Name: Crumb Topped Apple Slab Pie Recipe
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 38 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (14.1 oz) box refrigerated pie crusts (or homemade pie crust dough); 1/3 cup (70g) granulated sugar; 1/3 cup (75g) packed light brown sugar; 1 cup (97g) quick oats; 1/2 cup (70g) all-purpose flour; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, chilled and diced into small cubes; 1/3 cup (70g) granulated sugar; 1/3 cup (75g) packed light brown sugar; 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/4 tsp salt; 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice; 4 lbs peeled, cored, and thinly sliced crisp apples (blend of Granny Smith, Braeburn, and Golden Delicious recommended); 1 cup (115g) powdered sugar; 2 Tbsp half and half, or more as needed

There’s something truly comforting about a warm, home-baked pie, and this Crumb Topped Apple Slab Pie Recipe is no exception. It’s a delightful mix of tender, cinnamon-kissed apples topped with a crunchy, buttery crumb that makes every bite irresistible. Plus, it’s perfect for feeding a crowd and sharing good memories.

The image shows a single slice of apple pie on a white plate with a gold rim, placed on a white marbled surface. The pie has a golden-brown crust edge on the right side and a crumbly, light brown topping with visible oat flakes and sugar crystals. Beneath the crumb topping, you can see soft, thick slices of cooked apple filling, colored pale yellow with hints of light brown cinnamon sauce. On top of the pie slice, there is a smooth, round scoop of creamy white ice cream slightly melting and dripping over the crumb topping and apple layer. A gold fork rests nearby, and a deep red cloth is partially visible in the background photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crumb Topped Apple Slab Pie Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crumb Topped Apple Slab Pie Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crumb Topped Apple Slab Pie Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love this Crumb Topped Apple Slab Pie Recipe because it’s easy to make but looks impressive—kind of that magic combo we all want in the kitchen. It uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand and turns into a cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect year-round.

Perfect Size for Sharing: This slab pie fits on a jelly roll pan so it’s great for potlucks, family dinners, or any gathering where you want to serve many without fuss.
Crunchy Crumb Topping: The crumb topping made with oats and cold butter adds a fantastic texture contrast you just don’t get with a regular pie crust.
Flavor Balance: Using a variety of apples brings a sweet-and-tart harmony that makes the filling pop with seasonal freshness.
Easy to Customize: This recipe welcomes swaps like gluten-free crusts or different spice blends, letting you make it truly your own.

A rectangular pie with a golden-brown crust forms the bottom layer, topped by a thick layer of cooked apple slices with soft yellow and light tan colors. Above the apple layer, there is a crumbly topping made of golden oat clusters and streusel, sprinkled evenly across the surface. Drizzled on top is a thin white glaze in irregular lines. The pie sits in a well-used metal pan on a white marbled surface, with a vintage silver pie server lifting out one piece from the corner. A dark red cloth is tucked under the pan on the left side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

All the ingredients here play a key role in creating that classic apple pie experience—but in a slab form with a crumbly twist. Knowing why each one matters helps you understand how they come together to make magic.

Flat lay of peeled, cored, and thinly sliced Granny Smith, Braeburn, and Golden Delicious apples arranged in an even fan; two whole uncracked brown eggs; a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar; a small white ceramic bowl of packed light brown sugar; a small white ceramic bowl of quick oats; a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour; a small white ceramic bowl of ground cinnamon; a small white ceramic bowl of ground nutmeg; a small white ceramic bowl of salt; a small white ceramic bowl with fresh lemon juice; chilled unsalted butter cut into small cubes on a simple white ceramic plate; powdered sugar in a small white ceramic bowl; half and half in a small white ceramic bowl placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Refrigerated pie crusts: Using store-bought pie crust is a huge time-saver, plus it rolls out nicely into the large rectangle you need for the slab pie.
Granulated sugar and light brown sugar: Both contribute sweetness, with brown sugar bringing a hint of molasses flavor that deepens the topping and filling.
Quick oats: Adds texture and a rustic feel to the crumb topping, making it crispy and chewy all at once.
All-purpose flour: It’s essential both in the topping and filling to add structure and help thicken the apple juices.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors significantly, don’t skip it!
Unsalted butter: Chilled and cut into small cubes, butter is what makes the crumb topping melt in your mouth with rich, buttery goodness.
Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: Classic warming spices that complement apple’s natural flavor and fill your kitchen with that nostalgic aroma.
Fresh lemon juice: Keeps the apples bright and prevents them from browning, plus adds just the right zing.
Firm baking apples: A mix of sweet and tart apples like Granny Smith, Braeburn, and Golden Delicious ensures the filling has great texture and flavor.
Powdered sugar and half and half (optional): For that simple glaze that adds an elegant finish without being too sweet.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This Crumb Topped Apple Slab Pie Recipe is fabulous as is, but one of my favorite things is how flexible it is. I often switch up the apple varieties or add a splash of bourbon to the filling for a grown-up twist. You can make it gluten-free or vegan, too—just swap out the crust and butter accordingly.

