Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because of the quality time with family and friends and the delicious Thanksgiving dinner that is served.  While turkey may be the main dish of the Thanksgiving table, the perfect dessert in the form of a homemade pie with golden brown buttery crust made with sliced apples. A warm apple pie is the key to my heart at the Thanksgiving feast.  I personally believe that apple pie is the key to making Thanksgiving dinner a success!  The perfect apple pie exists and believe me I have done extensive research on the matter. Keep reading to find the best Thanksgiving apple pie recipes and no matter which one you try, you will love these fresh pie options and so will your Thanksiving guests!

 Do not let the holiday season stress you out, some of these sweet potato casserole recipes can be made in 20-25 minutes.  Check out these new recipes for sweet potato casserole below all through the winter months!

Best Apple Pie Recipes for Thanksgiving

Its the time of year when we are looking for simple recipe options to leave our Thanksgiving guests full and pleased and fighting for oven space while prepping endless options for your family.  I have found that prepping my grocery store list weeks in advance and having the menu planned out helps me feel much less stressed. You need to leave plenty of room on your plate and in your belly for these luscious casserole holiday faves.  

These Thanksgiving side dishes are delicious Thanksgiving recipes in their own right and make a great alternative to the traditional bread stuffing.  These are not your mama's old boring Thanksgiving casserole's these are delicious recipes for special occasions and the holiday table.   Plan a successful Turkey Day holiday dinner and holiday meal with these easy Thanksgiving casseroles.  

Keep kids busy while adults are prepping and cooking for Thanksgiving dinner with these fun FREE Thanksgiving place mat printable options. You will need a lot of caffeine to keep you cooking in the kitchen to prepare for the big day, so stock up on these delicious pumpkin inspired drinks as well!

Apple pie is often considered a great dessert for Thanksgiving for several reasons:

1. Tradition: Apple pie has a long history in American cuisine and is often associated with traditional American values and holidays, making it a popular choice for Thanksgiving, a holiday deeply rooted in American history and culture.

2. Seasonal ingredients: Thanksgiving falls in the autumn season when apples are in peak season in many parts of the United States. Using fresh, locally sourced apples in the pie can enhance its flavor and texture.

3. Comforting and familiar: Apple pie is a classic dessert that many people have fond childhood memories of. It's warm, spiced filling and flaky crust provide a sense of comfort and nostalgia that complements the warm, cozy atmosphere of a Thanksgiving meal.

4. Versatility: Apple pie can be enjoyed on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, allowing for a variety of serving options to cater to different tastes.

5. Symbolism: Apples are a symbol of abundance, and Thanksgiving is a holiday that celebrates the harvest and the blessings of the past year. Serving an apple pie can symbolize gratitude and thankfulness for the abundance of the season.

6. Crowd-pleaser: Apple pie is generally well-liked and is a dessert that most people can enjoy, making it a safe choice when you have a diverse group of guests with varying tastes and dietary restrictions.

7. Aromatic appeal: Baking an apple pie fills the house with the delightful aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and baked apples, creating a welcoming and festive atmosphere.

How Many Apple Pies Should I have for Thanksgiving?

The number of apple pies you need for a Thanksgiving meal can vary depending on several factors, including the number of guests you're serving, their preferences, and the variety of desserts you plan to offer. Here are some considerations to help you determine how many apple pies to make:

1. Number of Guests: Consider how many people will be attending your Thanksgiving meal. One standard 9-inch pie typically yields about 6 to 8 slices. So, if you have 8 guests and assume each person will have one slice, you will need at least one pie. If you have more guests or anticipate that people may want larger portions or seconds, you might need more pies.

2. Other Dessert Options: Think about what other desserts you'll be serving. If you have a variety of desserts available, such as pumpkin pie, pecan pie, or other sweets, you may not need as many apple pies. On the other hand, if apple pie is the main dessert attraction, you might want to make more to ensure everyone gets a slice.

