An Apple Galette is a delicious French pastry that is served as a dessert, snack or even as a cake. This simple recipe is full of flavour and looks very appetising. It only takes 10 minutes to prepare this dish and most of that is spent coring and slicing the apple. After that it’s pop it in the oven and wait.
There’s something wonderfully comforting about the aroma of baked apples drifting from the oven — that sweet, homey scent that instantly evokes memories of autumn afternoons and warm kitchens. Among the many apple desserts that exist, few can match the charm and simplicity of the Apple Galette. This rustic French pastry is both elegant and approachable, bringing together tender, caramelised apples wrapped in a crisp, buttery crust. It’s the kind of dessert that feels fancy enough for guests, yet humble enough to make on a quiet weekend afternoon.
At its heart, an Apple Galette is a free-form tart — essentially a pie without the fuss of a pie tin. Its beauty lies in its imperfection. The pastry is rolled out flat, the fruit is arranged in the centre, and the edges are folded over in an unrefined, almost lazy way that somehow bakes into something stunning. Every golden curve and crimp of the crust feels intentional, even when it isn’t.
The base of the galette starts with a simple dough made from all-purpose flour, butter, salt, and just a touch of ice water. The technique for making the dough is key: the butter must remain cold, which ensures that when baked, those tiny pockets of fat melt and create the flaky layers that give the pastry its delicate texture. Chilled and rested, the dough rolls out smoothly, ready to cradle the glossy slices of apple.
In this version of apple galette, the apples take centre stage — peeled, cored, and sliced very thin so that they cook evenly and soften just enough without losing their shape. A mixture of honey, lemon juice, and thyme coats the apple slices, adding layers of sweetness, brightness, and a surprising hint of herbal fragrance. The honey gives the galette its lovely golden sheen as it bakes, while the lemon juice keeps the apples fresh-tasting and prevents them from browning. The addition of thyme may seem unexpected in a dessert, but it’s precisely that subtle savoury note that lifts the galette from ordinary to exceptional. The thyme complements the sweetness beautifully, adding a complexity that balances the dish.
The assembly of an apple galette is delightfully straightforward — the sort of baking that invites creativity rather than precision. Once the pastry is rolled out onto a lightly oiled baking sheet, the apple mixture is arranged in the middle, leaving a small border around the edges. That edge is then folded up and over the fruit, creating a natural crust that will turn golden brown in the oven. The galette is then baked until the apples are tender and slightly caramelised, and the pastry is crisp and buttery. The transformation is simple yet magical.
When the Apple Galette emerges from the oven, it’s a picture of rustic beauty — the fruit glistening with honey, the crust bronzed and crackling, the scent filling every corner of the kitchen. It’s best served slightly warm, perhaps with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of extra honey. The contrast between the flaky pastry and the tender, juicy apples is pure comfort in every bite.
What makes this dessert particularly special is its versatility. The same pastry technique can be adapted to suit the seasons — pears with ginger in winter, peaches and almonds in summer, or plums with a sprinkle of brown sugar in late autumn. The galette form allows endless creativity, yet its essence always remains the same: a celebration of simple ingredients handled with care.
The Apple Galette perfectly represents the heart of home baking — unfussy, beautiful, and satisfying. It reminds us that you don’t need elaborate tools or refined techniques to create something wonderful. A few everyday ingredients, a bit of patience, and the warmth of the oven are all it takes. Whether served as the grand finale to a dinner party or enjoyed with a cup of tea on a quiet afternoon, this dish captures the charm of rustic French baking and the universal appeal of apples at their sweetest.
If you’re looking to complete the experience, consider pairing your Apple Galette with:
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream or cinnamon gelato
- A drizzle of salted caramel sauce
- A spoonful of crème fraîche or Greek yoghurt for a tangy contrast
- A handful of toasted walnuts or almonds sprinkled over the top for texture
- Or even a warm cup of spiced cider to sip alongside
The Apple Galette is proof that sometimes, the simplest things — a little dough, a few apples, a touch of honey, and an hour in the oven — can come together to create something truly memorable. Rustic, fragrant, and utterly comforting, it’s a dessert that celebrates the joy of baking from the heart.
