Easy Apple Pear Pie

This apple pear pie is sweet, warm, and cozy, filled with a cinnamon-spiced apple filling, topped with pears, and a brown sugar glaze, all in a buttery crisp pre-made vegan pie crust (gluten-free optional!) Perfect for impressing at potlucks, dinner parties, mid-week meals, and Thanksgiving!

Fall Fantastic Apple Pear Pie in a Buttery Pre-made Vegan Crust

As the weather grows chilly and summer turns to fall, there’s nothing quite like filling the kitchen with the smells of baking apples, pears, and cinnamon – the perfect embodiment of fall. Usually, we’re busy baking up a storm of stuffed baked apples, apple cake, and apple pie all season long, but this time we’re getting the delicate flavor of pears in on the action with this harvest-friendly apple pear pie!

Apples and pears are the perfect fruit combination to add that little something special to your vegan pie while remaining simple and comforting. Even better, we made this apple pear dessert with just a handful of inexpensive ingredients, it’s also lighter than your average pie thanks to its open-top, and is perfect for making ahead and freezing!

There are also several ways to adapt this apple pear pie recipe to your liking, both in terms of flavor and dietary requirements. I.e., gluten-free, sugar-free, etc. Keep reading for all our favorite substitutions and optional additions.

Looking for more ways to enjoy pears this Fall? You might enjoy this simple vegan pear crisp or stuffed baked pears.

The Ingredients

The Apple Pear Pie Filling:

• Apples: It’s best to use tart apples for this apple and pear pie. I.e., Granny Smith, Braeburn, Jonathon’s, etc. Alternatively, use a combination of sweet and tart apples for a sweeter filling. I.e., Honey crisp, Gala, Jonagold, etc.
• Sugar: Brown sugar pairs wonderfully with apples for its caramel, molasses flavor. For a refined sugar-free version, use coconut sugar.

If you want to use a sugar alternative, we recommend sugar-free brown sugar for the best flavor. Adjust the amount to taste.

• Cornstarch: To thicken the vegan apple pie filling.
• Lemon Juice: Use fresh (preferred) or bottled lemon juice.
• Cinnamon: Apple and cinnamon (and pear) are a match made in heaven. Adjust the amount to taste.
• Sea salt: Use sea salt or kosher salt. Just a tiny amount enhances the various flavors in the pear and apple pie.

Other Ingredients:

• Pears: Rather than going in the filling, ripe (but firm) pears are thinly sliced and used to create a pretty spiral topping for the pear and apple pie.
• A glaze: Top the vegan pie with a simple glaze made of brown sugar, coconut oil, and lemon juice.
• Vegan pie crust: You can use a pre-prepared vegan pie crust or pie dough (use gluten-free, too, if necessary) as we have OR make your own pie crust.

What could I add To Pear Apple Pie?

There are several inexpensive ways to build on the flavor of this easy apple pear pie recipe.

• Vanilla: A teaspoon of vanilla extract will taste wonderful in the easy apple pie filling.
• Ginger: For added warmth and slight heat, we recommend adding a generous pinch of ground ginger to the filling. Ginger pear pie tastes delicious!
• Other spices: You could add to the cinnamon’s warmth with extra spices like a tiny pinch of nutmeg or cardamom.
• Dried fruit: Raisins or cranberries would work well in the apple pear tart/pie. Apple pear cranberry pie is a favorite of ours.
• Chopped nuts: A sprinkle of lightly toasted walnuts or pecans will add extra flavor and texture to this apple and pear dessert.
• Vegan cheddar cheese: Okay, we know this sounds odd, but cheddar, apples, and pears work surprisingly well together. Add shredded vegan cheddar to the filling (3/4-1 cup) to add salty, savory flavor.
• Vegan caramel sauce: Spoon some into the filling for a decadent caramel pear pie.
• Apple pear crumble pie: If you plan to make a ‘buttery’ crumble topping, like this mixed berry crumb pie, I recommend mixing the pears directly into the apple filling.

How to Make Apple Pear Pie?

• 1) First, preheat the oven to 375F/190C and lightly grease a 9-inch pie pan. Then roll out the crust dough and spread it into the pie dish, spreading evenly and crimping the edges between your thumb and forefinger.

If you’re using dough, you can use any leftovers to make decorations for the top of the pie, like leaves, etc.

• 2) Meanwhile, rinse and prepare the fruits. Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples and pears around ½ cm thick.

For really even results, you could use a mandoline or food processor slicing disk to slice the fruits.

To avoid browning, leave the pear slicing until right before using them. Alternatively, leave them soaking in a bowl of water with a splash of lemon juice. Pat them dry before using them.

• 3) Next, prepare the simple apple pear pie filling by combining the apples with the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Toss well/stir to coat, then transfer it to the pie crust, smoothing down the top.

If there is any liquid pooling at the bottom of the bowl, then stir in an additional tablespoon of cornstarch.

• 4) To prepare the glaze, heat the ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat until melted, stirring often. Then set aside. Meanwhile, top the apple pie filling with the sliced pears in a decorative circular pattern (as pictured).

• 5) Brush the top of the pears liberally with the glaze, then cover the dish with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown, and the fruit is tender and golden.

• 6) Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes on a wire rack, then slice and enjoy!

FAQs

Top Recipe Tips and Notes

• Slice the fruit evenly: To ensure it bakes evenly.
• Sweeten to taste: If you use sweeter apples, adjust the amount of sugar to taste.
• Adjust the filling: We’ve essentially made an apple pie with a pear topping, but feel free to use a 50/50 mix of apple and pear in the filling, if desired.
• Adjust the amount of cornstarch: Make sure there is no liquid pooling in the bowl of filling to avoid a soggy pie.
• Allow it to cool before slicing: The filling thickens as it cools, for cleaner slices.

Serving Recommendations

Like any fruit pie, you can enjoy a slice of it alone or make it even better with the addition of:

• A scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream (or cinnamon/pecan/caramel ice cream)
• A drizzle of warm vegan custard
• Some vegan cream (like soy cream)
• Whipped cream (we love whipped coconut cream with a hint of cinnamon)
• Caramel sauce

How to Store?

Once baked, store the cooled pie leftovers in an airtight container either at room temperature for 2-3 days OR in the fridge for 4-5 days.

To reheat a slice, you can do so in the microwave (40-60 seconds should be enough). For more significant portions, pop the pie back into the oven at 350F/175C until warm (usually 10-15 minutes).

Can You Freeze Apple Pear Pie?

This apple and pear dessert freezes very well. Simply allow it to cool completely, then wrap in plastic wrap, place in a Ziplock/Stasher bag, and freeze for 3-4 months. Allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight (or a slice will thaw at room temperature in about 2-3 hours) before enjoying/reheating.

You may be able to freeze the un-baked assembled pie and bake it from frozen, adding extra baking time. However, we haven’t tried this, so let us know in the comments if you do.

More Vegan Fruit Pie Recipes

• Pumpkin chocolate pie
• Strawberry rhubarb pie
• Coconut pineapple pie
• Banana cream pie
• Creamy vegan chocolate pie (4 ingredients)
• Silken vegan chocolate peppermint pie

Photos by Alfonso Revilla