butter into the flour until it resembles rough breadcrumbs.

To the bowl add your honey and your one egg, using the back of a spoon mix until it comes together. Then use your hands to form it into a ball.

Leave to cool in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes or until needed.

Ingredients for the crumble topping:

Into a second medium-sized bowl, add in your flour and oats. Then add in your cubed butter and rub into your flour mixture.

Once it resembles rough breadcrumbs, you add in the honey and mix it in till it is thoroughly mixed.

Leave the crumble topping to cool in the fridge for 15 minutes or until needed.

Preparation for the apple filling:

Peel and slice up your apples you can sprinkle some lemon juice on them to stop them from turning brown.

In a small saucepan, add in your honey, water, and butter. Heat up your pan on medium heat until your mixture has warmed up and the butter has melted.

Add in the apple slices and mix them so that they are coated with your buttery sweet mixture.

Baking your apple crumble pie

Use a pastry brush to brush some oil or butter onto your pie dish, and if you want it extra non-stick, you can also sprinkle some flour onto your pie dish.

Roll out your shortcrust pastry until it is slightly larger than your pie dish. Then place it onto your buttered and floured pie dish and press the dough into the sides, as well as cutting off any excess from the pie dish edges.

Add your sliced apples to the pie dish and spread them out so as to make an even layer of them. Then pour what liquid has remained in the pan evenly over the apples.

Sprinkle your crumble topping on top of your apples so that it is evenly covered.

Then bake in a preheated oven at 200 °C or 390 °F for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Share your apple crumble pie with your loved ones

Share your apple crumble pie with your family and friends, fresh from the oven with a good cuppa. I’m sure that they would enjoy this delicious treat you’ve baked them. Whether you serve it plain, with some whipped cream or possibly even with a good dollop of ice cream. Everyone will want some more.

And while you’re enjoying your apple crumble pie with your loved ones, I would love it if you would tag me on Instagram so I can see your lovely creation.

And if you have any questions, just leave a comment down below so that I can answer them.

Looking for more honey-sweetened treats:

• Recipe for delicious healthy oat and honey cookies
• Honey cake with cream cheese frosting
• Delicious sesame candy

Pin it for later:

• 

• 

•