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5 Things You Should Know About McDonald’s Apple Pie

By Lana Kisner | November 17, 2023

Apple Pie is the original dessert on the McDonald’s menu that has been around since the 1960s. The recipe has changed over the years, but that golden crust enveloping a sweet and slightly tart apple filling always remained constant. Nowadays, the McDonald’s dessert menu offers a variety of sweet treats, but the baked apple pie will always be one of the best among superfans. Here are five things you should know about McDonald’s delicious apple pies.

Courtesy of McDonald’s

1. They Are Made With American-Grown Apples

McDonald’s shared on its website that they use 100% American-grown apples in their apple pie recipe. The types of apples used may change by season and availability, but you can always expect to taste that balance of sweet and slightly tart flavors we all know and love in a classic apple pie.

2. They Are Baked Now but Used to Be Fried

The original apple pies from McDonald’s were fried, but this changed when the recipe got a makeover in 1992. Since then, they have all been baked fresh daily. The apple pie was the very first dessert added to the McDonald’s menu. It made its debut in 1968, which is the same year the Big Mac came out.

The original pies were deep-fried, used diced apples, and were covered in brown sugar. In an effort to make them “healthier,” McDonald’s changed the recipe in 1992 to the baked version and started using larger apple slices to make them taste more like a homestyle pie. The recipe was revised again in 2018 to remove high-fructose corn syrup and some other artificial ingredients.

3. Apple Pie Is the Only Vegan Item on the McDonald’s Menu

If you want to eat vegan at McDonald’s, the baked apple pie is your only option (luckily, there’s at least one, right?) The recipe does not contain any animal products, which makes it vegan-friendly. You may be thinking, “But what about their French fries?” Unfortunately, they contain beef flavoring, so you can cross them off your list.

4. You Can Get an Apple Pie During Breakfast Hours

Craving apple pie in the morning? No problem! You can order it any time of the day, including McDonald’s breakfast hours. Whether you prefer it with your morning coffee or as a dessert after lunch, you can find it all day long under the “Sweet & Treats” section of the menu.

5. It Is Best to Reheat Them in an Air Fryer

If you want to get the same taste and texture of a freshly ordered apple pie at McDonald’s, I’d recommend reheating it in an air fryer. All it takes is 2 to 3 minutes at 350 degrees. This will allow you to retain the crispy outer texture without overcooking the filling.

You can also use a toaster oven, conventional oven, or microwave. When using a conventional oven, place your pie on a cookie sheet and bake it at 200 degrees for about 10 minutes. If you’re using a microwave, wrap it in a paper towel and reheat it for 20-30 seconds. You can continue to reheat in 10-second intervals if necessary. The filling may be very hot with the microwave method, though, so make sure to let it sit for a few minutes before eating it.

About the Author

Lana Kisner is a writer on the Shopfood.com team with more than 15 years of experience in the food service industry. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, listening to live music, and hiking with her dog.