3. Dietary Preferences and Restrictions: Consider any dietary preferences or restrictions your guests may have. If you have a mix of guests with different dessert preferences, you might want to provide a variety of options, including apple pie.

4. Leftovers: Some people enjoy having leftover pie, so you may want to make extra if you want to ensure there are leftovers for the next day.

5. Personal Preferences: If you know that your family or guests particularly love apple pie, you might want to make extra to ensure there's plenty to go around.

In general, it's a good idea to start with one pie for every 6 to 8 guests and adjust based on your specific circumstances. It's always better to have a little extra than to run out, especially if apple pie is a beloved dessert at your Thanksgiving gatherings.

Best Apple Pie Recipes for Thanksgiving

1. Sugar Free Apple Crisp

This healthy sugar free apple crisp has three major things going for it: it's dairy-free, naturally sweet, and vegan!

2. Pennysylvania Dutch Apple Pie

Nothing beats the sweet, tart and spiced flavors of a freshly baked apple pie! This Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Pie easy recipe uses homemade pie crust (you could easily swap for store-bought pie crust though), perfectly spiced Autumn apples and a brown butter crumble for a melt in your mouth pie with superb flavor! Top it with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and I swear it tastes like heaven. 

3. Homemade Apple Pie Recipe

Mcintosh apples and Granny Smith apples are mixed together in the apple pie filling and make the most delicious homemade apple pie! Pair this with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious Fall dessert! This traditional pie is great to make after apple picking.   These Virginia apple orchard options are family friendly and offer a wide variety of apples of the highest quality!  Check out the list of apple picking orchards in Virginia and pick your own apples across the beautiful state.  Visit 1 or visit them all and enjoy some of the best apple orchards in the United States.

4. Cinnamon Apple Pie Recipe

This Cinnamon Apple Pie recipe with homemade pastry and sweet cinnamon filling with fresh apple slices is all you need in a perfect piece of the baked pie. This is a fun take on the classic apple pie recipe for the holiday season.

5. Vegan Apple Cake

This version is a take on a traditional Dutch apple cake. It is easier than an apple pie, but just as delicious, if not more so, in my opinion. It’s a layer of light fluffy vanilla cake, topped with slices of apples that are gently placed on top of the batter, then sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.   Serve with coconut whipped cream or dairy-free vanilla ice cream. Use a good baking apple such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Prime Gold, or Jonagold.  This unique apple pie option will quickly become a keeper as one of the perfect recipes on a traditional great apple pie that is still a crowd pleaser!

6. Apple and Blackberry Pie Recipe

The combination of the apples and blackberries are what takes this one to the top of the thanksgiving pie recipes list!  The pastry is very easy to handle, extremely crispy, and delicious. This Apple and Blackberry pie is versatile, you can use any type of berries or apples you have in hand. You can get 8 medium-sized portions, so it is a real crowd-pleaser. No special skills are needed to make this delicious Apple Blackberry Pie, it is very easy to make with simple steps, pictures & instructions.

7. Easy Puff Pastry Apple Pie

This Easy Puff Pastry Apple classic Pie has a buttery, crisp, and flaky puff pastry crust filled with perfectly cooked soft, juicy, and spicy apples.   Puff Pastry Apple Pie is super easy to make with ready-made pastry sheets and is best when served fresh out of the oven. The apple filling is flavored with butter and warm spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. The puff pastry is super flakey and melts in the mouth. This favorite Apple Pie With Puff Pastry is a crowd-pleaser, it is a family favorite loved by adults as well as kids.

8. Air Fryer Apple Pie

With a little help from the grocery store and with the magic of air frying, you can make apple pie in air fryer in about 40 minutes. 

This air fryer apple pie is loaded with sweet apples surrounded by an incredibly flaky crust you can purchase at the grocery store. The whole thing is baked in an air fryer until it’s golden brown and delicious. You’ll hardly break a sweat to make air fryer apple pie, and it won’t be long before you enjoy a slice of warm air fryer apple pie with a scoop of melty vanilla ice cream.  This is a favorite pie turned modern with the use of the air fryer to save time and effort in this classic recipe.

