There’s something about a good pie that makes people pause mid-conversation and reach for a second slice. Sweet or savory, warm or chilled, these are the kinds of pies that never make it home with leftovers.
They hold their own next to casseroles, grilled meats, and pasta salads—and usually steal the spotlight. If your potluck contribution needs to earn rave reviews, one of these 18 pies is your golden ticket.
1. Apple Pie
Nothing screams “home” louder than the scent of cinnamon-spiced apples bubbling beneath a golden, flaky crust. The magic happens when tart Granny Smiths mingle with sweet Honeycrisps, creating that perfect sweet-tart balance that makes you close your eyes and sigh with every bite.
Grandmas everywhere guard their secret recipes like national treasures – some swear by a splash of bourbon, others by a handful of cranberries thrown into the mix. Serve with ice cream on top for real sweet treat.
2. Key Lime Pie
Pucker up, buttercup! This Florida sensation delivers a zesty punch that’ll wake up your taste buds faster than a cold shower. Authentic Key lime pie uses those tiny yellowish limes that pack twice the tartness of their grocery store cousins, creating a filling that dances on the line between sweet and sour.
The graham cracker crust – butter-soaked and slightly salty – provides the perfect foundation for that creamy, citrusy custard. Real aficionados know the whipped cream on top isn’t optional – it’s the cloud-like buffer that balances the lime’s intensity.
3. Pecan Pie
Sweet tooth alert! This Southern belle will knock your socks off with its molasses-rich filling and crunchy nut topping. The contrast between that gooey, caramel-like center and the toasted pecans creates texture heaven – like edible fireworks exploding in slow motion.
Bourbon isn’t just for drinking in the South; a splash in pecan pie elevates it from delicious to divine. The secret to greatness? Toasting those pecans before they dive into that sweet pool of filling. Some rebels add chocolate chips, transforming this classic into something even more sinful.
4. Cherry Pie
Holy fruit explosion, Batman! Cherry pie delivers that perfect sweet-tart punch that makes your mouth water before the fork even reaches your lips. Those ruby gems burst with juicy goodness, creating a filling that’s part syrup, part fruit chunks – the textural equivalent of a summer symphony.
Almond extract is the secret weapon here, amplifying the cherry flavor like a magical flavor echo. The real debate? Lattice top versus full crust coverage. Lattice lovers argue for the caramelized filling edges, while full-crust devotees praise the way the juice soaks into that top layer.
5. Chocolate Cream Pie
Chocoholics, unite! This velvety dream isn’t just dessert – it’s therapy in a pie plate. The contrast between that crisp crust and the smooth-as-silk filling creates a textural masterpiece that melts away faster than your willpower.
Real chocolate – we’re talking the good stuff, not that powdered nonsense – transforms the custard into something worth fighting over. The whipped cream topping isn’t merely decoration; it’s the essential counterpoint that cuts through the richness. Some mavericks add a layer of banana slices at the bottom, creating a chocolate-banana love affair.
6. Pumpkin Pie
Cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove – the holy trinity of fall spices – transform humble pumpkin into the legendary pie that launches a thousand Thanksgiving arguments. That silky, custardy filling quivers seductively with each slice, promising comfort in every mouthful.
Forget those sad store-bought versions. The real deal uses fresh pumpkin puree (or at least premium canned) and heavy cream for that luxurious mouthfeel that makes you close your eyes involuntarily. The crust should shatter slightly before melting into that spiced filling.
7. Lemon Meringue Pie
Talk about a show-off! This triple-threat combines buttery crust, puckery filling, and a billowy meringue top that’s been kissed by fire. The lemon curd center walks that perfect tightrope between tongue-tingling tartness and just-enough sweetness.
The meringue isn’t just pretty – it’s a technical marvel of egg whites and sugar whipped into a cloud-like state that can make grown pastry chefs weep. Getting that perfect golden brown top without weeping or shrinking? That’s culinary black magic.
8. Blueberry Pie
Blueberries aren’t just antioxidant bombs – they’re tiny flavor grenades that explode into jammy goodness when baked. When those indigo pearls burst in the oven, they create a filling that’s part syrup, part whole fruit – nature’s perfect pie filling.
A hint of lemon zest cuts through the sweetness, while cinnamon plays the subtle background note that makes people ask, “What’s that amazing flavor I can’t quite place?” The true test of a great blueberry pie? That purple-blue juice that bubbles up through the vents, caramelizing into sticky, delicious evidence of what waits inside.
9. Banana Cream Pie
Grandma’s remedy for everything from bad grades to broken hearts comes layered in a pie plate. Those silky banana slices nestled in vanilla custard create a texture combination that’s like a warm hug for your taste buds.