Apple Galette
Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp butter chilled/diced
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 5 tbsp ice water
- 2 large baking apples peeled, cored, and sliced very thin
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp thyme leaves
Instructions
- Brush the olive oil onto a cookie sheet with no sides, or on the bottom of a jelly roll pan.1 tsp olive oil
- Combine the butter, flour, and salt in a food processor and pulse until a coarse meal is formed.4 tbsp butter, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 tsp salt
- Add the water and process until the dough forms a ball.5 tbsp ice water
- Form the dough into a thick, flat disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Roll out the dough directly on the oiled cookie sheet, forming a circle about 14 inches (35 cm) in diameter.
- Combine the apples, honey, lemon juice, and thyme in a bowl and toss to combine well.2 large baking apples, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp thyme leaves
- Arrange the apple slices on the pastry, leaving a 1 to 2 inch (3 to 5 cm) border all around.
- Fold the border over the apples to form a rustic crust.
- Pour any remaining honey-lemon juice mixture over the apples.
- Bake in a preheated 400F (200C) oven for about 1 hour, until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Serve the Apple Galette with the topping of your choice.
26 comments
Delicious dessert that didn’t survive the evening. Yum all round.
The lemon juice in the filling kept the apples bright and fresh-tasting. It gave the galette a lovely tang to balance the sweetness.
The pastry came out golden and flaky, just like something from a French bakery. It paired perfectly with the caramelised apples.
I served this galette warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and it was heavenly. The contrast between hot and cold was divine.
I added a sprinkle of cinnamon over the apples before baking, and it turned out amazing. The honey caramelised perfectly.
I served this with whipped cream and a drizzle of extra honey — absolutely perfect. It’s now my go-to dessert for guests.
This Apple Galette was absolutely delicious — light, buttery, and filled with tender apples that melted in my mouth. I’ll definitely be making it again!
The thyme added a unique touch that made this dessert stand out. I never thought to use herbs with apples before, but it works wonderfully.
The best part was how the honey bubbled around the edges while baking, forming a sweet, sticky glaze on the crust. So good!
I was amazed at how flaky the crust turned out with so few ingredients. It had that perfect melt-in-the-mouth texture.
The simplicity of this recipe is what makes it so brilliant. You get all the flavours of apple pie with half the effort.
My family devoured it in one sitting! The crust was crisp, and the filling was perfectly balanced with the hint of lemon.
I loved that this galette wasn’t too sweet. The honey provided just enough natural sweetness without being overpowering.
It’s the kind of dessert that makes you feel like a professional baker even though it’s simple to make. Everyone was impressed!
This dish turned out exactly as described — golden, flaky, and filled with juicy, perfectly tender apples. A total success!
I couldn’t believe how delicious the thyme was with the apples. It gave a little savoury note that made each bite more interesting.
The rustic look of the galette makes it feel very homemade and comforting. It’s a dessert with real character.
I loved how easy this recipe was to follow. No fancy equipment, just simple ingredients that came together beautifully.
Such a comforting dessert — the smell of baking apples and butter filled the whole house. It’s the perfect treat for autumn evenings.
A simple, elegant dessert that truly celebrates the flavour of fresh apples. Every bite was comforting, fragrant, and utterly delicious.
The combination of honey and thyme was so unexpected but worked perfectly. It gave the galette a lovely balance of sweetness and fragrance.
I made it for Sunday tea, and it looked so beautiful on the table. The scent of apples and butter baking together was irresistible.
This Apple Galette is one of those desserts that look rustic but taste incredibly elegant. It impressed everyone at my dinner table.
The pastry was easy to work with and baked up beautifully crisp. I’ll use this dough for other galettes too!
I love that it uses honey instead of sugar — it gives a more natural sweetness and a beautiful glossy finish.
This Apple Galette is a wonderful alternative to apple pie. It’s lighter, quicker to make, and just as satisfying.