How to Make an Easy Apple Crumb Galette (Even If You’re Afraid of Pie Crust!)
This easy Apple Crumb Galette has all the flavors of homemade apple pie without the hassle of making a traditional crust. With a buttery, flaky pastry, tender cinnamon-spiced apples, and a crunchy crumb topping, it’s the perfect no-stress dessert for any occasion.
Do you love the idea of homemade pie but find the thought of making one a little intimidating?
Maybe the words “pie crust” send you into a mild panic, conjuring up visions of torn dough, messy counters, and hours spent trying to get everything just right.
If that sounds like you, then this Apple Crumb Galette might just become your new go-to recipe when you’re craving an apple pie!
This rustic, freeform tart has all the warm, comforting flavors of apple pie, but with none of the stress. No crimping, no worrying about shrinking crusts, and no need to wrestle with a rolling pin for hours. If you can roll out some refrigerated pie dough and fold up the edges, you can make this galette.
What is a Galette?
A galette is a rustic, freeform pie that is made by simply rolling out dough, placing a filling in the center, and folding up the edges. It’s a relaxed, unfussy way to enjoy a homemade pie without all the rules and structure of a traditional double-crust or lattice-top pie.
Unlike a standard pie, galettes don’t require a pie dish or any special equipment. You just need a baking sheet and some parchment paper.
The best part? Imperfection is part of its charm! If the crust folds over unevenly or the filling spills out a little, that only makes it look more inviting and cozier.
Why This Apple Crumb Galette is the Ultimate No-Stress Dessert
Here’s why Apple Crumb Galette is the perfect choice for anyone who’s ever been nervous about baking pies:
- This recipe calls for refrigerated pie crust dough, so there’s no need to make your own from scratch.
- You don’t have to worry about shaping a perfect circle or transferring delicate dough into a pie dish. Just press two dough circles together, roll them out, and place them on a baking sheet.
- The apple filling comes together in minutes.
- The crumb topping takes this galette to the next level, and it’s as simple as mixing a few ingredients with a fork.
- No soggy pie bottoms, no worrying about overbaking or underbaking. Just pop it in the oven, and in about 50 minutes, you have a golden, bubbly, apple-packed masterpiece.
What You’ll Need to Make Apple Crumb Galette
For the galette
- Refrigerated pie crust dough, 2 dough circles, at room temperature
- 4 large Granny Smith apples
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the crumb topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup (½ a stick) butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional (but highly recommended!):
- Caramel sauce
- Ice cream
- Whipped cream
How to Make Apple Crumb Galette
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Next, take your two refrigerated pie crusts and press them together to form a ball. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out into a 12-inch circle. (Don’t stress about making it perfect—rustic is the goal here!)
Place the rolled-out dough onto your prepared baking sheet.
Now, peel, core, and slice your Granny Smith apples into ¼-inch thick slices.
In a large bowl, toss them with granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons of flour, and cinnamon.
Next, pour the apple mixture into the center of the rolled-out dough, spreading it out evenly while leaving a 2-inch border around the edges.
Gently lift and fold the edges of the dough over the apples, working your way around the circle. You don’t need to crimp or make it look perfect—the folds should overlap naturally, creating a rustic, beautiful shape.
In a small bowl, use a fork to mix ½ cup of flour, ¼ cup of brown sugar, softened butter, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon until the mixture becomes crumbly. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apples.
Place your galette in the oven and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown. ( Bonus: your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly at this point!)
Once the galette is done baking, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for at least 10 minutes.
Optional: Drizzle your warm galette with caramel sauce and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Galette Every Time
- Granny Smith apples are the best choice for this recipe because they hold their shape and provide the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
- Be sure to leave that 2-inch border when spreading out the apple filling. This ensures the edges fold up easily and hold everything in place.
- If the dough cracks, just pinch it back together with your fingers. A few imperfections will only make the galette look more rustic and charming.
If you’ve ever been intimidated by pie-making, this Apple Crumb Galette is the perfect way to ease into baking. It’s simple, forgiving, and delivers all the cozy flavors of a classic apple pie, without any of the stress.
Whether you’re making it for a weekend treat, a holiday gathering, or just because you have apples on hand, this galette will quickly become your go-to dessert.
Easy Apple Crumb Galette
Ingredients
For the galette
- Refrigerated pie crust dough 2 dough circles, at room temperature
- 4 large Granny Smith apples
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the crumb topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup ½ a stick butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional (but highly recommended!):
- Caramel sauce
- Ice cream
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
- Next, take your two refrigerated pie crusts and press them together to form a ball. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out into a 12-inch circle. (Don’t stress about making it perfect—rustic is the goal here!)
- Place the rolled-out dough onto your prepared baking sheet.
- Now, peel, core, and slice your Granny Smith apples into ¼-inch thick slices.
- In a large bowl, toss them with granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons of flour, and cinnamon.
- Next, pour the apple mixture into the center of the rolled-out dough, spreading it out evenly while leaving a 2-inch border around the edges.
- Gently lift and fold the edges of the dough over the apples, working your way around the circle. You don’t need to crimp or make it look perfect—the folds should overlap naturally, creating a rustic, beautiful shape.
- In a small bowl, use a fork to mix ½ cup of flour, ¼ cup of brown sugar, softened butter, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon until the mixture becomes crumbly. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apples.
- Place your galette in the oven and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown. ( Bonus: your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly at this point!)
- Once the galette is done baking, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for at least 10 minutes.
- Optional: Drizzle your warm galette with caramel sauce and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Notes
Tips and Tricks for the Best Galette Every Time
- Granny Smith apples are the best choice for this recipe because they hold their shape and provide the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
- Be sure to leave that 2-inch border when spreading out the apple filling. This ensures the edges fold up easily and hold everything in place.
- If the dough cracks, just pinch it back together with your fingers. A few imperfections will only make the galette look more rustic and charming.
