If you love apple pie but want to try something different, this Apple Pie with Graham Cracker Crust offers an impressive twist on the classic. It still features a delectable cinnamon apple filling, but instead of traditional dough, it's paired with a graham cracker and cream cheese crust. It’s super easy to make and is just as delicious!
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I top this graham cracker apple pie with a simple oat and brown sugar crumble, which adds just the right amount of texture and sweetness to balance the recipe.
If you like apple dessert recipes, you will love My Grandma’s Apple Crumble, Apple Dumplings with Crescent Rolls and Apple Dumplings with Caramel.
Why You’ll Love This Graham Cracker Apple Pie Recipe
- Easy to make: Preparing this apple pie recipe is so easy, even if you’re not an avid baker.
- No need to prebake the crust: This graham cracker crust does not need to be baked before adding the filling, which saves you time.
- Perfect to make ahead: Make the crust and the filling ahead of time and store both in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
Below are the ingredients for all 3 components of this graham cracker crust apple pie. This recipe is made entirely from scratch, and the ingredients used are easy to find and affordable.
Graham cracker crust
- Flour: I add flour to the crust to help bind the ingredients together. It also prevents the crust from becoming too wet as it bakes.
- Graham crackers: The crackers add texture and sweetness to the crust which I really enjoy. I use original graham crackers but cinnamon would work, too.
- Salt: I add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness from the graham crackers and tang from the cream cheese.
- Butter: I recommend unsalted butter for this. If you only have salted, omit the extra salt. Ensure the butter is softened but not melted, so it incorporates properly with the other ingredients.
- Cream cheese: This must be softened as well so there aren’t any lumps in the crust.
Apple pie filling
- Apples: I use a combination of tart and sweet apples. Granny Smith is firm with a tart flavor and Gala is softer and sweeter. Together they create a balanced bite. However, I sometimes use only Granny Smith if it’s what I have on hand.
- Sugar: I add white sugar to cook down in the filling for sweetness. Don’t worry, it won’t give the pie a grainy texture.
- Cinnamon: I chose to only use cinnamon so the pie would have a prominent fresh apple flavor.
- Butter: This helps the apples cook down and become tender.
- Heavy cream: This is my secret to a rich, creamy, and thick apple pie filling. It’s so good!
Topping
- Flour: This helps to bind and add structure to the crumble.
- Oats: I love the texture of rolled oats in the topping. It adds a nice contrast to the soft, syrupy filling.
- Brown sugar: The crumbly texture of brown sugar helps the oat topping stay crunchy, unlike white sugar, which can make it less crisp.
- Butter: I use melted butter for this but you can also cut cold butter into the other ingredients to make the topping.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Spiced apple pie: Add more warm spices to the apple filling like nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
- Maple brown sugar apple pie: Use a combination of maple syrup and brown sugar instead of white sugar for a more robust flavor profile.
- Berry apple pie: Add fresh berries, such as blueberries and blackberries, for extra pops of sweetness.
How to Make Apple Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
Here are the instructions on how to make each component of this graham cracker apple pie and how to bring it all together. Preheat your oven to 350°F before you make the pie filling and grease a 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray.
Step 1: Make the crust. Add the flour, graham crackers, and salt to a food processor and blend the mixture until it becomes fine crumbs. Then, add the butter and cream cheese. Blend it again until a soft dough forms.
Step 2: Form in the pan. Work the dough into a ball shape and then place it into the greased pie pan. Press it evenly in the bottom and up the sides. Then, place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least an hour.
Step 3: Prepare and cook the apples. Toss chopped apples with sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Then, heat a large saucepan over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the apples and cook them for 8-10 minutes or until softened.
Step 4: Add the heavy cream. Pour in the heavy cream and stir it to combine. Allow the mixture to cook for an additional 3 minutes to thicken the cream.
Step 5: Combine topping ingredients. Add all of the crumble topping ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
Step 6: Make the topping. Mix the topping ingredients together with a fork until everything is well incorporated and crumbs form.
