Apple Crumble Crostata

This Rustic Apple Crumble Crostata combines two of my family's favorite apple desserts; an apple pie and an apple crumble. It's both casual and rustic but still has a lot of pizzazz.

I originally shared this recipe in 2015. I've recently updated this post with additional information, including a recipe card complete with nutritional information, but the recipe itself (and the photos) have remained unchanged.

Become a member of the Misfits Market family and save up to 40% off organic produce and sustainably sourced groceries, delivered straight to your door.

Jump to:

• The ingredient list:
• Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
• How this recipe came to be:
• Why this recipe works:
• How many rustic apple crumble crostatas will this recipe make?
• Can this rustic crostata be frozen after baking?
• Can other types of apples be used to make these apple crostatas?
• Best varieties of apples for baking:
• More on the best apples for baking from Bon Appétit.
• How long will the apple crostatas keep in the refrigerator?
• Serving suggestions for rustic apple crostatas:
• Topping suggestions for an apple crumble galette:
• Some step-by-step instructions:
• What is the difference between a crostata and a galette?
• Additional apple recipes:
• Printable Recipe Card

The ingredient list:

**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned

• 2 - 9" round pie crust (homemade or store-bought)

To make the filling:

• pink lady apples
• granulated sugar
• cinnamon
• brown sugar
• lemon juice
• nutmeg
• pure vanilla extract
• salt

To make the crumble:

• quick-cooking oats
• granulated sugar
• brown sugar
• butter
• ground cinnamon
• all-purpose flour
• pure vanilla extract
• salt

To make the icing:

• confectioners sugar
• milk
• pure almond extract

Kitchen tools and equipment needed:

• large mixing bowls
• apple peeler
• chef's knife
• paring knife
• cutting board
• rolling pin
• measuring cups and spoons
• nutmeg grater (optional)
• pastry blender (optional)
• piping bag, parchment triangle, or sandwich-sized zip-top bag
• baking sheets
• baking spray
• extra large spatula (cake lifter)
• cake boards (for storing and freezing)
• serving tray
• cake plate
• pie server

How this recipe came to be:

My parents were coming for dinner, so I wanted to make something simple for dessert with ingredients I already had on hand in my pantry and fridge.

I took out the package of frozen pie dough and let it thaw on the counter as I pondered in my head what I would do with it.

I decided to make a simple open-face, rustic apple crostata.

As I was peeling the apples that I'd had in my fridge the idea of making a crumble topping in order to dress up this rustic crostata popped into my head, and I ran with it!

Sorry that I don't have a photo of a slice of the crostata for you, but because I was bringing them to feed family and friends, it didn't seem right. Forgive me? LOL

Why this recipe works:

Everyone will think you went to a lot of trouble to make this casual yet impressive dessert but only you need to know that they only take moments to put together using everyday basic baking ingredients.

How many rustic apple crumble crostatas will this recipe make?

As written this recipe will make two crostatas.

However, should you want to make one crostata, cutting the recipe ingredient amounts in half shouldn't be a problem.

Can this rustic crostata be frozen after baking?

Sure thing!

Make sure to cool the completed crostata or crostatas completely before wrapping them well in a few layers of plastic wrap.

*Note - before wrapping, you may want to place the crostata on a cardboard cake round for stability before freezing.

They can then be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

Can other types of apples be used to make these apple crostatas?

Yes, but make sure you use apples that hold their integrity and won't fall apart or get mushy during baking.

Best varieties of apples for baking:

• Jonagold
• Honeycrisp
• Braeburn
• Matsu (Crispin)
• Pink Lady
• Winesap

More on the best apples for baking from Bon Appétit.

How long will the apple crostatas keep in the refrigerator?

Wrapped well, you can keep these in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Serving suggestions for rustic apple crostatas:

Serve them hot out of the oven, at room-temperature, or even cold right from the fridge. The choice is yours and they're all equally delicious, if I do say so myself!

Topping suggestions for an apple crumble galette:

Whipped Cream, ice Cream (your favorite flavor), caramel drizzle, chocolate drizzle, confectioners sugar dusing, strawberry sauce...where will your taste buds take you?

Some step-by-step instructions:

• Prepare the apple filling by adding the peeled and sliced apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, vanilla extract and salt in a large bowl. Mix well to combine.
• In another large bowl, mix the crumble ingredients (oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, flour, vanilla extract, cinnamon and salt) together to form crumbs. Set aside.
• Use a rolling pin to gently roll the pie dough to increase the circle's circumference by about ½ inch. Transfer the rolled pie doughs onto two baking sheets that have been sprayed with baking spray.
• Place half of the sliced apples into the center of each pie dough, making sure to leave an approximate 2" border. *Note - Make sure to drain the liquid from the apples before adding them onto the pie crust if needed. 
• Fold the border crust over the apples in sections. *NOTE - Don't forget that this pie is rustic, so do not worry that it's not perfect. 
• Top each crostata with half of the crumble topping and bake in a preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until the juices start to bubble.
• Remove to a cooling rack and cool completely.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the icing ingredients until smooth. Drizzle the top of the cooled crumble topping with the icing, or fill a piping bag with the icing and pipe stripes of icing all over each crostata.
• Transfer the cooled and iced crostata using a large, wide spatula to serving platters or cake plates.

What is the difference between a crostata and a galette?

Crostata is an Italian word, and galette is French.

They both basically mean "free-form pastry," and are interchangable.

Additional apple recipes:

*Apple Pie Wedges (shown below and featured in the video)

You’re going to love how easy and delicious these apple pie wedges are to make…and eat. With store-bought or homemade pie crust, apple pie wedges are utterly delicious!!

*Pork Meatballs with Apples and Onions (not shown)

Pork Meatballs with Apple and Onion are tender meatballs made with ground pork, grated apple, onion, and seasonings. The meatballs are browned in a skillet and finished in the oven, along with a sweet and savory pan sauce that will knock your socks off.

*No-Knead Apple Yeast Bread (shown below)

This delicious and sweet No-Knead Apple Yeast Bread is moist and flavorful. It’s loaded with lots of fresh apple chunks and plenty of warm cinnamon. The aroma of it baking in the oven is something you need to experience!

*Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Bacon, and Apple (not shown)

Fall’s bounty of flavors and colors shine brightly in this delicious and easy dish of Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Bacon, and Apple.

* Apple Crumble Crostata (shown below) THIS IS THE PLACE!!

When you make this recipe, and I hope you do, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave a star rating on the recipe card and briefly comment on why you rated it as you did. FYI - Google appreciates recipe ratings and, in turn, will share my recipes with more people. Thank you so much!!

Printable Recipe Card

Follow me across my social media platforms and join in on the conversation: FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, TIKTOK, AND YOUTUBE.

I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's easy apple crostata with an oat crumble topping as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!

Follow me across my social media platforms and join in on the conversation: FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, TIKTOK, AND YOUTUBE.