Apple pie baking: the foolproof and delicious recipe
Mastering apple pie baking : time, oven, choice of golden apples, tips for a crispy pastry, healthy variations... The smart guide to enhancing this great classic of homemade baking 🍏
✅ Apple Pie Baking — The Essentials
Preheat the oven to 180°C fan-assisted . Place the sliced apples on the pastry, sprinkle with a little sugar and bake for 35 to 40 minutes , until the pastry is crisp and the apples are lightly golden. Let cool before cutting!
| Paste type / thickness | Cooking | Trick |
|---|---|---|
| Finely broken (3 mm) | 180°C · 32–35 min | Preheat well, watch the edge for coloring. |
| Homemade puff pastry | 185°C · 38–42 min | Pierce with a fork, cook on a hot plate. |
| Thick shortbread | 175°C · 40–45 min | Cook for longer, protect the edge if necessary. |
| With compote | 180°C · 35 min | Add 5 min if thick filling. |
| Air fryer 170°C | 14–16 min | Mini size, watch the coloring! |
Tip: For a golden brown finish, brush the edge with milk or egg yolk before cooking. Let cool for 15 minutes before serving so that the flavors can fully reveal themselves.
Why homemade apple pie? 🍏
Apple tart is a staple of French pastry, a star of afternoon teas, family desserts, and simple pleasures. Mastering the art of baking apple tarts guarantees crispy pastry, melting apples, and an irresistible aroma throughout the house. It's the ultimate "childhood throwback" recipe, easy to customize and perfect even without professional experience!
What makes the difference: the choice of apples (golden, reine des reinettes, gala), a quality dough, baking adapted to your oven. Add a touch of daring (homemade compote, spices, dried fruits, etc.) to twist this classic.
Please note : the Golden apple is ideal for gentle cooking and perfect melting. More information on the official Limousin apple website .
Ingredients & switch portions
Base for 6 people (28 cm mold, dessert or snack) — adjust according to your sweet tooth:
Golden apples (or Reine des reinettes)
homemade shortcrust pastry or all butter
cane sugar
sweet butter
almond powder (optional)
ground cinnamon
lemon juice
apricot jam (optional)
Smart substitutions : various apples ( varieties here ), puff pastry, whole sugar, hazelnuts, pears, mixed spices. Express version: ready-to-roll pastry, apples already cut ( blender )!
Smart Closet Mode
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Calories & Nutrition
Preparation: perfect cooking step by step
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Prepare the apples : peel, core, and cut the apples into thin slices. Add a little lemon juice.
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Preheat the oven to 180°C fan-assisted (or 190°C static). Position the rack at the bottom third of the way up.
-
Line the mold : roll out the dough, cover the bottom. Sprinkle with almond powder if desired.
- Arrange the apples : arrange the slices in a rosette on the dough, sprinkle with sugar and a pinch of cinnamon.
-
Cooking : Bake for 35 to 40 minutes (golden pastry, melting apples). Optional: Brush the edge with milk.
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Finishing : Remove from the oven and lightly coat with apricot jam for shine. Let cool.
- Enjoy : Cut into slices, serve warm or at room temperature. Serve with a scoop of ice cream ( homemade ice cream machine )!
Variations for all tastes 🔥
Express : puff pastry, gala apples, 20 min air fryer ( best air fryer 2025 ). Normande : adds egg and almond cream. Vegan : butter-free dough, homemade compote. Rustic : semi-wholemeal flour, muscovado sugar. Gourmet : hazelnuts, salted butter caramel, pears. For inspiration: apple-pear crumble or all the Neary recipes .
Conservation & batch cooking
3 days covered in the fridge. Freezing : OK (pre-cut, baking paper between the slices). Batch cooking : pre-cook the dough and the apples, assemble at the last moment. Anti-waste : compote, sweet toast, dessert verrines (mix with a blender ).
Service ideas and pairings
- Classic : served warm, scoop of vanilla ice cream or thick cream ( ice cream machine ).
- As a light dessert after a barbecue ( barbecue ideas ).
- “Apple pear” version with seasonal fruits.
- Brunch : in small portions, alongside a smoothie ( see our blenders ).
- In crumble-style verrines ( apple-pear crumble recipe ).
- With a touch of homemade whipped cream or Greek yogurt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I pre-cook the dough?
Not necessarily: if the filling is not very moist (thin apples, little compote), there is no need. Otherwise, pre-cook for 8 minutes without covering.
Which variety of apples should I choose?
Golden, Reine des reinettes, Gala, Elstar… Choose a sweet and melting apple ( Golden top for cooking!).
How to prevent the dough from getting soggy?
Almond powder or breadcrumbs under the apples, cook on a very hot plate, apples not too juicy.
Air fryer for apple pie?
Yes, for mini tarts ( our comparison ), cook for 14–16 min at 170°C, watch the coloring!
Can we prepare in advance?
Yes, you can pre-bake the dough, cut the apples the day before, assemble and bake just before serving.
Foolproof cooking tips
- Thin apples = even and tender cooking.
- Low rack, hot oven for crispy pastry.
- A veil of almond powder or crumbled biscuit under the apples absorbs moisture.
- Sugar mixed with cinnamon for a sublime fragrance.
- Apricot jam finish for professional shine.
Smart budget & sources
Golden Apples : ~2 €/kg in bulk ( purchase here ) or 0.50 €/portion. Homemade dough = more economical and healthier. More information on the sector: pomme-limousin.org • Blender/smoothie accessories, ice cream machine .
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