Step 7: Transfer the filling. Use a slotted spoon to scoop the filling into the pie crust.
Step 8: Add topping and bake. Sprinkle the oat crumble evenly over the top of the pie. Then, cover the edges of the pie with aluminum foil. Place it in the oven and bake it for 30 minutes or until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbly. Allow the pie to cool for a few minutes before slicing and enjoying!
⭐Hint: Place the pie pan on a lined baking sheet to make it easier to move it in and out of the oven.
If you love apple pie recipes like this one, you may also enjoy Smoked Apple Pie.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store any leftovers tightly covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Place the pie tightly covered in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: You can reheat a slice of pie in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or until it is warm.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the crust and the apple filling and store them separately in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before you bake the pie. This is great if you are having guests over.
Serving Suggestions
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream over a slice of apple pie is a classic combination. Try Pumpkin Ice Cream or Rhubarb Ice Cream for a twist.
- Drizzle homemade Blueberry Syrup or Cranberry Syrup for extra sweetness and fruit flavor.
- Sprinkle Air Fryer Candied Walnuts on top for a nice crunch!
Recipe Tips
- Skip the crumble topping: If you prefer, you can bake the pie without the oat crumble. I love the texture so I always add it, but you don’t have to!
- Don’t skip cooking the filling: Do not mix the filling ingredients and pour them directly into the pie. Cooking the apples and thickening the filling first will give you the best results.
- Chill the crust: You must chill the crust for at least an hour before baking it, so it holds up and doesn’t fall apart.
Recipe FAQs
No. For food safety, be sure to place any leftovers in your refrigerator. The pie must not stay at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.
This crust recipe adds graham crackers with cream cheese to make a unique dough. However, you can use a store-bought crust to save some time.
Of course! You have to slightly adjust the baking time, but this filling is delicious in any crust. Top it with the oat crumble or a second pie crust — it’s up to you!
Video
More Delicious Pies with Graham Cracker Crust
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Graham Cracker Crust Apple Pie
Equipment
- Blender or food processor
Ingredients
Crust Ingredients
- 1 cups all purpose flour
- 6 full graham crackers broken into pieces
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoon butter softened
- 3 oz cream cheese
Filling Ingredients
- 6 large apples I used 3 Granny Smith and 3 Gala
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon butter softened
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
Topping Ingredients
- ¾ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup quick oats
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- ½ cup butter melted or 8 tablespoons
Instructions
- Place flour, graham crackers, and salt in a blender or food processor. Process until ingredients become fine. Add butter and cream cheese. Blend until dough forms. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Remove dough from blender and work together to form a ball. Place ball in a greased 9-inch pie pan. Press dough evenly to cover the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Smooth the edges. Place crust in the refrigerator for 1 hour prior to adding the filling.
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Peel, core, and cut apples into small chunks. Place apples, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl and toss until apples are evenly coated.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. When butter is melted, add apple mixture and continue to cook until apples are softened.
- Pour heavy whipping cream into apples. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring often, for about 3 minutes or until thickened.
- Using a slotted spoon transfer apples to your prepared crust. Pour thickened sauce over top and smooth it with a spatula.
- Prepare topping by placing flour, quick oats, brown sugar, sugar, and melted butter in a medium mixing bowl. Using a fork, combine all ingredients until crumbs are formed.
- Sprinkle topping evenly over top of apple filling. Cover outside of crust with a crust protector or aluminum foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown. Cool on rack 30 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- Skip the crumble topping: If you prefer, you can bake the pie without the oat crumble. I love the texture so I always add it, but you don’t have to!
- Don’t skip cooking the filling: Do not mix the filling ingredients and pour them directly into the pie. Cooking the apples and thickening the filling first will give you the best results.
- Chill the crust: You must chill the crust for at least an hour before baking it, so it holds up and doesn’t fall apart.
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