This crustless Gluten Free Apple Pie is made with an amazing spiced apple filling thanks to the use of fresh fruit, warm spices, and maple syrup! Topped with sliced apples and chopped nuts, it browns to perfection for a gluten-free impossible pie guaranteed to please a crowd.
Remember that oldie but goodie recipe impossible pear pie with apples? Well, this is the same recipe! We just simplified it a bit using one fruit instead of two. However, if you want to add the pears back in or use them to replace the apples instead, that works, too!
This Pie is the Apple of My Eye
Okay, so maybe pie isn’t the most nutritious of ingredients, but hey, we’re all human, right? We all deserve a treat every once in a while, and you can never go wrong with pie! However, that doesn’t mean we can’t spice up traditional recipes with simple swaps for gluten-free and allergy-friendly treats such as Bourbon Chocolate Pumpkin Pie and Easy Crustless Sweet Potato Pie.
I have a confession, though. Sometimes I cheat. Gasp! I know, I know. While I truly enjoy baking, once in a while, I’ll take shortcuts such as my 3-Ingredient Gluten Free Pie Crust. That’s where this gluten free apple pie comes into the picture! It’s the perfect recipe for those times when you need a tasty dessert in a fairly short amount of time. In fact, it might be my favorite shortcut dessert ever. I’ve even served it at family gatherings, and everyone loved it! That’s because this gluten free apple pie recipe has all the light fluffiness of a souffle with the ease of an impossible apple pie. Serve it warm with a dollop of dairy-free ice cream or topped with coconut cream.
What is an Impossible Pie?
The exact origins of the impossible apple pie aren’t super clear. However, these easy desserts originally gained popularity as coconut pies, indicating that they may have originated in the south. It didn’t take long for more flavors to be introduced, though, and pretty soon they were referred to as an “impossibly easy pie.” Today, that motto still stands, and the pies are just as popular. After all, they’re seriously impossible as in impossible to mess up, and who doesn’t want a recipe like that?
Did you know?!: Impossible pies first appeared on the back of a Bisquick box in the 1970s. Originally, Bisquick was marketed as an easy way to make biscuits. However, its uses quickly expanded to encompass a wide variety of baked goods such as pizza, pancakes, cookies, and of course, pies!
Simple Gluten-Free Apple Pie Ingredients & Alternatives
Although this recipe doesn’t contain a pre-made crust, it does contain crust-like ingredients to help maintain the structure without the need to spend time rolling out dough. Take a look below to find the basics of what you’ll need in addition to a few pantry staples!
Non-Dairy Milk – Both almond and coconut milk can be used, but keep in mind that almond milk will cook faster.
Eggs – Eggs are a great source of complete proteins but also help combine the rest of the ingredients and hold them together.
Butter – For a dairy-free apple pie, replace the butter with a dairy-free option or coconut oil.
Coconut Flour – Slightly different from traditional flour, coconut flour is a great gluten-free substitute and has a slightly sweeter taste than traditional flour.
Arrowroot Flour – If you don’t have arrowroot flour on hand, tapioca flour can be used in its place.
Coconut Sugar – I prefer coconut sugar for a more natural sweetener, but cane sugar, brown sugar, or sugar substitutes can be used as well.
Unsweetened Coconut Flakes – A not-so-common ingredient, including coconut flakes, is an easy way to ramp up the taste and texture of this pie!
Apple – It wouldn’t be an apple pie without apples! Slice and dice your favorite variety for a fruit-filled pie. Or, feel free to add pears instead.
Optional Toppings
- Apple slices
- Nuts such as glazed pecans or walnuts
- Unsweetened coconut flakes
How to Make the Best-Ever Impossible Apple Pie
- Combine and Blend. Combine the milk, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla, and butter, and blend them until they are smooth and all lumps have been removed.
- Sift. Then, mix the coconut flour and arrowroot starch by sifting them in a separate bowl, and add the remaining dry ingredients.
- Combine. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, and fold the apples into the mixture. Be careful not to overmix!
