If you’ve ever ordered a pie for delivery instead of baking it yourself, you’re certainly not the only one who has. In fact, there’s a good chance you’ve added a quintessential American classic to your cart.
Instacart just revealed the most ordered pies on its platform, and the reigning champion is — you guessed it — apple pie. According to the company’s Pi Day report, Americans ordered more of this sweet, flaky pie than any other, accounting for 29% of all pie deliveries last year.
“It’s no surprise that apple pie topped the list nationally. It’s a timeless classic that feels as American as apple pie,” Alex Orellana, a trend analyst at Instacart, told Food & Wine.
Pumpkin pie, on the other hand, accounted for 23% of pie orders on the delivery platform. The seasonal pie category saw a 1,059% increase in sales on Thanksgiving Day compared to the national average. (While most Americans order this creamy dessert in November, Instacart customers in Florida and on the West Coast seem to enjoy it year-round.) A close second, pecan pie is the top choice in Southern states (accounting for 9% of national sales), while Midwesterners from Arizona to West Virginia frequently order cherry pie.
Like many of America’s favorite dishes, flavors vary widely, just as subcultures do across the country. Sweet potato pie is ordered primarily in Southern and Midwestern cities, such as Atlanta, Detroit, and Memphis. Similarly, San Franciscans tend to opt for key lime pie, ordering it six times the national average. Meanwhile, shoppers in Seattle and Portland prefer the local marionberry pie.
“Our pie report further highlights the deep resonance of this rich dessert with Southern food culture,” Orellana says. “In the Midwest, cherry pie stands out, perhaps a reflection of the region’s deep connection to cherry farming. Meanwhile, pumpkin pie has earned year-round popularity in the Southwest, extending its comfort factor far beyond its traditional fall season.”
In contrast, some regions prefer homemade, freshly baked pies. Shoppers in Vermont purchase 83% more pie ingredients than the national average, with shoppers in West Virginia (75%) and Mississippi (68%) close behind. Hawaii’s Instacart carts were least likely to include both crust and filling; the state purchased 57% fewer ingredients than the national average.
“These pie preferences reveal how food reflects a sense of cultural identity, from local agriculture to flavors rooted in tradition or nostalgia,” Orellana said.
Regardless, Americans seem to love this classic dessert — especially when it’s delivered right to their doorsteps.
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