33 Better-Than-Traditional Pumpkin Pie Recipes — From No-Bake Desserts To Handheld, Make-Ahead Treats

Traditions were always meant to be updated.

Pumpkin pie can be...divisive.

I haven't met many folks who'll turn down a slice of warm, buttery apple pie, but let me tell you — I've met some people who really dislike pumpkin pie. That's why we put together this list of our favorite, non-traditional pumpkin pie recipes that will both satisfy long-time pumpkin pie fans — plus convert even the most intense pumpkin pie haters.

From no-bake versions (that come together in just ten minutes) to a pumpkin pie recipe that'll basically cook itself in your Instant Pot, the hardest thing you'll have to do is choose the one you want to make. So, if you can't decide, make two. Your friends and family will love you even more for it — even the folks that normally wouldn't reach for pumpkin pie. 

1. Maple Brown Butter Pumpkin Pie

budgetbytes.com

A simple touch of brown butter can make just about anything taste delicious, and this maple-y spin on classic pumpkin pie is no exception. No frills here — just a boost of nuttiness with some cozy maple syrup that will seriously elevate any ordinary pumpkin pie.

Recipe: Maple Brown Butter Pumpkin Pie

2. Crème Brulée Pumpkin Pie

thefoodcharlatan.com

A kitchen blowtorch (I promise they're simpler to use than you think!) and a layer of sugar are all you need to take that "meh" pumpkin pie to new highs. When the only sound you hear during dinner is the crackling of everyone's bruléed pie topping, you'll know you did an A+ job.

Recipe: Crème Brulée Pumpkin Pie

3. Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie

twopeasandtheirpod.com

The addition of salted caramel to pumpkin pie is — dare I say — genius. If you tend to find the average pumpkin pie a little too sweet, give this recipe a go. The deep, caramel-y notes contrast beautifully against the sweetness of a traditional pumpkin pie, which means this dessert is pretty much a guaranteed hit.

Recipe: Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie

4. Pecan Praline Pumpkin Pie

sallysbakingaddiction.com

That praline crunch will make this super satisfying pumpkin pie an annual request at your holiday dinners. If your lack of enthusiasm about pumpkin pie stems from a texture thing (trust me, you're not alone), the praline topping might just cure that once and for all.

Recipe: Pecan Praline Pumpkin Pie

5. Classic Pumpkin Pie With Cinnamon Whipped Cream

whatsgabycooking.com

If you're going to make a classic pumpkin pie, let it be this one. The cinnamon-infused whipped cream takes what could be an ordinary (but very good) pumpkin pie, and makes it undeniably special. To be clear: I secretly love a dollop of Cool Whip or a swirl of the canned stuff as much as anyone else, but if you can spend the extra couple of minutes making this homemade whip, it's so, so worth it.

Recipe: Classic Pumpkin Pie With Cinnamon Whipped Cream

6. Butternut Squash Pie

houseofyumm.com

Here's the thing — if you were to blind taste test pumpkin vs. butternut squash, it would be incredibly hard to tell the two apart. In this recipe, your typical canned pumpkin purée is replaced with tender, roasted butternut squash, which delivers on flavor in ways that canned pumpkin never could.

Recipe: Butternut Squash Pie

7. Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Pumpkin Pie

halfbakedharvest.com

If I had to pick an element of pumpkin pie that I ~simply~ don't like, it's the fact that you can't really eat it warm. This recipe, however, is best when it's still a bit warm, so you can enjoy all that creamy pumpkin pie filling (and those melty bits of chocolate) in it's most ideal form.

Recipe: Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Pumpkin Pie

8. Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars

crunchycreamysweet.com

It's that cinnamon-y, buttery crumb that makes coffee cake undeniably delicious with the silky pumpkin pie filling you know and love. Combine the two, and you've got a totally unique dessert (that you should absolutely make a double batch of).

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars

9. 5-Ingredient Pumpkin Pie

Joe Lingeman / Via thekitchn.com

Time for a hot take — when I'm eating a warm slice of apple pie, I obviously want a crisp, homemade pie crust...but when it comes to pumpkin pie, I couldn't care less. If the sheer number of ingredients and steps would otherwise deter you from whipping up a homemade pumpkin pie, try out this recipe, which comes together using only a store-bought crust, eggs, sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin purée, and pumpkin spice. Bliss, made easy.

