Pi Day is one of the most underappreciated and unrecognized holidays. Honored by pi(e)-lovers every March 14, the unofficial holiday was first coined by physicist Larry Shaw in 1988 to celebrate pi—the mathematical constant of 3.14. March 14 also happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday—coincidence, we think not.
Today, middle school teachers and pie aficionados everywhere celebrate by indulging in pies of all kinds—pizza pie, fruit pie, cottage pie, hand pies … it’s all fair game. In honor of one of our favorite food holidays (and to raise a glass to Einstein—who was a vegetarian, after all), we’ve done a deep dive to find the 14 most drool-worthy vegan pies to spark excitement for Pi Day. But before that, just how do you make a pie vegan?
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Is pie pastry vegan?
Traditionally, pie crust isn’t vegan, because it’s usually made with butter or lard. That said, however, it’s easy to replace this with a plant-based alternative, like vegan butter or vegetable oil. (For vegan butter alternative ideas, check out our comprehensive guide!)
What pies are vegan?
When it comes to vegan pie filling, there are plenty of options. Most fruit pies are easy to make plant-based (as long as you swap out the butter). And with cream pies, you can rely on ingredients like tofu or cashews to replace dairy. For meringue, aquafaba is a good egg replacement. For more tips and advice on plant-based pie ingredients, follow our guide to making any pie vegan.
14 vegan pies for Pi Day
If you don’t fancy whipping up a pie in the kitchen this Pi Day, that’s totally fine, because all of these options are available to buy now, plus they’re delicious too. Happy munching!
1
Vegan, Gluten-Free Dutch Apple Pi From Erin McKenna’s Bakery
Few things in life are more perfect than the quintessential apple pie. A mound of gooey, caramelly apples is layered into a tender pastry just begging to be adorned with a scoop of vegan vanilla bean ice cream, or in Erin McKenna’s case, a mound of cinnamon-spiked buttery brown sugar oat crumble. These pi-marked pies are available for nationwide shipping in the US via Goldbelly. Based in NYC or LA? Stop by Erin McKenna’s Bakery for a slice of this tasty dessert. Pro-tip: call ahead and ask about the day’s offerings.
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Purely Pies
2
Savory Pot Pie From Purely Pies
No matter what vegan filling is encased in this gorgeously buttery crust, we want it. UK vegans are in for a treat. Individual pies and hand pies are available from several stockists throughout the country and are also available online for shipping.
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Pop Pie Co.
3 Roasted Veggies and Yellow Curry Hand Pie From Pop Pie Co.
This Aussie hand pie company has branched out into both sweet and savory plant-based options. Southern California residents can stop by the Costa Mesa or San Diego location to stock up on delicious Classic Veggie Pot Pies. No judgment if you eat two in one sitting. Don’t live in the SoCal area? Pop Pie Co Executive Chef Gan Suebsarakham shared his secrets with us on how he makes the perfect vegan pie crust.
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The Pie Bar
4 Marionberry Pie From The Pie Bar
If you’ve never had a marionberry pie before, you need to make your way to Long Beach, CA and visit this quaint community pie shop. With multiple sweet and savory vegan options, this bakery makes it possible to eat pie for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. Swing by on Pi Day for deals on slices and whole pies to go.
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Magpies Softserve
5 Fried Soft-Serve Ice Cream Pie From Magpies Softserve
This vegan-friendly soft-serve shop whips up some of the most unique pies we’ve ever had the pleasure to devour. The kitchen concocts seasonal variations on its ice cream pies, but as tempting as they are, we can’t kick our fried pie habit. This delicious monstrosity of creamy, crunchy, salt-meets-sweet goodness starts with a graham cracker crust lined with fudge sauce which is then filled with corn almond soft-serve, topped with homemade vegan honeycomb, whipped cream, and crowned with fried candied cornflakes. These pies are available by the slice and whole (if you pre-order) at all three Magpies locations.
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Giselle’s Vegan Kitchen
6
Apple Crumb Pie From Giselle’s Vegan Kitchen
Yes, we’re including another apple crumb pie on this list, because the beauty of pie is you can freeze one and save it for later, and we simply could not decide between Erin McKenna’s and Giselle’s. Both are simply outstanding, and both happen to be gluten-free. This best-seller is available for nationwide shipping online and for pickup at the boutique bakery’s adorably whimsical Laguna Hills, CA storefront.
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The Pie Hole
7 Vegan Blueberry Pie From The Pie Hole
Blueberry pie often gets overlooked, but The Pie Hole does this flavor justice. Each slice or whole pie features perfectly crimped, thick crust edges and a scattering of sweet crumble that’s light enough for the blueberry filling to truly shine. Pick up at one of the many locations in California or order online for nationwide delivery.
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Follow Your Heart Market & Cafe
8
“Chicken Pot Pie” From Follow Your Heart Market & Cafe
This Los Angeles vegan institution is better known for its Vegenaise, but Canoga Park and Greater LA locals flock to this 53-year-old market and cafe for its hearty, diner-style eats. The individually sized vegan chicken pot pies are a popular choice on the expansive menu. While you’re at it, order a slice of the many sweet pies for dessert.
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9 Banana Cream Pie From Veggie Galaxy
Even those on Team Cake can get on board the pie train with this creamy sweet treat. Made by a longstanding vegan diner in Cambridge, MA, this classic features banana butter coconut custard, fresh bananas, whipped cream, and nutmeg. Welcome to Team Pie.
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Dangerously Delicious
10Ratatouille Pie From Dangerously Delicious Pies
You won’t miss the meat (or vegan meat alternative) in this dense, flavor-packed savory vegetable pie. The Washington, D.C.-based pie bakery offers a number of plant-based options for anyone craving something sweet or savory packed into a flaky pie crust. Stop by the store or order for nationwide shipping via Goldbelly.
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Cafe Sunflower
11Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse Pie From Southern Sweets Bakery
Billowy, flavor-punched peanut butter mousse sits atop moist vegan chocolate cake to create this decadent cake-meets-pie mashup. Find it at Atlanta’s Cafe Sunflower or go straight to the Decatur, GA bakery to buy the whole pie.
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Vegan Treats
12Range of Pies From Vegan Treats
This award-winning vegan bakery in Bethlehem, PA showcases all the tastes and textures in its range of indulgent and addictive vegan pies. Good luck choosing between flavors like Blueberry Crumb, Coconut Cream, Pecan, and French Silk.
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@whollywholesome/Instagram
13 Wholly Wholesome
For all-natural baked goods, including delicious pies, Wholly Wholesome should be one of your first ports of call. Its Cherry, Blueberry, Apple, and Dairy-Free Pumpkin pies are all totally vegan, plus they’re conveniently frozen too.
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14 Vegan Pizza
Let’s not forget, in the US, a pizza is considered a pie too! Indulge in all that savory, cheesy goodness this Pi Day by grabbing a plant-based pizza from your local veg-friendly pizzeria or grocery store.
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For more vegan treats, read:
Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.
