If you’ve been searching for the perfect bite-sized dessert to impress friends or simply satisfy your sweet tooth, you’ll absolutely adore this Mini Crumb Apple Pies Recipe. These little pies pack all the comforting flavors of a classic apple pie, but in a mini, perfectly portioned package. I love these because they’re not only adorable but also incredibly versatile for everything from casual family dinners to festive parties.
What’s great about this Mini Crumb Apple Pies Recipe is how quickly you can whip them up without sacrificing that homemade touch. Whether you’re new to baking or have a well-stocked kitchen, you’ll find these mini treats easy to make and incredibly rewarding. Once I tried this, my family pretty much demands these pies whenever fall rolls around!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Portions: Mini pies mean you can enjoy dessert without overindulging or stressing about cut pieces.
- Simple Ingredients: Just a handful of pantry staples come together to make something truly special.
- Crowd-Pleaser: These are fantastic at parties or holidays because everyone gets their own little pie to savor.
- Hands-On Fun: Great for baking with kids or friends, and a little fiddly rolling really pays off with charming results.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the ingredients work harmoniously to create a tender crust, a tangy-sweet apple filling, and a buttery crumble topping that’s truly irresistible. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you gather your ingredients.
- All butter pie crust: I prefer homemade for that extra flaky goodness, but refrigerated crusts save time without sacrificing flavor.
- Granny Smith apples: Their tartness balances the sweetness perfectly and they hold up beautifully when cooked.
- Sugar: You’ll split this between the filling and the crumb topping for just the right sweetness.
- Cinnamon: A little goes a long way in adding warmth and depth to the apple mixture.
- Flour: Essential in the crumb topping to provide structure and that perfect crumbly texture.
- Butter: Slightly softened butter is important for the crumb topping to blend just right; it should be cool enough to hold together but soft enough to mix easily.
Variations
I always encourage playing around with this recipe to fit what you and your family love. The Mini Crumb Apple Pies Recipe can be tailored in so many delightful ways — it’s one of the reasons I return to it again and again.
- Spiced Up: Once, I added a pinch of nutmeg and allspice while cooking the apples — it gave the pies a lovely warm spice combo that everyone raved about.
- Different Apples: Feel free to mix Granny Smiths with Fuji or Honeycrisps for a nuanced flavor and texture profile.
- Gluten-Free: I’ve successfully swapped the crust and crumble flour for gluten-free blends; just watch the baking time closely.
- Vegan: Use a plant-based buttery spread in place of butter and a vegan pie crust, and you’re all set.
How to Make Mini Crumb Apple Pies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Crust in the Muffin Tin
First things first—preheat your oven to 400°F. I like to spray my mini muffin tins with cooking spray that contains flour; otherwise, butter or shortening works great for greasing. Unroll your pie crusts and cut out 2.5-inch circles using a cookie cutter or even a clean jar lid. Press each circle gently into the bottom of the muffin cavities, making sure they fit snugly without tearing. Don’t worry about re-rolling dough scraps—the recipe makes about 36 rounds. Pop the tins into the fridge to chill while you prepare the filling, which helps the crust hold its shape during baking.
Step 2: Cook Your Apples Perfectly
Peel and dice five medium Granny Smith apples into small pieces. Place about an inch of water in a pot, add the apples, and cook over medium heat once the water boils. Stir occasionally for 3-5 minutes until the apples turn semi-opaque but don’t become mushy—you want to keep some texture. This step ensures your pies won’t be soggy but beautifully tender. While the apples cook, mix ¼ cup sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl; this will add flavor just before topping the filling.
Step 3: Whip Up the Crumb Topping
While the apples finish cooking, combine the crumb topping ingredients: ½ cup sugar, 1 cup flour, and 8 tablespoons of slightly softened butter. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend them until you get coarse crumbs about the size of peas. I discovered that the texture here really makes a difference. You’ll have buttery, crunchy crumbs that crisp up on top of each mini pie during baking — pure comfort in every bite.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake Your Mini Pies
Drain the cooked apples very well to avoid sogginess, then spoon about one tablespoon into each crust-lined muffin cup. Sprinkle approximately ¼ teaspoon of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the apples in each pie. Top with an even tablespoon of the crumb mixture to finish. Place the muffin tins on a baking sheet—this catches any crumb spills and makes moving them in and out of the oven easier. Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the crust edges are golden brown. Allow pies to cool for at least 10 minutes before carefully lifting each one out with a knife.
Pro Tips for Making Mini Crumb Apple Pies Recipe
- Keep Ingredients Cold: I learned that keeping butter and dough cold ensures flaky crust that won’t shrink while baking.
- Don’t Overcook Apples: Semi-opaque and slightly firm apples make the perfect textured filling instead of mushy apple sauce.
- Use a Cookie Sheet: Baking mini pies in muffin tins on a cookie sheet makes handling easier and keeps your oven clean.
- Cool Before Removing: Cooling for 10 minutes helps the crust set, so pies come out neatly without breaking.
