Homemade Apple Pie Spice (Easy 5-Ingredient Blend)
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There’s no reason to buy a little jar of apple pie spice when you probably already have everything you need to make it in your pantry.
This homemade apple pie spice combines cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves into one simple blend that’s ready whenever you need it. It takes just a few minutes to mix together, and having a jar on hand makes fall baking that much easier.
And despite the name, it’s good for a whole lot more than apple pie.
Whether you’re making apple crisp, homemade applesauce, muffins, or a warm bowl of oatmeal, this is one of those little pantry staples that earns its place on the spice shelf.
Why Make Your Own Apple Pie Spice?
I make a lot of our seasoning and spice blends from scratch because it makes sense to use what I already have instead of buying another specialty jar.
Apple pie spice is a perfect example.
- Just five ingredients. Everything in this blend is a common baking spice.
- No unnecessary extras. You know exactly what’s going into your jar.
- Easy to scale. Make a small batch or double it for the fall baking season.
- More than just pie. Use it in quick breads, oatmeal, apple butter, and other recipes.
- One less thing to buy. No need to keep replacing a specialty blend when the individual spices are already in your pantry.
It’s a simple way to make the ingredients you already buy work a little harder.
Ingredients for Homemade Apple Pie Spice
You only need five ground spices.
Ground Cinnamon – ¼ cup (4 tablespoons)
Cinnamon makes up the majority of this blend. It’s the familiar, warm flavor that most people associate with apple desserts.
Ground Nutmeg – 2 teaspoons
Nutmeg adds warmth and depth without overpowering the cinnamon.
Ground Ginger – 1 teaspoon
Ginger brings a little extra warmth and keeps the finished blend from tasting too one-dimensional.
Ground Allspice – 1 teaspoon
Despite the name, allspice is a single spice, not a mixture of several spices. It has a warm flavor that works especially well with apples and cinnamon.
Ground Cloves – ½ teaspoon
Cloves are strong, so a little goes a long way. This amount gives the blend that classic spiced-apple flavor without dominating everything else.
Why I Left Out Cardamom
When putting this recipe together, I considered including cardamom.
Cardamom works beautifully in some baked goods, but I wanted this particular blend to have a familiar, traditional apple pie flavor.
I decided to leave it out and stick with the five spices most people already recognize.
If you enjoy cardamom, you can certainly experiment with adding a pinch to an individual recipe.
How to Make Apple Pie Spice
This is about as easy as a homemade pantry recipe gets.
- Measure the spices. Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves to a small mixing bowl.
- Mix thoroughly. Whisk until all five spices are evenly combined. Break up any little clumps so the finished blend is uniform.
- Transfer to a jar. Pour the spice mixture into a clean, completely dry jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Label and store. Label your jar and keep it in a cool, dry pantry or spice cabinet.
That’s it. Your homemade apple pie spice is ready to use.
How Much Apple Pie Spice Should You Use?
When replacing the individual spices in a recipe, the amount will depend on how heavily spiced you like your baked goods.
Here are some good starting points:
| Recipe | Suggested Starting Amount |
|---|---|
| 9-inch apple pie | 1½–2 teaspoons |
| Apple crisp or crumble | 1–2 teaspoons |
| Apple muffins | 1–2 teaspoons per batch |
| Applesauce | ½ teaspoon per 2 cups |
| Oatmeal | ⅛–¼ teaspoon per serving |
| Apple butter | 1–2 teaspoons per batch, adjusting for batch size |
| Apple quick bread | 1–2 teaspoons per loaf |
These are suggested starting amounts rather than measurements tested in every recipe. Adjust based on the amount of fruit, other ingredients, and your family’s preferences.
Pantry tip: If a recipe calls for apple pie spice, you can substitute this homemade blend in the same amount.
If the recipe calls for individual spices, look at the total amount of cinnamon and other warm spices before deciding how much blend to use.
What Can You Make With Apple Pie Spice?
Apple pie might be the obvious answer, but there are plenty of other ways to put this jar to work.
1. Homemade Apple Pie
Use this blend in your favorite apple pie filling instead of measuring cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices separately.
2. Apple Crisp
Toss sliced apples with a little sugar, flour or cornstarch, and apple pie spice before adding the crumb topping.
3. Apple Butter
Apple pie spice works beautifully in homemade apple butter. It’s also a convenient way to season an apple butter quick bread without pulling several spice jars out of the cabinet.
