Thanksgiving’s coming, and you know what that means: pie season is upon us! But let’s be real—classic apple pie is amazing, but sometimes you want to shake things up and surprise your guests with something a little extra. Whether you’re hosting a big family bash or just vibing with a small crew, these 10 apple pie twists are here to make your holiday table the talk of the town. From boozy fillings to unexpected crusts, each recipe is packed with flavor, easy to whip up, and guaranteed to spark some “OMG, you made this?!” moments. Ready to level up your pie game? 😏
1. Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Why settle for a whole pie when you can have portable, gooey bars that scream fall? These babies combine the best of apple pie with a buttery shortbread crust and a drizzle of salted caramel that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 4 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper.
- Mix flour and granulated sugar in a bowl. Cut in the butter until crumbly, then press half into the dish for the crust. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Toss apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and salt. Spread over the baked crust.
- Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the apples, then sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture on top.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden. Cool, slice, and drizzle with extra caramel before serving.
Why You’ll Love It
These bars are like apple pie you can eat with your hands—no fork required! The salted caramel adds a sweet-salty vibe that’s straight-up addictive. Pro tip: Make a double batch because these disappear fast.
2. Bourbon Apple Pie with Pecan Crumble
Booze and pie? Yes, please! This grown-up twist spikes your classic apple pie with bourbon and tops it with a nutty, crunchy pecan crumble that’s basically dessert royalty.
Ingredients
- 1 store-bought pie crust (or homemade if you’re feeling fancy)
- 5 cups sliced Honeycrisp apples
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Fit the pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish.
- Mix apples, bourbon, brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, and lemon juice. Pour into the crust.
- Combine pecans, flour, melted butter, and granulated sugar for the crumble. Sprinkle over the apples.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Let cool slightly before slicing.
Why You’ll Love It
The bourbon gives this pie a warm, smoky depth that pairs perfectly with the pecans. I tried skipping the bourbon once—big mistake. It’s the secret weapon that makes this pie unforgettable.
3. Apple Pie Stuffed Cinnamon Rolls
Why choose between cinnamon rolls and apple pie when you can have both? These fluffy rolls are stuffed with apple pie filling for a breakfast-meets-dessert vibe that’s pure magic.
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated cinnamon roll dough (with icing)
- 2 cups diced Fuji apples
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp water
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a muffin tin.
- Cook apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter in a skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Mix cornstarch and water, then stir into the apples. Cook until thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Unroll cinnamon roll dough, spread apple filling over each strip, and roll back up.
- Place rolls in the muffin tin and bake for 12–15 minutes. Drizzle with icing.
Why You’ll Love It
These are like a warm hug in dessert form. The apple pie filling makes every bite gooey and sweet, and they’re perfect for a Thanksgiving brunch. Who doesn’t love a two-for-one deal?
4. Chai-Spiced Apple Pie Tarts
These mini tarts bring cozy chai spices to the apple pie party. They’re cute, shareable, and just spicy enough to keep things interesting.
Ingredients
- 1 package refrigerated pie dough (2 crusts)
- 3 cups sliced Granny Smith apples
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp chai spice blend (or mix cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tbsp coarse sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut pie dough into 4-inch circles and fit into a muffin tin.
- Toss apples with sugar, chai spice, and lemon juice. Fill each dough cup with the mixture.
- Fold dough edges over the apples, brush with egg, and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden. Cool slightly before serving.
Why You’ll Love It
The chai spices add a warm, exotic twist that makes these tarts feel special. I once served these at a Friendsgiving, and they were gone before the turkey hit the table. True story.
5. Apple Pie Cheesecake Bites
Cheesecake and apple pie had a baby, and it’s adorable. These creamy, dreamy bites are perfect for popping in your mouth between Thanksgiving toasts.
Ingredients
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup diced apples
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners.
- Mix graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into the bottom of each liner.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Spoon over crusts.
