Calories in Apple Pie: Nutritional facts for Apple Pie Types

A 100g serving of apple pie contains 237 calories.

One kilogram (1000g) of apple pie contains 2,370 calories.

One whole 9-inch apple pie (1.24kg) contains 2,939 calories.

A slice of apple pie (1/8 of a 9-inch pie, 155g) contains 368 calories. The calorie count changes based on the brand, with a slice of Marie Callender's Dutch Apple Pie (1/9 of the pie, 132g) having 373 calories and a slice of Sara Lee apple pie (1/8 of the pie, 113g) containing 280 calories. A McDonald's Baked Apple Pie (77g) has 230 calories.

Apple pie offers a few health advantages, derived almost entirely from the apple filling. The potential benefits of consuming the apple component of the pie are listed here.

• Provides Dietary Fiber: Apples are a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which supports digestive health by promoting regular bowel movements and nourishing beneficial gut bacteria. A review by Slavin, J. (2013), "Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits," details how dietary fiber is fundamental for maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal system.
• Contains Antioxidants: Apples contain polyphenols, such as quercetin and flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. These compounds help protect the body's cells from oxidative stress and damage caused by free radicals. A study by Boyer, J., & Liu, R. H. (2004), "Apple phytochemicals and their health benefits," confirmed that apples have strong antioxidant activity, which is linked to a reduced risk of some chronic diseases.
• May Support Heart Health: The soluble fiber in apples, such as pectin, can help lower cholesterol levels. Research from Koutsos, A., Tuohy, K. M., & Lovegrove, J. A. (2015), "Apples and cardiovascular health—is the gut microbiota a core consideration?," reviewed evidence showing that apple consumption is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, partly due to the effects on cholesterol.

The high concentration of sugar, refined flour, and saturated fat in apple pie presents several health risks. The health risks from consuming apple pie are outlined here.

• High in Added Sugar: A single slice of apple pie can contain over 20 grams of sugar, contributing to an increased risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. A scientific statement from the American Heart Association by Johnson, R. K., et al. (2009), "Dietary sugars intake and cardiovascular health," recommends strict limits on added sugar. An alternative with lower sugar is a fresh apple. A suggested amount is to limit consumption to one small slice on an occasional basis.
• High in Saturated Fat and Refined Carbohydrates: The pie crust is made from refined white flour and a fat source like butter or shortening, which is high in saturated fat. Diets high in these ingredients can lead to elevated LDL cholesterol levels and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. A scientific advisory from the American Heart Association by Sacks, F. M., et al. (2017), "Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease," reaffirmed the recommendation to limit saturated fat intake.

No, apple pies are not good for a person because the dessert's high content of sugar, saturated fat, and refined carbohydrates outweighs the nutritional benefits provided by the apple filling. The pie's impact on heart health is negative, as the high sugar and saturated fat content can lead to increased LDL cholesterol and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. A meta-analysis by de Souza, R. J., et al. (2015), "Intake of saturated and trans unsaturated fatty acids and risk of all cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes," linked high saturated fat intake to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The dessert is also detrimental to metabolic health. A review by Stanhope, K. L. (2016), "Sugar consumption, metabolic disease and obesity: The state of the controversy," detailed how excessive sugar consumption is a key driver of metabolic syndrome. For digestive health, the pie offers a small amount of fiber from the apples, but the refined flour in the crust provides little nutritional value. A study by Gaesser, G. A. (2019), "Refined Grains and Health," explains that while whole grains are beneficial, refined grains as found in pastry offer limited health advantages. While the apples contain antioxidants that could support brain health, the overall high-sugar, high-fat profile makes the pie an unhealthy choice for regular consumption.

The specific type of crust and filling in an apple pie determines the calorie count. A Dutch apple pie has the highest calorie value at 280 calories per 100 grams, a result of the high concentration of butter and sugar in the streusel topping. A no-sugar-added apple pie contains the lowest calorie value at 200 calories per 100 grams, a reflection of the removal of high-calorie sugar from the filling. A classic double-crust pie has a calorie count of 237 per 100 grams, placing the pastry between the other two.

Yes, homemade apple pie is lower in calories than store-bought versions. The homemade apple pie calories can be controlled by adjusting the amount of sugar in the filling and the amount of fat in the crust. A standard recipe for a homemade apple pie yields a product with around 265 calories per 100g. In contrast, a commercially prepared, store-bought apple pie contains 237 calories per 100g, but this can be misleading as commercial pies often use more fillers and preservatives. The homemade apple pie calories 100g value allows for healthier ingredient choices, such as using less butter in the crust or replacing sugar with a lower-calorie alternative, which can further reduce the final calorie count.

Apple pie is served exclusively as a dessert and does not accompany main dishes. The sweet character of the sugary filling and rich crust makes the pie incompatible with savory main courses. Traditionally, apple pie is presented after a main meal, especially during American holiday celebrations like Thanksgiving or Christmas.

A medium slice of apple pie (1/8 of a 9-inch pie, 155g) contains 368 calories, though this amount changes based on the recipe and brand. A slice of Marie Callender's Dutch Apple Pie (119g) has 330 calories, a slice of Sara Lee apple pie (113g) contains 280 calories, and a smaller, single-serving McDonald's Baked Apple Pie (77g) has 230 calories.

Apple pie traces its roots to 14th-century England, with the first documented recipe appearing in 1381, featuring a mix of fruits like apples, figs, and pears in a pastry case. Early pies differed from contemporary versions, lacking sugar and using a thick, inedible pastry shell called a "coffyn" for baking and storage. Colonists from England, the Netherlands, and Sweden introduced pie-making to North America. The dessert evolved into a symbol of American abundance and identity, a status reinforced by the legend of Johnny Appleseed, who helped spread apple cultivation. By the 20th century, the expression "as American as apple pie" was commonplace, securing the dessert's role in the cultural fabric of the United States.