National Pie Day is more than just a food holiday—it’s a celebration of comfort, tradition, and the simple joy of baking something special at home. Whether you’re brand new to baking or someone who usually relies on store-bought desserts, pie is one of the most forgiving and rewarding treats you can make.
This beginner-friendly guide features the 10 best pie recipes to celebrate National Pie Day, carefully chosen for their simplicity, popularity, and foolproof results. These pies use easy-to-find ingredients, straightforward steps, and plenty of shortcuts (yes, store-bought crusts are welcome!).
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not good at baking,” this post is for you.
🥧 Why Pie Is Perfect for Beginners
Before we dive into the recipes, let’s talk about why pie is such a great starting point for beginner bakers:
- Flexible recipes: Small mistakes rarely ruin a pie
- Shortcut-friendly: Pre-made crusts, canned fillings, and no-bake options
- Comfort factor: Even imperfect pies taste amazing
- Endless variety: Sweet, savory, baked, or chilled
National Pie Day is the perfect excuse to try something new without pressure.
🍎 1. Classic Easy Apple Pie (The Ultimate Beginner Pie)
Apple pie is the most iconic pie of all time—and thankfully, it’s also one of the easiest to make.
Why Beginners Love It
- Apples are forgiving and don’t overcook easily
- Works perfectly with store-bought crust
- Always impresses, even when rustic
Ingredients
- 2 store-bought pie crusts
- 6 cups sliced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp butter
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Peel and slice apples thinly.
- In a large bowl, mix apples with sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour.
- Place one crust into a pie dish.
- Add apple filling and dot with butter.
- Cover with the second crust, seal edges, and cut small slits on top.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes until golden brown.
Beginner Tips
- If edges brown too fast, cover with foil
- Let cool before slicing for cleaner pieces
🍫 2. No-Bake Chocolate Cream Pie
This pie is proof that you don’t need an oven to make something decadent.
Why It’s Beginner-Friendly
- No baking required
- Only a handful of ingredients
- Almost impossible to mess up
Ingredients
- 1 chocolate cookie pie crust
- 1 box instant chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1½ cups whipped topping
Instructions
- Whisk pudding mix with milk until thick.
- Fold in whipped topping.
- Spoon mixture into crust.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Optional Add-Ons
- Chocolate shavings
- Crushed Oreos
- Chocolate syrup drizzle
National Pie Day Desserts You’ll Love
Air Fryer Garlic Toast (Crispy, Buttery & Ready in Minutes)
🎃 3. Classic Pumpkin Pie (Not Just for Thanksgiving)
Pumpkin pie is smooth, spiced, and incredibly easy thanks to canned pumpkin.
Ingredients
- 1 pie crust
- 1 can pumpkin purée
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice
- 1 cup evaporated milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Whisk all ingredients together until smooth.
- Pour into pie crust.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes until center is set.
Beginner Tip
- If the center jiggles slightly, it’s done—it will firm up as it cools
🍓 4. No-Bake Strawberry Pie
Fresh, light, and colorful, this pie is ideal for warmer weather or quick desserts.
Ingredients
- 1 graham cracker crust
- 2 cups fresh strawberries
- ½ cup strawberry jam
- 1 cup whipped cream
Instructions
- Mash half the strawberries with jam.
- Spread mixture into crust.
- Slice remaining strawberries and layer on top.
- Finish with whipped cream.
- Chill for 1 hour before serving.
🥜 5. Easy Peanut Butter Pie
Creamy, sweet, and rich—this pie is always a crowd favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 chocolate pie crust
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1½ cups whipped topping
Instructions
- Mix peanut butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Fold in whipped topping.
- Spread into crust.
- Chill for 2 hours.
Beginner Tip
- Use room-temperature peanut butter for easier mixing
🍋 6. Simple Lemon Icebox Pie
This refreshing pie balances sweetness and tang perfectly.
Ingredients
- 1 graham cracker crust
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients until smooth.
- Pour into crust.
- Chill for at least 3 hours.
🍒 7. Classic Cherry Pie Using Canned Filling
Using canned filling makes this pie incredibly simple and consistent.
Ingredients
- 2 pie crusts
- 1 can cherry pie filling
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix filling with cornstarch.
- Pour into crust.
- Top with second crust.
- Bake for 45 minutes.
🍌 8. Easy Banana Cream Pie
Smooth pudding, fresh bananas, and whipped cream make this pie irresistible.
Ingredients
- 1 baked pie crust
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 box vanilla pudding
- Whipped topping
Instructions
- Slice bananas and layer in crust.
- Prepare pudding and pour over bananas.
- Chill 2 hours.
- Top with whipped cream.
🧀 9. Savory Chicken Pot Pie (Beginner Dinner Pie)
Pie doesn’t have to be sweet—this comforting classic is surprisingly easy.
Ingredients
- 1 pie crust
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 1 cup frozen vegetables
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix chicken, vegetables, and soup.
- Pour into crust.
- Cover and bake 40–45 minutes.
🍰 10. Easy Cheesecake Pie
A cross between cheesecake and pie—simpler than traditional cheesecake.
Ingredients
- 1 graham cracker crust
- 16 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time.
- Pour into crust.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40 minutes.
🥧 Beginner Pie-Making Tips for National Pie Day
- Don’t overfill your pie crust
- Always place pie on a baking sheet
- Let pies cool before slicing
- Rustic pies taste just as good as perfect ones
🎉 Final Thoughts: Celebrate National Pie Day with Confidence
National Pie Day is about joy, not perfection. With these 10 beginner-friendly pie recipes, you can confidently bake a pie at home—whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth.
From classic apple pie to no-bake chocolate cream pie and comforting chicken pot pie, there’s something here for everyone. Choose one recipe or try several, and make National Pie Day a tradition you’ll look forward to every year.
Happy baking and Happy National Pie Day! 🥧❤️
