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If you’re looking for a pie recipe that is easy to make and that’s as cozy as a cashmere sweater, then this rustic apple galette recipe is for you. The galette recipe is far easier than a double crust pie, and I’ll guide you through all the steps – don’t miss the step-by-step VIDEO below! Also, if you’re gluten free like me (or if you’re serving GF guests), you can make this apple galette gluten free, and nobody will have a clue. 

A gluten free apple galette on a marble surface topped with ice cream.

Easy apple galette recipe

There’s something about apple pie that makes me so happy. Maybe it’s because my mom made apple pie for Thanksgiving and Christmas every year, or maybe it’s because it’s just freaking delicious, but apple pie has got to be one of the coziest, most joyful of desserts. This apple galette recipe has all the flavors and textures of a traditional pie, but it’s far easier to make (and even more beautiful!). 

A slice of apple galette on a piece of parchment paper, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Rustic apple galette

As I mentioned in this strawberry galette post, the beauty of galettes is that they’re supposed to look rustic. Instead of having to transfer pie dough to a dish, this galette gets rolled out and assembled right on a piece of parchment paper (no transferring needed!). Forget about fussy crimping, this dough is also simply folded over an easy apple filing. 

Close up of the baked apple galette on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Gluten free apple galette

You can easily make a gluten free apple galette, and I promise nobody will even know! The galette is made with my perfect pie dough recipe, which can be made with regular all-purpose flour or Cup 4 Cup Gluten Free Flour (I’ve tested several different gluten-free flours, and Cup 4 Cup is by far the easiest to work with and has the best flavor).

Apple crostata filling

Another benefit of making a galette as opposed to a double crust pie is that you only need 3 apples for this recipe (meaning less peeling and slicing!). You can use any apple variety you like. In this recipe, the apples are flavored with cinnamon, cardamom and vanilla.

How do you make an apple galette from scratch?

Mix together thinly sliced apples, lemon juice, ground cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla and a pinch of salt. 

A bowl filled with the apple galette recipe filling, including sliced apples, cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla and cornstarch.

Roll out the pie dough on a lightly floured piece parchment paper (aim for a 10- to 11-inch round). The parchment helps prevent the dough from sticking, and the galette gets baked right on the parchment.

Hands rolling out pie dough on a piece of parchment paper.

Pile the apples onto the dough, leaving a 1- to 2-inch border. Fold the edges of the dough up over the apples, patching up any tears as needed. Refrigerate the galette for 5-10 minutes (cold dough holds its shape better and results in a flakier crust).

Apple filling piled onto a pie crust for the apple galette recipe.

Brush the edges of the galette with egg wash and sprinkle them with turbinado sugar (that will give the crust a delicious crunch). Bake the galette at 375˚F for 50-60 minutes, or until the crust is browned and the apples are tender. 

When the galette comes out of the oven, brush the apples with warm apricot jam. This will give the galette a glistening appearance, like French patisserie! 

Hand brushing warm apricot jam over the apples in the baked galette.

Can you make the galette ahead?

Yes! You can make the pie dough several months in advance and freeze it (meaning you can go ahead and get a jumpstart on your holiday baking now 🙌). The cooked galette can sit at room temperature for up to 1 day before serving.

Baked galette on a piece of parchment paper, with a pie server alongside.

FAQ

What apples are best in a galette?

You can use any apples you like, but I prefer a sweet-tart variety, such as Pink Lady, Fuji, Honeycrisp and/or Granny Smith. You can use one variety, or, better yet, try a mix!

Do you need to peel the apples before baking? 

I prefer to peel the apples, as the peels can sometimes be a bit tough or bitter (I use a vegetable peeler – see the video below). However, you can leave the peels on if you prefer.

What is the difference between a crostata and a galette?

A galette hails from France and a crostata comes from Italy, but both terms can refer to a free-form single crust pie. However, a crostata can also refer to an Italian tart with a shortbread crust and fruit jam filling.  

Close up of a sliced galette topped with vanilla ice cream.

Thanksgiving galette

This apple galette is a must-have on my Thanksgiving table, but I also make it all throughout fall and winter. It’s a gorgeous dessert that is sure to give you the warm and fuzzies. 

Tips for making this recipe:

  • You’ll need a half batch of this perfect pie crust for this galette (it’s best to make the full batch and freeze the other half for another pie down the line). Take note that the pie crust dough needs to rest for 30 minutes before rolling out. Be sure to check out the video below to see how I roll it!
  • To make this galette gluten free, use Cup 4 Cup gluten free flour in the crust dough (I’ve tested several other gluten free flours, and Cup 4 Cup is by far easiest to work with and has the best flavor).
  • Vanilla paste is one of my favorite “superpower” ingredients, lending this galette (and all of my baked goods) a rich vanilla flavor at a fraction of the cost of fresh vanilla beans (plus, it lasts forever in the pantry!). That said, you can use vanilla extract or fresh vanilla bean seeds instead.
  • Brushing the apples with warm apricot jam after the galette comes out of the oven gives them a shiny appearance, like a French pastry. If your jam is chunky, strain it before using.
  • A rimless baking sheet is perfect for cooking galettes and cookies, although you can use a rimmed sheet if that’s all you have.
  • Be sure to try my strawberry galette recipe!!

