Celebrate National Apple Pie Day with these easy and fun recipes

There’s just something about apple pie that makes you feel like you’ve been wrapped in a warm, cinnamon-scented hug. Maybe it's the golden crust, the bubbling fruit, or the memories of childhood kitchens filled with the aroma of butter and spice. Or maybe it's the fact that apple pie somehow manages to be both a nostalgic comfort food and an American cultural icon, all baked into one flaky dish. Whatever the reason, National Apple Pie Day, celebrated every year on May 13, is the perfect excuse to whip out your rolling pin and channel your inner pie whisperer.


Apple pie has been around way longer than most of us probably assume
While it’s often declared to be “as American as apple pie,” the truth is, the dessert didn’t actually originate in the United States. The earliest known recipes for apple pie date all the way back to 14th-century England. Those versions weren’t quite like what we eat today—imagine a pie with no sugar, a tough pastry shell (sometimes inedible), and apples mixed with figs, raisins, or pears. Sweeteners like honey were more common, and spices like saffron were prized additions.

When European settlers brought apples and pie-making traditions to America, the dessert slowly evolved. Sugar became more accessible, the crust got flakier and more edible, and the dish took on new life. By the 18th and 19th centuries, American cookbooks were filled with recipes for apple pie. It became a staple at gatherings, a symbol of home, and later, a subtle badge of patriotism—especially during the two World Wars, when soldiers were said to be fighting “for mom and apple pie.”

So here we are today, still talking about it, still baking it, and now celebrating it with its very own day on the calendar. And whether you’re a kitchen newbie or a baking pro, National Apple Pie Day is a great reason to get creative and have a little fun. Because apple pie doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, the best versions are often the simplest.


Let’s start with the classic—no-frills, all-flavor, traditional apple pie
There’s something incredibly satisfying about slicing fresh apples, tossing them with cinnamon, sugar, a bit of nutmeg, maybe a squeeze of lemon, and piling them high into a buttery crust. Some folks like to add a bit of flour or cornstarch to thicken the filling as it bakes, others swear by a splash of apple cider or vanilla for extra depth. You can keep the top simple with a flat pastry lid, or if you’re feeling fancy, go for a lattice design—it’s easier than it looks, and the result is seriously Instagram-worthy.



Now, if you’re someone who breaks into a cold sweat at the mere mention of homemade pie crust, don’t panic. Store-bought crusts are perfectly acceptable, especially on a Tuesday night when you’re short on time and long on cravings. Just roll it out, fill it up, and bake away. Want to cheat even more? Try a rustic apple galette—essentially a freeform pie that requires zero fuss and no pie dish. All you need is a sheet of pastry dough (puff pastry works too), some sliced apples arranged in a swirl or just piled in the middle, and a sprinkle of sugar on top. Fold the edges over, bake until golden, and boom: apple pie’s cool, artsy cousin.

Feeling adventurous? Let’s talk variations
Because apple pie doesn’t have to be stuck in its traditional mold. One fun way to twist things up is to play with crust alternatives. Instead of the usual pastry dough, try using crushed graham crackers or gingersnap cookies mixed with butter to form a crumbly base. It gives the pie a completely different texture and adds a hint of extra spice that pairs beautifully with the apples.

And let’s not forget mini pies. Perfect for portion control (in theory), these adorable single-serving pies can be made in muffin tins or small ramekins. Kids love them, guests love them, and honestly, you’ll probably love not having to share.

Another crowd-pleaser? Apple pie bars
Imagine all the flavors of a slice of pie, but layered like a brownie. You’ve got your shortbread-style crust, a gooey apple filling in the middle, and a crumbly topping that’s somewhere between streusel and heaven. Slice into squares, drizzle with a bit of caramel if you’re feeling wild, and serve them warm with ice cream or cold straight from the fridge.

Speaking of caramel—apple pie and caramel are a match made in dessert heaven. A little drizzle over the filling before you bake, or a swirl into the apples themselves, gives you a rich, buttery kick that takes things to another level. Want to lean into fall flavors? Add a handful of toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch, or even spike the filling with a splash of bourbon or spiced rum (adults only, obviously).

And if baking a full pie isn’t your vibe, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate. Apple pie-inspired milkshakes, smoothies, overnight oats, or even cocktails are fun ways to pay tribute without turning on the oven. Try blending vanilla ice cream with applesauce, cinnamon, and a bit of crumbled pie crust or graham crackers for a milkshake that tastes just like dessert in a cup. Or mix up an apple pie martini with apple cider, vanilla vodka, and a cinnamon sugar rim—cheers to pie in a glass.

One of the best parts about National Apple Pie Day is that it’s pure joy disguised as a food holiday
There’s no pressure to host a big party or plan a complicated feast. All you need is a little time, a few apples, and a willingness to get messy. The beauty of baking pie is that it’s both an art and a science—but mostly, it’s just about love. Love for the process, love for the smell that fills your kitchen, and love for the moment when you cut into that crust and the apples spill out in all their syrupy, cinnamon-slicked glory.

If you're baking with kids, let them help press the crust, layer the apples, or make silly shapes out of leftover dough for decoration. Turn on some music, put away the phones, and just enjoy the slow rhythm of measuring, mixing, and waiting. There’s something quietly magical about that.

And if you're baking alone? Even better. There’s nothing like making a pie just for yourself. You get the crust exactly the way you want it. You don’t have to negotiate over ice cream flavors. And best of all? You can eat the leftovers straight from the pie dish the next morning and call it breakfast. No judgment here.

Whether you go traditional, try something new, or just swing by your favorite bakery to pick up a slice, National Apple Pie Day is a celebration of flavor, history, and feel-good indulgence. It’s proof that sometimes the simplest things really are the best—and that a humble pie made with fruit and flour can carry generations of stories and smiles.

So here’s to May 13, and to the flaky, gooey, golden-brown star of the show. Bake one. Eat one. Share one. Or don’t. Apple pie doesn’t judge—and that’s what makes it a classic.