If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that’s both nostalgic and utterly delicious, you’re going to love this Virginia Peanut Pie Recipe. It’s got that perfect balance of gooey, nutty, and buttery goodness wrapped in a flaky crust. Trust me, once you try this pie, it’ll become a staple in your recipe rotation—I know it did for me. So grab your apron and let’s dive in!

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Harmony of Textures: Crunchy peanuts paired with a gooey, rich filling create a delightful contrast.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: Using everyday pantry staples results in a pie that tastes way more complex than the effort suggests.
Room Temperature Eggs: This helps the filling blend smoothly, ensuring a silky custard texture.
Chilling the Crust: Prevents shrinkage and keeps the crust perfectly tender and flaky.

Virginia Peanut Pie, peanut pie, Southern dessert, easy peanut pie recipe, nutty pie - A slice of nut pie is set on a white plate, showing three layers: a flaky golden-brown crust at the bottom and edges that curl upward; a thick, sticky, amber-colored filling mixed with chopped nuts in the middle; and a crunchy top layer of more nuts and syrup that glistens under soft light. Behind the slice, the rest of the pie sits in a clear glass pie dish, resting on a white marbled surface with a blurred background. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Virginia Peanut Pie Recipe adds a specific magic touch—from the sweet foundation of corn syrup to the crunch and saltiness of roasted peanuts. Here’s a little insider scoop on what each brings to the table and how to pick the best:

Virginia Peanut Pie, peanut pie, Southern dessert, easy peanut pie recipe, nutty pie - Flat lay of whole roasted salted peanuts piled next to roughly crushed peanut pieces, a small glass jar of light golden corn syrup shimmering in the light, a heap of packed light brown sugar with a soft, sandy texture, three large fresh eggs with smooth shells, a small puddle of melted pale yellow unsalted butter, and a clear glass bottle of rich vanilla extract with its deep amber color, all beautifully arranged on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Pie Crust: I prefer a store-bought 9-inch crust for ease, but homemade works beautifully if you have the time.
Light Corn Syrup: It gives the filling that classic, shiny texture and helps bind everything together without overpowering sweetness.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds a hint of molasses depth that straight white sugar can’t match.
Eggs: Use room temperature eggs to ensure the filling emulsifies smoothly without clumping.
Unsalted Butter: Melted butter enriches the filling and balances the sweetness with a buttery undertone.
Vanilla Extract: A splash really elevates the flavors and rounds out the richness.
Roasted Salted Peanuts: Roasting enhances their natural flavor and the saltiness creates the perfect contrast to the sweet filling.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love how forgiving this Virginia Peanut Pie Recipe is when it comes to tweaks. You can easily adjust the nuts or sugar level to suit your cravings or dietary needs. Don’t be shy about making it your own!

Swap the Peanuts: Want to switch things up? Try using mixed nuts or just chopped pecans—I’ve done both and they bring a lovely new character to this pie.
Less Sweet Version: Cut back slightly on the corn syrup if you prefer a less sweet dessert, and add a pinch of salt to balance.
Gluten-Free Crust: Use a gluten-free pie crust for dietary restrictions, and it still tastes fantastic.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Virginia Peanut Pie Recipe

Step 1: Chill the Pie Crust

Start by lining your pie plate with the crust and crimping the edges in a way that makes you smile. Pop it into the fridge while you whip up the filling. I find chilling the crust helps it stay put and prevents those annoying shrinkage issues during baking.

Step 2: Whisk the Filling

Mix together the corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Make sure your eggs are at room temperature—it makes mixing a breeze and produces a smooth custard that sets perfectly.

Step 3: Prep the Peanuts

Grab about half your peanuts and crush them roughly with a rolling pin—don’t pulverize them, just break them into bite-sized pieces. This variation in texture adds an irresistible crunch throughout the pie. Then stir in both the crushed and whole nuts into your filling.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Pour the filling into the chilled crust, then bake at 350°F for about an hour. You’ll want the filling to be set but still slightly jiggly in the center—that’s the sweet spot for that sticky, luscious texture. Don’t rush the bake; patience here really pays off.

Step 5: Let It Rest

This is key! Let your pie cool down for at least three hours to room temperature before slicing. It gives the filling time to firm up just right, making slices clean and beautiful. Trust me, waiting is worth it—my family can’t wait, but I encourage you to resist the urge!

