Healthy Apple Pie Recipe | No Refined Sugar

This healthy apple pie recipe has a flaky gluten-free and dairy-free crust with a warm cinnamon apple filling in every bite. Made without refined sugar and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup, it has all the cozy flavor of a classic homemade apple pie.

The Story Behind This Healthy Apple Pie

I originally created this apple pie when I needed a dessert that was both gluten-free and dairy-free but still tasted like the classic apple pie I love. I had already spent years perfecting a gluten-free and dairy-free pie crust for my pumpkin pies, so I used those notes to create the flaky crust for this recipe.

I first tested the pie before Thanksgiving and brought it to a friend’s house for dinner. It was such a hit that it quickly became one of those recipes I knew I’d make again. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving, fall gatherings, or anytime you’re craving a warm homemade apple pie.

And yes, you can easily make this apple pie vegan! Just skip the egg wash or use a plant-based alternative.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No refined sugar: The apple filling is naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup.
• Gluten-free: The homemade flaky pie crust is made with gluten-free flour.
• Dairy-free: Vegan butter gives the crust that rich, buttery texture without dairy.
• Easy to make vegan: Simply use the vegan egg-wash alternative.
• Sweet and tart apples: Granny Smith and Honeycrisp give the filling a great balance of flavor.
• Perfect for fall: It’s a beautiful dessert for Thanksgiving, holidays, or a cozy fall weekend.
• Make-ahead friendly: The pie dough can be prepared the night before, making assembly much easier the next day.

Even if you’re not a huge maple syrup fan, don’t let that scare you away! The apples and warm cinnamon spices are the flavors that really shine, and the maple syrup adds sweetness without giving the pie a strong maple flavor. When I first tested this recipe with friends, between four adults and two toddlers, we barely left a crumb!

More Fall Recipes You’ll Love

1. Maple Cinnamon Apple Crisp: Vegan & Gluten-Free Recipe
2. Crisp Apple & Quinoa Salad with Walnuts, Cranberries and Goat Cheese
3. Pumpkin Spice Olive Oil Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
4. Cranberry Orange Almond Cake with Mascarpone Buttercream
5. Pumpkin Spice Olive Oil Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients for Healthy Apple Pie

You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make the crust and maple-sweetened apple filling.

For the Flaky Pie Crust

• Gluten-free all-purpose flour — I use King Arthur.
• Vegan butter sticks — I use soy-free Earth Balance.
• Sea salt
• Ice-cold water — Add as needed until the dough comes together.

Not gluten-free or dairy-free? Regular all-purpose flour and regular butter also work in this recipe.

For the Healthy Apple Pie Filling

• Granny Smith apples
• Honeycrisp apples
• Ground cinnamon
• Apple pie spice
• Sea salt
• Pure maple syrup – This naturally sweetens the filling without refined sugar.
• Gluten-free all-purpose flour – Helps thicken the apple filling as it bakes.

For the Golden Crust

I brush the top of the pie with an egg wash before baking to give the crust that beautiful golden finish.

To make the pie completely vegan, skip the egg and brush the crust with oat milk and melted vegan butter instead.

The Perfect Cinnamon-Maple Apple Filling

Just look at that apple pie filling! The apples bake until tender and are coated in a warm cinnamon-maple mixture that’s sweet, gooey, and full of cozy fall flavor. I love that you still get plenty of apple texture in every slice.

An Easy Way to Decorate Your Apple Pie

The little cookie-cutout leaves were originally meant to hide some of my less-than-perfect pie crust spots, but I ended up loving them so much that now I think they’re a must! They’re such an easy way to make a homemade pie look extra special.

For fall, I use little leaf cutters, and around Christmas, I switch them out for Christmas trees and stars. Just use your extra pie dough to cut out the shapes and arrange them on top before baking. I get all of my little cutters from my Amazon shop.

Ingredients for Healthy Apple Pie (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and No Refined Sugars)

For the gluten-free, vegan, and no added sugar pie crust:
Only four ingredients!

• gluten-free flour (I used King Arthur)
• vegan butter sticks (I used Soy-Free Earth Balance)
• sea salt
• ice water (add as needed)

Regular flour and regular butter DO work as substitutes in this recipe. 

For the cinnamon apple pie filling and no refined sugars:
For the best results, use all organic apples and pure organic maple syrup.