The graham cracker crust soaks up just enough of that creamy filling to create a magical middle layer that’s neither crust nor filling. Fresh whipped cream (none of that canned nonsense) and a sprinkle of shaved chocolate or crushed vanilla wafers provide the final touch of textural contrast.
10. Chicken Pot Pie
Steam erupts like a flavor geyser when your fork pierces that golden dome of buttery pastry. Beneath lies a bubbling cauldron of chicken chunks, tender vegetables, and velvety gravy that puts ordinary soup to shame.
The best versions feature crust on all sides – not just the top – creating that perfect pastry-to-filling ratio in every bite. Peas and carrots provide colorful pops against the creamy backdrop, while herbs like thyme and rosemary infuse the sauce with earthy depth.
11. Shepherd’s Pie
Technically crustless, but who’s counting when something tastes this good? This rustic masterpiece layers seasoned ground lamb (accept no beef substitutes!) with vegetables under a crown of buttery mashed potatoes that crisp up in the oven.
The secret to greatness lies in the gravy – rich, savory, and spiked with Worcestershire sauce and a splash of red wine. Those crispy potato edges are worth fighting over, especially when they’ve soaked up some of that magical meat juice.
12. Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
The odd couple of the pie world! Sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb create a filling that’s like a flavor seesaw – one moment you’re tasting summer sunshine, the next you’re puckering from that distinctive rhubarb zing.
The juices from these two create a naturally thickened sauce that turns ruby-red and glossy during baking. Those little seeds from the strawberries provide tiny pops of texture against the softer fruit. A dash of orange zest is the secret weapon that unites these seemingly mismatched partners.
13. Peach Pie
Peach juice dribbling down your chin isn’t just acceptable with this pie – it’s practically guaranteed. Those golden slices collapse into sweet submission during baking, creating pockets of intense peachy goodness between flaky layers of crust.
A hint of almond extract amplifies the natural stone fruit flavor, while cinnamon and nutmeg provide warm background notes. The true test of greatness? Using perfectly ripe peaches that require no extra sugar to shine. Some bakers add a sprinkle of tapioca to capture that ambrosial juice without making the bottom crust soggy.
14. Mississippi Mud Pie
Chocoholics, meet your Mount Everest. This deep-dish wonder features layers of chocolate in various forms – from the cookie crust to the fudgy center to the silky ganache topping. Each bite requires a moment of silence to fully appreciate the textural journey.
Some versions add coffee to intensify the chocolate flavor, while others incorporate nuts for crunch or a hidden layer of caramel for gooey contrast. The whipped cream isn’t merely decoration – it’s the essential counterbalance to all that richness.
15. Coconut Cream Pie
One bite transports you straight to a hammock swinging between palm trees! This creamy vision combines coconut in three glorious forms – toasted flakes, coconut milk, and coconut extract – creating flavor depth that makes your eyes roll back in pleasure.
The custard filling should quiver slightly when the plate is moved, signaling that perfect consistency between firm and flowing. A properly made coconut cream pie balances sweetness with a hint of salt that makes the tropical notes sing.
16. Boston Cream Pie
Is it cake? Is it pie? Who cares when something tastes this magnificent! This Massachusetts marvel sandwiches vanilla custard between two layers of yellow cake, then crowns the whole affair with a glossy chocolate ganache that cascades down the sides.
Legend claims it was created in Boston’s Parker House Hotel in the 1850s, back when the terms “pie” and “cake” were more loosely defined. The magic happens in the contrast – tender cake, cool creamy center, and that snap of chocolate on top creating a textural symphony.
17. Sweet Potato Pie
Move over, pumpkin – your southern cousin brings more natural sweetness and depth to the dessert table! Those orange tubers transform into silky magnificence when roasted, mashed, and spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and that secret weapon – a hint of orange zest.
The filling’s velvety texture comes from the perfect balance of eggs, condensed milk, and butter folded into those mashed sweet potatoes. Some family recipes guard the addition of a splash of bourbon or a pinch of ginger like state secrets.
18. Quiche Lorraine
Fancy enough for brunch with the in-laws yet satisfying enough for a midnight refrigerator raid! This savory masterpiece wraps a buttery crust around a custard filling studded with crispy bacon and Swiss cheese – proving that the French really do know how to elevate eggs to art form.
The perfect Quiche Lorraine achieves that magical texture – just set enough to slice cleanly but still trembling slightly in the center. Those crispy bacon bits provide salty pops of flavor against the creamy backdrop, while the nutty Gruyère adds depth.