America’s favorite pie in each state (2024)

Pie is an American Thanksgiving tradition. It’s the reason you don’t get a third helping of mashed potatoes during your Thanksgiving feast — you need to save room for a slice (or two) of your favorite pie.

Pilgrims at the first Thanksgiving in 1621 didn’t eat the same pie we associate with our Thanksgiving meals, according to Time magazine. Although historians don’t know exactly what dishes were made for the first Thanksgiving meal, it’s not unlikely they had pie of some sort. The pilgrim’s typical pie was inspired by English-style meat pies — much different from our modern apple and key lime pies.

When colonial America gained access to sweeteners such as molasses, cane syrup and honey, pie evolved into the sweet dessert we love today.

Pie comes in so many different flavors, and every state favors a particular type of pie. Instacart gathered data from over 3.6 million pies ordered in the United States last year and discovered which pie was most popular in every state.

Do you agree with what your state’s favorite pie is?

1. Cherry

Cherry pie comes out on top as the favorite pie in 11 states. This berry pie dominates the appetites of the Midwest. Cherry pie is traditionally made with tart cherries, native black cherries or morello cherries, according to National Today. Fruit pies, like cherry, gained popularity in England during the 1500s. England legend claims Queen Elizabeth I was the first to ever try cherry pie.

  • Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

2. Pumpkin

It makes perfect sense that pumpkin pie ranks high in America — no Thanksgiving feast is complete without it. Pumpkin pie has deep roots in America, although the first pumpkin pies looked different than the ones we serve today, according to History.com. Early New England recipes hallowed out the pumpkin rather than making a crust.

  • Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah.

3. Apple

There are five states they prefer apple pie to other flavors. Apples came to the United States with Europeans. Apple pie has English origins, according to Smithsonian magazine, but the dessert is an American classic. Even McDonalds makes apple pie.

  • Connecticut, Maryland, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C.

4. Pecan

Pecan pie rules the south. This pie ties with apple — it’s the top pick in five Southern states. The South’s signature pie dates as far back as 1824, when a recipe for the dessert was printed in “The Virginia Housewife,” according to Southern Living.

  • Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas.

5. Blueberry

It is fitting that the northeast favors blueberry pie. Maine’s state berry is the native wild blueberry, and it is also Maine’s official state dessert. Maine’s neighboring states apparently agree on how good blueberry pie tastes.

  • Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island.

6. Chocolate

Chocolate pie comes in at number six for being most popular in three states. For chocolate lovers, the creamy dark chocolate pudding in a flaky crust is the perfect dessert.

  • Virginia, Vermont, Arkansas.

7. Key Lime

Its no surprise key lime is the favorite in Florida. This pie originated in Key West, Florida during the 19th century. In Key West, you can buy a chocolate-dipped slice of key lime pie on a stick. Other Southern states have the meringue-topped pie as the favorite as well.

  • Alabama, Florida, South Carolina.

8. Boston Cream

Looks like a cake, taste like a cake, but it’s called a pie. Boston cream pie, which is technically a cake, is the favorite for East Coast states New Jersey and New York. Boston cream pie was created by Parker House in Boston.

  • New Jersey, New York.

9. Banana Cream

Banana Cream pie is the favorite for two states. This pie is made with a buttery crust, a layer of fresh banana slices, vanilla pudding or custard and topped with whipped cream. If you love bananas, this is the right pie for you.

  • Minnesota, North Dakota.

10. Lemon Meringue

Our modern-day lemon meringue pie became popular during the 1800s, according to National Today. The pie is made with a shortbread crust, a lemon custard filling and, of course, topped with meringue. This pie is the favorite in just two states.

  • Alaska, Delaware.

11. Marionberry

The Pacific Northwest is staying true to its beloved berry — the marionberry. Marionberries come from Marion County, Oregon. These berries are a cross between two variants of blackberries and were invented in 1956 by George Waldo. In 2017, Oregon named marionberry pie the official state dessert.

  • Oregon, Washington.

12. Peach

There are only good things to say about peach pie. This classic fruit pie tastes even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

  • Colorado, Wyoming.

