Craving something sweet (or savory) from your favorite drive-thru? Fast food chains across the country are serving up pies that range from nostalgic classics to unexpected flavor bombs—and not all of them hit the mark. We’ve taste-tested and reviewed the most talked-about picks to bring you the ultimate ranking of fast food’s top 10 pies, from the ones you’ll want to skip to the one that completely stole the show. Whether you’re in the mood for warm apple cinnamon or a deep-fried tropical delight, this list has it all—ranked from worst to best, so you know exactly what’s worth the splurge.
10. Arby’s Cherry Turnover: Flaky But Falling Short
Pastry promises so much, but this cherry-filled triangle delivers so little. The outer layers shatter beautifully with each bite, creating a mess of crumbs that’s almost satisfying.
Unfortunately, what lies inside rarely justifies the cleanup. The cherry filling often resembles more of a thin, overly sweet gel than actual fruit, with a peculiar artificial aftertaste that lingers longer than the memory of the turnover itself.
While the icing drizzle adds a touch of sweetness, it can’t compensate for the dry interior that leaves you reaching for a drink. A disappointing start to our pie journey.
9. Church’s Chicken Pot Pie: Savory But Soggy
Remember those homemade pot pies grandma used to make? This isn’t that. Church’s attempt at comfort food features chunks of chicken and vegetables swimming in a creamy sauce that hits the right savory notes.
The fatal flaw? That soggy bottom crust that never quite holds up. Halfway through eating, you’re essentially spooning chicken soup from a partially dissolved pastry bowl.
Still, on cold days when you crave something warm and filling beyond the usual fast food fare, this handheld meal delivers satisfying flavors despite its structural shortcomings. Points for being one of the few savory options in a sea of sweet pies.
8. Popeyes Raspberry Cheesecake Pie: Sweet-Tart Confusion
Bold flavor combinations don’t always work, and this pie proves it. The concept sounds dreamy – tart raspberry swirled with creamy cheesecake filling, all wrapped in Popeyes’ signature fried crust.
Reality hits different. The raspberry layer can overwhelm with its candy-like sweetness, fighting against rather than complementing the cheesecake portion. That signature fried shell adds another competing flavor dimension.
What saves this from ranking lower is its uniqueness. When you’re tired of apple and cherry, this purple-streaked pie offers something genuinely different. Just be prepared for a sugar rush that might leave your taste buds confused rather than satisfied.
7. McDonald’s Baked Apple Pie: Nostalgic But Not Perfect
The pie that launched a thousand childhood memories. McDonald’s iconic apple pie has undergone a controversial transformation from its original fried glory to today’s baked version, and loyalists still haven’t forgiven the change.
The current iteration features a lattice-topped crust housing cinnamon-spiced apple chunks. The filling strikes a pleasant balance between sweet and tart, with apples that maintain some texture rather than dissolving into mush.
Yet something’s missing – that distinctive crunch of the old-school fried shell. While healthier, this baked version feels like meeting an old friend who’s changed just enough to make conversations slightly awkward. Good, but forever living in the shadow of its former self.
6. Arby’s Apple Turnover: Reliable But Unremarkable
Middle-of-the-road isn’t always an insult. Arby’s Apple Turnover represents the dependable workhorse of fast food desserts – never disappointing, yet rarely thrilling.
The flaky pastry encases warm cinnamon-tinged apple filling that achieves a pleasant balance between firm fruit pieces and sauce. Unlike its cherry counterpart, this turnover usually delivers a more generous filling-to-pastry ratio.
What keeps it from climbing higher in the rankings is its lack of distinctive character. There’s nothing particularly wrong with it, but nothing that makes you crave it specifically either. It’s the dessert equivalent of a firm handshake – perfectly acceptable, utterly forgettable.
5. Church’s Texas Chicken Apple Pie: Underrated Crunch
Hidden gem alert! This unassuming dessert from Church’s deserves more recognition in the fast food pie universe. The exterior achieves that elusive perfect crispness that makes the first bite deeply satisfying.
Inside, the apple filling strikes a homestyle balance – not too smooth, not too chunky. The cinnamon notes hit just right without venturing into potpourri territory like some competitors.
What truly sets this pie apart is texture contrast. That exterior shell maintains its integrity while the filling provides warm, gooey comfort. Church’s may be better known for chicken, but this sleeper hit proves they understand dessert fundamentals too.
4. Popeyes Cinnamon Apple Pie: Fair Food Flashback
Carnival food memories come flooding back with each bite of this cinnamon-dusted delight. Popeyes takes the apple pie concept and gives it fair-food treatment – deeply fried and generously coated in cinnamon sugar that clings to your fingers.
The shell shatters dramatically, revealing a filling that balances sweet apples with warming spices. Unlike some competitors, the filling-to-crust ratio feels generous, with apples that maintain their identity rather than dissolving into sauce.
What elevates this pie is its unapologetic indulgence. While others have gone the baked route, Popeyes embraces the joy of fried desserts. The result is a treat that transports you to summer festivals with every sugar-dusted bite.
3. Popeyes Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie: Berry Cheesecake Magic
Strawberry shortcake meets cheesecake in this handheld miracle. The contrast between the tangy cream cheese and sweet strawberry jam creates a flavor partnership that keeps your taste buds guessing with each bite.
The filling achieves that rare balance where neither component overshadows the other. Strawberry brings bright fruitiness while the cream cheese delivers richness without being heavy.
What truly makes this pie special is how the crispy fried shell adds textural contrast to the creamy interior. Temperature plays a role too – wait about two minutes after receiving it for the optimal experience when the filling has cooled just enough not to burn your mouth but remains wonderfully warm.
2. Burger King Hershey’s Sundae Pie: Chocolate Chilled Perfection
Breaking the mold of hot handheld pies comes this cool chocolate masterpiece. Burger King’s collaboration with Hershey’s produces a slice that resembles a miniature chocolate cream pie, complete with chocolate cookie crust and whipped topping.
The filling achieves that perfect pudding-like consistency – firm enough to hold its shape when sliced but melting effortlessly on your tongue. Chocolate shavings add textural interest and intensify the cocoa experience.
What makes this pie exceptional is its refreshing contrast to the typical fast food dessert. While others emerge piping hot from fryers, this chilled slice offers sweet relief, especially satisfying after spicy menu items or on warm days when a hot dessert feels overwhelming.
1. Jollibee Peach Mango Pie: Tropical Champion
Crown the champion! This Filipino fast food giant delivers pie perfection through an inspired tropical twist. The magic happens when the fried shell – crackling with perfect golden bubbles – gives way to reveal a molten core of peach-mango filling.
The fruit filling achieves what others only aspire to – actual identifiable fruit pieces swimming in a sauce that captures genuine tropical flavor rather than artificial approximations. The slight tartness balances the sweetness, preventing sugar overload.
What ultimately elevates this to legendary status is its uniqueness. While apple and cherry dominate the fast food pie landscape, Jollibee celebrates Filipino flavor traditions with this exceptional creation. One bite explains why fans will drive hours just to get their hands on this pocket of tropical paradise.
Leave a comment