thanksgiving

The $4 Aldi Pie That Could Absolutely Pass as Homemade

Patty Catalano
Patty CatalanoFood Editor at The Kitchn
The only subject that has ever held my attention has been food, because there’s no end to what you can taste, smell, learn, and cook. I patchworked my way to recipe development and food writing by earning degrees in Family & Consumer Sciences (you may have known it as Home Ec) and Food, Nutrition, and Culinary Science, and working anywhere that would take me: university food services, local bakeries, and the set of Good Eats on Food Network. Early on, I asked my mom how she knew what a cookbook recipe (with no pictures) would look and taste like. While my mom was there to teach me, I realized that not everyone has someone to turn to for trusted cooking guidance. I try every day to be that person for The Kitchn’s readers by sharing smart recipes they can feel proud to serve. Recipe development is the most fun job I can imagine, but it also comes with a lot of dirty dishes and hours spent in the grocery store. I’ve found that I actually really love grocery shopping — especially at Costco and Aldi — and it brings me such joy to share my finds with The Kitchn readers.
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updated Nov 18, 2021
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Aldi pie
Credit: Patty Catalano

As one of Aldi’s biggest fans, it’s my pleasure to eat my way through the store’s offerings to ensure that you bring home only the best. And with Thanksgiving just around the corner, I’ve been noticing a lot of pies on the shelves. (Obviously not surprising, as pie is the most perfect food of all time. And highly necessary this time of year!) So I did what had to be done: I taste tested every pie I could find at Aldi to choose the very best one. The one that had the most flaky crust and the most wow-worthy filling. The one that could absolutely pass as homemade if you wanted to fib a little.

This is my pick for the best “I can’t believe it’s not homemade” pie you can buy.

Bake Shop Dutch Apple Pie with Cinnamon, $3.49 for an 8-inch pie

A holiday dinner isn’t truly complete without a bite of warm apple pie, so make time to swing by Aldi before the festivities begin. Look for this sugary crumble-topped pie (it’s what sets Dutch apple pies apart from traditional pastry-capped apple pies) in the bakery section. This pie is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, offering something for everyone: a tender crust, a spiced apple filling, and a homestyle crumble topping. Aldi’s pie is lightly spiced with cinnamon, but add your own twist by grating fresh nutmeg over top just before serving. And whether you make the pie or let Aldi do the work, don’t forget that every pie is best served à la mode!

If you’re going to buy just one pie at Aldi this year (or honestly from any grocery store!), it should be this one. It’s less than $4, can serve at least six people, and could seriously pass as homemade.

Did we choose your favorite? Share your nomination for Aldi’s best pie in the comments below.

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