Homemade Apple Pie Spice

Jump To Recipe by Lily Ernst on September 28, 2024

If you love baking with apples, this homemade apple pie spice mix is a must-have in your kitchen! It’s easy to make, and you’ll never need to buy a store-bought version again.

A jar of apple pie spice with a measuring spoon inside and apples and cinnamon sticks in the background.

Table of Contents

What is apple pie spice?

Apple pie spice is a blend of warm, aromatic spices commonly used in baking, especially in recipes featuring apples like apple pies, apple crisps, apple muffins, and more. It combines spices that complement the natural sweetness and tartness of apples, giving baked goods a rich, cozy flavor reminiscent of fall.

While apple pie spice is often used in apple desserts, it’s also great for enhancing other dishes like oatmeal, pancakes, and even coffee.

What is in apple pie spice?

The most common ingredients are cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Some apple pie spice mixes also contain ginger and/or cardamon as well.

An open jar of apple pie spice on a cooling rack with apples and cinnamon sticks in the background.

Why this recipe is so great:

Just 3 ingredients – All you need to make this apple pie spice recipe is ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground allspice.
Saves you money – Making your own apple pie spice is much cheaper than buying a pre-made blend and you get so much more!
Versatile – You can use this in any apple recipe, not just pie. It makes for a great substitute for cinnamon in any recipe to add more depth in flavor. It can be also used in side dishes like roasted sweet potatoes and in breakfast recipes like French Toast Casserole. See the How to use section below for more ideas.

Some of my favorite recipes to use this apple pie spice mix are Fresh Apple Cake, Easy Apple Cobbler, and Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers.

It also goes really well with plum and fig recipes like Fresh Plum Cake, German Plum Cake, and Fresh Fig Cake.

Ingredients you’ll need:

A black plate with clumps of cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg to show all the ingredients in apple pie spice.

Cinnamon: The primary spice, offering a warm, sweet flavor.
Nutmeg: Adds a slightly sweet, nutty, and spicy flavor.
Allspice: A blend of flavors that resembles a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Cardamom (optional): A sweet, floral spice that gives a unique twist.

How to make apple pie spice:

(the ingredient amounts are listed in the printable recipe card further below)

Mix all the ingredients together in a small airtight jar or spice container and store in a cool, dry place until ready to use. It will stay fresh for up to 6 months if properly stored.

How to use apple pie spice:

Add to any sweet or savory dish you want to bring a spicy-sweet flavor to.
For fruit pies use 1 & 1/2 teaspoon.
For any recipe that calls for cinnamon, use an equal amount of apple pie spice instead for more flavor.

Great addition to:

French toast, pancakes & waffles
oatmeal & granola
honey roasted nuts
roasted vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes
hot beverages like teas & ciders
cakes & cookies
muffins & scones

A slice of deep dish apple pie with icecream on a white and gold plate

How to store:

Store in a small airtight container or spice jar in a cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight for up to 6 months.

Recipe FAQs

How much apple pie spice to use in a pie?

Approximately 1 & 1/2 teaspoon per pie or 1/4 teaspoon per apple.

What is allspice?

Allspice is made from the dried berries of a tropical plant known as the Pimenta dioica tree, which is native to Jamaica. The dried berries look like peppercorns. The single spice tastes like a combination of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg, hence the name. There is also a spice blend called allspice which is made of the same spices to mimic the single spice. (source: Masterclass.com)

What can I substitute for apple pie spice?

If you don’t want to fuss with the spice blend, you can use an equal amount of cinnamon. The taste will be milder without the nutmeg and allspice.

Where to buy apple pie spice?

You can buy pre-made apple pie spice at most grocery stores. It’s usually located in the spice or baking aisles.

A jar of homemade apple pie spice mix with a measuring spoon inside on a black cooling rack.

If you’ve tried this Apple Pie Spice Recipe or any other recipe on my blog please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!