13. Sweet Potato

Last but not least is sweet potato pie, the favorite for Georgia. Sweet potato pie is a popular Thanksgiving dessert in Black families, according to The Washington Post. The recipe gained popularity in Southern cookbooks such as “The Kentucky Housewife” and “The Carolina Housewife.”

  • Georgia.
America’s favorite pie in each state (2024)

FAQs

What are the top 5 favorite pies in the United States? ›

The best part about pie is that there are so many different types; find out the top five most popular fruit pies in America.
  • Blueberry. If you find yourself in Maine, then you should know its citizens love blueberry pie. ...
  • Pumpkin. ...
  • Apple. ...
  • Cherry. ...
  • Key Lime.
Mar 2, 2023

What is the most favorite American pie? ›

The most popular variety in the US is probably apple pie à la mode, invented in Minnesota in 1885, and served with a scoop of ice cream on top. Regardless of the regional varieties and endless debates, apple pie is an American dessert like no other, best paired with a sweet Riesling wine.

What are Americans favorite pie according to the American pie Council? ›

The APC council also conducts surveys of pie consumption. APC research has shown that Apple is Americans' favorite pie, that 59% of Americans consider pie an appropriate late-night snack, and that 20% of Americans have eaten an entire pie.

What is the official pie of Arizona? ›

Arizona: Prickly Pear Pie

This desert cactus has a bright pink fruit that's sweet and melonlike (once you get past all those thorny prickles). The taste falls somewhere between bubblegum and watermelon, which makes it a popular flavoring in jam, candies and — yes, you guessed it — pie!

What is Florida's favorite pie? ›

Key lime pie was invented in Key West, where Key limes are anything but scarce. Key limes are different from regular limes. Key limes are more aromatic, smaller, seedier and are more tart than regular limes. Key lime pie is the Sunshine State's official state pie.

What is the least popular pie in the United States? ›

The least popular types of pies were salted caramel, gooseberry, blueberry and peach, all being the most popular in only one state each.

What is black peoples favorite pie? ›

“As millions of African Americans left the South for different parts of the country, they took their love of sweet potato pies with them, resulting in a national profile for a perpetually regional dessert.”

What are the most popular pies in the United States percentage? ›

Among people who love or like pumpkin pie, 31% choose it as their favorite. Among people who love or like pecan pie, 20% choose it as their favorite. Among people who love or like sweet potato pie, 15% choose it as their favorite. Among people who love or like apple pie, 14% choose it as their favorite.

What state is American Pie supposed to be in? ›

The story centers on five high school seniors and friends from fictional East Great Falls, Michigan: Jim Levenstein, an awkward and sexually naive nerd whose dad offers him p*rnography and awkward sexual advice; Chris "Oz" Ostreicher, overconfident star of the lacrosse team; Kevin Myers, the calm leader of the group ...

What is the official pie of Florida? ›

15.052 Official state pie. —Key lime pie is designated as the official Florida state pie.

What is the official pie of Texas? ›

Other pie flavors must take a backseat to pecan pie after the Texas Legislature in 2013 officially declared pecan pie the official state pie of Texas.

What pie is Montana known for? ›

Montana's famous for its huckleberry pie, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. In summer, raspberries, gooseberries and other seasonal treats grace our pie tins. And traditional favorites like apple, peach and lemon meringue are always on the menu at the end of a great meal.

What 4 types of pies are most popular at Thanksgiving? ›

Since these are Thanksgiving-specific pies, we've gotta mention the quintessential ones—pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, pecan pie, and apple pie. They're classics for a reason, and we really think our recipes for them are the best.

What are American famous pies? ›

Nothing's more classic American than apple pie, unless it's cherry, banana cream, pumpkin, peach or sweet potato pie! We've got the best recipes for pies that are served up across the country for holidays, celebrations and as an extra-special treat.

What is the number one pie in Texas? ›

While pumpkin pie gives pecan pie a run for its money at Thanksgiving, and apple pie, blueberry pie, key lime pie, and other flavors all have their fans in Texas, pecan pie is the No. 1 pie in the state.

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