I have got a real treat for you today – a healthy apple pie with oats recipe that’s absolutely delicious. If you love apple pie with an oatmeal crust, or you’re just into anything with apples, cinnamon, and oats, you are going to love this.
This recipe is a perfect blend of that classic apple pie flavor we all adore but with a healthier twist thanks to the oats. It is both nutritious and delicious, and honestly, it’s a total game-changer.
Simple Ingredients for an Unforgettable Healthy Apple Pie
What I love about this recipe is how healthy it is, and you can see it from the get-go in the ingredient list. It’s filled with fruits, whole grains, some protein, and fiber, not to mention it’s very easy to customize it to make it entirely vegan or to suit your preferences.
1. Apples
As long as you have apples at hand, there’s no need to be picky about the variety—your favorite one works perfectly fine!
However, if you want my advice, I’d recommend Honey Crisps. They are sturdy and can retain their shape throughout the cooking process, giving your pie a satisfying bite without turning mushy. Golden Delicious apples are another good option, or Granny Smiths if you prefer more tart in your apple pie.
2. Oats
I’m always in awe at how versatile oats are. In this recipe, they’re a substitute for regular all-purpose flour, as ground oats will be the baseline ingredient for our pie crust.
Ideally, you should go for rolled oats, but instant works just as well. You can skip the blending step and use storebought oat flour if you’d like but I usually get the gluten-free sprouted rolled oats like the one below for all my oat recipes. They just make the recipes extra hearty and nutritious, and being gluten-free means everyone can dig in without worry.
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3. Eggs
Most traditional pie dough recipes don’t call for eggs, but this is not your average apple pie. Since we are not using butter or flour, eggs will be the glue binding our crust dough together. Don’t worry—you only need one egg per pie!
4. Raisins
I’ll be honest: raisins are not mandatory, so if they’re not your cup of tea, feel free to remove them. However, I love to include them—they are a healthy way to add some sugar-free sweetness and a little surprise in each bite.
5. Honey
Honey is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, making it a healthy sweetener and a reliable alternative to sugar. I always prefer raw or organic honey whenever possible, but regular honey works just as fine.
6. Cinnamon
Apples and cinnamon are the ultimate flavor combination for a treat that tastes like home. I prefer to keep this recipe simple and only add a dash of cinnamon to spice things up but feel free to incorporate ginger, nutmeg, or allspice to transform this healthy apple pie recipe into a warm dessert.
How to Make a Homemade Apple Pie With Oatmeal Crust, Step by Step
Quick and easy, this recipe can be the perfect treat to improvise whenever you crave something deliciously sweet. It requires minimal prep time, it doesn’t need complex cooking techniques and can be ready within 45 minutes.
Curious? Don’t worry—take a look at the step-by-step breakdown of the recipe, or check the accompanying video for a visual guide!
1. Make the Oat Flour
Pour the rolled oats into your blender, bowl, or food processor of choice and grind them until they transform into a very fine powder, similar to flour. Once done, set aside for now.
Top Tip: Do your best to blend consistently until no big chunks are left, as we need the texture to be as powdery as possible.
2. Prepare the Apple Puree
Grab one medium-sized apple and cut it into small cubes. Once done, add the cubes to your blender of choice alongside ten water tablespoons and blend until the mixture reaches a smooth, puree-like consistency.
Add the water slowly to ensure the mixture does not turn too watery. This puree will be the base for our pie crust, so it needs to be somewhat thick. Head over to the video to look at the perfect consistency!
Top Tip: To add extra flavor and elevate the dough to the next level, set the water to a gentle simmer alongside a cinnamon stick. Once the cinnamon releases its aroma, remove it and use the flavored water to blend the apple puree.
3. Mix the Pie Dough
Grab the apple puree you just made and, with a spatula, pour it on top of the oat flour you previously ground. Add one medium-sized egg and combine all ingredients thoroughly until you get a thick and somewhat sticky dough.
Top Tip: If you want to make this recipe vegan-friendly, skip the egg. However, this will yield a dough that will be considerably harder to manage, so consider replacing it with a tablespoon of applesauce to give it some stickiness and help it hold its shape.
4. Set the Dough into the Pan
Grab a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom and generously coat the surface with cooking spray or oil to prevent the dough from sticking when baked.
Once done, use your spatula to pour the oat dough and distribute it evenly throughout the pan. Then, press down gently to ensure the mixture compacts neatly around the surface, creating very defined edges and a solid consistency. Set aside for now.
Top Tip: Although the weight of the apple filling should be enough to keep the crust from puffing, it’s still best practice to poke a few holes at the bottom of the crust with a fork to prevent an uneven bottom and ensure your apple pie comes out perfectly.
5. Chop and Cook More Apples
Take four medium-sized apples and cut them into small cubes. Then, pour them into a pan set to low heat. As they cook, add approximately three tablespoons of water to ensure they soften without toasting or burning.
Be sure to stir and move the apples as they cook and turn tender to the touch—soft but not mushy and should still hold their shape. Once it reaches the desired consistency, remove it from the heat.
Top Tip: Rather than plain water, you can use the cinnamon water trick from earlier to infuse the apples with some extra flavor. Another option to consider is apple juice, as it will enhance the apple flavor of the filling.
6. Finish the Filling and Assemble the Pie
While still hot, pour the cooked apples into a clean mixing bowl, then incorporate the raisins, honey, and ground cinnamon. Gently combine them with the spatula until every fruit piece is coated with honey and cinnamon.
Now, add the apple mixture to the oat base you set aside earlier, spreading it evenly until the top is completely smooth.
Top Tip: At this time, you can customize the apple pie filling according to your tastes. For example, you can incorporate dates for extra sweetness, add toasted walnuts for a bit of a crunch, mix cinnamon with allspice, or replace the honey with maple syrup.
8. Bake, Set, and Enjoy!
After arranging the filling, bake the pie in a preheated oven set to 356°F (180°C) for approximately half an hour or until the edges of the crust turn golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling.
Once you take the pie out of the oven, take a second to bask in the delicious smell of your homemade treat, and let it cool on the counter for approximately five minutes to help it set. Then, feel free to cut out a slice and enjoy the nutritious yet mouthwatering taste of oats and cinnamon.
In Summary
This Healthy Apple Pie with Oatmeal Crust is a delightful twist on traditional desserts. Made with wholesome ingredients like rolled oats, fresh apples, and natural sweeteners, this recipe offers a healthier alternative without sacrificing taste.
The oatmeal crust provides a unique, gluten-free base, while the inclusion of honey and cinnamon adds natural sweetness and warmth. Perfect for those looking for a nutritious treat or a heartwarming dessert, this apple pie is sure to satisfy.
Do you have any questions about this apple pie recipe, or do you have tips and variations to share? Feel free to leave a comment below, and let’s discuss this wholesome and delicious apple pie!
Got an oven at home? Awesome! You should try The Best Easy Oatmeal Bread Recipe – It Is Deliciously Nutritious!