Intro
Nothing ruins a Thanksgiving apple pie faster than a soggy bottom crust — and the right pie dish is the difference between a pie you’re proud to serve and one you’re embarrassed to slice. Ceramic, glass, stoneware and nonstick metal all bake differently, and the deep, juicy filling of a classic apple pie needs a dish that heats evenly, holds heat well and gives you a crisp, golden crust.
We rounded up the 6 best pie dishes for apple pie for 2026: premium French ceramic, the classic glass pie plate every baker knows, deep-dish stoneware for mile-high fillings and a nonstick option for effortless serving. Each pick has real pros and cons so you can choose with confidence. We’ve also added a buying guide on materials, size and depth, plus answers to the most common pie-dish questions.
The 6 Best Pie Dishes for Apple Pie
1. Emile Henry Ruffled Pie Dish
Best overall. Made in France from Burgundian clay, this is the pie dish that wins “best overall” on nearly every major review list — including Food Network and USA Today’s apple-season roundup — for good reason. The high-fired ceramic absorbs, distributes and retains heat evenly, so your apple pie’s bottom crust browns as beautifully as the top. The ruffled edge makes crimping effortless, and it goes straight from oven to table looking gorgeous. Typically around $60–70.
Pros:
- Even heat distribution for a flaky, golden crust
- Heat-retentive ceramic keeps pie warm at the table
- Freezer, microwave, broiler (to 520°F) and dishwasher safe
- Scratch-resistant glaze resists staining and odors
- Beautiful oven-to-table presentation
Cons:
- Premium price compared to glass pie plates
- Heavier than glass or metal dishes
- Can chip if dropped on a hard surface
2. Pyrex 9-Inch Glass Pie Plate
Best budget. The classic every home baker recognizes — and it’s been a staple for decades because it works. Food Network named it their best overall pie dish in 2026. The tempered glass heats slowly and evenly, giving the bottom crust time to crisp, and because it’s clear you can literally check whether the underside is golden. It’s thermal-shock resistant, so you can prep your pie in the freezer and bake it straight away. Typically around $10–15.
Pros:
- Extremely affordable — the best value pick
- See-through sides let you check crust browning
- Odor- and stain-resistant, easy to clean
- Dishwasher, freezer, microwave and preheated-oven safe
- Hard to break thanks to tempered glass
Cons:
- Shallow profile — not ideal for mile-high deep-dish pies
- Glass conducts heat slowly, so browning takes longer
- Can shatter under broiler heat — oven only
3. OXO Good Grips Glass Pie Plate with Lid
Best with lid. This deep-dish glass pie plate solves two apple-pie problems at once: the generous depth holds a mountain of apple slices, and the included lid makes it easy to transport your pie to Thanksgiving dinner or store leftovers in the fridge. The clear glass lets you monitor browning, and OXO’s familiar Good Grips build means it feels sturdy and well made. Typically around $20–25.
Pros:
- Deep-dish design fits tall apple pies with no overflow
- Snap-on lid for travel, storage and leftovers
- Clear glass for checking crust doneness
- Dishwasher, freezer and microwave safe
Cons:
- Lid isn’t for oven use — remove before baking
- Bulkier to store than a lidless pie plate
- Glass browns more slowly than ceramic or metal
4. Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro Pie Dish
Best nonstick. If effortless release and slicing matter most, this is your dish. The Goldtouch Pro’s ceramic-reinforced nonstick coating lets slices lift out cleanly with zero sticking — a real advantage with caramelized apple juices that love to glue themselves to glass. It bakes up a nicely browned crust thanks to the metal construction, and the fluted edge makes for pretty crimps. Typically around $35.
