This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This mini apple pie for one is a classic single serve apple pie with a buttery homemade crust and tender cinnamon apples baked on top. Perfectly portioned and easy to make.
Featured Comment
“This apple pie was exceptional and very easy to make…”
– Cheryl
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfectly Portioned: This apple pie for one is the ideal size, satisfying without extra leftovers.
- Quick & Easy: With simple ingredients and clear steps, this mini apple pie is ready fast.
- Flaky Homemade Crust: Cold butter and flour create a golden, tender crust that tastes just like a classic homemade apple pie.
- Warm Spiced Filling: Thinly sliced apples with cinnamon and sugar bake into a soft, sweet filling that captures the best of apple pie flavor.
- Versatile Crust Options: Use a from-scratch crust, refrigerated pie dough, or even a graham cracker crust for convenience.
What I love most about this small apple pie is how it feels like a true homemade dessert made just for you.
The apples bake right on top of the buttery crust, turning soft and lightly spiced as they caramelize in the oven. It’s simple to make, yet tastes like something special, and that’s why I think you’ll want to come back to this recipe again and again.
This single serving apple pie is made with just one apple. If you love single-apple recipes, be sure to check out our single serving apple cobbler, easy apple crisp for one, mini apple Dutch baby, and our small apple galette recipe!
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this individual apple pie recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
Crust
- All-purpose flour: The base for your flaky, tender crust.
- Granulated sugar: Adds a little sweetness to the crust.
- Salt: Enhances flavor in both crust and filling.
- Cold butter: Gives richness and flakiness to the crust.
- Ice Water: Helps dough come together, keeps crust from becoming tough.
Filling
- 1 small apple, peeled & cored: Choose a crisp variety like Gala, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith. Extra apples? Use them in apple pie oatmeal or small batch baked apples.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the fruit filling.
- Ground cinnamon: A warm, classic apple pie spice.
- Lemon juice: Balances sweetness and prevents browning.
Crust Shortcuts and Alternatives
If making your own crust feels like too much work, try one of these:
- Use a store-bought refrigerated pie crust or a preformed mini pie shell.
- Use a small graham cracker crust or small shortbread crust for a quicker, different texture.
How To Make An Apple Pie For One
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Make the Filling: In a small bowl, toss the apple pieces with sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Set aside.
- Make the Dough: In another bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the butter with a fork until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Add ice water, a little at a time, until the dough holds together.
- Roll the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, shape the dough into a ball and roll it into a circle large enough to fit your baking dish.
- Prepare the Crust: Lightly grease a 5-inch tart pan or 10-ounce ramekin. Press the dough into the dish and trim the edges. Prick the bottom with a fork.
- Fill the Pie: Spoon the apple mixture into the crust. Dot with a few small pieces of butter.
- Bake: Place on the center rack of a preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the apples are tender.
- Cool and Serve: Let the pie cool slightly before serving.
Enjoy as-is or with homemade caramel sauce or a single serving of vanilla ice cream.
Expert Tips
- Keep it cold: Use chilled butter and ice water for a light, flaky crust.
- Slice thin: Cut the apple into thin slices or small pieces so it cooks evenly.
- Don’t overmix: Stop mixing the dough as soon as it comes together to avoid a tough crust.
- Bake smart: Place your tart pan or ramekin on a baking sheet to catch any bubbling juices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crisp apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Gala work best. They hold their shape while baking.
Absolutely. A circle cut from a refrigerated pie crust works perfectly and makes this recipe even quicker.
Yes. You can prepare the crust and apple mixture up to a day in advance, then assemble and bake when ready to serve.
Peeling is recommended for the best texture, but you can leave the peel on if you prefer a more rustic pie.
If you happen to have leftovers, cover and store the pie in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Absolutely! You can double the ingredients and use two 10-ounce ramekins or tart pans to make two mini apple pies. Perfect if you’re serving a guest!
More Single Serving Pie Recipes
Looking for more pie recipes for one? Try these:
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small apple pie recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
RELATED: Comfort Food Recipes For One
If you’ve tried this single serve apple pie or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Apple Pie For One
Equipment
- 10-ounce ramekin or use a 5-inch tart pan
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling
- 1 medium apple -peeled, cored, and chopped
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For the Crust
- 2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- pinch salt
- 1 tablespoon cold salted butter -plus 1 additional tablespoon butter, chopped to dot on top of apples
- 1 teaspoon ice water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Make the Apple Filling
- In a small bowl, toss the chopped apples with sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Set aside.
Make the Crust
- In another bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the butter with a fork until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
- Add ice water, a little at a time, until the dough holds together.
- On a lightly floured surface, shape the dough into a ball and roll it into a circle large enough to fit your baking dish.
- Lightly grease a 5-inch tart pan or 10-ounce ramekin. Press the dough into the dish and trim the edges. Prick the bottom with a fork.
- Spoon the apple mixture into the crust. Dot with a few small pieces of butter.
- Place on the center rack of a preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the apples are tender.
- Let the pie cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Keep it cold: Use chilled butter and ice water for a light, flaky crust.
- Slice thin: Cut the apple into thin slices or small pieces so it cooks evenly.
- Don’t overmix: Stop mixing the dough as soon as it comes together to avoid a tough crust.
- Bake smart: Place your tart pan or ramekin on a baking sheet to catch any bubbling juices.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I just baked this recipe and have to say I love it! Since I’m the only one in my family who enjoys eating apple pies, it’s perfect for me because I don’t have to bake a large pie and then watch it being wasted…
So thank you so much for this recipe because I have been craving to eat one and it came up 🙂
I’m so happy you liked the recipe, Rebeca! Thank you so much for letting me know!!
What a sweet little pie! I love the idea of individual pies….even for a crowd!
Thank you, Cathy. Smaller desserts can certainly make a simple dessert more fun.
I love this!! Single servings are just so fun!
Apple pie is my husband’s favorite – definitely have to try this ASAP!
Thanks, Melanie. I hope you do 🙂
A mini pie pan is a MUST, looking on amazon!!
I’ve only recently discovered them and I wonder why it took me so long. Thanks, Beth!
I love single serving desserts for late night cravings. I think I could eat a few of these all by myself though! 😉
I believe I certainly could too, Ashlyn 😉
I need these in my life ASAP!!! Looks amazing!
Thanks, Becky. Mini pies are so fun!
How great is this for portion control! I have to admit, I do not think I could help myself to only one piece 🙂 I bought small cake pans (4-inches) to start making mini cakes. It will save time, money, and not have me tempted to eat an entire 9-inch cake!
These are great for portion control and for when you want just a little something sweet. For those cooking for one person, it won’t leave them with a whole lot of leftovers. Thanks, Kacey!
Amazing! I’m in love with this! And I do believe that my “diet” will be suffering a bit, as I will likely want to make this and devour it a few times a week 😉
Thank you, Patricia.
Now this is your most dangerous recipe yet! 🙂