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Home » Desserts

29 Apple Desserts That Are Even Better Than Pumpkin Pie (Yes, Really)

Published: Oct 3, 2024 by Shruthi · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Apple desserts are the perfect way to celebrate the sweet, fruity flavors of fall. These recipes are all about turning apples into something amazing, whether you’re craving something sweet, tangy, or even a little bit crunchy. Forget pumpkin pie for a second—these desserts are the kind that will have you coming back for seconds (or thirds) without a second thought. Simple, great ingredients come together for treats that are just as satisfying as they are memorable.

Top view of Easy Instant Pot Fireball Apple Shortcakes.
Easy Instant Pot Fireball Apple Shortcakes. Photo Credit: xoxoBella

Apple Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

A close-up photo of a sliced apple pie with graham cracker crust on a white plate, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 
Apple Pie with Graham Cracker Crust. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This apple pie with a graham cracker crust is easy to prepare and pairs well with tea. It’s a perfect choice for an afternoon snack or sharing with friends, providing a comforting apple dessert that is a nice change from pumpkin spice.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

Bisquick Apple Cobbler

An overhead image of bisquick apple cobbler in a skillet pan topped with vanilla ice cream.
Bisquick Apple Cobbler. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Bisquick apple cobbler comes together in less than an hour, combining tart apples, sweet cinnamon, and buttery Bisquick. This simple and quick dessert highlights the versatility of apples, making it an ideal alternative to pumpkin-based options.
Get the Recipe: Bisquick Apple Cobbler

Air Fryer Apple Crisp

Air Fryer Apple Crisp. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

This air fryer apple crisp for two is ready in just 30 minutes, featuring roasted apples with a crisp streusel topping. It’s a fast, convenient way to enjoy the warm flavors of apple crisp without the time commitment of a traditional pie.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apple Crisp

Easy Instant Pot Fireball Apple Shortcakes

Easy Instant Pot Fireball Apple Shortcakes. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Instant Pot Fireball apple shortcakes mix cinnamon apples soaked in Fireball whiskey with premade sponge cake. This creative dessert brings a fresh take on apple treats and offers a bold alternative to traditional pumpkin pie.
Get the Recipe: Easy Instant Pot Fireball Apple Shortcakes

Gluten-Free Apple Crisp

Gluten-Free Apple Crisp. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

This gluten-free apple crisp features tender apples spiced just right, topped with a crunchy and buttery topping. It’s a fast and simple dessert that allows you to enjoy the taste of apples without the need for a pie.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Apple Crisp

Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies

Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Apple butter thumbprint cookies rolled in cinnamon sugar give you a crunchy, apple-filled bite with every mouthful. These easy-to-make cookies are a great way to enjoy the taste of apple pie without the hassle of a full pie.
Get the Recipe: Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies

The Best Apple Pie Cookies

The Best Apple Pie Cookies. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Apple pie cookies are made with brown sugar, molasses, and fresh apple pie filling, giving you all the flavors of apple pie in handheld form. These soft and chewy cookies are an excellent alternative to pumpkin-flavored treats.
Get the Recipe: The Best Apple Pie Cookies

Campfire Apple Crisp

Campfire Apple Crisp. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Campfire apple crisp is a fun, easy dessert with juicy apples and a sweet crumb topping. It’s a tasty alternative to s’mores, and a great way to enjoy apple flavors in a new form while moving away from the usual pumpkin spice trend.
Get the Recipe: Campfire Apple Crisp

Apple Cake with Cinnamon

An apple cake baked in a cast iron skillet, cut into slices.
Apple Cake with Cinnamon. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Apple cinnamon cake, baked in a skillet and topped with fresh apple slices, brings a rustic charm to your fall table. It’s an easy dessert option that allows you to enjoy fall flavors in a comforting and simple way, offering something new from pumpkin pie.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cake with Cinnamon

