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This recipe takes a fully baked vegan friendly apple or fruit pie (any brand you like), and turns it into a warm crumble style bake with almost no effort. You simply break the pie into chunks, add a handful of dried fruits and nuts, brighten it with a touch of citrus, and bake it again until everything melds together and the top gets lightly crisp. It’s an easy way to make a store-bought pie taste fresher, brighter, and far more interesting.

I’ll admit it, store-bought apple pies have never been my favorite. They’re often a bit too sweet and don’t always have the depth of flavor I look for in a homemade version. But when I came across a similar idea on AllRecipes, originally shared by a creator on Instagram, it caught my attention. I tried the method, added a few touches of my own, and was pleasantly surprised by how much it improved the pie.

Homemade will always be my preference, but this shortcut made me enjoy a store-bought version a bit more.

Can you use any store bought pie?

Absolutely! While I used Costco’s recently returning vegan friendly lattice apple pie, but this hack works with almost any store-bought apple or other fruit pie.

Some Vegan-Friendly Pie Options

Marie Callender’s fruit pies (many are accidentally vegan just check for dairy or eggs).
Walmart bakery fruit pies (some locations carry vegan friendly versions).
Sprouts store-brand fruit pies (some are vegan friendly).
Check out my store-bought pies guide for the holidays here.

As long as it’s a fully baked fruit pie, you’re good to go.

Why add lemon or orange juice?

Most store-bought apple pies lean sweet and sometimes very sweet. Adding a splash of lemon or orange juice completely changes the balance:

It cuts through the sweetness.
Adds bright acidity.
Enhances the dried fruit and warm spices.
Makes the whole cobbler taste fresher.

Even just 1–2 tablespoons goes a long way. Orange or lemon zest also adds aroma without additional sugar.

What size pan should you use?

Choose a baking dish that’s close in size to your pie:

8-inch pie → 8×8 or similar small baking dish
9-inch pie → 9×9 or medium dish
Costco/larger pies → 9×13

You don’t want the chunks to spread too thin, just a slightly deeper dish keeps everything moist and bubbling.

Some add-ins ideas:

This hack is endlessly customizable.

Add dried cranberries or other dried fruits for tartness.
Add nuts like pecans or walnuts.
Add citrus zest (lemon or orange).
Add cinnamon or nutmeg.
Add a crumb topping (you can use my apple crisp topping recipe here!) for extra crunch.

How to serve it:

This dessert works beautifully with:

Vegan vanilla ice cream. There are many plain vanilla varieties out there or other flavors that would work well served with this cobbler. Did you know that melted ice cream is pretty much an anglaise sauce? It’s like a light custard and a French style sauce served on desserts. Try it!
Vegan whipped cream: So Delicious, TruWhip Vegan, Whipt, Whole Foods brand or Aldi non-dairy canisters!

In the end, this simple crumble hack is one of those shortcuts that might deliver something better than what you started with. With a few thoughtful additions like some citrus for brightness, a handful of dried fruits, or a bit of texture from nuts, it can turn a basic store-bought pie into a dessert that feels warm, cozy, and semi-homemade. Whether you’re trying to elevate a budget-friendly pie, stretch a dessert to feed more people, or just want something comforting without much effort, this method is an easy win. It’s a reminder that with a little creativity, even the simplest ingredients can become something special.

Turn Any Fruit Pie into a Crumble Bake

Recipe by Kreg Sterns

5.0 from 2 votes

Course: Desserts, Easy Eats, Holiday, RecipesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

8-12

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

This easy recipe turns a premade fruit pie into a warm crumble with added brightness and flavor.

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

1 store-bought fruit pie (Costco, Marie Callender’s, or any favorite)
1/2 cup dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, etc.)
1 tablespoon lemon or orange zest
1-2 tablespoons lemon or orange juice
1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans or almonds)
cinnamon sugar for sprinkling on top (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter your baking dish or use a baking spray to coat lightly.
Break up the pie with a large spoon. Trasnfer the pie pieces to a large mixing bowl and add the rest of the ingredients and toss gently.
Transfer to prepared baking dish and smooth out evenly. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar over the top if desired.
Bake for 30-45 minutes depending on the size of your pan until bubbling gently around the edges.
Serve warm with ice cream or whipped topping.