This vegan caramel apple crumble pie is the epitome of fall comfort desserts. A buttery spelt and coconut oil crust is topped with heaps of spiced Granny Smith apples and mounds of oat-packed crumble. This simple apple pie can be dressed up for the holidays or dressed down for a relaxed Sunday dinner with family.
If this pie could talk, it would tell you about the frustration and struggle behind its existence.
Several trials in, I nearly gave up on this recipe. I'd come up with a pie that was good but not great, and it's important to me to only share recipes with you that I love enough to make time and time again. Many attempts in, and I still hadn't gotten to that place with this pie.
So I hung up the ol' kitchen towel on it for a few weeks, thinking I'd probably never return to it again.
But then, I did. I made it again and again and again until I got it just right (and then once more for good luck).
My mom thought I was crazy as I'd sent her home from her Wednesday visits with apple pie multiple weeks in a row. Being a supportive mom, she'd thoroughly enjoyed all of them.
Mom: "I thought the one you made last week was delicious."
Me: "I know, mom, and I appreciate your kind words, but try this week's attempt and you'll understand why I kept at it."
And she did.
Mom: "Oh yes, this one is the winner. I get it now."
Moral of the story: If at first your apple pie is mediocre, try, try, try again until you get it juuust right.
📖 Recipe
Vegan Caramel Apple Crumble Pie
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ½ cups white spelt flour
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil, melted
- ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
Filling
- 2 pounds Granny Smith (about 5 medium, peeled, cored, and sliced)
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon spelt flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch sea salt
Oat Crumble
- ¾ cup white spelt flour
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Caramel Sauce
- 1 recipe 5-minute vegan caramel
Instructions
For the Crust
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with a circle of parchment paper and lightly grease the sides.
- In a medium mixing bowl, use a fork to stir together the spelt flour and sea salt. Then, stir/mash in the melted coconut oil and maple syrup until thoroughly combined.
- Transfer the dough to the lined pan and use your fingers to press it evenly into the base. Use a fork to poke holes in the surface to allow the crust to vent.
- Bake for 12 to 16 minutes, or until very light golden in color. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Leave the oven on.
For the Filling
- Add the apples, maple syrup, spelt flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt to a large mixing bowl and toss to coat.
- Spoon the apple filling over the slightly cooled crust, drizzling any residual liquid over top.
For the Oat Crumble
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the spelt flour, rolled oats, coconut oil, maple syrup, and sea salt until combined.
- Glob (I know, very proper term) the "crumble" over the apple layer.
- Place the springform pan on a large baking tray (this will catch any drippings from the pan). Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, or until the crumble topping is light golden brown and feels crisp to the touch, and the apple filling is bubbling.
- Let cool slightly.
- Slice and serve with generous drizzles of the caramel.
Celeste Jackson says
You did hit the jackpot on this recipe! It had all the qualities you want in an apple crumble. Just the right amounts of cinnamon & nutmeg ( 2 of my favorites) 😉👍🏻 , the right amount of crunch and of course the perfect apple 🍏 tartness. Beautiful job! I appreciate your multiple attempts. Well worth it! Love, Mom
Ashley says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Heidi Jaime says
We made this for a early Christmas party, and it was FANTASTIC! SO much yummier even than my mom's apple pie recipe.... SHHHHhhhhhhh. :)
Ashley says
What wonderful feedback, Heidi! And don't worry—your secret's safe with me. :)
Alex says
Hallo Ashely, after having made and loving your raw Apple pie version numerous times, my hubby wanted a baked one. Of course, I went with your recipe. He had three !!! helpings. He said I am to blame as I made such a delicious pie haha. But, I know I could not do it without your help, so thanks Ashley.
Ashley says
Oh, Alex! This feedback makes me smile. Thanks for taking the time to share it. Happy to hear you and your husband are both enjoying the recipe!