Gluten Free Vegan Gingerbread Apple Cake

Gluten Free Vegan Gingerbread Apple Cake. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This gluten-free and vegan gingerbread apple cake is a flavorful option for those looking for something different from traditional pumpkin spice cakes. It’s easy to prepare and full of fall flavors that make it a memorable dessert choice.
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Vegan Gingerbread Apple Cake

Single-Serve Apple Pie

Mini apple pie on cutting board.
Single-Serve Apple Pie. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

A single-serve apple pie with a flaky crust and sweet filling offers the perfect personal-sized treat. It’s a simple and satisfying way to enjoy apple pie flavors without making a full pie, and makes for a great alternative to pumpkin desserts.
Get the Recipe: Single-Serve Apple Pie

Apple Sheet Cake

Apple Sheet Cake. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Old-fashioned apple sheet cake is a soft, fluffy sponge cake baked with tart apples and cozy cinnamon. It’s a fantastic option for gatherings or just a comforting snack at home, bringing a new way to enjoy apple flavors beyond pumpkin pie.
Get the Recipe: Apple Sheet Cake

Butterscotch Apple Crisp

A butterscotch apple crumble in a cast iron skillet on a wooden cutting board.
Butterscotch Apple Crisp. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

Butterscotch apple crisp uses Granny Smith apples in a bourbon butterscotch sauce, topped with a buttery streusel. It’s a quicker, simpler alternative to apple pie that still celebrates the season's best flavors, offering a refreshing break from pumpkin spice.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Apple Crisp

Air Fryer Apple Pie Bites

Apple pie bites cut open to show the apple filling inside.
Air Fryer Apple Pie Bites. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air fryer apple pie bites, featuring a cinnamon apple filling inside a flaky biscuit crust, come together with just 5 ingredients. These quick and easy bites provide a convenient way to enjoy apples and stand out from pumpkin spice desserts.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apple Pie Bites

Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie

Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

This two-ingredient cinnamon roll apple pie is quick and easy to assemble. The soft cinnamon roll crust filled with spiced apples makes for a dessert that’s both simple and satisfying, offering a fresh twist on traditional apple pie.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie

Apple Pie

A slice of apple pie on a plate with a scoop of ice cream.
Apple Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

This easy homemade apple pie is made with just a few simple ingredients, giving you that fresh-from-the-oven taste. Whether served warm or at room temperature, it’s a nostalgic dessert that competes well against pumpkin spice options.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie

Gluten-Free Buckwheat Flour Apple Muffins

Gluten-Free Buckwheat Flour Apple Muffins. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Gluten-free apple buckwheat flour muffins are spiced just right and free from refined sugars, offering a wholesome choice for breakfast or dessert. Packed with fiber and protein, these muffins give you a health-conscious alternative to pumpkin-based treats.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Buckwheat Flour Apple Muffins

Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie

Overhead view of apple pie with apples.
Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

A lattice top apple pie pairs sweet apples with warm spices in a traditional dessert. It’s a comforting, classic choice that reminds you that apples can provide just as much heartwarming comfort as pumpkin-based dishes.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie

Pumpkin Spice Honey Caramel Apples

Pumpkin Spice Honey Caramel Apples. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Caramel apples with a twist feature tart green apples coated in honey caramel with a hint of pumpkin spice. This gluten-free, dairy-free dessert offers a fresh and fun take on the classic caramel apple without relying on the familiar pumpkin pie.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Honey Caramel Apples

French Apple Cake

French Apple Cake. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

French apple cake is rich with fresh apple flavors and has a tender, moist crumb. This elegant cake adds a touch of sophistication to your fall baking, providing a refined alternative to pumpkin spice desserts.
Get the Recipe: French Apple Cake

Gluten-Free Honey Apple Crisp

Gluten-Free Honey Apple Crisp. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

