Healthy Mini Pie Recipes for the Holiday Season

Holiday season is pie season. The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s are when the majority of pies (87 percent) get eaten, according to the results of a survey of 18,000 Americans conducted by Premise Research. And that’s the same time of year when people tend to pack on extra pounds, which may not be a coincidence.

Like most desserts, pie, regardless of the variety, tends to be high in sugar, refined carbs, and saturated fat. And because a slice can vary in size from just a sliver to a plateful à la mode with whipped cream, those unhealthy ingredients can add up. One-eighth of a commercially prepared 9-inch Dutch apple pie, for instance, rings in around 380 calories with 29 grams (g) of sugar and 3 g of saturated fat, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

If you make your own pie you can control the ingredients, and it’s not hard to give a recipe a healthy upgrade by making a few simple swaps. Avocado oil can replace butter, for example, significantly reducing the amount of unhealthy saturated fat in a dish, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Similarly, whole-wheat flour in place of some or all the all-purpose flour adds a dose of extra fiber, notes the USDA. And most guests won’t even notice you’ve made these swaps.

Another advantage of homemade pie is that you can bake portion control right into the crust. Personal-size pies can be a great way to enjoy your favorite dessert without sacrificing your health goals, and a great option if you have a small gathering. You could also opt to make several varieties of mini pies so everyone can enjoy their favorite flavors. It’s hard to imagine a more adorable holiday dessert buffet than that. The following scaled-down pie recipes bake extra nutrition into dessert, so they’re perfect for enjoying at the holidays or anytime!