Pros:
- Nonstick surface for clean, easy serving
- Metal construction browns crusts faster than glass
- Fluted edge for decorative crimping
- Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
Cons:
- Must avoid metal utensils to protect the coating
- Can’t go under the broiler like ceramic or glass
- Smaller depth than true deep-dish pans
5. Le Creuset Stoneware Pie Dish
Best premium stoneware. Le Creuset’s legendary enameled stoneware brings heirloom-quality construction to the humble pie dish. The dense stoneware delivers gentle, even heat that sets the apple filling perfectly without scorching the edges, and the enamel glaze resists stains and cleans up easily — even with sticky apple-caramel filling. Available in Le Creuset’s signature colors, it’s a dish you’ll reach for every Thanksgiving. Typically around $65–70.
Pros:
- Exceptional, even heat distribution
- Durable enamel glaze resists staining and odors
- Oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe
- Stunning colors for oven-to-table serving
Cons:
- Premium price
- Heavy when loaded with a full deep-dish pie
- Enamel can chip if knocked hard
6. Staub Ceramic Pie Dish
Best deep stoneware. Staub’s ceramic pie dish is built for serious holiday baking: deep sides that comfortably hold a generous apple filling, and vitreous ceramic that regulates heat for even browning throughout. The wide rim gives plenty of surface for a decorative fluted crust, and like the Emile Henry it looks beautiful enough to serve in. Typically around $60–70.
Pros:
- Deep design ideal for loaded apple pies
- Vitreous ceramic heats evenly and retains warmth
- Scratch- and stain-resistant glazed surface
- Oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe
- Elegant presentation for holiday tables
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Heavier than glass options
- Needs care to avoid chipping the glaze on hard impacts
How to Choose a Pie Dish for Apple Pie
Material matters most. Ceramic and stoneware (Emile Henry, Le Creuset, Staub) are the apple-pie gold standard: they heat gently and evenly and hold heat well, producing a crisp, evenly browned crust and a filling that’s set rather than soupy. Glass (Pyrex, OXO) is a close second — it browns a bit more slowly but lets you see the crust, which is genuinely useful. Nonstick metal (Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro) browns fastest but requires care with utensils.
Size and depth. The standard apple pie recipe fits a 9-inch dish. If you like tall, mile-high pies piled with apples, go for a deep-dish model (2+ inches deep) with tall sides — the Emile Henry, OXO and Staub all qualify — so juicy filling can’t bubble over.
Fluted or ruffled edge. A fluted rim isn’t just decorative: it gives you a surface to crimp against and helps the crust edge bake through instead of staying doughy.
Heat retention. Serving pie warm is half the pleasure. Ceramic and stoneware hold heat far longer than glass or metal, so the pie is still warm at the table an hour after coming out of the oven.
Easy release. Caramelized apple juices stick to everything. Nonstick coatings release best, while well-glazed ceramic and glass clean up easily with a short soak.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best material for an apple pie dish? Ceramic and stoneware are the top choice for apple pie — they distribute heat evenly for a crisp bottom crust and retain heat well for serving. Glass is an excellent budget alternative with the bonus of visible browning.
What size pie dish do I need for apple pie? A 9-inch pie dish fits a standard apple pie recipe. For deep-dish apple pies, look for a 9-inch dish that’s at least 2 inches deep so the filling doesn’t overflow.
Glass vs. ceramic pie dish — which is better for apple pie? Ceramic bakes a slightly more even crust and holds heat better, while glass lets you check the browning and costs far less. Both are great choices; serious bakers often own one of each.
Can I bake a frozen apple pie in a ceramic pie dish? Yes — high-quality ceramic pie dishes like the Emile Henry are thermal-shock resistant and can go from freezer to oven. Check the manufacturer’s temperature limits first.
How do I prevent a soggy bottom crust in my apple pie? Use a ceramic or glass dish, bake on the lower oven rack, preheat your oven fully, and consider blind-baking the bottom crust for 10–15 minutes before adding the filling.
Ready to bake your best apple pie ever? Pick the dish that fits your style — the classic glass plate for everyday baking, a deep French ceramic dish for show-stopping Thanksgiving pies — and get those apples sliced. Happy baking!
