11 Apple Desserts That Are Easier Than Pie
Anna Alson
September 21, 2025 • 11 recipes
Pie crust drama? Ugh. Get your apple fix way faster with these stunners!
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Forget the fruit filling for a moment; these White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies deliver a delightful burst of holiday cheer in a perfectly chewy package. We fold generous chunks of sweet, melting white chocolate alongside tart, jewel-toned cranberries into a deeply buttery base, creating a stunning contrast in every bite. The texture is wonderfully soft in the center with just the slightest crispness around the edges, making them an excellent treat to bake ahead for gifting or setting out on a cozy afternoon platter.
Mini Apple & Cinnamon Tarts
Forget the fuss of a full pie crust; these Mini Apple & Cinnamon Tarts deliver all the warm, autumnal flavor in a perfectly portioned package. We're talking buttery, flaky puff pastry acting as the ideal cradle for tender apple slices, generously dusted with a fragrant mixture of sugar and spice before baking. The technique is wonderfully simple: just slice your pastry, layer on the spiced fruit, and watch them transform into golden-edged delights. These little gems are fantastic for grab-and-go snacking or as an elegant, no-mess addition to any dessert spread.
Flaky Apple Turnovers
These Flaky Apple Turnovers deliver all the cozy satisfaction of a full pie wrapped up in a convenient, hand-held package. Imagine biting through layers of impossibly crisp pastry to reach a warm, sweet filling of spiced, tender diced apples brightened with a hint of lemon. Keep your pastry game simple by opting for high-quality store-bought puff pastry, which guarantees that desirable golden-brown flakiness every time before you finish them with a luscious, creamy vanilla icing drizzle.
Caramel Apple Snickers Salad
Forget everything you think you know about traditional salads; this Caramel Apple Snickers Salad is a decadent symphony of textures and classic fall flavors. Imagine crisp, juicy apple chunks folded into a light, creamy base, studded with chewy marshmallows and generous pieces of chocolate and peanut butter candy bars. The entire mixture is then generously drizzled with rich, buttery caramel, creating an irresistible blend of sweet, salty, and crunchy in every spoonful. This recipe is wonderfully adaptable and comes together quickly, making it a fantastic, crowd-pleasing option for potlucks or casual gatherings.
Apple Crisp with Oat Topping
Forget fussing with tricky pastry; this Apple Crisp delivers all the comforting flavor of an apple pie with a fraction of the effort. Tender, warmly spiced apples simmer beneath a gloriously buttery topping studded with hearty oats and brown sugar that bakes up deeply golden and wonderfully crunchy. The contrast between the soft, tangy fruit filling and the crisp, textured streusel is utterly divine. This rustic dessert is wonderfully forgiving and reheats beautifully for satisfying second helpings.
Caramel Apple Crisp with Cinnamon Oat Topping
This Caramel Apple Crisp delivers all the cozy, spiced flavor of a favorite fall dessert without the fuss of rolling out pastry dough. Tender, slow-cooked apples bathed in buttery caramel create a luscious base, perfectly contrasted by a hearty, textured topping made with whole oats, brown sugar, and a hint of spice. The crisp texture on top offers a satisfying crunch against the soft, yielding fruit underneath, making every spoonful a textural delight. Because it bakes up beautifully in one dish, this is a fantastic, crowd-pleasing option that requires minimal hands-on time.
Apple Cranberry Galette with Brown Sugar Glaze
Skip the fuss of a traditional pie crust in favor of this rustic Apple Cranberry Galette, which delivers all the comforting fall flavor with significantly less effort. Tender, spiced apples mingle beautifully with tart cranberries nestled in a free-form, buttery pastry that crisps up perfectly in the oven. A final drizzle of sweet brown sugar glaze melts right into the warm fruit filling, creating a luscious texture contrast to the flaky edges. This free-form beauty is simple to assemble and looks wonderfully artisanal when presented on a platter.
Spiced Apple Churros with Caramel Dip
Forget the rolling pin and the lattice top; these Spiced Apple Churros deliver all the comforting flavor of apple pie in a delightfully crispy, handheld package. Each golden-fried strip of dough is dusted with a warm blend of cinnamon and nutmeg, perfectly complementing the tart sweetness of the finely diced apples folded right into the batter. Serving these is an event, especially when paired with a velvety smooth, homemade caramel dip that begs for a generous dunking. While they are best enjoyed fresh from the fryer, you can prepare your caramel dip up to three days in advance.
Bite Sized Brie and Apple Puffs
These Bite Sized Brie and Apple Puffs deliver a sophisticated sweet and savory experience wrapped in flaky pastry. Tender, spiced apples are nestled alongside creamy, melt-in-your-mouth Brie, all encased in crisp puff pastry shells that shatter delightfully with every bite. A delicate drizzle of honey after baking enhances the fruit's sweetness and complements the salty tang of the cheese. These little jewels are fantastic for entertaining as they can be assembled ahead of time and baked just before guests arrive.
Sticky Apple & Date Pudding with Cinnamon Cream
Forget the fuss of rolling out pastry; this Sticky Apple & Date Pudding delivers all the cozy, spiced comfort of a holiday classic in wonderfully spoonable form. Tender chunks of apple are baked into a rich, moist pudding studded with chewy, caramelized dates for an unexpected depth of sweetness. The whole decadent package is then crowned with a cloud of homemade Cinnamon Cream that melts beautifully into the warm pudding beneath. This comforting dessert comes together easily on the stovetop and is best served warm straight from the ramekin.
Classic Apple Crisp
Embrace pure autumnal comfort with this Classic Apple Crisp, a dessert that delivers all the warmth of pie without the fussy pastry work. Tender, cinnamon-spiced apples simmer beneath a deeply golden, buttery oat topping that bakes up perfectly crisp in every bite. This satisfying combination of gooey fruit and crunchy crumble is incredibly rewarding, and the whole thing comes together quickly, making it an effortless centerpiece for any casual gathering.