Pie is one of those incredibly versatile dishes that can take many different forms. It can be savory or sweet and loaded with fruit, chocolate, or vegetables, depending on your preference. But one thing is always certain: pie is comforting, delicious, and the perfect summer dish. Find some of our favorite pies to make all season long (and beyond) below.

Is a summer pie savory or sweet?

When you think of a summer pie, the first thing that comes to mind is likely a sweet pie loaded up with seasonal fruits like berries, peaches, and lemons. Without a doubt, this is one of the tastiest ways to enjoy pie throughout the hotter months of the year. After all, summer fruits are refreshing, nutritious, and a good source of hydration.

RELATED: These Are the Vegan Fruit Pie Recipes We Swear by Every Summer

However, savory pies, laden with fresh vegetables and herbs, can also be a delicious summer treat, especially when served with light, refreshing sides like green salad, coleslaw, couscous, and grilled vegetables. In fact, according to Tastewise, chicken and pork land among the top 10 pie ingredients—the only two savory items in the top 10. And while these ingredients aren’t vegan, you can still make a savory pie using only plant-based ingredients.

Demand for vegan pies has actually increased, and is much higher than demand for gluten-free and organic pies. “The dominating diet for pie is vegan,” the trend report reads. So, if you’re a pie-lover who can’t decide between savory or sweet, why should you have to choose? We say enjoy both! 

8 delicious pies to make this summer

Below, we’ve picked some of our favorite pie recipes, perfect for indulging al fresco this summer. We’ll start with savory before moving on to the sweeter recipes.

Holly V. Gray

1Chili and Corn Chip Pie

If you’ve got leftover chili on hand and a bag of corn chips, you’ve already got the makings of a delicious, albeit unconventional, light and flavorful pie recipe. This dish is easy to make, perfect for sharing, and, with its universally loved combination of beans, spices, and corn chips, is likely to be a real crowd-pleaser.
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Yuki Sugiura

2Caribbean Callaloo and Plantain Phyllo Pie

Transport your tastebuds to Caribbean paradise with this flavor-packed pie recipe from the Plentiful cookbook. It combines savory callaloo (a popular Caribbean island leafy green side dish) with sweet plantains in light and crispy phyllo pastry, which results in a unique and delicious burst of tastes and textures in every bite.
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3Frying Pan Samosa Pie With Potatoes and Cauliflower

While many believe the heat of Indian cuisine is better suited to the winter months in the US, we say that the flavors and spices of this samosa pie, taken from the BOSH! On a Budget cookbook, are perfect for summer. That said, if it’s too hot for you, you could reduce the amount of warming spices like curry powder and turmeric to make the dish lighter.
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Aimee Ryan

4British Homity Pie With Potatoes and Cashew Cream

This hearty British pie from the Great British Vegan cookbook is a great summer option thanks to the fresh vegetables in the recipe, like potatoes, spinach, leeks, and onions. To make it even more summer-friendly, we recommend serving it with a big fresh green salad or more grilled vegetables.
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5Caramelly Banoffee Pie

As it’s served chilled, this delicious indulgent sweet banoffee pie—which is made with wholesome ingredients like fresh bananas, coconut cream, and a nutty caramel sauce made from dates and peanut butter—is undeniably a great way to cool down in the summer months. The recipe comes from the No-Bake Vegan Desserts cookbook.
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Allyson Kramer

6Gluten-Free Crumble Top Peach Pie

While we’re talking summer pies, we had to mention a peach pie, of course. Fresh peaches are abundant and at their peak sweetness during summer, which makes them the perfect seasonal pie ingredient. On a particularly hot day, cool this dessert dish down in the refrigerator before serving.
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Allyson Kramer

7Chocolate Strawberry Pie

Chocolate with strawberries is one of the best sweet treats to enjoy in the summer, especially when combined in a dessert pie that is served straight from the fridge. The fragrance of fresh strawberries combined with that deep chocolate crust? Total summer dessert perfection.
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Lauren Toyota

8Lemon Meringue Pie Tarts

These pie-tart hybrids are a delicious, bite-sized treat for summer gatherings and outdoor cookouts. They’re sweet, zesty, light-as-air, and guaranteed to be a real hit with all of your loved ones all summer long. Plus they also look adorable, too.
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