Cheese-Topped Apple Pie

Don’t be misled by this unusual combination! Pairing apple pie with cheese is a delightful experience that’s definitely worth tasting, and you’ll find yourself coming back for more.

Everyone is familiar with the delightful pairing of apple pie and vanilla ice cream, a quintessential American dessert that makes for a wonderful conclusion to any meal—especially when the pie is still warm from baking. But have you ever considered adding grated cheese to your freshly baked apple pie? It might seem unconventional, but some of the most surprising combinations can turn out to be the best! There are those who insist that apple pie is incomplete without cheese, so we decided to give it a shot.

People enjoy pairing apple pie with cheddar cheese for several reasons. The combination offers a delightful contrast of flavors and textures: the sweetness of the pie complements the sharp, savory taste of the cheese. Additionally, the creamy texture of melted cheddar provides a rich mouthfeel that enhances the overall eating experience. This pairing has historical roots in certain regions, particularly in the United States, where it has become a beloved tradition. Ultimately, it’s a unique blend that appeals to both sweet and savory palates.

Apple pie has been an American classic for many centuries, though its flavor has sweetened considerably over time. Both apple pie and cheese were brought over from England many centuries ago, and they were taken seriously enough to stick around to this day. Some regions of the U.S. take their devotion to cheese especially seriously—an urban myth in Wisconsin says it’s illegal to serve a slice of apple pie without some cheddar cheese!

While this combo initially might seem a little strange, it’s not so uncommon if you think about it. Cheese and apples show up in all sorts of fan favorites, like grilled cheese with apples, fruit on charcuterie boards or the classic snack of cheese with a slice of raw apple. The savory cheese is a lovely balance to the sweet pie, pairing much more subtly than you may expect.

Components for Apple Pie with Cheese

• Pie crust: We tried to make this apple pie recipe with cheddar cheese as easy as possible, which means using a premade crust. But ambitious bakers can whip up a homemade pie crust. You’ll need only one, though, since we finish the pie with a crumble topping.
• Apples: A medium-sized apple will typically yield 1-1/3 cups sliced apples, so you’ll need four apples to get 5 cups. If you’re unsure about the size of your apples, just buy five to be on the safe side. I love to use leftover apples for our fall simmer pot recipe.
• Lemon juice: A bit of lemon juice prevents the sliced apples from oxidizing and turning an unpleasant brown color. The juice also adds a subtle brightness among the heavy warming flavors.
• All-purpose flour: As the pie bakes, the apples will break down and release a lot of their juices. Toss in 3 tablespoons flour so those juices thicken into a caramelly sauce. Without the flour, you’ll be left with sweet apple soup.
• Sugar: Our apple pie and cheddar cheese recipe is sweetened with granulated sugar in the filling and brown sugar in the topping.
• Butter: Melt 1/3 cup butter to make the crumbly streusel topping.
• Cheese: This is the main event! Shred 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese. We recommend freshly shredded instead of pre-shredded cheddar cheese because pre-shredded has anti-caking agents like cellulose that can affect the texture of the topping and the flavor of the pie.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the pie crust.

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Preheat your oven to 425°F. Fit the pre-made pie crust into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate, making sure to crimp the edges to your liking.

Step 2: Prepare the filling

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Combine the apples and lemon juice in a bowl, tossing them until they are evenly mixed. In a separate small bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, sugar, and cinnamon together with a whisk. Sprinkle this mixture over the apples and carefully toss to ensure everything is well coated.

Pour the apple pie filling into the prepared pie crust.

Editor’s Tip: It’s OK if there is a mound of apples in the crust. The apples cook down and shrink during baking.

Step 3: Sprinkle on the cheese topping

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