Best Vegan Apple Pie (Eggless & Dairy-Free)

This is the best vegan apple pie you’ll ever try! It has a gooey, cinnamon-speckled apple pie filling and a light buttery crust that can be laid on flat or braided into a lattice. Every bite is warm, cozy, and packed with classic apple pie flavor without any dairy or eggs. It’s simple enough for a weeknight bake but still special enough to serve for holidays or gatherings.

If apple recipes take your fancy, make sure to check out these super smooth and creamy banana apple smoothie recipe, homemade apple puree, and apple pie overnight oats recipes!

Why This Vegan Apple Pie Recipe Is So Awesome

Why should you give our simple but scrumptious recipe a try? Here’s why! 

• Classic Flavor, Vegan Style. You still get that cozy apple pie taste with cinnamon-spiced apples and a flaky crust, just without any dairy or eggs.
• Simple Ingredient Swaps. It’s easy to make vegan by swapping butter for plant-based butter and skipping the egg wash or using plant milk instead.
• Great for Any Occasion. This pie works just as well for a casual dessert as it does for holidays, potlucks, or family dinners.
• Flexible Crust Options. You can use a store-bought vegan crust or make your own, depending on how hands-on you want to be.
• Easy to Customize. Add extras like nutmeg, caramel drizzle, or a crumble topping to switch up the flavor and texture.

What Is The Best Apple to Use for Apple Pie?

The best rule of thumb is to use a variety of apples. Here are a few common favorites:

• Braeburn – Balance of tart and sweet goodness.
• Granny Smith – Tart contrast to the sweeter apples and is available all year round.
• Honeycrisp – Perfect combination of sweet with just a hint of tart.
• Macintosh – Slightly sour with a nice soft texture.
• Pink Lady – Super crisp with a delicate balance of sweet and tart. 
• Jonagold – Sweet, bold flavor, and firm.
• Cortland – Super juicy and crisp texture.

Key Vegan Apple Pie Ingredients and Substitutions

You can easily swap the apples, sugars, spices, or crust to fit what you have on hand.

• Apples – Give the filling its sweet, soft, and juicy texture. Firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady hold up best during baking. Mixing sweet and tart apples gives the best flavor.
• Lemon Juice and Zest -Helps balance the sweetness, while the zest adds extra fresh flavor. Fresh lemon works best, but bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch.
• Granulated Cane Sugar & Brown Sugar – Adds a deeper caramel-like flavor and keeps the filling sweet without making it too heavy. You can adjust the amount depending on how sweet your apples are.
• Cinnamon & Nutmeg – Gives the pie its classic warm flavor, while nutmeg adds extra depth and coziness. A little nutmeg goes a long way, so don’t overdo it. You can also add a pinch of allspice or cloves for more spice flavor.
• Vegan Butter – Adds richness and helps create a flaky, buttery-tasting crust. Use stick-style vegan butter for the best texture. You can also use vegetable shortening, but the flavor will be a little different.
• Vegan Pie Crust Dough – Holds everything together and adds that classic crisp and flaky bite. Homemade vegan pie crust or store-bought plant-based crusts both work well.
• Dairy-Free Milk – Helps the top crust brown nicely and gives it a slight shine. Unsweetened oat, soy, or almond milk are great options. Avoid strongly flavored or sweetened varieties if possible.
• Cane Sugar & Cinnamon (Topping) – Adds a little crunch, sweetness, and extra cinnamon flavor to the crust. You can swap cane sugar with coconut sugar or brown sugar if needed.

How to Make Plant-Based Apple Pie

So easy! Simply cook the filling, assemble the pie, then bake until golden brown and bubbly.

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Apples – Preheat your oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, mix the sliced apples with lemon juice, sugars, cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly coated.

Step 2: Cook the Apple Filling – Melt the vegan butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then add the apple mixture and cook for 5 minutes. Stir together the cornstarch and water, add it to the pan, and cook for another 2 minutes until thickened. Let the filling cool completely.

Then, Step 3: Prepare the Bottom Crust – Lightly grease your pie dish and press the bottom crust into the pan, making sure it fits evenly along the bottom and sides.

Step 4: Fill and Top the Pie – Add the cooled apple filling and spread it out evenly. Cover with the top crust or lattice, seal and crimp the edges, and cut a few small vents in the top if using a full crust.

Step 5: Add the Topping – Brush the top crust lightly with plant milk or water. Mix the cinnamon and sugar together, then sprinkle it over the crust.

Finally, Step 6: Bake and Cool – Bake the pie on the bottom oven rack for 30 minutes, then rotate and bake another 10–15 minutes until golden brown. Cover the edges with foil if they brown too quickly. Let the pie cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

How Can I Prevent A Soggy Bottom?

To prevent a soggy unbaked bottom crust:

• Blind Bake the Bottom Crust – Pre-bake the crust at 375°F for 14–15 minutes with pie weights, rice, or beans to help it set before adding filling.
• Use a Thickener in the Filling – Add cornstarch, flour, or tapioca to absorb extra moisture and keep the filling from making the crust soggy.
• Reduce Excess Juice – Cook down fruit juices before adding them to the pie to lower moisture and concentrate flavor.
• Bake at High Heat First – Start baking at a higher temperature to set the crust quickly, then lower it to finish baking through.
• Bake on a Lower Rack – Place the pie on the lowest rack so the bottom gets more direct heat and cooks through properly.
• Let It Cool and Vent Properly – Make sure the top has vents so steam can escape, and cool the pie on a wire rack so trapped steam doesn’t soften the crust.

Pro Tips for Serving Up Your Dairy-Free Apple Pie

Here are a few fun suggestions for cooking and serving up your satisfying slice of fruit pie:

• Avoid Pie Crust Edges From Burning – Bake your pie on the middle or lower rack so it’s not too close to the heat. If the edges start browning too fast, cover them with foil halfway through baking or use a pie crust shield.
• I’ll Have Mine With Cheese, Please! – Have you ever heard of pairing chunks of cold cheddar cheese with warm apple pie? If you’ve never tried it, this is the time! One of our favorite vegan cheddar cheeses is Violife Epic Mature Cheddar.
• Make Super Easy DIY Vegan Apple Pie Ice Cream – Just soften some vanilla ice cream, mix in chopped apple pie pieces, and pop it back in the freezer until firm. Let it set for about an hour (or longer for the best texture), and you’ve got a fun, homemade treat.
• Use Extra Dough for Fun Pie Decorations – Don’t toss leftover dough—use it to make mini hand pies or cut out simple shapes like leaves, hearts, or apples to decorate the top. To stick them on, brush a little water on the back and gently press them onto the crust before baking.

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