Smoked Apple Pie

Smoked Apple Pie is such a flavorful dessert. Who knew that you could make a juicy and delicious pie right in the smoker? The sweetness of the apples paired with the smoky flavor creates an unforgettable combination that will have you wanting one more slice.

Making a pie is guaranteed to have a ton of flavor, but once you smoke a pie, it's a whole new level. The best part is adding the ingredients and then letting the smoker take over and do most of the work.

The pie crust gets nice and flaky, and the crumb topping adds the perfect texture. Don't forget about the sweet apples that practically melt in your mouth. This apple crumb pie is the perfect ending to any grill-out, BBQ, or fun family gathering.

No one will believe your homemade apple pie was actually made in the pellet grill or smoker! Make a Smoked Pumpkin Pie and a Smoked Pecan Pie to go with it for a fantastic Thanksgiving feast!

Ingredients

• Unbaked pie crust - You can buy this premade at the store or make your own homemade pie crust to use.
• Gala apples - Gala apples bake up nicely and have a balanced sweetness. You can also use Fuji apples, Pink Lady apples, or Granny Smith apples for a tarter flavor. Just make sure they are peeled and sliced.
• Brown sugar - This is used to help sweeten up the apple pie filling.
• White sugar - Adds more sweetness to the filling.
• Flour - All-purpose flour is my flour of choice. It also helps thicken the apple filling.
• Lemon juice - Helps keep the apples from turning brown and adds a good balance of citrus flavor.
• Cinnamon - The cinnamon paired with the sugars is delicious.
• Oats - Quick oats are perfect for creating a crumb topping.
• Butter - If possible, use unsalted butter for this pie recipe.
• Heavy cream - Combined with the other topping ingredients in the food processor to make the crumble.

See quantities in the recipe card.

How to Make a Smoked Apple Pie

Prepping and making this smoked apple pie recipe is easy to do. This is great to make any time of year, but I especially love it during Thanksgiving, Christmas, or for a fun BBQ dessert during the summer months. It's also best when fresh apples are in season.

Step One: Preheat the smoker to 250°F. Prepare a bottom crust in a deep-dish pie plate or pie pan that you don't mind using in the smoker. I prefer to use a glass pan so I can check the color of the bottom crust. A cast-iron skillet can work as well.

Step Two: Combine the apples and the next 5 ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Let rest for 5 minutes.

Step Three: Pour the apple mixture into the pie crust.

Step Four: Combine the topping ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is crumbly. Spoon over the apples and spread evenly.

Step Five: Place the pie into the smoker. Smoke the apple pie for about 2½ hours, until the apples are tender and the filling is bubbling. For maximum wood-fired flavor, you can turn on the Super Smoke feature if you have a Traeger pellet smoker with that setting.

Step Six: Preheat the oven to 450°F. Bake the pie for 5 minutes on the bottom rack to brown the bottom crust and the topping. Let cool slightly before slicing.

Variations

• Change the fruit - You can easily make this with fresh peaches or pears as well.
• Spices - Add nutmeg, ginger, prepared apple pie spice, cardamom, cloves, or any other sweet spice you like. Vanilla extract is a nice addition to the filling. One of my favorite apple pie varieties included cherries and vanilla beans.
• Topping - I always serve smoked apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some fresh whipped cream. Caramel sauce also goes very well with apple pie.
• Add a top pie crust - If you don't want to make the crumble, you don't have to. You can cook it with a top crust instead. Just make small slits in the top of the pie crust to let the steam escape before you add it to the smoker. You can add an egg wash if you like. Sometimes we cut out shapes like a star or leaf with a tiny cookie cutter for a decorative crust.

Be sure to check out my Smoked Cheesecake for another fun and flavorful smoked dessert. And this Smoked Bread Pudding is pure comfort food.

Equipment

You'll need a smoker or pellet grill, a deep-dish pie plate, a large mixing bowl, and a food processor. I like using a glass pie plate so I can check whether the bottom crust is browning. You can also use a cast-iron skillet.

If you don't have a food processor, a pastry cutter works just fine for making the crumb topping.

Storage

Keep leftover smoked apple pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can cover the entire pie plate with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer individual slices to an airtight container.

You can also freeze leftover slices for up to 3 months. Just wrap them well and thaw overnight in the fridge.

I prefer reheating apple pie in the oven at 325°F to help crisp up the crust and crumb topping, but the microwave works if you're in a hurry.

Common Questions

What are other good topping ideas for this simple pie recipe?

You can add whipped cream, drizzle with caramel sauce, or even sprinkle on more cinnamon and sugar. Maple syrup would be yummy to drizzle over a warm slice as well.

Can I use frozen apples for this recipe?

Fresh apples are best. Frozen fruit tends to release extra liquid as it thaws and cooks, which can make the filling watery and the pie crust soggy.

piece of smoked apple pie on plate

How do I store leftover pie?

If you have leftovers, cover the pie or transfer it to an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can even just cover the pie with aluminum foil or plastic wrap while storing it.

Do I need to peel the apples for this pie recipe?

Yes, for the best texture, plan on peeling the apples. You also want to use crisp apples so they hold together while cooking. You don't want mushy apples! If you prefer not to peel the apples, try this Cast Iron Irish Apple Cake instead. It is cooked in a skillet with skin-on apples.

Can I freeze apple pie?

This simple pie recipe is best served fresh. That keeps the crumble and pie crust delicious and helps the apples maintain their texture as well.

You can freeze leftover slices in an airtight container, but the topping and crust may soften after thawing.

Recipe

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Originally Published August 17, 2022. Revised and Republished October 9, 2026.