This apple crisp, made gluten-free with Naturacentric Vanilla Cinnamon Infused Raw Honey, offers rich and warm flavors without relying on extra spices. It's an elegant way to enjoy apple desserts that stands apart from typical pumpkin pie.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Honey Apple Crisp

Apple Crisp Mini Cheesecakes

Apple Crisp Mini Cheesecakes. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

Apple crisp mini cheesecakes combine creamy cheesecake with a sweet apple crisp topping. These bite-sized treats are perfect for fall and make for a luxurious alternative to pumpkin spice desserts.
Get the Recipe: Apple Crisp Mini Cheesecakes

Easy Air Fryer Cinnamon Maple Baked Apples

Easy Air Fryer Cinnamon Maple Baked Apples. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Air fryer cinnamon maple baked apples are quick and simple, with maple syrup adding a special sweetness. This dessert is easy to prepare and provides a fresh way to enjoy apples, making it an appealing alternative to pumpkin pie.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Cinnamon Maple Baked Apples

Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Caramel Apple Dump Cake. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Caramel apple dump cake is a straightforward dessert that brings autumn flavors together with rich caramel. It’s an easy and quick option for those looking for a simplified alternative to apple pie while still embracing the flavors of the season.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Apple Cinnamon Rolls

A pan of freshly baked and frosted apple cinnamon rolls on a dark blue background.
Apple Cinnamon Rolls. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

Apple cinnamon rolls, made with fresh apples and cream cheese frosting, are a sweet upgrade to classic cinnamon rolls. They’re perfect for a cozy weekend breakfast or special occasions, offering a delicious way to enjoy apples during fall.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Apple Pie Stuffed Cheesecake

A slice of apple pie stuffed cheesecake on a plate with a spoon.
Apple Pie Stuffed Cheesecake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Apple pie stuffed cheesecake combines the flavors of apple pie with creamy cheesecake, offering a combination of textures that’s hard to resist. This dessert makes for a standout option, providing a fresh take on fall sweets without the pumpkin flavor.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Stuffed Cheesecake

Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes with Streusel Topping

Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes with Streusel Topping. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Mini caramel apple cheesecakes with a streusel topping are small, flavorful bites that capture all the fall flavors you love. These cheesecakes are a great choice for gatherings, giving you a bite-sized alternative to more traditional pumpkin desserts.
Get the Recipe: Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes with Streusel Topping

Vegan Apple Cookies with Oatmeal

Close-up of vegan apple cookies with oatmeal on a wooden board.
Vegan Apple Cookies with Oatmeal. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Vegan apple cookies with oatmeal are packed with apples and cinnamon, perfect for fall baking. These hearty cookies are a flavorful option during the cooler months, showcasing apples in a way that’s different from traditional pumpkin treats.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Apple Cookies with Oatmeal

Apple Crumble Cheesecake

Apple Crumble Cheesecake. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

Apple crumble cheesecake combines rich caramel cheesecake with apple pie elements for a dessert that stands out. Served with whipped cream, this combination captures the essence of fall while giving you a refreshing break from pumpkin pie.
Get the Recipe: Apple Crumble Cheesecake

More Apple Desserts

An image of Gluten-Free Honey Apple Crisp.
Gluten-Free Honey Apple Crisp. Photo Credit: MOON and spoon and yum

Apples have their moment! These desserts prove they’re even better than pumpkins, with flavors so good, you’ll never look back.

Read it Here: 39 Desserts That Prove Apples Are Better Than Pumpkins

More Apple Treats

A plate of Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies on a wooden board.
Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies. Photo Credit: xoxoBella

These apple treats are so delicious, you'll want to make them every weekend! Sweet, cozy, and perfect for fall, they’ll steal the show every time.

Read it Here: 28 Apple Treats You’ll Want to Make Every Weekend

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    Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tart Bars
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    Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispies  
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Hi, I'm Shruthi! I am the owner and blogger at Parallel Plates. I love everything about food, and I hope that you can find the best recipe inspiration, trends, hacks, and more here.

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