Gluten-Free Apple Pie (grain-free, paleo)

When the holidays roll around or you’re craving a slice of warm, cinnamon-spiced comfort, this Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free Apple Pie is a must-try. It’s grain-free and fits diets that require the elimination of grains. This pie crust is one that you will reach for again and again because it comes together quickly.

This pie is made with wholesome ingredients and features a flaky gluten-free and grain-free crust, a filling packed with slightly tart, cinnamon-spiced apples. 

Whether you’re avoiding dairy and gluten by necessity or choice, this recipe proves you don’t have to miss out on classic desserts.

Not only is it free of common allergens, but it’s also made with better-for-you ingredients that fit a real food lifestyle. Perfect for sharing with loved ones—or savoring a slice solo with a cup of tea. This recipe is simple enough for first-time bakers but impressive enough for any holiday table!

*This post may contain several affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and Walmart Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you read disclosures.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Gluten-Free Crust: Light, flaky, and just the right amount of crispness.
• Naturally Dairy-Free: No butter, milk, or cream—just clean, real ingredients.
• Wholesome Ingredients: Sweetened naturally and made without fillers or additives.
• Customizable: Easily adjust the sweetness or spices to fit your taste!

Key Ingredients for Gluten-Free Apple Pie

• Fresh, crisp apples (like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
• Coconut sugar or maple sugar for natural sweetness
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of clove for that classic apple pie flavor
• Optional pure vanilla extract and fresh lemon juice
• Gluten-free and Grain-free flour blend for the crust
• Dairy-free fat like coconut oil or plant-based shortening

Make the Apple Pie Filling

• 5 Granny Smith or Pink Lady Apples peeled then sliced thinly tossed in cinnamon, nutmeg, pinch of salt, sugar, and optional lemon juice
• Coconut Oil or your favorite Dairy Free shortening
• Filtered Water
• Tapioca flour
• Pure Vanilla Extract

• Add 1 Tablespoon of coconut oil of shortening to a skillet
• Add your mixture of peeled apple slices apples, spices, and sugar to the skillet and cook for a few minutes
• Add 1/2 cup of filtered water and continue cooking until apples are tender
• Add 3 Tablespoons of tapioca to 1 tablespoon of water to make a slurry and then stir into the apples
• Allow to thicken slightly and remove from the heat

Make Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Pie Crust

You will need

• Pie Pan
• Rolling Pin
• Mixing Bowl
• Fork or Pastry Blender
• Parchment Paper
• Sharp Knife
• Cutting Board
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Vegetable peeler

Ingredients for Dairy-Free Pie Crust

• Tapioca
• Almond Flour
• Organic Sugar Coconut Sugar
• Salt
• Coconut Oil or Shortening
• 1 Egg

Steps to make the pie crust. Be sure to double if you are making a top and bottom crust.

• Mix your dry ingredients almond flour, sugar, salt, tapioca together until combined
• Add softened coconut oil or your favorite shortening and press into the flour with a fork or pastry blender
• Add 1 egg after you have a crumbly mixture
• Combine using a spatula or your hands until a dough ball is formed
• Refrigerate for 5-10 minutes

If making a double batch of pie crust roll out both separately.

Helpful steps for using gluten-free dough

Roll out your dough between two pieces of parchment paper

Use the diameter of the pie pan to ensure it’s the correct size. I like to make the diameter slightly larger if using a deep pan.

After the dough is chilled it will be easier to work with.

Remove top layer of parchment and place your hand under the bottom piece of parchment beneath the rolled out dough.

Flip this over to add to the pie pan.

The dough is very forgiving. At this point press your dough into the pie dish and add any extra dough to places that may have a hole.

Don’t worry it’s like working with playdough. It will warm to your hands and be easier to work with.

Place in the fridge to harden if needed.

Add your cooked apple pie filling to your pie dough-filled pan.

Next, use the same process to flip the upper pie crust over the filled pie pan.

The edges may need to be cut if you’re using a pan with handles like I did.

Add an egg wash if you desire.

Cuts slits in the top to vent.

Place the filled and topped pie into the oven preheated to 400 degrees and bake for 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes lower the temperature to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 40-45 minutes.

If the pie is browning too quickly you can add a foil tent.

After baking is complete allow it to cool… if you can!

Style and Stewardship

Grain-Free Apple Pie (paleo gluten-free)

5 from 1 vote

Classic Apple Pie but made gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free, filled with spiced apples.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

For the apple pie filling

• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice *optional
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• pinch sea salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 Tbsp tapioca flour *reserved
• 1/2 cup filtered water *reserved
• 2 Tbsp Pure Maple Syrup *reserved
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil
• pinch of nutmeg optional
• pinch of clove optional

For the Pie Dough – *Double if using a top and bottom crust*

• 1 1/2 cup blanched almond flour
• 3/4 cup tapioca flour
• 1/3 cup softened coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 TBsp sugar
• 1 large egg

Equipment

• 1 Rolling Pin
• 1 Cutting board
• 1 vegetable peeler or pairing knife
• 1 Mixing Bowl
• Measuring Spoons
• 1 pie pan
• Measuring Cups
• parchment paper
• pastry blender or fork

Method

 

1. For the Apple Pie Filling
2. Add 1 Tablespoon of coconut oil of shortening to a skillet
3. Add your mixture of peeled apple slices apples, spices, and sugar to the skillet and cook for a few minutes
4. Add 1/2 cup of filtered water and continue cooking until apples are tender
5. Add 3 Tablespoons of tapioca to 1 tablespoon of water to make a slurry and then stir into the apples
6. Allow to thicken slightly and remove from the heat and allow to cool while you work on the pie dough
7. Make your pie dough
8. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
9. Mix your dry ingredients almond flour, sugar, salt, tapioca together until combined
10. Add softened coconut oil or your favorite shortening and press into the flour with a fork or pastry blender
11. Add 1 egg after you have a crumbly mixture
12. Combine using a spatula or your hands until a dough ball is formed
13. Refrigerate for 5-10 minutes
14. If making a double batch of pie crust roll out both separately on a piece of parchment paper
15. Add your pie dough to the pie pan by flipping over the raw dough using your parchment paper to help. Allow the pie crust to “fall” into the pie pan and press into shape with your fingers if needed.
16. Fill your pie pan with your cooked apple pie filling and spread out the apples evenly
17. Next, add your upper crust the same way using your parchment paper to flip on top of the pie and filling
18. Pinch your edges and remove excess dough it will become easier to work with and less stiff as it warms to the heat of your hands.
19. Add an egg-wash if desired
20. Cut slits in the top of the pie to vent
21. Place pie in your preheated oven and allow to bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.
22. Keep your oven closed reduce to 350 degrees and bake for 40 – 45 minutes
23. If it appears to be getting too dark add a piece of foil to the top to keep from over-browning
24. Last take out your pie and allow to cool.. If you can

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: