Our 20 Most Popular Pie Recipes

By Lynn Andriani

November 21, 2019

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Kate Mathis

There are classics galore and a few big surprises in this collection of greatest hits.

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Credit: Kate Mathis

Pie is one of those dishes that so deftly straddles the line between special and down-to-earth, party-worthy yet refreshingly unfussy. Here, we've gathered our top 20 pie recipes, the ones our users return to again and again.

Apple, like the Mile-High Apple Pie shown here, is definitely the favorite type of pie included in this gallery—apple pie recipes make up a quarter of the selection. But there's something uniquely American about each of the pies here. That's because they include regional favorites from across the U.S., and you'll find many of them on the menu on national holidays, from the Fourth of July to Thanksgiving.

Not every pie need be served after dinner; main course pies are beloved among cooks for their comforting, one-dish appeal. In this collection you'll find meaty Shepherd's Pie taking first place, but we're also sharing a recipe for Classic Chicken Potpie and a Pork Pie that can be served either warm or cold. Even so, sweet pies dominate the bunch, and what a range there is. There are traditional two-crust fruit pies, including Old-Fashioned Apple Pie and Vegan Apple Pie, there are also one-crust pies that swap in crumbs for the topping (Rhubarb and Peach, we're looking at you).

Other single-crust pies run the gamut, from fall and winter classics such as Sweet Potato Pie, pumpkin pie, and even a Chocolate Pecan Pie, to creamy and fluffy creations, including Lemon Meringue Pie, Banana Cream Pie, and Coconut Custard Pie.

And if pie crust itself doesn't appeal, there are always cookie crust pies, such as a classic Key Lime (made with a graham cracker crust). In this collection of greatest hits, you're sure to find favorites old and new.

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Shepherd's Pie

Credit: Con Poulos

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Convenience and comfort all in one dish? Sign us up. This easy take calls for frozen vegetables instead of fresh, and you can make it a day in advance.

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Classic Chicken Potpie

Credit: Johnny Miller

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It's hard to argue with a buttery crust and a filling made with shredded chicken, peas, and carrots. But that doesn't mean you need to always stick to the script: This recipe also offers creative variations including Curried Chicken and Mushroom-Marjoram Chicken.

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Key Lime Pie

Credit: LIsa Hubbard

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Key limes are aromatic and floral-tasting, the perfect foil to a sweet graham-cracker crust. A last-minute topping of whipped cream nicely balances the tartness.

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Old-Fashioned Apple Pie

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Nothing crazy here: Just a solidly delicious apple pie, made with Granny Smiths, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

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Apple Pie

Credit: Con Poulos

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Although you can certainly stick with one variety of apples, using a mix, such as Empire, Granny Smith, Gala, Cortland, and Winesap will give your pie a nice balance of tart and sweet. Golden Delicious and Braeburn are also beloved by veteran apple pie bakers.

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Perfect Pumpkin Pie

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Go ahead and take your time making homemade crust, but don't be tempted to roast and purée your own pumpkin for this pie. Canned pumpkin purée actually works best since it's consistently good.

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Coconut Custard Pie

Credit: John Kernick

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Some versions of this tropical-tasting pie have cream on top, but this one skips it to let the custard filling be the star.

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Pecan Pie

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Rich and buttery, this classic has earned its place as a Thanksgiving mainstay. Serve it with freshly whipped cream to balance out the bold sweetness.

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Rhubarb Pie

Credit: Lisa Cohen

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Although we've seen rhubarb sauces, muffins, and cakes, by far the most popular use for this tart fruit is in pies. This recipe features a crumb topping, which gives a pleasant contrast to the soft filling.

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Double Crust Apple Pie

Credit: Alpha Smoot

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Anyone who delights in a tender, flaky crust that splinters at the lightest touch of a fork will adore this lovely pie. It has a high crust-to-filling ratio.

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Lemon Meringue Pie

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This pie really brings the drama, with a tart lemon curd filling and towering pillows of soft meringue that you let lightly brown in the oven before serving. Bonus: It's delicious.

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Indiana Sugar Cream Pie

Credit: Yossy Arefi

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Also known as Hoosier pie, this regional specialty pairs a buttery crust with a rich vanilla custard filling. It's wonderfully straightforward, as simple as it is tasty.

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Chocolate Pecan Pie

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The beloved Southern dessert gets kicked up a notch with the addition of dark chocolate, which adds pleasant depth to the sweet filling.

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Vegan Apple Pie

Credit: linda xiao

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Although most fruit pie fillings are vegan, the crust is usually not. That's why this recipe is such a find: it uses safflower oil instead of butter, and will please everyone at your table.

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Apple Crumb Pie

Credit: David Loftus

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Looking for something a little different but still familiar? Try this rustic pie, which features a crumb topping and the inclusion of raisins in the filling.

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Pork Pie

Credit: Mike Krautter

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A savory filling made with bacon, ground pork, potatoes, and some spices and aromatics makes for a very satisfying meal, tucked between layers of buttery pie crust.

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Peach Crumble Pie

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Come summer, there aren't many desserts that can top a peach pie. A crumble topping that includes oats add just the right texture.

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Banana Cream Pie

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This beautiful pie starts and ends with bananas: the bottom layer consists of slightly overlapping rows of sliced bananas, then comes custard and whipped cream, and finally, there's another layer of sliced bananas.

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Pumpkin-Cheesecake Pie with Gingersnap Crust

Credit: Kate Mathis

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Spicy gingersnaps stand in for the more traditional graham crackers in the crust of this cheesecake pie. They make an excellent foil for the rich pumpkin-cream cheese filling. A border of bruléed meringue takes the pie to the next level.

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By Lynn Andriani