Apple pie spice may have “pie” in the name, but this warm spice blend can do a lot more than season an apple pie.
From oatmeal and baked apples to muffins, pancakes and warm drinks, apple pie spice is an easy way to add cozy, aromatic flavor without measuring several individual spices every time.
But what exactly is in apple pie spice? The answer depends on the blend.
What Is Apple Pie Spice?
Apple pie spice is a blend of warm spices traditionally used to season apple pies and other baked goods.
Most blends start with cinnamon and may include spices such as nutmeg, ginger and cloves. There isn't one required recipe for apple pie spice, which means the ingredients and flavor can vary from one blend to another.
At Life Essentials Refillery, our Organic Apple Pie Spice combines:
- Organic cinnamon
- Organic fenugreek
- Organic lemon peel
- Organic ginger
- Organic cloves
- Organic nutmeg
The result is a warm, aromatic blend with the familiar flavors you expect from apple pie spice, plus a little extra complexity from fenugreek and lemon peel.
What Does Apple Pie Spice Taste Like?
Cinnamon provides the familiar warm, sweet-spice flavor, while ginger and cloves add a little more depth. Nutmeg contributes another layer of warm, earthy spice.
Our blend also contains lemon peel, which adds subtle brightness, and fenugreek, which contributes to the blend's complex flavor.
It's aromatic and warming without being hot or spicy like a chili-based seasoning.
Is Apple Pie Spice the Same as Pumpkin Pie Spice?
They're similar, but they aren't necessarily the same.
Both usually contain some combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. The exact ingredients and proportions depend on the maker.
That means you can sometimes substitute one for the other in a recipe, but the finished flavor may be slightly different.
What Can You Use Apple Pie Spice For?
Don't let the name limit you to pie.
Try apple pie spice in:
- Apple pie
- Baked apples
- Apple crisp and fruit cobblers
- Oatmeal
- Overnight oats
- Pancakes and waffles
- Muffins and quick breads
- French toast
- Cakes and cookies
- Granola
- Warm cider
- Coffee or tea
You can also sprinkle a little over sliced apples before baking them for a very simple fall dessert.
How Much Apple Pie Spice Should You Use?
If you're following a recipe that specifically calls for apple pie spice, use the amount listed in the recipe.
If you're experimenting, start small. You can always add more, but warm spices such as cloves and nutmeg can quickly become strong.
For oatmeal, drinks or individual servings, a small sprinkle may be all you need. For baked goods or a full apple pie, you'll generally use more.
Can You Use Apple Pie Spice Instead of Cinnamon?
Yes, depending on the recipe.
If something calls for cinnamon and you want a more complex flavor, apple pie spice can be an easy substitution. Just remember that you're adding several flavors instead of cinnamon alone.
It's especially good in recipes where cinnamon is used for warmth and sweetness rather than as the dominant flavor.
Buying Apple Pie Spice by the Ounce
One advantage of buying spices from a refillery is that you don't necessarily need another full bottle sitting in your spice cabinet.
At Life Essentials Refillery in South Tampa, our Organic Apple Pie Spice is sold by the ounce, so you can purchase the amount that makes sense for you and refill a container you already have.
Not in Tampa? You can also shop our Organic Apple Pie Spice online.
→ Shop Organic Apple Pie Spice
A Spice Blend for More Than Apple Pie
Apple pie spice earns its name in a classic apple pie, but that's only the beginning.
Keep it nearby during fall baking season, sprinkle it into breakfast foods, use it with baked fruit or experiment with it anywhere you'd normally reach for cinnamon and nutmeg.
Sometimes one good spice blend is all you need to make an everyday recipe taste a little more interesting.