Dutch Apple Pie with Oatmeal Crumble Topping: A Cozy Fall Favorite

There’s something truly special about the comforting aroma of a freshly baked apple pie filling your home. This grand Dutch Apple Pie with Oatmeal Crumble Topping is no exception. It’s a quintessential fall dessert, lavishly layered with tender, perfectly spiced apples and crowned with a delightful, crunchy oat brown sugar streusel. A beloved treat that promises warmth and coziness with every single bite, making it an absolute must-try for autumn gatherings or any time you crave a classic, heartwarming dessert.

Imagine a generous slice of this golden-brown pie, still warm from the oven, served with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream. Drizzle a rich caramel sauce over the top, and you’ve elevated an already incredible dessert to an absolutely sky-rocketing level of indulgence. If this inspires your apple-baking creativity, you’ll surely love exploring other autumnal delights like these 6 Apple Fall Baking Recipes, a collection of 25 Yummy Fall Desserts, the luscious Caramel Glazed Apple Crumble Coffee Cake, or the fragrant Apple Butter Spice Cake. Prepare to be thoroughly apple-inspired!

What is Amish Dutch Apple Pie?

Originating in the heart of central Pennsylvania, the Amish Dutch apple pie is a celebrated dessert renowned for its unique combination of a tender, flaky pie crust, a robustly flavored apple filling, and its signature buttery crumble streusel topping. Unlike traditional double-crust apple pies, the Dutch version features an open top generously covered with a crumbly, sweet streusel, offering a delightful textural contrast that truly sets it apart. It’s essentially the perfect fusion of a classic apple pie and an apple crisp, giving you the best of both worlds in one incredible dessert.

This particular Amish recipe aims for the perfect, classic, old-fashioned Dutch Apple Pie experience, highlighted by its irresistible crunchy oatmeal streusel. It masterfully combines a rich, buttery, and flaky pastry base with layers of sweet, juicy apples that strike just the right balance of tartness and sweetness. But what truly makes this apple pie sing and earns it endless praises is that thick, crumbly, and wonderfully crunchy oatmeal streusel on top!

If you’ve never experienced the joy of a homemade Dutch Apple Pie, you’re in for a real treat. We recommend using our easy homemade pie crust to achieve the most tender, flaky, and buttery flavors in your pie dough. While making a pie crust from scratch might seem daunting, it’s surprisingly simple, and the dough can even be prepared 2-3 days in advance, making holiday baking much smoother. Of course, a good quality pre-made crust is always an option for convenience, but for special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas, going all out with homemade components truly makes a difference.

There’s nothing quite like sharing a homemade Dutch apple pie with oatmeal streusel. This authentic Amish recipe is guaranteed to have your family and friends asking for more. Serve it warm with a luxurious scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, allowing the flavors to meld into pure bliss, or simply enjoy it on its own for a moment of sweet indulgence. It’s a dessert that brings people together and creates lasting memories.

What Are the Best Apples for Our Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Pie Recipe?

Choosing the right apples is crucial for a phenomenal apple pie. While there’s a vast array of apple varieties available, for this Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Pie, we highly recommend using Granny Smith apples. Their distinct tartness perfectly complements the sweetness of the filling and streusel, creating a well-balanced flavor profile that truly shines. More importantly, Granny Smiths are known for their firm texture, which helps them hold their shape beautifully during baking without turning mushy. They also release less liquid compared to softer varieties, preventing a soggy pie bottom.

However, if Granny Smiths aren’t readily available, or if you prefer a different flavor nuance, several other apple varieties work wonderfully in this pie. The key is to select apples that are firm and offer a good balance of sweet and tart, ensuring they don’t break down too much during baking. Consider mixing a couple of varieties to achieve a more complex flavor:

• **Fuji:** Sweet and crisp, with a good balance of flavor.
• **Gala:** Mildly sweet, juicy, and less tart, they hold up well.
• **Honeycrisp:** Exceptionally crisp and sweet with a slight tartness; they maintain their texture perfectly.
• **Braeburn:** A fantastic choice for baking, offering a pleasant sweet-tart flavor and firm flesh.
• **Winesap:** Known for their spicy, tangy flavor and firm texture.
• **Jonagold:** A cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious, offering a honey-tart flavor.
• **Golden Delicious:** Sweet and mellow, they soften nicely and add a lovely aroma.

