Are all apple pies vegan? Uncovering the ingredients that matter

November 9, 2025 •

4 min read

According to search results, most apple pies are not vegan due to the common use of dairy butter, eggs, or lard in the crust. This might come as a surprise to many, since the primary ingredient is fruit. So, are all apple pies vegan? Not necessarily, but with many excellent alternatives and accidentally vegan store-bought versions on the market, it is easier than ever to enjoy a plant-based slice.

Quick Summary

Most traditional and store-bought apple pies are not vegan because the crust or glaze contains animal products like butter, eggs, or lard. However, many plant-based alternatives and accidentally vegan options are available for baking or purchasing.

Key Points

The crust is key: The majority of non-vegan apple pies use dairy butter, lard, or eggs in the crust.
Many substitutes are available: Vegan butter sticks, vegetable shortening, and coconut oil are excellent, easy-to-find replacements for traditional fats.
Vegan 'egg wash' is simple: Plant-based milk or aquafaba (chickpea liquid) can be used to create a golden, shiny crust.
Store-bought options exist: Look for explicitly labeled vegan pies or check ingredient lists carefully, as some frozen or commercial pies can be accidentally vegan.
Be mindful of sugar: For strict vegans, confirm the sugar used is not refined with bone char, a practice not used for all brands.
Baking is an easy choice: With so many reliable vegan recipes and substitutes readily available, baking a delicious plant-based pie at home is a simple and rewarding option.

The Surprising Truth Behind Traditional Apple Pie Ingredients

While the apple filling is naturally plant-based, the vegan status of an apple pie most often depends on the crust. Traditional pie crusts are typically made with ingredients derived from animals, rendering the entire dessert non-vegan. Understanding these core components is key to identifying or creating a vegan-friendly dessert.

The Non-Vegan Offenders in Classic Pie Crusts

Butter: Dairy butter is the fat of choice in many traditional pie crust recipes, valued for creating a flaky texture and rich flavor. It is a milk product and therefore not vegan.
Lard: Historically, many pie crusts were made with lard, a semi-solid white fat product rendered from pig fat. This is a definite non-vegan ingredient that is still used in some recipes and commercial products.
Eggs: Some recipes call for an egg to be added to the dough for richness or as a binding agent. Furthermore, a classic pie often features an egg wash—a mixture of egg and water or milk brushed over the top crust before baking to give it a golden-brown, shiny finish.

The Filling: A Potential Pitfall

The filling itself, made primarily of apples, sugar, and spices, is typically vegan. However, there can be some hidden animal-derived products to watch for, especially in store-bought or pre-made fillings. One lesser-known issue for strict vegans can be the sugar itself, as some non-organic white sugar is refined using bone char. For most people, this is a minor concern, but for those adhering to strict vegan principles, it is worth considering when making or buying a pie.

Veganizing Your Apple Pie: A Simple Guide

Creating a delicious vegan apple pie is remarkably easy thanks to modern plant-based alternatives. Here is how you can make a few simple swaps to ensure your dessert is 100% animal-product-free.

For the Crust:

Replace dairy butter with a high-quality, plant-based vegan butter stick. Using chilled, cubed vegan butter is key to a flaky crust, just like in traditional baking.
For an even flakier texture, some bakers use vegetable shortening or coconut oil.

For the "Egg Wash":

Plant-based milk: Brushing the top crust with unsweetened plant-based milk (soy or almond work well) will give it a nice golden hue. A little sugar sprinkled on top can enhance the browning.
Aquafaba: The liquid from a can of chickpeas can be whipped and used as a simple and effective wash for a glossy shine.
Fruit preserves: Heating apricot or other light-colored preserves and brushing them on the pie can create a beautiful glossy finish, perfect for fruit pies.

For the Filling:

To thicken the filling, cornstarch or flour mixed with the apples and sugar works perfectly.
When buying pre-made products, simply check the ingredients list to ensure no hidden additives.

Finding Pre-Made Vegan Apple Pies

For those who prefer not to bake, vegan options are more common than ever. Look for products labeled explicitly as vegan or check the ingredients list carefully. Many store brands and even some fast-food chains offer surprisingly vegan options, though recipes can change by region.

Where to Look for Vegan Pies:

Health food stores: These often carry a wider variety of vegan baked goods, including pies from local bakeries.
Mainstream supermarkets: In the frozen dessert aisle, check the ingredient lists on frozen apple pies. Many store-brand and some name-brand frozen pies can be accidentally vegan, using vegetable shortening or oil instead of butter or lard in the crust.
Specialty bakeries: Call ahead or check online to see if any local bakeries offer a vegan apple pie, especially around holidays when demand for dietary alternatives is higher.

Comparison of Traditional vs. Vegan Apple Pie Ingredients


Component	Traditional Ingredients	Vegan Alternatives
Crust Fat	Dairy Butter, Lard	Vegan Butter (sticks), Vegetable Shortening, Coconut Oil
Crust Binder	Egg	Vegan Yogurt, Plant Milk, Flax Eggs
Glaze / Wash	Egg Wash (egg + milk)	Plant-Based Milk, Aquafaba, Melted Vegan Butter
Sweetener	Refined Cane Sugar (potentially bone char)	Organic Cane Sugar, Brown Sugar, Maple Syrup
Thickener	Flour, Cornstarch	Flour, Cornstarch, Arrowroot Powder

Conclusion: Navigating Apple Pie for Vegans

The question "Are all apple pies vegan?" has a nuanced answer. While the simple fruit-based filling is typically plant-derived, traditional recipes and many commercial products incorporate animal products like butter, lard, or eggs into the crust and glaze. The good news is that with the increasing availability of excellent plant-based substitutes and more manufacturers offering vegan options, finding or baking a delicious, flaky, and satisfying vegan apple pie is easier than ever. A quick check of the ingredients list or a few simple swaps at home is all it takes to enjoy this classic dessert while adhering to a plant-based diet. A great resource for vegan baking ingredients can be found at Bob's Red Mill: Vegan Baking Substitutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Traditional apple pies are not vegan primarily because the crust is made with animal-based fats like dairy butter or lard and sometimes uses an egg wash for browning. The apple filling itself is usually vegan.

A vegan pie crust uses plant-based fats like vegan butter, vegetable shortening, or coconut oil instead of dairy butter or lard. The remaining ingredients, such as flour, sugar, and salt, are naturally vegan.

To determine if a store-bought apple pie is vegan, you must carefully read the ingredients label. Look for dairy products like butter, milk, and whey, and avoid pies made with lard or egg washes. Some brands are explicitly labeled as vegan, while others might be 'accidentally vegan'.

Excellent vegan alternatives for an egg wash include brushing the crust with plant-based milk (like soy or almond), melted vegan butter, or aquafaba (chickpea brine). Each offers a slightly different finish, from golden-brown to glossy.

While sugar itself is plant-based, some non-organic cane sugar is processed using bone char, an animal product. Strict vegans should look for organic sugar, as this process is not permitted in its production.

Yes, you can make a perfectly flaky vegan pie crust by using very cold, plant-based fat (vegan butter or vegetable shortening) and ice-cold water, just like with traditional crusts. Keeping the ingredients cold creates steam during baking, which leads to flaky layers.

Some fast-food restaurants, like McDonald's in certain regions, offer apple pies that are considered suitable for vegans because they are made with plant-based ingredients and fried in vegetable oil. However, check for potential cross-contamination concerns and always verify the ingredients for your specific location.