29 Easy Pie Recipes for Laid-Back Bakes
With this collection of easy pies, we’re expanding the definition of what a pie can be. Because what really is a pie if not a filling—whether fruity, creamy, or chocolaty—tucked in a crust? In this collection you’ll find an apple tart made with frozen puff pastry, a galette that calls for just three simple ingredients, and even a few hand pies for snacking (and sharing) on the go. And that’s not to mention the frozen pies that don’t require any baking at all.
Many of these pies can be made in advance, with minimal ingredients, or entirely out of pantry staples. All of them are amenable to swaps. While homemade pie crust is definitely worth the effort, we don’t always have the time or energy for the whole from-scratch shebang—that’s where a store-bought pie shell comes in. Don’t have chocolate wafer cookies for a chocolate cookie crust? Sub in Oreos, graham crackers, or frankly any cookie you find in the cupboard. With these easy pie recipes on hand, dessert’s in the bag.
Photograph by Scott Semler, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Stephanie Yeh4/29Strawberry and Pretzel Ice Cream Pie
This is the coolest—and easiest—strawberry pie around. To make it, empty a softened pint of strawberry ice cream into a crushed pretzel crust (a store-bought graham cracker crust would work here too) and freeze until firm. Top with fresh berries and you’ve got a frozen strawberry pie, perfect for the summer months.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Hampton5/293-Ingredient Caramel Apple Tart
Store-bought caramel sauce and frozen puff pastry are the secrets to a showstopping Thanksgiving dessert that you can make in under an hour. For extra flourish, serve it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne6/29Buttermilk Pie
It doesn’t get much simpler than a classic custard pie. This version is flavored with tangy buttermilk, lemon zest and juice, and vanilla. The only fuss? Blind-baking the pie crust—follow our foolproof method and it’ll be a breeze.
Photo by JP Bevins, Food Styling by Molly Baz7/293-Ingredient Frozen Mud Pie
This ice cream pie is literally the easiest dessert you can make. All you need is a pre-baked pie shell, melted chocolate, and coffee ice cream. Feel free to switch up the flavors: Swap the coffee pints for chocolate ice cream, and the chocolate drizzle for warm peanut butter for a chocolate-peanut butter pie.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Stevie Stewart8/29Blueberry Pie
If you don’t want to blind bake a pie crust (understandable), opt for a fruit pie. The long bake time is your insurance policy against a soggy bottom.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Kim11/29Sweet Potato Pie
This Thanksgiving, ditch pumpkin pie for another sophisticated seasonal stunner. This sweet potato number gains fruity warmth from orange zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the praline topping, or don’t—it’ll be great either way.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Prop styling by Linden Elstran, Food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich12/29Lemon Icebox Pie
You could fuss over a dramatically torched Lemon Meringue Pie. Or you could expend wayyy less energy on this no-bake lemon icebox pie. Chantilly cream might sound fancy, but it’s just another word for sweetened whipped cream. Don’t want to bother whipping cream for a no-bake pie? Use the canned stuff—we won’t judge.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova13/29Coconut Cream Pie
This old classic relies on a few secret ingredients—toasted-coconut milk, gelatin, and whipped cream—to make the most ethereal pie imaginable. Not a fan of coconut? Try our classic Banana Cream Pie.
Photo by Erin Scott14/29Sour Cherry Pot Pies
Do future you a favor: Freeze a haul of sour cherries when they’re in season so you can bake this simple dessert year-round. These individual pot pies skew sweet, not savory. They’re ideal for when you want dessert, but don’t want to share. Feeling generous? Bake a large-format cherry pie instead.
Photo by Sara Remington15/29Peanut Butter Pie
This peanut butter pie is creamy, sweet, salty, and most importantly, a total cinch to make. It blows any pumpkin pie you’ve ever had out of the water.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi16/29Our Favorite Apple Pie
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Simon Andrews17/29Cheesy Hand Pies
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca18/29Cheater’s Berry Crumb Pie
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone20/29Mixed Berry Pie Bars
If you’ve ever wanted to eat pie like a cookie, these pie-bar-cookies are for you. The bright berry filling and buttery, flaky crust make them perfect for a picnic.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton21/29Crunchy, Creamy Key Lime Pie Bites on Ice Cream
Photo by Andrew Purcell, Prop Styling by Paige Hicks, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell22/29Lemon Curd Tart With Olive Oil
Photo by Michael Kartes24/29Chocolate Chess Pie
We like to bake this pie until the chocolate fudge filling is almost set, but still has some jiggle in it. Top with torched mini marshmallows for s’mores vibes.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini26/29Pumpkin Icebox Pie With Snickerdoodle Crust
Press cinnamon-sugar-coated cookie dough into a pie plate to make a fun and easy crust for this creamy pumpkin icebox pie.
