Just How American Is Apple Pie?

Let’s play a game. I’ll start a phrase and you finish it: “As American as…” 

Got your answer? If you said “hamburgers,” you’d be about as right as the usual answer, “apple pie.”

Like other so-called “American” foods, such as hot dogs or fried chicken, apple pie didn’t actually originate here. 

Where did apple pie come from?

Even though it’s our go-to dessert in the United States, apple pie hails from England, dating back to the 14th century when early cookbooks included recipes for spiced apples wrapped in pastry. As time went on, other European versions — especially Dutch and French — helped shape what we now recognize as apple pie. 

When settlers came to America, they brought those traditions with them. Apples weren’t native here either, but colonists quickly started planting orchards, and soon enough, apple pie became a preferred dessert that made use of whatever ingredients were around.

How did it become a symbol of patriotism?

By the 1700s and 1800s, apple pie was already a fixture in American homes — a symbol of comfort, prosperity, and a little slice of domestic bliss. But it wasn’t until the 20th century that it really took on a life of its own.

During World War II, soldiers would say they were fighting for “mom and apple pie,” a phrase that stuck thanks to journalists and the military using it to stir up feelings of home and patriotism. That connection helped apple pie become more than a dessert — it became a symbol of what it meant to be American. 

The message was repeated in cookbooks, ads, and posters, and soon, apple pie was woven into the very fabric of American culture.

What’s in an apple pie?

At its heart, it’s simple ingredients. Most recipes call for sliced apples (usually a mix like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp), sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a bit of lemon juice or zest to further spice things up. That gets tucked into a buttery, flaky crust made from flour, fat (like butter or shortening), salt, and cold water. Some bakers also throw in a little cornstarch or flour to help the filling thicken up in the oven. When it’s all baked together, it’s sweet, spiced, a little tart — and totally irresistible.

How should I eat apple pie?

What makes apple pie even better is how easy it is to dress up. The most popular move is à la mode — vanilla ice cream melting over a warm slice. But there’s plenty of room to experiment. 

Caramel or butter pecan ice cream brings out the richness. Dutch-style pies use a crumb topping instead of a second crust, with a streusel of flour, sugar, and maybe oats or nuts.

If you’re in the mood for something lighter, whipped cream does the trick. 

Feeling adventurous? Try a slice of sharp cheddar cheese with your pie — it’s a classic in parts of New England. In Vermont, where cheddar is a point of pride and apple pie is the official state pie, it’s not uncommon to see a slice of cheese served right on top or on the side. The salty bite of the cheese plays surprisingly well with the pie’s sweetness.

READ MORE: Fruit and Cheese Pairings

Where should I eat apple pie?

And let’s not forget the setting. Just like a lobster roll in Maine or a slice of pizza in New York City, where you eat your pie can make it taste even better. 

Picture fall: cool air, colorful leaves, a slice of pie on the porch with a mug of something warm (apple cider, perhaps???). Or a summer cookout with pie on a picnic table next to a pitcher of fresh-squeezed lemonade. Or a paper plate at a county fair, surrounded by hay bales and the smell of funnel cakes. Maybe sitting in a booth at a classic diner, jukebox humming in the background…

And of course, there’s nothing quite like a slice of pie in Grandma’s kitchen, warm from the oven, sweetening the whole house.

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How popular is apple pie?

Apple pie is still king in the U.S. It regularly beats out other favorite pies like pumpkin, pecan, banana cream, and cherry. With about 186 million pies eaten in the U.S. every year, apple pie remains far and away the favorite. It’s estimated that Americans eat around 50 million apple pies every year, and on average, each person puts away about six slices annually.

READ MORE: Our Favorite Types of Pies

It’s not just a dessert. Apple pie is a reminder of home, of comfort, of something deeply familiar.

So the next time you hear someone say “As American as apple pie” just remember, just like many of us, this beloved dessert did not start here, and that is kind of the point. It came from recipes passed down and mixed up across generations and countries, eventually landing in our kitchens and becoming something we all recognize and love. 

Apple pie is not just about where it came from, but how it grew into something special along the way.