This Easy Green Tomato Crumble Pie is a fun twist on traditional pie! It uses fresh green tomatoes, sugar, and a crispy crumble topping that brings everything together.
Don’t worry if you’ve never cooked with green tomatoes before—they’re tangy and taste amazing in this pie! I love to serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream on top! 🍦
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Green Tomatoes: These give the pie its unique tangy flavor. If you can’t find green tomatoes, you can use firm, slightly underripe regular tomatoes, but the taste will be different.
Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: The blend of these sugars provides sweetness and depth. For a healthier option, you can try using coconut sugar or maple syrup in reduced amounts.
All-Purpose Flour: This is used in both the filling and the crumble topping. If you need a gluten-free option, you can substitute it with almond flour, gluten-free all-purpose flour, or oat flour, but the texture may vary.
Rolled Oats: They add great texture to the crumble. If oats aren’t your thing, you can replace them with crushed nuts like almonds or pecans for a nutty twist.
How Can I Ensure a Perfect Crumble Topping?
The crumble topping is what makes this pie special, so pay attention to its preparation. Getting that nice, crumbly texture is key for a delicious finish!
- Use cold butter: This helps create a crumbly texture instead of a doughy one.
- Mix by hand: Gently combine the ingredients with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs—about pea-sized. Don’t overwork it!
- Scatter it evenly: When adding it to the pie, sprinkle it generously so every slice gets a bit of that yummy topping.
Easy Green Tomato Crumble Pie
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Filling:
- 6 cups green tomatoes, sliced
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 pre-made 9-inch pie crust (bottom crust)
For the Crumble Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
How Much Time Will You Need?
This pie will take about 15 minutes to prepare, followed by 50-60 minutes of baking time. After baking, allow it to cool for at least 1 hour so the filling thickens. So, in total, you should budget around 2-2.5 hours to make this delightful dessert!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the pie bakes evenly and perfectly crispy.
2. Prepare the Filling:
In a large mixing bowl, add the sliced green tomatoes. Sprinkle in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and salt. Mix everything together well. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the tomatoes to release some juice and soak up all that sweetness!
3. Make the Crumble Topping:
In another bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter pieces. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, mix until it looks like coarse crumbs. Don’t overmix—this gives your topping that lovely crumble texture!
4. Assemble the Pie:
Place the pre-made pie crust into a 9-inch pie pan if it isn’t already there. Pour the green tomato mixture evenly into the pie crust. Then sprinkle the crumble topping generously over the filling to cover it.
5. Bake the Pie:
Pop the pie in the preheated oven and bake for about 50-60 minutes. You want the topping to be golden brown and the filling to be bubbly—it’ll smell amazing!
6. Cool and Serve:
Once it’s done baking, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour. This cooling time helps the filling set up nicely!
7. Enjoy!
Serve your pie warm or at room temperature. For an extra treat, top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy your delicious and unique Green Tomato Crumble Pie!
FAQ for Easy Green Tomato Crumble Pie
Can I Use Ripe Tomatoes Instead of Green Tomatoes?
While green tomatoes are key for that tangy flavor, you can use firm, slightly underripe regular tomatoes if necessary. Keep in mind that the taste profile will change, becoming sweeter than intended.
What If I Don’t Have Oats for the Crumble Topping?
No problem! If you’re out of rolled oats, you can replace them with crushed nuts such as almonds or pecans for added crunch and flavor. Just keep the proportions the same!
Can I Make This Pie Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the pie filling and crumble topping in advance. Assemble the pie but do not bake it right away. Cover it well and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Bake it right before serving for a fresh, warm pie!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
If you have any leftover pie, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm individual slices in the microwave or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes until heated through.