Other gluten free fall desserts to try:

Other seasonal dishes you might like:

Watch the video!

Get the recipe!

Easy apple galette on a marble surface with a slice taken out, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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Easy Cinnamon Vanilla Apple Galette

Anybody can master this beautiful apple galette recipe! With a buttery, flaky crust and a cinnamon spiced apple filling it’s a stunning dessert for any occasion (and it can be made gluten free, but nobody will know!). You’ll need to start with a half batch of this foolproof pie crust recipe (see the Tips below). You can use any apple variety you like in this galette (I prefer a sweet-tart apple, such as Pink Lady, Fuji, Honeycrisp and/or Granny Smith – go for a mix!). Slice the apples 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick (the thicker you slice them the more texture they'll have in the galette – it's a preference thing). The tips of some of the apples will brown as the galette cooks; if you feel as though they're getting too dark you can tent the center of the galette with a piece of foil. Brushing the apples with apricot jam after the galette comes out of the oven gives them a shiny appearance, like a French pastry. Be sure to check out my video above!
Cook Time50 mins
Prep time (not including making the crust)30 mins
Total Time1 hr 20 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple galette recipe, gluten free apple galette, how to make apple galette
Servings: 1 9-inch galette
Author: Nicki Sizemore

Ingredients

Filling

  • 3 apples (about 1 1/4 pounds), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla paste, vanilla extract or the seeds from ½ vanilla bean (cut the bean in half lengthwise then scrape out the seeds with the back of a knife)
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Assembly

  • Cup 4 Cup gluten free flour or regular all-purpose flour, for dusting
  • 1/2 batch Easy Pie Crust (see the Tips below!)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon water
  • 2 teaspoons turbinado sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1 ½ tablespoons apricot jam

For Serving

  • Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375˚F (190˚C). (If needed, take the pie dough out of the fridge to soften.)

Make the filling

  • In a large bowl, combine the apples and lemon juice and toss to coat. Add the sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, salt, vanilla and cornstarch. Toss to combine.

Roll out the crust and form the galette

  • Sprinkle a large sheet of parchment paper lightly with flour. Roll out the dough on the parchment, lifting the dough and lightly flouring the parchment as needed to prevent sticking. You're aiming for a 10- to 11-inch round (it should be about 1/8-inch thick). If the dough cracks, just patch it up as needed. Brush off any excess flour from the parchment paper, then slide the sheet of parchment (with the dough) onto a baking sheet.
  • Pile the apple filling onto the center of the dough, then spread the apples in an even layer, leaving a 1- to 2-inch border. Fold the dough up over the apples, overlapping it and pinching it together (patch up any tears as needed). Refrigerate the galette for 5-10 minutes.
  • Beat the egg in a small bowl with the water. Brush the crust lightly with the egg wash (you won’t need it all), and sprinkle the crust with turbinado sugar. Dot the butter over the apples. If your kitchen is warm, pop the galette back into the fridge for a few minutes to chill (you want the dough to feel cool to the touch).

Bake

  • Bake the galette, rotating once, until the crust is a deep golden brown and the juices are bubbling, about 50-60 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes.
  • Heat the apricot jam in the microwave or on the stovetop until warm and runny (if needed, add a splash of water). Brush the jam over the warm apples. Let the galette cool.

Serve

  • Serve the galette warm or at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, if you'd like (yes, please!).

Notes

Do Ahead: The galette can sit at room temperature for up to 1 day (if you prefer, warm it slightly in a 375˚F-400˚F oven for a few minutes before serving). Refrigerate any leftovers.
Tips:
  • You’ll need a half batch of this easy pie crust for this galette (it’s best to make the full batch and freeze the other half for another pie down the line). Take note that the pie crust dough needs to rest for 30 minutes before rolling out. Be sure to check out the video above to see how I roll it!
  • To make this galette gluten free, use Cup 4 Cup gluten free flour in the crust dough (I’ve tested several other gluten free flours, and Cup 4 Cup is by far easiest to work with and has the best flavor).
  • Vanilla paste is one of my favorite “superpower” ingredients, lending this galette (and all of my baked goods!) a rich vanilla flavor at a fraction of the cost of fresh vanilla beans (plus, it lasts forever in the pantry!). That said, you can use vanilla extract or fresh vanilla bean seeds instead.
  • If your apricot jam is chunky, strain it before brushing it over the apples.  
  • A rimless baking sheet is perfect for cooking galettes and cookies, although you can use a rimmed sheet if that’s all you have.
  • Be sure to try my strawberry galette recipe!!

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