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Healthy Apple Pie - A Lighter Take on a Cozy Classic

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Apples: 6–7 medium apples (about 2 1/2 pounds), a mix of tart and sweet like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp
  • Maple syrup or honey: 1/4 cup
  • Coconut sugar or light brown sugar: 2 tablespoons
  • Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
  • Ground cinnamon: 2 teaspoons
  • Ground nutmeg: 1/4 teaspoon
  • Ground ginger: 1/4 teaspoon (optional)
  • Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
  • Cornstarch or arrowroot: 2 tablespoons
  • Pinch of salt
  • Whole-wheat pastry flour: 1 1/2 cups (for crust)
  • All-purpose flour: 1/2 cup (for crust; helps keep it tender)
  • Fine sea salt: 1/2 teaspoon (for crust)
  • Cold unsalted butter: 6 tablespoons, cut into cubes
  • Plain Greek yogurt (2% or 5%): 1/3 cup
  • Extra-virgin olive oil: 2 tablespoons
  • Ice water: 2–4 tablespoons, as needed
  • Egg: 1 (for egg wash; optional)
  • Coarse sugar or coconut sugar: 1 teaspoon, for sprinkling (optional)

Method
 

  1. Make the dough: In a large bowl, whisk the whole-wheat pastry flour, all-purpose flour, and salt. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry cutter or your fingertips until you see pea-sized bits. Stir in the yogurt and olive oil.
  2. Add water carefully: Sprinkle in ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork until the dough just comes together. Press into two disks, wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
  3. Prep the apples: Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. Place in a bowl with lemon juice, maple syrup (or honey), coconut sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Toss well and let sit 10 minutes to draw out juices.
  4. Heat the oven: Preheat to 400°F (200°C). Place a baking sheet on the middle rack to preheat as well; this helps crisp the bottom crust.
  5. Roll the bottom crust: On a lightly floured surface, roll one dough disk into a 12-inch circle. Fit it into a 9-inch pie dish, letting the excess hang over the edges. Chill the lined dish while you roll the top.
  6. Fill the pie: Spoon the apple mixture into the crust and mound it slightly in the center. Pour any juices over the apples. This is flavor—don’t waste it.
  7. Top crust: Roll the second disk into an 11–12 inch circle. Place over the apples. Trim excess, leaving about 1 inch overhang. Fold edges under and crimp. Cut 4–6 small slits in the top for steam, or create a simple lattice if you prefer.
  8. Finish and bake: Brush the top with beaten egg for shine (optional) and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake 30–40 minutes more, until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling through the vents.
  9. Protect the edges: If the edges brown too fast, cover them with a pie shield or strips of foil during the last 20–30 minutes.
  10. Cool completely: Set the pie on a rack and cool at least 3 hours before slicing. This helps the juices set so you get neat slices.