19 Apple Desserts Better Than Any Pumpkin Pie This Fall

Fall may be pumpkin season, but apples make desserts that feel even more rewarding. With 19 recipes to choose from, there are countless ways to bring crisp flavor and sweet comfort to your table. These desserts are easy to prepare, filled with autumn character, and perfect for sharing with friends and family. Each one shows why apples can outshine pumpkin pie when it comes to fall baking.

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

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 layers spiced apples under a buttery topping that bakes golden in under an hour. This apple dessert is easier to assemble than pie yet still brings the same seasonal comfort. The oven does most of the work, which keeps prep stress low during fall gatherings. Guests will always circle back for another spoonful before the night ends.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Apple Crisp

Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Apple cinnamon rolls bake in about an hour, filling the kitchen with the unmistakable scent of spiced apples and dough. This apple dessert pairs soft rolls with glaze, making it perfect for fall mornings or casual entertaining. They feel festive without adding extra work, which makes them easy to serve anytime. A warm pan of these rolls signals that autumn has fully arrived.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Mini Apple Pies

A group of baked mini lattice‑topped apple pies arranged on a baking tin and a plate. — Mini Apple Pies. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Mini apple pies pack the flavor of a classic pie into individual servings ready in less than an hour. Their handheld size keeps hosting simple since each guest gets their own. This apple dessert keeps prep manageable while still delivering comfort in every bite. They’re the pies that remind everyone why apple season outshines pumpkin.
Get the Recipe: Mini Apple Pies

Apple Cinnamon Cake

Apple cinnamon cake bakes apples into a tender crumb with a glaze that pulls it all together in about an hour. This apple dessert works well as a centerpiece or a casual treat at gatherings. It uses simple ingredients but delivers a result that feels tied to the season. Each slice highlights the flavors that define fall desserts.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Cake

Iced Apple Cookies

Apple oatmeal cookies with icing and apples on a white plate. — Iced Apple Cookies. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Iced apple cookies bake in under 30 minutes, turning apples and oats into portable desserts topped with glaze. They’re quick to prepare and easy to share, which makes them perfect for busy hosting days. This apple dessert can be stacked or stored without worry, making them practical for parties. Guests leaving with a bag of these cookies take fall with them.
Get the Recipe: Iced Apple Cookies

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.

Old-fashioned lattice top apple pie bakes spiced apples under a woven crust for a dessert that takes about an hour. It can be prepped ahead, which makes it easy to serve during fall gatherings. This apple dessert carries tradition and comfort that pumpkin pie rarely matches. The lattice design makes it as striking on the table as it is familiar in flavor.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie

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 turn biscuit dough and spiced apples into a dessert ready in under 20 minutes. The air fryer makes them crisp quickly while keeping cleanup simple. This apple dessert needs only a few ingredients, making it approachable even on busy days. Guests grab these bites as fast as they come out of the basket.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apple Pie Bites

Apple Fritter Bread

Apple fritter bread bakes apple chunks into a cinnamon loaf finished with glaze in just over an hour. It slices neatly, which makes serving simple during gatherings. This apple dessert looks impressive without extra effort, and each slice carries strong fall flavors. It’s the kind of loaf that steadily disappears throughout the evening.
Get the Recipe: Apple Fritter Bread

Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

A slice of apple cinnamon coffee cake on a plate. — Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Caramel apple upside down cake bakes in under an hour, turning out glossy apples once flipped from the pan. The oven handles most of the work, so prep feels easy while you host. This apple dessert balances simplicity with a polished look that stands out on the table. The caramel finish makes every slice look ready for celebration.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

Walnut-Bottom Peach And Apple Pie

A pie with a golden-brown lattice crust and dough swirls rests on a cooling rack. — Walnut-Bottom Peach And Apple Pie. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Walnut-bottom peach and apple pie bakes in just over an hour, adding a nutty crust to a mix of two fruits. Apples keep it tied to fall while the walnuts add depth and texture. This apple dessert feels familiar yet distinct, making it memorable at gatherings. It’s the pie people keep talking about even after the plates are cleared.
Get the Recipe: Walnut-Bottom Peach And Apple Pie

Apple Nachos

A plate of sliced apples topped with dollops of yogurt, drizzles of almond butter, sprinkled pumpkin seeds, and fresh thyme leaves, displayed on a rustic wooden surface. — Apple Nachos. Photo credit: My Mocktail Forest.

