No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without pie! These 26 Easy Thanksgiving Pie Recipes have everything you need for the dessert table, from classic pumpkin pie and pecan pie to apple pie, creamy chocolate pie, and easy pie bars that feed a crowd.
Whether you're a pumpkin purist or a pecan pie person, there's something here for everyone at your table. In our house, the family always asks for our classic pecan pie and caramel apple pie, so those two are on the table every single year. For the flakiest results, start with our homemade pie crust. It's buttery, easy to work with, and you can make it days ahead.
If you loved these, try our Easy Thanksgiving Menu (with Printable Menus!) or 25 Best Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes next.
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Tips for the Best Thanksgiving Pies
- Start with a great crust - our homemade pie crust is flaky, buttery, and works for every pie on this list. Store-bought works in a pinch too!
- Keep everything cold - cold butter and ice water are the secret to flaky layers. If the dough gets soft, pop it back in the fridge for 15 minutes.
- Blind bake for custard pies - pre-baking the crust for pumpkin, sweet potato, and pecan pies keeps the bottom crisp, not soggy.
- Shield the edges - if the crust browns too fast, cover the edges with foil or a pie shield for the rest of the bake.
- Don't overbake pumpkin pie - pull it out when the centre still has a slight jiggle. It will finish setting as it cools and won't crack.
- Cool completely before slicing - most pies need at least 2 to 4 hours to set, so plan your baking around that.
- Bake ahead - make your pies the day before so your oven is free for the turkey on the big day.
Classic Thanksgiving Pies
The pies everyone expects to see on the table, and the ones that disappear first.
Classic Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie
Smooth, creamy, and warmly spiced, this is the pie that says Thanksgiving. The secret is pulling it from the oven while the centre still has a slight jiggle, so it sets up silky with no cracks. Top with a big dollop of whipped cream.
Pumpkin Mascarpone Pie
A richer, creamier twist on the classic. Mascarpone gives the filling an extra velvety texture that's a little bit fancy without any extra work.
Mini Pumpkin Pies (Small Batch)
Perfect for a smaller gathering or a dessert table with lots of options. Everyone gets their own little pie, and there's no slicing required.
Sweet Potato Pie
A Southern classic that deserves a spot next to the pumpkin pie. It's silky, lightly spiced, and a little sweeter and earthier than its pumpkin cousin.
Classic Pecan Pie
A buttery, flaky crust filled with gooey caramel filling and topped with toasted pecans that turn crisp and almost candy-like in the oven. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate holiday dessert.
Chocolate Pecan Pie
Everything you love about pecan pie, plus melty chocolate in every bite. It's the perfect compromise for the chocolate lovers at your table.
Cranberry Pie
Bright, tart, and jewel-red, this is a refreshing change from the richer pies on the table. It's the perfect way to use up fresh cranberries before the big day.
Braided Lattice Apple Pie
The showstopper of the dessert table! A braided lattice top looks impressive but is easier than you think, and the cinnamon apple filling is pure comfort.
Homemade Caramel Apple Pie
Tender cinnamon apples drizzled with rich caramel, all tucked into a flaky crust. It's a classic apple pie with a little something extra.
Apple Crumble Pie
The best of both worlds: a flaky pie crust filled with cinnamon apples and topped with a buttery brown sugar crumble. No fussy lattice required!
Cream Pies, Citrus Pies, and Tarts
Cool, creamy, zesty, and make-ahead friendly, these are a welcome contrast to all the warm spiced pies.
Chocolate Cream Pie
Silky chocolate pudding piled into a crisp crust and topped with clouds of whipped cream and chocolate shavings. It's a guaranteed hit with kids and chocolate lovers alike.
Coconut Cream Pie
Luscious coconut custard, a mountain of whipped cream, and toasted coconut on top. A little tropical and a lot delicious.
Banana Cream Pie
Layers of fresh bananas and creamy vanilla custard under a fluffy whipped cream topping. It's old-fashioned comfort in every bite.
Lemon Meringue Pie
Tangy, sunshine-yellow lemon curd topped with sky-high toasted meringue. It's a bright, refreshing finish after a big, rich Thanksgiving meal.
