Homemade Apple Pie Spice Mix

Made with a classic blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, apple pie spice is easy to make at home. And it’s ready in under 5 minutes!

Got a recipe that calls for apple pie spice but you don’t have any in the pantry? I get it. I don’t always stock it and luckily you don’t have to either.

I’ll show you how to make homemade apple pie spice – probably using ingredients you already have on hand! It’s easy to whisk your own mix using just 3-5 ingredients.

For this easy recipe, you’ll blend 4 warm fall spices. Let’s get started!

What goes in apple pie spice?

I went with standard cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. And added ginger because I like it.

Here are the spices you’ll need for this recipe:
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Allspice
Ginger
Ball® 4-ounce miniature storage jar(s)

Note: Many apple pie spice mixes also include cardamom. I’ve selected 4 of my favorites for this one. You can switch it up to suit your taste! Check out my section below on substitutions for more on that.

Is apple pie spice sweet?

No. There’s no sugar in this recipe. And you won’t typically find sugar in the jarred mixes you buy in the supermarket either. But check the label to be sure.

The mix does give a hint of sweetness though. Cinnamon has a natural underlying sweet aroma and flavor. But there’s no sugar and it’s not truly sweet.

Tips for success

Use the best quality spices you can find. The quality will show up in the final flavor. This is especially important if you plan to give your apple pie spice as gifts!

I like using the Ball mini-jars for storage. Yes. They are adorable. But they are also quite functional and the perfect way to keep the spices

Store your spice mix properly. Try a pantry or cupboard away from sunlight and moisture. It will keep longer in a dark, cool area with the lid on. So. Though it may seem convenient, avoid keeping your spices above the stove.

Substitutions

Apple pie spice is simply a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. But you’ll find variations. Here are a couple of things to consider.

Fresh ground nutmeg. I used ground nutmeg. But if you buy whole nutmeg and grate or grind it yourself, take note that the nutmeg will have a much stronger flavor. In this case you might want to reduce the amount a bit so it doesn’t overwhelm the mix. Nutmeg can taste bitter in excess so be mindful of this.

Ginger. Ginger is not a necessity in apple pie spice. But I like ginger. A lot. So I added it. I think it warms the mix up a bit. Plus, with ginger’s anti-inflammatory benefits, it adds an ever so tiny health kick along with the other spices.

Cardamom. Cardamom is often added to apple pie mix but it’s not the most common. It’s also an expensive spice. So if you don’t have it, don’t worry about it.

Can you substitute pumpkin pie spice for apple pie spice?

Yes. But the two are slightly different.

Both provide warm, fall flavor with a hefty dose of cinnamon and can be used in virtually the same way. But the key difference is that pumpkin pie spice includes ground cloves.

Neither of these spice mixes include the actual fruit of course. So they can certainly be stored in the pantry all the same.

Serving ideas

Apple pie spice is perfect for adding a little fall flavor to your favorite dishes. Here are a few ideas to try:

• Add apple pie spice to apple recipes such as pie, crisps and cobblers or to punch of the flavor in my easy cinnamon apples.
• Add to a dash to a morning smoothie for fall flavor.
• Sprinkle the spice on warm oatmeal with a swirl of maple syrup, chopped apples, and nuts.
• Add to granola or Greek yogurt.
• Blend it into your morning coffee for a dessert-inspired apple pie latte – a tasty alternative to the ever-popular pumpkin spice latte!

How will you use this recipe? Please let me know in the comments or on Instagram. I’m always looking for new ideas!

This post was originally sponsored by the makers of Ball® home canning products. And substantially updated since the partnership ended.