Recipe: 5-Ingredient Pumpkin Pie

10. Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake

thenovicechefblog.com

It's the ultimate two-for-one: a layer of smooth, tangy cheesecake, topped with a generous layer of legit pumpkin pie. Why make two desserts when you can have both at the exact same time?!

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake

11. Mini Pumpkin Pies

natashaskitchen.com

Desserts that are "cute" are often...actually so difficult to make. That said, this isn't one of 'em. To make these absolutely adorable, bite-sized pumpkin pies, all you have to do is cut pie crust with a cookie cutter and quickly press it into a muffin tin.

Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Pies

12. Pumpkin Cream Pie

Johnny Miller / Via thepioneerwoman.com

I, for one, think that this creamy, perfectly-swirled pie can unite the pumpkin pie haters and the pumpkin pie die-hards. Pumpkin pie lovers will appreciate that distinctly spiced flavor, and the critics will love this silky-smooth (and super creamy) filling that's beyond delicious.

Recipe: Pumpkin Cream Pie

13. Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie

minimalistbaker.com

If you turn your nose up at gluten-free desserts, I'm begging you to give gluten-free pie crust a try. Since gluten is basically the enemy of pie crust anyway (overworking your dough will make the crust chewy instead of crisp), I bet you'll discover that gluten-free pie crusts honestly make a LOT of sense.

Recipe: Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie

14. Bourbon Pumpkin Pie

gimmesomeoven.com

Put booze in any dish, and I'm basically sold. But there's something about the specific addition of bourbon to this pumpkin pie that is mouth-wateringly delectable. 

Recipe: Bourbon Pumpkin Pie

15. Gluten-Free Honey Pumpkin Pie

flippindelicious.com

By using honey as the sole sweetener (instead of relying on refined sugars), this pumpkin pie recipe falls into the just-sweet-enough category. It's more than enough to satisfy everyone you serve it to, and as a bonus, it packs some seriously delicious honey flavor throughout.

Recipe: Gluten-Free Honey Pumpkin Pie

16. No-Bake Pumpkin Pie

crazyforcrust.com

This no-bake masterpiece is creamy, cool, and oh-so-comforting. You can also make the whole darn thing in ten minutes, then let it sit in the fridge, so if you need an incredibly last-minute dessert recipe that you can whip up pretty much instantly, it's this one.

Recipe: No-Bake Pumpkin Pie

17. Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake

sallysbakingaddiction.com

Making the aesthetically-pleasing "swirl" pattern on this autumnal cheesecake is indescribably easy. Once your pumpkin pie and cheesecake fillings are mixing and mingling in your baking pan, it's as simple as swiiiiiiiirling with a toothpick until you've got a shockingly-impressive design.

Recipe: Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake

18. Easy Pumpkin Tart

thelittleepicurean.com

Think: traditional pumpkin pie, elevated. A shortbread tart shell the most stellar base for this velvety pumpkin filling, and you can really elevate things by decorating this tart to your heart's content.

Recipe: Easy Pumpkin Tart

19. 9-Ingredient Vegan Pumpkin Pie

jessicainthekitchen.com

Some vegan twists on classic recipes work better than others, but let me tell ya: this vegan pumpkin pie (yes, it's made with only nine ingredients) could fool just about anyone. It's just as good as the "real deal," so feel free to serve this one to all your friends and family. Honestly, no one will ever know the difference.

Recipe: 9-Ingredient Vegan Pumpkin Pie

20. Pumpkin Mascarpone Pie

aheadofthyme.com

Mascarpone, which has a relatively high fat content, makes arguably the silkiest, most luscious pumpkin pie filling ever. If you're running low on time to make a homemade pie crust, you should feel free to use store-bought here. Truthfully, the pumpkin-mascarpone filling is the star of the show here, so do what you gotta do to make it happen.

Recipe: Pumpkin Mascarpone Pie

21. Pumpkin Puff Pastry Turnovers

chocolatewithgrace.com

Everything you know (and love) about pumpkin pie, made brilliantly handheld. The brown butter glaze on top is the MVP here, so be generous when it's time to drizzle.