• Large Green Apples
• Large Honey Crisp Apples
• Cinnamon
• Apple Pie Spice
• Sea Salt
• Pure Maple Syrup
• Gluten-Free Flour

Watch the Healthy Apple Pie Video Below!

How to Make Healthy Apple Pie

Start with the pie crust because the dough needs to chill for about 3 hours before you assemble the pie. I usually make the dough before bed and refrigerate it overnight so I can focus on assembling and baking the pie the next day.

This recipe makes one 9-inch apple pie with a bottom and top crust.

Step 1: Make the Gluten-Free Pie Crust

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the gluten-free flour and sea salt.

Cut the cold vegan butter into cubes and work it into the flour until the mixture becomes crumbly and flaky.

Gradually add one tablespoon of ice-cold water at a time until the dough begins to come together.

Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each into a disk. Wrap the disks and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.

Make-ahead tip: I love making the pie dough the night before. It makes assembling the apple pie the next day so much easier!

What Are the Best Apples for Apple Pie?

My favorite combination is Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples. Granny Smith apples add tartness and hold their shape nicely while baking, while Honeycrisp apples add natural sweetness and great apple flavor.

Using a combination of the two gives the filling that perfect balance of sweet and tart.

Should I Cook the Apples Before Putting Them in the Pie?

No! For this recipe, I add the apples to the pie raw. They cook down beautifully while the crust bakes, so there’s no need for the extra step of precooking them.

I also like keeping the apple pieces a little larger so you still get plenty of tender apple texture in every slice.

How to Make Healthy Apple Pie Filling

Peel and slice or dice the Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples.

Add the apples to a large bowl and toss with the cinnamon, apple pie spice, sea salt, and gluten-free flour until evenly coated.

Pour in the pure maple syrup and stir until all of the apples are coated.

Then add the filling to your prepared pie crust and continue assembling the pie.

Tips for the Best Gluten-Free Apple Pie

Roll the dough between parchment paper. Gluten-free pie dough can be delicate, so rolling it between two sheets of parchment paper makes it much easier to handle.

Don’t worry about cracks. If the crust cracks or crumbles around the edges, simply press it back together with your fingers. Once it’s baked, no one will know!

Protect the crust while baking. Once the top of the pie is golden brown, loosely cover it with foil so the crust doesn’t get too dark while the filling finishes baking.

Let the pie cool before slicing. Give the filling time to set before cutting into the pie so you get those beautiful apple-filled slices.

Healthy Apple Pie FAQs

Can I make this apple pie ahead of time?
Yes! I especially recommend making the pie dough ahead of time. Prepare it the night before, wrap it tightly, and refrigerate it overnight. Then you can assemble and bake the pie the next day.

Can I use regular flour instead of gluten-free flour?
Yes. If you don’t need the pie to be gluten-free, regular all-purpose flour works in this recipe.

Can I use regular butter?
Yes! Regular butter can be substituted for vegan butter if you don’t need the apple pie to be dairy-free.

Can I make this apple pie vegan?
Yes. The crust and filling can be made vegan. Instead of the egg wash, brush the crust with oat milk and melted vegan butter before baking.

Does the apple pie taste like maple syrup?
Not strongly. The maple syrup adds sweetness, but the apples, cinnamon, and warm spices are the flavors that really stand out.

Do I need to cook the apples before making apple pie?
No. I add the apples raw, and they become perfectly tender while the pie bakes.

What are the best apples for healthy apple pie?
My favorite combination is Granny Smith and Honeycrisp. Granny Smith brings tartness while Honeycrisp adds natural sweetness.

Can I use a store-bought pie crust?
Yes! In fact, one of your readers specifically commented that she made the recipe with a premade organic crust and still loved it. If you want a shortcut, you can absolutely use your favorite prepared crust and make the maple apple filling as written.

How to Store Homemade Apple Pie

At room temperature:
If you plan to eat the pie within 1–2 days, cover it and store it in a cool, dry place.

In the refrigerator:
For longer storage, cover the pie tightly or place individual slices in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4–5 days. Warm individual slices in a 300°F oven for 10–15 minutes before serving.

In the freezer:
Let the apple pie cool completely, then wrap it tightly and store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

To reheat: Let frozen pie thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm it in a 350°F oven until heated through.

There’s nothing better than a warm slice of homemade apple pie after a fall or holiday meal! One of my favorite traditions is making coffee, bringing out dessert, and playing board games with the family after dinner. I hope this healthy apple pie becomes a favorite at your table, too. If you make it, leave a rating and let me know how it turned out!