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Rediscover the joy of homemade apple pie with this simple, yet delicious, recipe that can be made entirely in a skillet. Perfect for a cozy fall day!

I’m all for using my cast iron skillets in new and fun ways. While they are best for making epic steaks, using them to bake in creates the most delicious treats, and this skillet apple pie is no different. I don’t call is “Half Assed Apple Pie” in my cookbook Cast Iron Gourmet for nothing! 

Easy Cast Iron Skillet Apple Pie Recipe

The cast iron skillet in this recipe serves two functions, one it cooks down the apples, and it is also the serving dish. And what dessert isn’t better when it’s served in a skillet? Preferably with vanilla ice cream on top! 

The reason I call this “half assed apple pie” is because it doesn’t require a overabundance of work, there is minimal fancy pie crust, opting to use cookie cutters in lieu of fancy ribboning, or slits, and then you bake and serve. I love adding a cinnamon sugar topping to my crust to take it up just a notch. 

What Kind of Apples Are Best for Apple Pie?

For me, I prefer a mix of baking apples. Baking apples don’t break down into mush, and hold their form better than cooking variety apples do. My favorite as a mix of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples to give you the best of sweet and tart. 

Other baking applies includes:

  • Granny Smith
  • Honeycrisp
  • Braeburn
  • Gala
  • Jonagold
  • Fuji

Do I Have To Bake This in a Skillet? 

No, this easy skillet apple pie doesn’t need to be made in a skillet. You can make this in a pie dish, or baking dish if you want. The goal is to make this as easy as possible. Because this doesn’t have a bottom crust, like a tradition double crust apple pie, you can use a metal or porcelain baking dish. 

How To Serve Skillet Apple Pie 

The best way to serve this skillet apple pie is still warm, and with a heavy dollop of old fashioned vanilla ice cream on top. Al a mode is always best with apple pie, don’t you agree? If you’re civilized and don’t eat this straight out of the pan, these serving plates are some of my favorites! 

Or there is always caramel sauce! Just sayin’. 

Ingredients

This recipe has really simple ingredients, but I have ammended it slightly to what is in my cookbook, as there were a couple of typos! Whoops! Sometimes those things slip through, so here it is again! And yes, I like an obscene amount of butter in my apple pie filling. Adjust your needs as necessary. 

  • 6 large Apples, peeled and sliced. You can use chunks if you prefer. 
  • 6-8 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, cubed.
  • 1 cup Sugar – or 1/2 c. Light Brown Sugar, 1/2 c. White.
  • Pinch of Salt
  • 2 tsp Lemon Juice, optional
  • 2 tsp Apple Pie Spice – Use my custom blend here! – Use more or less to your taste. 
  • 1/4 cup All Purpose Flour
  • 1 refrigerated pie crust
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 Tbsp Water
  • 1 Pint Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Additional cinnamon sugar for crust, optional. 

Directions for Easy Skillet Apple Pie Recipe

The directions are simple. The one thing different than most classic apple pie recipes is that the apples are partially cooked before the crust goes on. This allows them to release some of their liquid and evaporate and ends up reducing the overall needed cooking time. 

  1. Preheat your oven to 425 Degrees.
  2. Peel and cut the apples into quarter sized chunks, or use an apple peeler and then cut the slices into chunks. 
  3. In your skillet over medium high heat, melt butter. When the butter starts to simmer When the butter starts t simmer, add in the chunked apples. Sauté your apples, turning them over every two minutes or so, until they are abut half way cooked through. While they are cooking, sprinkle the apples with the sugar, apple pie spice, lemon, salt, and flour. Mix the apples and spices all together, continuing to cook the apples. The mixture should thicken. This process will take about 15 minutes total.
  4. While the apples are doing their business, roll out the pie crust, and crimp the edges, and cut three holes on top. Or use small cookie cutters too cut out decorative shapes to top your apple pie.
  5. Place the pie crust over the top of the half cooked apples. Use a knife to add in vents or slits to the crust. Or, if you are using cut outs, arrange them over the top. Brush the pie crust with a mixture of egg wash. Sprinkle with a tablespoon cinnamon sugar if desired. 
  6. Bake the pie in a preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the top crust is golden brown. Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before serving. 
  7. And naturally, top with ice cream before serving!

Tools to Make Half Assed Apple Pie

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The Easiest And Most Delicious Skillet Apple Pie Recipe

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  • Author: Megan Keno
  • Prep Time: 20 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 Minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 10″ Skillet 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Cast Iron
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 6 large Apples, peeled and sliced. You can use chunks if you prefer.
  • 6–8 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, cubed.
  • 1 cup Sugar – or 1/2 c. Light Brown Sugar, 1/2 c. White.
  • Pinch of Salt
  • 2 tsp Lemon Juice, optional
  • 2 tsp Apple Pie Spice – Use my custom blend here! – Use more or less to your taste.
  • 1/4 cup All Purpose Flour
  • 1 refrigerated pie crust
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 Tbsp Water
  • 1 pint Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Additional cinnamon sugar for crust, optional.

Instructions

    1. Preheat your oven to 425 Degrees.

    1. Peel and cut the apples into quarter sized chunks, or use an apple peeler and then cut the slices into chunks.

    1. In your skillet over medium high heat, melt butter. When the butter starts to simmer When the butter starts t simmer, add in the chunked apples. Sauté your apples, turning them over every two minutes or so, until they are abut half way cooked through. While they are cooking, sprinkle the apples with the sugar, apple pie spice, lemon, salt, and flour. Mix the apples and spices all together, continuing to cook the apples. The mixture should thicken. This process will take about 15 minutes total.

    1. While the apples are doing their business, roll out the pie crust, and crimp the edges, and cut three holes on top. Or use small cookie cutters too cut out decorative shapes to top your apple pie.

    1. Place the pie crust over the top of the half cooked apples. Use a knife to add in vents or slits to the crust. Or, if you are using cut outs, arrange them over the top. Brush the pie crust with a mixture of egg wash. Sprinkle with a tablespoon cinnamon sugar if desired.

    1. Bake the pie in a preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the top crust is golden brown. Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before serving.

    1. And naturally, top with ice cream before serving!

Notes

From my cookbook Cast Iron Gourmet!