Recipe: Pumpkin Puff Pastry Turnovers

22. Savory Pumpkin Pie

food52.com

Who said pumpkin pie was only for dessert?! In this savory spin, caramelized onions combine with pumpkin purée and get topped with a crunchy walnut crumb, for a sweet-and-savory tart that's worthy of any occasion — whether that's a holiday or casual get-together.

Recipe: Savory Pumpkin Pie

23. Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie

averiecooks.com

Ice cream cake lovers (so...everyone) — this one is very, very much for you. Mixing vanilla ice cream with pumpkin purée creates an ice cream cake that is truly as good as it gets, and whether you're serving kiddos or fully-grown adults, everyone will appreciate this nostalgic treat when dessert rolls around.

Recipe: Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie

24. Pumpkin Pie Bars

jocooks.com

With a sturdy, shortbread crust and a delightfully-simple pumpkin pie filling, you can go ahead and think of this one as a pretty traditional pumpkin pie...just made with about half the effort. Nothing to fuss over here — just layer the ingredients into a baking dish, bake, and slice into grab-and-go squares.

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Bars

25. Ginger Pumpkin Pie With Graham Cracker Crust

Ghazalle Badiozamani / Via thekitchn.com

I have nothing against traditional pie crust...but a graham cracker crust will always be my #1. This crunchy, perfectly-spiced graham cracker crust is the perfect base for a pumpkin filling that turns the gingery goodness up a notch. If you struggle with consistently churning out crisp pie crusts, this one is virtually foolproof.

Recipe: Ginger Pumpkin Pie With Graham Cracker Crust

26. Dulce De Leche Pumpkin-Toffee Pie

recipegirl.com

Canned dulce de leche is the all-star ingredient in this pumpkin pie, and since it's spread out generously on the pie crust before you add your pumpkin filling, you'll get a bite of caramel-y lusciousness in every single bite.

Recipe: Dulce De Leche Pumpkin-Toffee Pie

27. No-Bake Marshmallow Pumpkin Pie

togetherasfamily.com

For the fluffiest pumpkin pie ever, move FAR away from your oven. This no-bake beauty is light and airy thanks to the generous amount of marshmallow folded in, and since it utilizes a store-bought graham cracker crust, the whole thing comes together in just ten minutes.

Recipe: No-Bake Marshmallow Pumpkin Pie

28. Pumpkin Spice Galette

Christopher Broe / Via thekitchn.com

I think of galettes as pie-made-simple. They're un-fussy, and come together with less effort than traditional pies require. And, in this case, your guests will get that same spiced bite that they've come to expect from regular pumpkin pie — you just won't have to work as hard.

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Galette

29. Pumpkin Hand Pies

amandascookin.com

While you might not need your pumpkin pie to be totally portable, this simple dessert will give your guests the option to roam and munch at the same time, instead of sitting down for a "proper" dessert course. And since the holidays are all about gathering, I can totally support this intent.

Recipe: Pumpkin Hand Pies

30. Pumpkin White Chocolate Mousse Pie

howsweeteats.com

There are many things to drool over in this recipe, like the light, fluffy mousse made with melted white chocolate...but the greatest element of all? A buttery, nutty crust made of macadamias.

Recipe: Pumpkin White Chocolate Mousse Pie

31. Chai Pumpkin Pie With Maple Whipped Cream

halfbakedharvest.com

Warm spices commonly used in chai blends — like cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves — pair beautifully with the earthiness of pumpkin in this simply luxurious pumpkin pie recipe.

Recipe: Chai Pumpkin Pie With Maple Whipped Cream

32. Instant Pot Pumpkin Pie

Ghazalle Badiozamani / Brett Regot / Jenna Tedesco / Via thekitchn.com

It's official: there's no recipe that you can't make way easier in the Instant Pot, and this hands-off pumpkin pie (that's a breeze to make-ahead) proves that point beautifully.

Recipe: Instant Pot Pumpkin Pie

33. Pumpkin Pie Parfaits

minimalistbaker.com

By cooking pumpkin purée down into a thick, luscious pumpkin butter, you end up with the best-ever base for this casual-yet-elegant sweet treat. I don't know about you, but I'd happily devour this one year-round.

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Parfaits