Looking for pie recipes but still deciding what you’re in the mood for? Golden lattice crusts, chocolate curls and little meringue peaks give you plenty of inspiration here.
There’s even a savory option or two if you’re thinking about dinner rather than dessert.
You can keep the finish simple or go all out with toppings. These 20 pictures are full of ideas for your next bake, from a single swirl of cream to a whole pie covered in crumble.
Read also: 20+ Berry Dessert Ideas Simple Enough for Beginners
Sweet and Savory Pie Ideas Worth Saving
apple pie with a golden lattice
We’re starting off strong with this gorgeous apple pie. Look at all those fruit slices tucked beneath the thick lattice!
I love the deeply browned edges and the little sugar crystals across the top.
If you’re choosing a finish for your own apple pie, this wide-strip lattice is lovely inspiration.
orange filling and a tall swirl
How pretty is this slice? The smooth orange filling and tall white swirl make such a simple pairing.
A little brown dusting finishes the top.
For a similar presentation on your favorite pumpkin pie, try a generous swirl of whipped cream with a light sprinkle of cinnamon.
pecans from edge to edge
The pecan fans are going to love this! Whole pecan halves cover the dark filling, with a golden pastry border all around.
I’d leave the top just like this rather than hide those pretty pecans beneath a topping. You could serve whipped cream on the side.
red fruit lattice and ice cream
I am obsessed with this serving idea. The red filling peeks through the lattice and spills up around the edges, with a pile of pale ice cream scoops right in the middle.
Want that same look at the table? Add your scoops just before serving.
chocolate layers and curls
This chocolate slice may just be one of my favorites here. I love the thick brown filling above the dark base, plus that generous white topping.
The chocolate curls are worth keeping if you try a similar finish. A few scattered over the plate look pretty too.
lime slices and piped cream
If you like a neatly decorated pie, this one is for you. The pale filling sits inside a golden crumb crust, with white piped swirls around the outside.
That thin lime wheel tucked into the topping is such a cute detail. Try saving a few extra slices for the serving plates.
little meringue peaks
How adorable are these mini pies? The bright yellow filling stays visible around each tall meringue swirl.
Those browned ridges make the pointed tops even prettier.
Save this presentation if you’re planning individual lemon meringue pies rather than one large dessert.
blueberry crumble slice
Look at that purple blueberry filling! The golden crumble and pale scoop on top look so good against it.
If you’re choosing between a lattice and a crumb topping for your next blueberry pie, this is a lovely reason to go with crumbs. I especially love the larger pieces scattered across the surface.
Read also: 20 Fudge Ideas to Inspire Your Next Sweet Batch
little cream rosettes
Don’t want to cover the whole pie with topping? No problem!
This orange-filled pie has small white rosettes spaced around the surface, so each slice gets its own little decoration.
The tall crimped crust is gorgeous too. For a similar finish, keep your cream decorations small enough to leave the filling on show.
golden chicken pot pie
Here’s something for the savory pie fans. This chicken pot pie has a golden lid with fork marks around the edge.
The cut opening shows peas, orange vegetable pieces and pale chunks in sauce.
Read also: 20 Sweet Potato Recipes and Ideas From Loaded Halves to Pie
I love the little green flecks across the crust. You could use a light scattering of herbs for a similar finish on your own pot pie.
peaches and pastry triangles
I am in love with these bright peach slices. Instead of a full pastry lid, little golden triangles sit over the fruit.
This is a pretty direction to try if you want your filling to stay visible. Keep the pastry decorations spaced apart rather than covering every gap.
banana pie in the making
This one gives you a peek before the finished pie. Banana rounds fill the crumb-lined shell while a thick pale-yellow filling pours into the center.
I love seeing the layers at this stage. If banana cream pie is on your baking list, save this as a visual reference rather than a complete method.
strawberry rhubarb lattice
This strawberry rhubarb pie is so pretty with its broad lattice strips. The red filling shows through the little square openings and around the golden edge.
I’d keep the top free of extra decorations. There’s already plenty to love about that woven pastry.
coconut cream with piled curls
If you are looking for a pie with lots of decoration, then this one is for you. This triple coconut cream pie has tall white swirls, scattered flakes and broad pale curls piled across the top.
The browned edges on some of those flakes are my favorite detail. This is definitely inspiration for a more-is-more finish.
glossy lattice and sugar
Who says you need lots of different toppings? This pie has wide woven strips, an amber-colored coating and a scattering of coarse sugar.
The filling is mostly hidden here, but the crust gives you plenty of inspiration on its own. I love how the glossy finish follows each strip.
chocolate chips and pecans
This is another pecan pie idea, but with a little something extra. Dark chocolate chips sit between the pecan halves across the browned filling.
If you’re torn between a chocolate dessert and a pecan pie, look for a recipe that combines both. This picture makes a pretty convincing case!
golden potato-topped pie
Don’t want a pastry crust for dinner? This potato-topped pie gives you another direction to try.
The serving shows browned ridges over a minced filling with peas and little orange vegetable pieces.
I especially love the golden patches across the potato. A few small herb leaves make a simple finishing touch.
dutch apple crumble
This Dutch apple pie is all about that generous crumb topping. There are tiny crumbs, bigger golden clusters and a crimped pastry edge peeking out underneath.
If you love the crumble part most, save this one. The uneven pieces look lovely without any extra decoration.
simple buttermilk pie
If you’re looking for a pie without fruit or a pile of toppings, this buttermilk slice is for you. The pale filling has a golden-brown surface and a simple pastry shell.
I’d serve it just like this so you can see that browned top. Not every slice needs a swirl or a sprinkle.
mini pies with mixed tops
Last but definitely not least, we have these adorable little pies. I love the mix of miniature lattices and closed tops with small cutouts.
Red and dark berry fillings peek through the openings.
For a similar serving idea, arrange your mini pies together on a board. The different pastry designs are cute enough to be the decoration.
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Frida