9. Carmelized Apple Fried Hand Pies

These hand pies are super delicious little pockets of brown sugar caramelized sweet apples and hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.  Slow-cooked granny smith or golden delicious are the best apples make for the best pie filling in these homemade fried hand pies.  The top crust is flaky, golden, and fried to perfection.  The inside is sweet, tart, and syrupy.  All combined together in your own personal apple pie that you can hold.  These are great for hosting because everyone can grab their own Thanksgiving pies for holiday meals.

10. Brown Sugar Caramel Apple Pie

Caramel and apples can actually get even sweeter and more crave-worthy when you add ribbons of buttery brown sugar and make it all into one to-die-for pie.  There is so much to love about this pie. 

It is perfect for holidays and special occasions. Plus, it combines the flavors of an apple streusel with that of caramel apples into one amazing pie of favorite things.   And if you have a favorite apple or grow your own apples, whichever kind that is, they will likely work in this pie. The end result is absolute deliciousness!

11. Apple Pita

A delicious, creamy apple filling, sandwiched between flaky sheets of pastry, our mom's apple pita is sure to become your family's favorite in no time! It’s a great snack for them at school and freezes really well. It also looks very fancy and complicated which will impress everyone if you bring it to a party or to Thanksgiving dinner.

12. Apple Slab Pie with Nutty Crumble

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because of the quality time with family and friends and the delicious Thanksgiving dinner that is served.  While turkey may be the main dish of the Thanksgiving table, the perfect dessert in the form of a homemade pie with golden brown buttery crust made with sliced apples. A warm apple pie is the key to my heart at the Thanksgiving feast.  I personally believe that apple pie is the key to making Thanksgiving dinner a success!  The perfect apple pie exists and believe me I have done extensive research on the matter. Keep reading to find the best Thanksgiving apple pie recipes and no matter which one you try, you will love these fresh pie options and so will your Thanksgiving guests!

13. Mini Lattice Apple Pies

This is an easy apple pie recipe that is perfect for serving a crowd and easy to make!

14.  Gluten Free French Apple Tart

Make a Gluten Free French Apple Tart for Thanksgiving guests this year. This homemade apple tart is a delicious classic autumn dessert. Made with freshly sliced apples and apple sauce, this tart is the perfect gluten free apple dessert.

15. Dutch Apple Pie

You don't have to store apple pie in the fridge. If you plan to eat the apple pie the same day or the day after, it is best to keep it covered at room temperature. You can keep it covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for 2-3 days, but the homemade crust can get softer.

Dutch apple pie will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months. You can also freeze the dough. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and keep it in the freezer for six months.

16. Gooey Apple Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

This apple Pie with Graham Cracker Crust comes together with gooey homemade apple pie filling, sweet and salty pretzel streusel topping, and a thick, buttery graham cracker crust for the best apple pie ever. 

17. Cranberry Apple Crumble Pie

Cranberry Apple Crumble Pie may become your new favorite Thanksgiving dessert! This simple crumble pie recipe is a favorite with everyone who tries it.

When it comes to holiday flavors apple and cranberry are right at the top of the list. This Apple Cranberry Pie combines the two in a delectable holiday dessert that is going to be a show stopper for your celebrations.  

18. Apple Blueberry Pie

This cozy, rustic apple blueberry pie is the perfect fall pie recipe to make during apple season. Made with frozen blueberries and pre-made pie crust so you can easily make this pie throughout the fall.

Apple pie's combination of tradition, seasonal ingredients, comforting qualities, and symbolism make it a popular and fitting dessert choice for Thanksgiving, a holiday that revolves around gratitude, family gatherings, and celebrating the bountiful harvest. I hope you enjoy some of the best apple pie recipe ideas to make Thanksgiving a success this year!