For the best results, aim for a mix of tart and sweet apples if you’re not using solely Granny Smiths. This blend ensures a rich, multi-dimensional flavor that will make your Dutch Apple Pie truly unforgettable.

Ingredients Needed for the Best Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Pie

Crafting this incredible Dutch Apple Pie requires a few key components, each playing a vital role in its delicious outcome. Here’s a detailed look at the ingredients you’ll need:

For the Pie Crust

• Easy Pie Crust Recipe or a 9-inch store-bought pie crust (choose your preference for convenience or homemade goodness).

For the Apple Pie Filling

• Sugar: To sweeten the tart apples and create a luscious filling.
• Cornstarch: Essential for thickening the apple juices, preventing a watery pie.
• Salt: A pinch enhances all the other flavors.
• Granny Smith apples: As discussed, the preferred choice for their tartness and firm texture.
• Lemon juice: Brightens the flavor of the apples and helps prevent browning.

For the Oatmeal Crumb Topping

• All-purpose flour: The base for our crumbly streusel.
• Old-fashioned rolled oats: Adds a wonderful chewiness and rustic texture to the topping.
• Brown sugar: Contributes a deep, molasses-rich sweetness and helps create that desirable golden-brown color.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness in the streusel.
• Cinnamon: A warm spice that perfectly complements the apples and oats.
• Unsalted butter: Cold and cut into cubes, this is crucial for achieving a perfectly crumbly, not cakey, streusel.

Instructions: How to Make Dutch Apple Pie with Oatmeal Streusel

Follow these detailed steps to create your perfect homemade Dutch Apple Pie:

Prepare Your Pie Crust

The foundation of any great pie is its crust. You have the option to make a homemade crust or use a convenient store-bought one.

1. If making homemade pie crust: Begin by preparing your pie dough according to your favorite recipe (or our Easy Pie Crust Recipe) and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. Once chilled, roll the dough into a 12 ½ to 13-inch circle. Carefully line a 9 to 9 ½-inch deep-dish pie pan with the dough, gently shaping the edge into an upstanding ridge. Flute or crimp the edges beautifully, then return the pie shell to the refrigerator while you prepare the filling and streusel. This chilling step helps prevent shrinkage during baking.
2. If using store-bought pie crust: Simply unroll the pie crust into your 9-inch pie pan and crimp the edges. Ensure it’s ready before you proceed.
3. Preheat your oven: When you’re ready to bake, adjust your oven racks so one is in the lower position and another is in the middle. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to catch any potential drips and ensure easy cleanup.

Craft the Perfect Oatmeal Crumb Topping

The streusel is a star in this Dutch Apple Pie, providing a fantastic texture and flavor contrast to the soft apple filling.

1. Combine dry ingredients: In a food processor, combine the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned rolled oats, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Pulse several times until the ingredients are well mixed and evenly distributed.
2. Incorporate butter: Scatter the cold, cubed unsalted butter pieces over the dry mixture in the food processor. Pulse a few more times until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Be careful not to over-process; you want to see distinct oat flakes and varying crumb sizes, not a paste. This ensures a wonderfully crumbly texture.
3. Prepare for chilling: Empty the streusel crumbs into a large bowl. Gently rub them between your fingers to ensure the butter is evenly distributed and the crumbs become slightly more cohesive and buttery. Store the bowl in the refrigerator until you are ready to layer the apples. Chilling the streusel helps it maintain its crumbly texture during baking.

Layering the Dutch Apple Pie Filling

The precise layering of apples and sugar mixture helps create a beautifully structured and flavorful pie.

1. Prepare sugar mixture and apples: In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt for the apple filling. In a large bowl, combine the peeled, cored, and sliced Granny Smith apples with the lemon juice, tossing gently to coat.
2. First layer: Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of the sugar mixture evenly over the bottom of your chilled pie shell. This helps absorb any excess moisture and creates a flavorful base.
3. Apple layering technique: Arrange a single, compact layer of apples in the pie shell, making sure to place them flat side down. This creates a sturdy foundation. Sprinkle this layer with another 1 tablespoon of the sugar mixture.
4. Continue layering: Arrange a second layer of apples on top of the first, interlocking them slightly for stability. Sprinkle with another tablespoon of the sugar mixture. Continue this process, layering apples and sprinkling with the sugar mixture, until all the apples and sugar mixture have been used. Mound the apples slightly in the center, as they will settle during baking.