Key Lime Pie
A zesty, creamy lime filling in a buttery graham cracker crust, topped with whipped cream. It's cool, tangy, and the perfect palate cleanser next to all the spiced pies.
Apple Tart
Thinly sliced apples fanned over a buttery crust and baked until golden and caramelized. It looks so elegant but is surprisingly simple to make.
Maple Pecan Tart
A buttery, sweet shortcrust filled with a maple-sweetened pecan filling, with chopped nuts throughout so every slice cuts cleanly and holds its shape.
Chocolate Tart
A rich, silky chocolate ganache filling in a crisp cookie crust. Decorate it with fresh berries or cherry halves for a stunning, make-ahead dessert.
Pie Bars, Hand Pies, and Fun Twists
All the pie flavour with less fuss. These are perfect for feeding a crowd, potlucks, and Friendsgiving.
Pumpkin Pie Bars
Creamy pumpkin pie filling baked over a buttery crust and cut into squares. Top each one with a swirl of whipped cream and you're done.
Pecan Pie Bars
A buttery crust topped with gooey pecan pie filling. They're so much easier to make and serve than a whole pie, and they travel beautifully.
Apple Pie Bars
Cinnamon apple filling sandwiched between a buttery crust and a crumbly streusel topping. All the cozy flavour of apple pie in an easy grab-and-go bar.
Caramel Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
Creamy cheesecake meets gooey caramel pecan pie in one decadent bar. Make them a day ahead so they have plenty of time to chill and set.
Apple Turnovers
Buttery, flaky puff pastry wrapped around a sweet, spiced apple filling. Using store-bought puff pastry makes these quick and easy, and it'll be true love at first bite!
Easy Homemade Apple Hand Pies
Flaky little pockets filled with warm cinnamon apples. They're fun to make with the kids and perfect for anyone who wants a few bites of pie without committing to a whole slice.
Cranberry Hand Pies (with Leftover Cranberry Sauce)
A genius way to use up leftover cranberry sauce! Tart, sweet, and flaky, these are just as good the day after Thanksgiving as they are on the dessert table.
Pecan Pie Cheesecake
A creamy cheesecake topped with a thick layer of caramel pecan pie topping. Can't decide between cheesecake and pecan pie? Now you don't have to!
Storage
Make Ahead
Most of these pies can be baked 1 to 2 days before Thanksgiving. Pumpkin, sweet potato, pecan, and cream pies actually taste better after a night in the fridge. You can also make the homemade pie crust dough up to 3 days ahead and keep it wrapped in the fridge.
How to Store
Pumpkin, sweet potato, cream pies, cheesecakes, and anything with dairy or eggs in the filling should be covered and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Fruit pies like apple and cranberry can sit at room temperature for up to 2 days, then move them to the fridge. Check each recipe for exact storage times.
How to Freeze
- To freeze before baking, assemble fruit pies in a freezer-safe pie plate, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 15 to 20 minutes to the bake time.
- To freeze after baking, cool pumpkin, pecan, and apple pies completely, wrap well, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Skip freezing the cream pies, since the filling and whipped cream weep as they thaw.
FAQ
Pumpkin pie is the most traditional choice, with pecan and apple close behind. Really, the best pie is the one your family looks forward to every year. In our house, that's always the classic pecan pie and caramel apple pie!
Pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and apple pie are the big three. Sweet potato pie and cranberry pie are also classic choices, especially if you want something a little different.
Plan for about one 9-inch pie for every 6 to 8 guests. Since most people like to try a couple of kinds, offer at least two or three different pies.
Most pies can be baked 1 to 2 days ahead. Pie dough can be made up to 3 days ahead in the fridge, or months ahead in the freezer.
Absolutely! Store-bought crust is a great shortcut on a busy day. For the flakiest results though, try our homemade pie crust.
Blind bake the crust before adding custard fillings like pumpkin and pecan, and bake your pie on the lowest oven rack so the bottom gets plenty of heat.
More Thanksgiving Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Did You Make Any of These Thanksgiving Pie Recipes?
I'd love to hear which pie made it onto your table! Leave a comment and rating below to share your feedback. Your reviews help others discover these recipes and help me keep creating more free recipes for you. Snap a photo and tag me on social media @aheadofthyme too.
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