- Create your Pie. Pour the batter into a prepared pie pan, add your sliced apples and nuts on top, and bake it for 45-50 minutes. Then, add foil, and bake for 15-20 minutes to finish!
Baking Tip: The edges of your pie will be crispy when done!
How to Core Apples with Ease
The secret to creating perfect apple slices to place on top of your pie is to remove the apple’s core! To start, peel the skin off using a vegetable peeler. Then, use a corer, pressing it through to the bottom, and pull out the apple’s core. Or, slice the peeled apple lengthwise into quarters, and carve out the core from the center using a pairing knife. Watch how it’s done here!
How Long Does Dairy Free Apple Pie Last?
Once baked, this recipe can be kept in the fridge for 2-3 days if covered or kept in an airtight container.
To freeze: wrap your pie with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, and place it in a freezer bag or airtight container, and store it in the freezer for 3-4 months.
What Kind of Apples Should I Use?
The key to choosing the best apples for a gluten free apple pie recipe is to find varieties that aren’t too tart and can maintain their texture during the baking process. There are quite a few options that can be used, and you can even mix and match your favorites. However, a few of the best apple varieties include Honey Crisp, Granny Smith, Gala, and Pink Lady!
Nutrition Tip: Did you know that the nutritional properties of apples change just slightly based on which kind you use? For instance, dark red varieties such as Red Delicious have more polyphenols than lighter red or green apples. Don’t worry, though! No matter which you choose, they’re all super good for you!
Gluten Free Apple Pie (Crustless Pie)
- Total Time: 70 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Gluten Free Apple Pie is full of warm flavors and made with simple ingredients in under an hour for an easy dairy free dessert! A pie that forms its own crust while baking, saving you time in the kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond or coconut milk
- 4 large eggs
- 3 Tablespoons of melted butter or refined coconut oil
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup (sweetener)
- Optional – 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 Tablespoons sifted coconut flour
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) arrowroot flour (or tapioca flour)
- 2/3 cup coconut or raw sugar* (see notes for substitutes)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 + teaspoons ground cinnamon
- pinch of ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut flakes
- 1 cup peeled/sliced apple (extra slices for topping ) (Pear may be substituted or mixed in with apple if desired.)
Toppings:
- Extra apple slices
- Glazed pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8-inch or 9-inch pie pan or cake tin with parchment paper.
- Combine milk, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla, and butter in a blender (See notes). Blend the ingredients until they are smooth.
- In another small bowl, whisk together the sifted coconut flour and arrowroot starch (or tapioca flour). Then, add the sugar, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and baking powder. Mix until the ingredients are well-combined.
- Add the blended batter into the bowl with the dry batter. Stir the two together until they are smooth.
- Fold in the diced apple/pear. Fold in about 1/2 cup coconut flakes.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pie or cake pan. Add the sliced apple and pecans on top.
- Bake the pie for 45- 50 minutes. Remove it from the oven, and lightly cover the top with foil.
- Place the pie back into the oven for an additional 15 -20 minutes, or until the center comes out clean with a toothpick. The edges will be crispy brown once done.
- Check the middle of the pie to make sure it’s no longer liquid. (Bake times may vary depending on your oven.)
- Remove the pie from the oven. Let it cool for 10 minutes so the center can set.
Notes
- Coconut sugar can be replaced with brown sugar or a sugar substitute
- If you don’t have a blender, you can beat all the liquid ingredients together using a stand mixer or hand held mixer. Make sure the batter is smooth.
- If you don’t have glazed nuts, simply toss the nuts in a 1 Tablespoon of maple syrup or raw sugar before adding to the top of the pie.
- Storing – If you are not serving the pie right away, cover and place it in the refrigerator to chill/set the texture. It will still have a custard-like texture in the middle.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 364.8 mg
- Fat: 10.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1.6 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 104.4 mg
Keywords: pie, paleo desserts, pear apple pie, gluten free, dairy free, apple pie
That’s it, y’all! This recipe has been a longtime favorite of mine. No matter how you choose to make it, using apples, pears, or both, it’s always delicious! If you make and enjoy it, I would love it if you let me know in the comments below.
Cheers,
LC