Variation: Sometimes, I sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans over the crumb topping for an extra crunch, which my family loves especially during the holidays.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crumb Topped Apple Slab Pie Recipe

Step 1: Roll and Chill That Crust

First things first—preheat your oven to 425°F. I like to unroll the refrigerated pie crusts on a lightly floured surface, stacking and then rolling them out into one big rectangle (about 17 by 12 inches). Folding the dough carefully to fit into a 15 by 10-inch jelly roll pan is the trick here. Don’t rush—take your time to gently press the crust into the pan and fold under edges for a neat finish. Then pop it into the fridge to chill while you prepare everything else. Chilling the crust prevents it from shrinking during baking, which is key for an even pie.

Step 2: Make the Yummiest Crumb Topping

Mix your sugars, oats, flour, and salt in a bowl. Now comes the fun part—cutting in the cold butter until the mixture looks crumbly but still has some small butter bits. I love using my fingers for this because I can feel the texture better, but a pastry cutter works well too. Store your crumb topping in the fridge so it stays cold and ready for a crispy finish on the pie.

Step 3: Prep the Apple Filling

In one bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a large bowl, toss your sliced apples with fresh lemon juice to keep them bright, then coat them evenly with the sugar-spice mixture. This step ensures every slice is perfectly flavored.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Take your crust out of the fridge and spread those delicious apple slices evenly over it, pressing gently so the pie layer is uniform. Sprinkle your crumb topping over the apples and pop the whole pan in the oven. Bake for about 33 to 38 minutes, tenting with foil in the last 10 minutes if the topping starts to brown too quickly. You’ll know it’s done when the apples are tender and a toothpick slides in easily.

Step 5: Optional Glaze or Ice Cream Time

Whisk together powdered sugar and half and half until smooth but still drizzly, then drizzle over the warm pie using a small cut corner of a plastic bag. I usually serve mine warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, which melts over the crumb topping beautifully. Heaven.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks that really make this Crumb Topped Apple Slab Pie Recipe sing. You’ll want to remember these to avoid the common pitfalls and bake a pie everyone raves about.

Chilling Is Key: Always chill your crust and crumb topping before baking. It helps the butter firm up again and creates those perfect crunchy bits in the topping.
Slice Apples Thinly and Uniformly: Using a mandoline or sharp knife, slice apples thin but not so thin they turn to mush. Consistency ensures even baking.
Watch the Bake Time: The last thing you want is a soggy bottom or overly browned topping. If the crumb starts getting too dark, tent it with foil to keep things perfect.
Let It Cool But Serve Warm: Let the pie cool enough so it sets but is still warm—that’s the sweet spot for slicing and serving.

How to Serve Crumb Topped Apple Slab Pie Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a simple girl when it comes to serving this pie—usually just a drizzle of that easy glaze or a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sometimes, I’ll sprinkle a few toasted chopped nuts on top of the glaze for some extra flair. Fresh mint or a light dusting of cinnamon sugar are great if you want to fancy it up a bit for guests.

Side Dishes

This pie pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or spiced cider. For a full dessert spread, I like serving it alongside a simple whipped cream or even a sharp cheddar cheese plate for those who like that sweet-savory combo.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve tried slicing this slab pie into cute little bars for a dessert buffet, which made serving easy and mess-free. For holiday gatherings, I’ve also used mini cookie cutters to create themed shapes out of leftover crumb topping to sprinkle on slices for a festive touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cover leftovers with plastic wrap or foil and keep them in the fridge. They’re best eaten within 3 days—just warm slices gently in the oven or microwave to revive that fresh-baked feel.

Freezing

This slab pie freezes wonderfully. After baking, let it cool completely, then cut it into portions and wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. When I’m ready, I thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven to keep the crumb topping crisp.

Reheating

For the best texture, I reheat slices at 325°F for about 10-15 minutes on a baking sheet. Microwave works too if you’re in a hurry, but it tends to soften that crispy topping.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade pie crust instead of refrigerated crust?

Absolutely! Homemade crust works beautifully here, just roll it out to the same size and chill it well before baking. It might make the pie a bit flakier, which is a wonderful bonus.

What apples are best for this crumb topped apple slab pie recipe?

A mix of sweet and tart apples is ideal. I recommend Granny Smith for tartness, Braeburn for balanced sweetness, and Golden Delicious for softness and caramel notes. Slicing the crisp apples thinner helps them cook evenly.

Can I make this pie gluten-free?

Yes! Use a gluten-free pie crust and substitute gluten-free oats and flour in the topping. The texture might be a bit different, but it still turns out delicious and crumbly.

How do I prevent the crumb topping from burning?

Keep an eye on the pie during the last 10 minutes of baking. If the topping starts to brown too much, tent the pie loosely with aluminum foil to protect it from direct heat.

Final Thoughts

This Crumb Topped Apple Slab Pie Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s that perfect, fuss-free dessert that brings people together around the table. It’s simple yet comforting and always gets requests for seconds. Give it a try—you’ll be surprised how everyone keeps going back for one more square of that sweet, crumbly goodness. Trust me, you’re going to want to keep this recipe in your baking rotation.