- Toss apples with brown sugar and cinnamon. Top each cheesecake with a spoonful.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes. Chill for 2 hours before serving.
Why You’ll Love It
These bites are rich but not too heavy, and the apple topping adds just the right sweetness. They’re also stupidly easy to make, which is a win when you’re juggling a million holiday tasks.
6. Apple Pie Skillet Cookie
One giant cookie loaded with apple pie vibes? Count me in. This skillet dessert is perfect for sharing (or not—your call).
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup diced apples
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 10-inch cast-iron skillet.
- Cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Add egg and vanilla, then mix in flour and baking soda.
- Fold in apples and cinnamon. Spread dough in the skillet.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden. Drizzle with caramel sauce before serving.
Why You’ll Love It
This cookie is warm, chewy, and packed with apple pie flavor. I made this for a potluck once, and people were fighting over the last scoop. Serve with ice cream for maximum wow.
7. Apple Pie Taquitos
Crispy, rolled tortillas stuffed with apple pie filling? These taquitos are a fun, dippable twist that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe.
Ingredients
- 6 small flour tortillas
- 2 cups chopped apples
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Cook apples, sugar, cinnamon, and 1 tbsp butter in a skillet until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Spread cream cheese on each tortilla, add a spoonful of apple filling, and roll tightly.
- Brush with remaining butter and bake for 10–12 minutes until crispy.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Why You’ll Love It
These taquitos are crunchy, creamy, and just sweet enough. The cream cheese adds a tangy surprise that makes them irresistible. Perfect for dipping in whipped cream!
8. Maple Bacon Apple Pie
Sweet, savory, and a little bit wild, this pie combines maple syrup and bacon for a Thanksgiving dessert that’s anything but boring.
Ingredients
- 1 pie crust
- 4 cups sliced apples
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Place pie crust in a 9-inch dish.
- Mix apples, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, bacon, cornstarch, and lemon juice.
- Pour into the crust and cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for 15–20 more minutes until bubbly. Cool slightly.
Why You’ll Love It
The bacon adds a smoky crunch that pairs surprisingly well with sweet apples. I was skeptical at first, but one bite and I was sold. This pie’s a conversation starter, for sure.
9. Apple Pie Smoothie Bowl
Who says pie can’t be healthy-ish? This smoothie bowl is loaded with apple pie flavors but feels like a breakfast win.
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup diced apples
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 cup granola
- 1 tbsp almond butter
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Blend banana, apples, yogurt, almond milk, cinnamon, and maple syrup until smooth.
- Pour into a bowl and top with granola and a drizzle of almond butter.
- Serve immediately with a spoon.
Why You’ll Love It
This bowl is quick, creamy, and tastes like apple pie in smoothie form. It’s perfect for a post-Thanksgiving breakfast when you’re still craving those fall flavors. Plus, it’s Instagram-worthy. 😎
10. Apple Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Take your apple pie to the next level with these ice cream sandwiches that combine warm apple filling with chilly vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 cups diced apples
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 pint vanilla ice cream
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, butter, sugar, and cinnamon for cookie dough.
- Roll into 1-inch balls, flatten slightly, and bake for 10–12 minutes. Cool completely.
- Cook apples with brown sugar and cinnamon until soft, about 5 minutes. Cool.
- Sandwich a scoop of ice cream and a spoonful of apples between two cookies.
- Freeze for 10 minutes before serving.
Why You’ll Love It
These sandwiches are the ultimate hot-cold combo. The cinnamon cookies and apple filling make every bite feel like Thanksgiving, but with a fun twist. Kids and adults go nuts for these.
Wrap-Up
There you have it—10 apple pie twists that’ll make your Thanksgiving dessert table the star of the show! From portable bars to boozy pies and even a smoothie bowl for the morning after, these recipes are all about big flavor and easy prep. Pick one (or three, no judgment) and get ready to impress your guests with your pie prowess. Which one’s calling your name? Happy baking! 🥧