How to Serve Mini Crumb Apple Pies Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling a little powdered sugar over these mini pies just before serving for a pretty, bakery-style look. Sometimes I add a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce to take them over the top. A small scoop of vanilla ice cream is always a winner too — it’s like a warm hug on a plate!
Side Dishes
These tiny pies pair beautifully with a hot cup of spiced tea or coffee. For more substantial gatherings, I like offering them alongside a simple cheese plate or fresh fruit salad to balance out the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I’ve served these mini pies in decorative muffin liners and on tiered dessert stands to make them the star of the table. Another fun idea is to arrange them in a circle and garnish with fresh mint leaves for a lovely centerpiece that guests can dig into.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep leftover mini pies covered at room temperature for up to two days. If it’s warmer, I recommend storing them in an airtight container in the fridge to keep the crumb topping from getting soggy. They’re still delicious when enjoyed the next day!
Freezing
Freezing the baked mini pies works well if you want to prepare ahead for a gathering. I wrap each pie individually in plastic wrap and then put them in a freezer bag. When frozen, they keep well for up to 2 months. Just thaw at room temperature before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat my mini crumb apple pies, I preheat the oven to 350°F and heat them for about 8-10 minutes so the crust crisps back up. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make the crumb topping lose its crunch, so I avoid it when possible.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of apple for the mini crumb apple pies recipe?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are great for their tartness and texture, you can experiment with Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn for a sweeter or more complex flavor. Just keep in mind that sweeter apples might require reducing the added sugar slightly.
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Can I make the mini crumb apple pies recipe in a regular muffin tin instead of mini?
Yes! Using a standard muffin tin will yield about 12 larger pies from two crusts. The baking time might need a few additional minutes, so keep an eye on the crust and adjust as needed.
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How do I prevent soggy bottoms in mini crumb apple pies?
Cooking the apples briefly with a bit of water before baking and properly draining them helps reduce excess moisture. Also, chilling the crust-lined muffin tins before filling helps maintain the crust’s structure, preventing sogginess.
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Can I prepare mini crumb apple pies recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the pies and keep them covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a couple extra minutes to the baking time if they’re chilled straight from the fridge.
Final Thoughts
This Mini Crumb Apple Pies Recipe holds a special place in my heart for how effortlessly it brings classic flavors to a fun, personal-sized dessert. I always get a little thrill when I pull those golden pies from the oven and hear the crunch as I bite in. I really hope you’ll give these a try—they’re comforting, eye-catching, and simply delicious. Once you do, I bet they’ll become a staple in your kitchen like they have in mine!
PrintMini Crumb Apple Pies Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 36 mini pies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Mini Crumb Apple Pies are perfectly sized single-serving desserts featuring a buttery pie crust filled with tender, cinnamon-spiced apples and topped with a sweet, crumbly topping. Ideal for parties or a cozy treat, these pies bake quickly and showcase classic American flavors in convenient mini portions.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 2 recipes all-butter pie crust or 2 refrigerated pie crusts (readymade)
Filling
- 5 medium Granny Smith apples
- ¼ cup (50g) sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Crumb Topping
- ½ cup (100g) sugar
- 1 cup (124g) flour
- 8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, slightly softened
Instructions
- Prepare the muffin tins: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Spray three mini muffin tins (36 cavities total) with cooking spray containing flour or grease thoroughly with butter or shortening to prevent sticking.
- Cut and place pie crusts: Unroll the pie crusts and use a 2.5-inch round cookie cutter or substitute (glass or jar lid) to cut rounds. Press one round into the bottom of each muffin cavity to form the crust. Re-roll scraps as needed to get about 36 rounds. Chill crusts until ready to fill.
- Prepare the apples: Peel and dice the Granny Smith apples into small pieces. Pour about 1 inch of water into a pot, add the diced apples, and cook over medium heat once water boils for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook just until apples become semi-opaque but retain some firmness, not mushy.
- Make cinnamon sugar: In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Set aside.
- Prepare crumb topping: In a large bowl, combine ½ cup sugar, 1 cup flour, and softened butter. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend until coarse crumbs about the size of peas form.
- Assemble the pies: Drain apples very well. Place about 1 tablespoon of apple mixture into each crust. Sprinkle approximately ¼ teaspoon of the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the apples in each tin cavity. Top each with about 1 tablespoon of crumb topping evenly.
- Bake: Place muffin tins on a cookie sheet to catch any drips. Bake in the preheated oven for about 12 minutes until the crust edges are golden brown.
- Cool and remove: Let pies cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes. Carefully use a knife around the edges to help lift out each mini pie from the tins.
Notes
- You can also use a regular-sized muffin tin to make about 12 larger pies from two pie crusts.
- Ensure apples are drained thoroughly to prevent soggy crusts.
- For easier removal, use muffin tins with non-stick coating or line with foil liners sprayed with cooking spray.
- Feel free to substitute Granny Smith apples with other tart baking apples like Honeycrisp or Braeburn.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini pie (approx. 35g)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg