Apple Pie in a Jar (Single Serving Pie)
This single-serving apple pie in a jar is an almost no-bake pie recipe that is a great dessert recipe for parties and perfect as a thoughtful food gift during the holidays.
We first made these delicious little pies-in-a-jar years ago for a friend’s baby shower. Back then we actually baked the pies in a jar but while they were delicious, it was kind of a pain.
This updated recipe uses two simple ingredients and takes the pie baking out of the equation. Instead, you crumble up a golden brown pie crust and create layers of filling and crust to make a sweet treat that is perfect as a single-serving dessert!
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Ingredients You’ll Need
- Unbaked pie crust – We kept it simple with refrigerated pie dough from the grocery store. This is the kind of dough that is already rolled out but NOT in a pie tin. Of course you can also use your favorite homemade pie crust recipe if you prefer.
- Apple pie filling – We used our easy apple pie filling because it really is delicious but you can also use canned apple pie filling.
- Containers – You’ll also need jars. We recommend wide-mouth 8 ounce mason jars but if you are freezing your little pies, you might want to consider using a plastic container to eliminate any concerns about the glass jar withstanding the cold.
The great thing about this recipe is that can be adapted into all sorts of pie fillings, blueberry, cherry (like we use for our cherry turnovers and cherry danish), and pecan pie filling are a few of our favorites.
Instructions
Step 1 – Prepare oven. If you are using a boxed, refrigerated pie dough use the instructions for temperature and cook time for a blind-baked crust. If you are using a recipe to make your own dough use the temperature and time indicated in the recipe for blind baking.
Step 2 – Prepare dough. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the rolled-out pie crust dough on it. Lightly prick the surface of the dough with a fork.
Step 3 – Bake. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for the time indicated for blind baking pie crust on the package or in your recipe. The crust should be lightly browned and cooked through when finished.
Step 4 – Cool. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
Step 5 – Crumble. Crumble the cooked pie crust into small pieces.
Step 6 – Layer. Fill each mason jar with approximately 1 ounce of pie crust crumble and then top with 6 ounces of apple pie filling. Top with approximately 1 ounce of pie crust crumble.
Step 7 – Store. Tightly fasten the lid of each mason jaw in place and decorate the jars as desired. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
How to Serve It
Hot or Cold
You can serve your apple pie in a jar cold or at room temperature OR you can remove the lid and place the jar in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds at a time until the pie filling is warmed through.
A Little Something Extra
You can spoon your pie into a bowl with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or serve it with some whipped cream and/or caramel on top.
Decorating the Jar
You can screw the lid on your pies and put them in the refrigerator and they will be absolutely delicious when you’re ready to serve them but if you’re making these as a gift or for a party you might want to decorate the jars a bit.
- We suggest tying a ribbon around the jar lid to spruce it up. Add a few dots of hot glue before placing your ribbon on the lid and that will ensure it is held in place. Alternatively, you can tie the ribbon around the middle of the jar.
- You can also place a plastic spoon on the side of the jar and use a piece of twine tied around the jar to hold it in place.
- We’ve also created these pretty little tags that say “Apple Pie” that you can tie to the ribbon or glue to the top of the lid to indicate what’s inside. Simply click on “Download apple pie tags” below to download the file and then print.
How to Store It
You can store these mini pies in the refrigerator or freezer.
Refrigerator – Tightly fasten the lid in place and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. When you’re ready to enjoy your pie you can eat it cold or warm it in the microwave (30 seconds at a time until heated through).
Freezer – You can freeze apple pies in a jar. We recommend putting them in a plastic container if you’ll be freezing them OR make sure the glass jars you use are safe to be frozen. Before serving remove them from the freezer and let thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours. When you’re ready to enjoy your pie you can eat it cold or warm it in the microwave (30 seconds at a time until heated through).
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Apple Pie in a Jar
Ingredients
- 24 ounces Apple Pie Filling
- 1 Unbaked Pie Crust
Instructions
- Preheat oven. If you are using a boxed, refrigerated pie dough use the instructions for temperature and cook time for a blind-baked crust. If you are using a recipe to make your own dough use the temperature and time indicated in the recipe for blind baking.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the rolled-out pie crust dough on it. Lightly prick the surface of the dough with a fork.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for the time indicated for blind baking pie crust on the package or in your recipe. The crust should be lightly browned and cooked through when finished.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
- Crumble the cooked pie crust into small pieces.
- Fill each 8 ounce mason jar with approximately 1 ounce of pie crust crumble and then top with 6 ounces of apple pie filling. Top with approximately 1 ounce of pie crust crumble.
- Tightly fasten the lid of each mason jaw in place and decorate the jars as desired.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
Looks like a yummy gluten free gift idea.
Love it! Such a creative gift idea!
That is a really nice idea!
I want one made for me! Love apple pie; this is so cute.
This looks amazing!!! I’m soo gonna make this as soon as possible! Keep up the good work, I love reading your posts!
You’re going to laugh but this comment totally made my Sunday morning. Love your blog!
These are just adorable! They’d make a great addition to Christmas dinner and could even be given as gifts. I love it!
Apple pie in a jar, now your talking! I’m not sure they would make it as gifts tho….I would probably eat them all…lol.
Thanks for linking up to Marvelous Monday on Smart Party Planning.
YUM. These look sooo good. Such a cute idea putting them in a mason jar!! I love the tags, too! Pinned! 🙂
Yes, please! How pretty are those & I like the packaging too. You did a great job. Email me & I’ll give ya my address so you can ship me one! Haha! Happy Wednesday!
You just can’t beat a good apple pie! Thanks for linking to Show Me Saturday.
Oh yum! Pinned and tweeted. Lou Lou Girls
This is a very good idea!. What kind of paper do you use to print out the label?
White card stock 🙂
Hi Weni, actually we used Kraft paper card stock for those labels.
What isn’t the shelf life for apple pie in a jar. Would I have to make them the same or. Day before before giving as gifts?
That is a great question and honestly I’m not sure. I know if I make a regular apple pie it is good for several days even at room temp. I know they are fine if you make them a day ahead of time. I think they would be fine 2-3 days ahead of time as long as you tightly seal the lid on once they have cooled.
Do you grease the glass jar inside? And someone said they break unless you put them in water.
We did not grease the jars and had no issue with crust sticking. We put the jars right in pan, no water. Never heard of them breaking, maybe it is the quality of glass jar? Glass should not break at 350 degrees.
Can they be made and not cooked till later or next day? Also, I was asked if, when covering with foil to bake, is that covering just the top and not the whole jar?
I have never tried baking them the next day but I don’t think that would be a problem. You only need to cover the top with foil.
I love the tag!!!!! Would you share it?
Hi Sabrina, if you click on the download tags image you can get the PDF.
Would I be able to freeze these pies if I don’t want to bake them today? I’d like to be able to take them out i the winter, pop them into the oven (after they reach room temp so the jars don’t break from the temp change) and enjoy them. What do you think? Should I do anything different to them in order to do this? Thanks so much!!
I think that should work as long as the jars are oven proof. Baking time may vary if the center is colder than the outer part of the jar.
I would love to send them in the mail not sure how long the shelf life is . I need to send birthday gifts to CA
What are the instructions to give the recipient? Do they zap the jar in the microwave? Turn it out into a small baking dish and reheat or just eat at room temperature straight from the jar? I’m not understanding how the gift part of this works. Sounds yummy and thank you 😊
Hi Lesley, the pie in the jar is fully baked so the recipient can’t eat it in any of the ways you listed. One thing our friends never have trouble with is figuring out how to eat something 😁 You could certainly make a cute card with instructions to go with the gift though
Hi- looks so cute. How would I gift this? Meaning, should I freeze it with instructions on how to bake? Or do I gift it and tell them to eat it in the next couple of days?
I tell friends to eat it in the next 2-3 days. In the past I’ve made these as party favors so I would worry that if I froze it and handed it out as a gift people wouldn’t get it home and in the freezer before it thawed out.