Apple pie is one of American cuisine’s most versatile and beloved desserts. However, the sugar and calorie count make it an unhealthy treat for some people. Diabetics and people on diets have no choice but to go for a healthier version of the beloved dessert – a low sugar apple pie.

We will teach you how to make a low-sugar apple pie following a simple recipe you can tweak a bit to suit your taste.

Ingredients

Making a low-sugar apple pie only requires adjusting the traditional recipe a bit. You need these essential ingredients to start your low-sugar apple pie:

Crust

• All-purpose flour
• Unsalted butter
• Fine salt
• Water
• Baking spray

Filling

• Peeled apples
• Lemon juice
• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Packed brown sugar
• Unsalted butter

You can adjust the recipe to ensure you aren’t using more sugar than you should be eating. You can also opt for a sugar substitute so as not to compromise on sweetness. However, ensure your modifications are minimal to protect the quality of the apple pie.

Making the Pie Crust

For a beginner, it is easier to use store bought pie crust. It gives you less work, and the result is usually about the same as homemade pie crust. However, knowing how to make pie crust will give you total control over how your apple pie turns out. 

Since you are making low-sugar apple pie, you can also remove ingredients high in sugar without relying on what is in the store-bought crust. Now, to the process.

If you have decided to make your outer crust at home, follow these step-by-step instructions to get it done.

• Add the all-purpose flour and salt to a large mixing bowl.
• Cut the chilled butter and add it to the mixture.
• Sprinkle some tablespoons of water, mixing after each tablespoon.
• Once you have all the ingredients well combined, mix the dough with your hand until it forms a ball.
• Roll the dough into a circle.
• Grease two sheets of plastic wrap with baking spray or another non-stick spray.
• Wrap the pie dough between the sheets of plastic and put it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Once the pie crust becomes firm, you should remove it from the refrigerator.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and grease the pie plate with spray.
• Cut a portion of the dough off for the top crust. Set aside for later.
• Remove the plastic wrap and place dough into the pie plate.
• Press the dough firmly into the pie plate and flute the edges.

Now, you have completed half of the task. The next step is to make the apple filling.

Making the Apple Filling

While you may buy the pie crust at the store, there are a few low-sugar shortcuts to making the apple pie filling. That’s for the best, because canned apple pie filling doesn’t taste the same as homemade fillings. 

You should pay careful attention to this stage to get the best result from your low-sugar apple pie filling.

• Peel the fresh apples and slice them. Place them into a medium bowl.
• Get a large mixing bowl and combine the apple slices and lemon juice.
• Combine the granulated and brown sugars with the flour in a separate bowl.
• Mix the contents of the two bowls and toss lightly with a fork.
• Pour the apple filling into the pie crust.
• Place the top crust over the filing.
• Cut the butter and spread it over the top of the pie.
• Bake your apple pie for 10 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit before turning the heat down to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, you should leave it for 30 minutes to thoroughly bake.
• The medium heat right will enable the apples in the filling to cook until they are soft and the outer crust will be golden brown.

After about 45 minutes in the oven, your apple pie is ready. Take it out of the oven and place it on the counter to cool. Then, you can start slicing the pie and adding your favorite toppings like ice cream, strawberry jam, or maple syrup. Some people also use cheese!

Variations of Low Sugar Apple Pie You Can Make

You can tweak a healthy apple pie recipe to suit your taste. You can change some things every time you bake a low-sugar apple pie until you create a unique recipe. Additionally, you can check out some common variations that people make. 

Different Apples

Many recipes online recommend different apple types to get your desired low-sugar apple pie. However, there are no strict rules about the apples you use. Just ensure the apples are firm and sweet. 

The natural sweetness will make up for the lack of added sugar and other ingredients high in sugar. If you have an apple brand you trust, you can go for it without going out of your way.

Different Spices

You can try out different spices in your apple pie recipe. Fantastic options include ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and ginger. You can also check out one of the apple pie spices sold in stores and see if any of them suits your taste. Just keep an eye out for the sugar content.

Gluten-Free

Since the goal of low-sugar apple pie is to make a healthy choice, many people look for other healthy options for their favorite dessert. Another variation of apple pie you can try is a gluten-free recipe. The recipe is slightly different for gluten-free apple pie, so check out the top gluten-free pie crust recipes.

If you are on a dairy-free diet, you can consider dairy-free options like plant-based butter or neutral oil like coconut oil.

How to Store Low Sugar Apple Pie

Even though your pie may be low in sugar, that doesn’t mean you should eat the whole dessert in one sitting. That means you’ll have to store the leftovers. With proper storage, your apple pie can last for a long time.

The most basic storage for apple pies is keeping them in a refrigerator. You should place your pie in an airtight container inside the fridge. This way, the pie can last up to four days.

If you don’t plan on eating the pie right away, you can prepare the pie crust now and freeze it to bake later. In this case, it’s best to wait to make the filling fresh before putting it in the oven. When you’re ready to bake, let the crust thaw as you make the filling, then assemble the pie and stick it in the oven.

Nutrition

A serving of low-sugar apple pie generally contains 250 calories, 37g of carbohydrates, 11g of fat, and 3g of protein. It also has 124 mg of sodium, 132 mg of potassium, and 203IU of vitamin A. The carb count may differ based on the amount and type of sugar you decide to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Low-sugar apple pie is quickly becoming a favorite among those who want to indulge in the dessert without the risk of high sugar intake. If you have any questions that have not been answered in the sections above, check if it is one of the frequently asked questions we address below.

Is apple pie okay for people with diabetes?

Apple pie is one of the worst desserts for a person with diabetes as it contains a lot of sugar. However, low-sugar apple pie is a healthier version of the traditional apple pie. It removes most ingredients with high sugar content to ensure it’s safer to eat. Nonetheless, you should enjoy low-sugar pie sparingly.

Sugar is not the only threat to your health in an apple pie. The pie crust is usually made of refined flour, which is unsuitable for diabetes. This can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

How can I make sugar-free apple pie?

There are many recipes for no-sugar apple pie, but having zero sugar in your apple pie is almost impossible. You must understand that some other ingredients have a low sugar quantity apart from regular sugars. Apple’s themselves have natural sugars, which cannot be avoided.

That is why this recipe is focused on low sugar and not the almost impossible task of making a no-sugar apple pie.

Can you make apple pie without eggs?

You can make apple pie without eggs. The purpose of an egg in this recipe is to give the pie crust that golden glaze many people love. However, if you do not mind the additional sugar, you can use maple syrup to glaze your pie sugar.

Final Thoughts

Low sugar apple pie is the healthier alternative for those who love apple pie but do not want the high sugar it contains. You can adjust this recipe to accommodate the sugar level you can tolerate. 

You can also try other sweeteners, although staying true to removing sugar is a worthy challenge. Before you know it, you will get used to the taste of low-sugar apple pie.