Baking and Storing Your Dutch Apple Pie with Crumble Topping

Achieving that perfect golden-brown crust and bubbly, tender apple filling requires careful baking.

1. Add streusel and prepare for baking: Place the apple-filled pie onto the prepared baking sheet. Generously cover the entire surface of the pie with the chilled crumb topping. You may not need all of it, but ensure an even and ample layer. Gently tamp the crumbs down lightly with your hand to help them adhere to the apples.
2. Baking process: Bake the pie on the lower oven rack for 30 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200°C). This initial high heat helps crisp the bottom crust. After 30 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C) and carefully move the pie up to the middle rack, rotating it 180 degrees for even baking. Continue to bake for an additional 30-40 minutes, or until you observe thick, bubbly juices emerging around the edges of the pie, and the streusel topping is beautifully golden brown. If the topping starts to get too dark before the apples are tender, lightly cover the pie with aluminum foil.
3. Cooling and storage: Once baked, transfer the pie to a wire rack and allow it to cool for at least 1 ½ to 2 hours before slicing and serving. This cooling time is essential for the filling to set properly. Cover and refrigerate any leftover pie after 24 hours to maintain freshness.

Freezing Dutch Apple Pie with Crumble Topping

Planning ahead? This Dutch Apple Pie freezes beautifully, allowing you to enjoy a homemade treat with minimal effort later on.

• To freeze an uncooked pie: Assemble the entire pie (crust, filling, and streusel topping) in a metal pie pan. Metal pans are ideal for freezing and baking directly from frozen. Once assembled, wrap the pie tightly first in plastic wrap, then in a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Place it in a freezer bag or another airtight container, and label the bag with the date. The pie can be frozen for up to 2 months.
• Baking from frozen: When you’re ready to bake, unwrap the frozen pie (do not thaw) and place it on a baking sheet. Bake it at 400°F (200°C) for 60-70 minutes. The pie is done when the crumble is evenly golden brown and the apple pie filling is visibly bubbly around the edges and in the center. After about 45 minutes, if the edges of the crust or the streusel topping start to get too dark, cover them loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.
• You can also freeze a fully baked pie. Let it cool completely, then wrap it securely and freeze for up to 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through.

Why You’ll Love This Dutch Apple Pie Recipe

Our Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Pie with oatmeal streusel recipe truly is a culinary masterpiece. It offers a decadent combination of tender, tart apples perfectly seasoned with warm cinnamon, all brought together with the nutty, buttery crunch of an oatmeal streusel. This pie is designed to make any apple pie lover’s dream come true! It’s a delectable treat that is sure to impress, whether you’re serving it at a holiday feast or simply enjoying it as an everyday indulgence. While it might seem like a bit of effort, the incredible flavor and satisfaction of a homemade pie make it absolutely worth every minute.

To make the process even easier without sacrificing flavor, remember you always have the option of using a good quality pre-made, store-bought pie crust. This way, you can bypass the fuss of making a crust from scratch but still savor all the authentic, heartwarming flavors of an Amish Dutch Apple Pie. It’s the perfect solution for those who want homemade taste with a shortcut!

Now that you have the ultimate best Dutch apple pie recipe with streusel at your fingertips, it’s time to get into the kitchen and start baking! If you’re eager for more apple-inspired culinary adventures, be sure to check out our collection of 45 Must-Try Best Apple Dessert Recipes. Happy baking!

More Delicious Pies & Desserts to Explore!

If you’ve enjoyed this delightful pie, you’ll love exploring these other fantastic dessert recipes:

• Key Lime Cheesecake Pie
• Creamy Custard Pie
• Easy Dutch Crumble Pie Bars
• Pumpkin Pie Cake
• Lemon Raspberry Crumb Cake
• Apple Crumb Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
• Easy Dreamy Oreo Chocolate Cream Pie
• No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
• Banana Cream Cheese Bread with Peanut Butter Streusel
• 25 Apple-icious Desserts That’ll Tempt You
• Easy No-Bake Banana Cream Pie