4. Oatmeal
Add a pinch to your morning oatmeal with chopped apples. A little maple syrup or brown sugar is optional.
5. Muffins and Quick Breads
Use it in apple muffins, cinnamon-style quick breads, and other baked goods that benefit from warm spices.
6. Baked Apples
Core an apple, add a little butter, brown sugar, and apple pie spice, and bake until tender.
7. French Toast
Add a little of the blend to your egg and milk mixture before dipping the bread.
8. Pancakes and Waffles
Stir some into pancake or waffle batter for an easy fall variation.
You don’t need a special occasion or an entire pie recipe to use this blend. Sometimes a pinch in something you’re already making is all you need.
Can You Substitute Pumpkin Pie Spice for Apple Pie Spice?
Yes, in many recipes you can substitute one for the other, but they aren’t always exactly the same.
Both blends usually start with cinnamon and may contain ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. The proportions vary by recipe and brand.
Apple pie spice generally emphasizes cinnamon and a familiar spiced-apple flavor.
Pumpkin pie spice may have a different balance of the same warm spices.
For most muffins, quick breads, and other fall baked goods, the two are interchangeable if you enjoy the flavor of both.
If you’re looking for another homemade blend to keep in your baking cabinet, try my Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice.
How to Store Homemade Apple Pie Spice
Store the blend in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from heat, sunlight, and moisture.
A small glass spice jar or mason jar works well.
For the best flavor, aim to use your homemade blend within about 6–12 months, assuming the individual spices were fresh when you mixed them.
Ground spices don’t necessarily become unsafe when they get older, but they gradually lose their aroma and flavor.
A quick freshness check: Open the jar and smell the blend. It should have a noticeable warm, spicy aroma. If it barely smells like anything, it’s probably time to replace it.
Always use a dry measuring spoon and avoid shaking the spice jar directly over a steaming pot.
Can You Double This Recipe?
Absolutely.
This recipe makes just over ⅓ cup, which is a nice amount to keep in a small spice jar.
If you bake frequently, especially during apple season, you can double the recipe.
For the best flavor, I prefer making an amount that will actually get used rather than keeping a huge jar around for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is apple pie spice made of?
This homemade version contains cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves. Some recipes also use cardamom or slightly different proportions.
Is apple pie spice the same as cinnamon?
No. Cinnamon is the main ingredient, but apple pie spice contains several other warm spices that give it a more complex flavor.
Does apple pie spice contain sugar?
No. This recipe is completely unsweetened. That means you can control the amount of sugar in whatever recipe you’re making.
Can I make apple pie spice without cloves?
Yes. You can omit the cloves if you prefer a milder flavor. The finished blend will taste slightly different, but it will still work well in apple desserts.
Can I use apple pie spice in savory recipes?
You can, particularly in dishes that combine sweet and savory ingredients, such as certain pork or roasted squash recipes. Start with a small amount since the blend has a distinctly sweet-baking-spice aroma, even though it contains no sugar.
Is apple pie spice gluten-free?
These five spices are naturally gluten-free. If you’re preparing food for someone with celiac disease or a serious gluten sensitivity, check the packaging for potential cross-contact.
A Few Things I Use
- Glass spice jars – for storing the finished apple pie spice.
- OXO stainless steel mixing bowls – for mixing the blend.
- Stainless steel whisk – for blending the spices evenly.
- Stainless steel canning funnel – for getting the blend into the jar without spilling.
- OXO measuring cups – for measuring the cinnamon.
- Magnetic measuring spoons – for the nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves.
Homemade Apple Pie Spice
Ingredients
Method
- Measure all five ground spices into a small mixing bowl.
- Whisk until evenly combined, breaking apart any clumps.
- Transfer the spice blend to a clean, dry, airtight jar.
- Label and store in a cool, dry pantry away from heat and moisture.
- Use in apple pies, crisps, muffins, oatmeal, and other baked goods as directed by your recipe.
Notes
More Homemade Pantry Staples
If you enjoy making your own spice blends, here are a few more recipes worth keeping on hand:
- Homemade Italian Seasoning
- Homemade Seasoned Salt
- Homemade Taco Seasoning
- Homemade Fajita Seasoning
- Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Homemade Whipped Cream
- 5 Homemade Seasoning Mixes to Make Instead of Buying
Making your own seasoning blends doesn’t have to be complicated. A few minutes with the spices you already have can give you another ready-to-use ingredient for your pantry.
And that’s exactly what Pantry to Plate is all about.
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