Apple nachos take minutes to assemble, layering sliced apples with peanut butter, chocolate chips, and toppings. No baking means less time in the kitchen and more time at the table. This apple dessert doubles as a casual snack and a sweet treat, perfect for relaxed gatherings. Plates of these nachos disappear almost instantly once set out.
Get the Recipe: Apple Nachos

Puff Pastry Apple Tart

Rectangular apple tart with golden apple slices, a flaky crust, and a light glaze. Two cinnamon sticks lie nearby on a wooden surface. — Puff Pastry Apple Tart. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Puff pastry apple tart bakes flaky pastry topped with sliced apples and cinnamon in about 30 minutes. It uses only a few ingredients but still looks polished enough for a fall dessert spread. This apple dessert comes together quickly yet carries the flavors people expect from the season. Its crisp layers make it one of the easiest desserts to serve.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Apple Tart

Apple Blackberry Crumble

A bowl of fruit crumble with oats on top, featuring apples and blackberries. A fresh apple and blackberries are placed beside the bowl. — Apple Blackberry Crumble. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Apple blackberry crumble bakes fruit under a buttery oat topping for a dessert that’s ready in under an hour. The apples carry fall flavor while blackberries add a burst of color and contrast. This apple dessert works well at casual or festive gatherings, since it’s simple to serve by the spoonful. Guests always notice how the apples and berries play together in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Apple Blackberry Crumble

Apple Cranberry Galette

Apple cranberry galette bakes in just under an hour, pairing apples with tart cranberries inside a rustic crust. Its free-form style keeps prep simple while still feeling special enough for guests. This apple dessert captures the look of a pie without needing a dish or extra effort. The mix of sweet and tart makes each slice stand out on the table.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cranberry Galette

Puff Pastry Apple Pie Pockets

A flaky pastry filled with spiced apples is cut in half on a wooden board. — Puff Pastry Apple Pie Pockets. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Puff pastry apple pie pockets bake spiced apples inside flaky pastry in less than 30 minutes. They’re easier than a full pie but still deliver the flavor people expect from apple desserts. Their handheld size makes them easy to serve and share without plates. These pockets keep the comfort of apple pie while cutting the work in half.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Apple Pie Pockets

Apple Cider Shortbread Cookies

Cinnamon sugar cookies on a plate. — Apple Cider Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Apple cider shortbread cookies bake in under 30 minutes, infusing simple dough with the flavor of cider. They’re quick to make and easy to stack for serving or gifting. This apple dessert works well alongside coffee or as part of a fall dessert spread. Guests remember the crisp bite that carries a hint of the season in every piece.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Shortbread Cookies

Apple Cider Blondies

Apple cider blondies bake in about 35 minutes, transforming cider and oats into chewy dessert bars. They balance buttery richness with the familiar spices of apple pie. This apple dessert is easy to cut and share, which makes it practical for parties or casual evenings. A tray of these blondies guarantees no one misses pumpkin pie.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Blondies

Apple Pie Bread Pudding

Apple pie bread pudding bakes spiced apples and soft bread in custard for a dessert ready in about an hour. It feels both traditional and fresh, making it a versatile addition to fall menus. This apple dessert turns everyday ingredients into something that holds its place next to pie. Each spoonful tastes like autumn served in comfort form.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Bread Pudding

Apple Cake With Cinnamon

Apple cake with cinnamon bakes in a skillet in about 40 minutes, topping soft batter with fresh apple slices. It feels rustic while still being simple to serve straight from the pan. This apple dessert pairs comfort with ease, which makes it useful for weeknights or gatherings. Each slice captures the flavors that remind people why apples define fall.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cake With Cinnamon