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Pro Tips for Making Virginia Peanut Pie Recipe

Room Temp Eggs: Taking the eggs out early really helps the filling come together smoothly without lumps.
Rough Peanut Crushing: Leaving some bigger chunks gives the pie delightful texture contrast instead of a uniform fill.
Chill the Crust: Avoids the dreaded crust shrinkage and keeps it flaky and tender.
Cool Before Slicing: As tempting as it is, cutting too soon will cause the filling to run; patience is key!

How to Serve Virginia Peanut Pie Recipe

Virginia Peanut Pie, peanut pie, Southern dessert, easy peanut pie recipe, nutty pie - A close-up view of a pecan pie on a white marbled surface shows a golden brown crust with crimped edges forming the pie shell. Inside, a filling full of whole, shiny pecans in a rich, glossy caramel-colored layer is visible. The top layer is made of densely packed pecans, toasted to a warm brown color with some darker spots. Part of the pie is sliced, revealing the pie's filling held together beneath the pecans. The pie is on a clear glass pie dish resting on a beige cloth with white and purple stripes. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I keep it simple here—a light dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of freshly whipped cream complements the pie without stealing the spotlight. Sometimes, I sprinkle a few extra peanuts on top for that visual pop and added crunch.

Side Dishes

This pie pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or alongside a cup of strong coffee. I also enjoy it at brunch with fresh berries on the side for a bit of tartness to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I sometimes serve Virginia Peanut Pie slices on decorative plates with drizzles of caramel sauce and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt—those little touches really impress guests. Miniature versions in tart pans are another fun twist I’ve tried, perfect for party appetizers!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying your pie, wrap leftover slices tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep nicely for up to 4 days and maintain taste and texture better when kept chilled.

Freezing

I’ve frozen full pies and slices successfully by wrapping them well in foil and plastic wrap to avoid freezer burn. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving—the texture holds up surprisingly well.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy the pie warm, I recommend reheating slices in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5-7 minutes to gently warm without melting the filling completely. Adding a scoop of ice cream on top after warming makes it extra cozy and delicious.

FAQs

Can I make Virginia Peanut Pie Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the pie up to the baking stage a day in advance, then bake and cool it before serving. It also stores well in the refrigerator for several days, making it an ideal make-ahead dessert.
What kind of peanuts work best for this pie?

Roasted salted peanuts are best—they add a wonderful crunch and a flavor boost with a hint of saltiness that cuts through the sweetness perfectly.
Is the filling similar to pecan pie?

Yes! The texture is quite similar with a rich, custard-like filling, but the flavor is distinctly peanut-forward and a bit less sweet, offering a unique twist on the classic nut pie.
How do I know when the pie is done baking?

Look for the filling to be mostly set but still have a slight jiggle in the center when gently shaken. It will firm up as it cools, so avoid overbaking to keep it luscious.

Final Thoughts

Virginia Peanut Pie Recipe has a special place in my heart—and kitchen—because it’s the kind of dessert that brings people together. Its combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy creates a comfort food vibe that feels like a warm hug from the South. I promise, once you make it, you’ll find yourself looking for excuses to bake it again. Go ahead, give it a try and share slices with friends—you might just start a new tradition!

Virginia Peanut Pie Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 21 reviews

Author: Madison
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes plus 3 hours resting time
Yield: 9 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Southern American

Print Recipe

Description

Virginia Peanut Pie is a classic Southern dessert featuring a flaky pie crust filled with a rich, sweet, and nutty filling made from corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, butter, and roasted salted peanuts. This pie is baked to a golden finish and set with a crunchy peanut texture, perfect for gatherings and special occasions.

Ingredients

Pie Crust

1 9-inch pie crust

Filling

3/4 cup light corn syrup
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1/4 cup unsalted butter (1/2 stick), melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups roasted salted peanuts

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for baking the pie perfectly.
Prepare Pie Crust: Line a 9-inch pie plate with the pie crust, crimping the edges as desired. Place the crust in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the filling, which helps prevent shrinking during baking.
Make Filling Mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the light corn syrup, packed light brown sugar, room temperature eggs, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until smoothly combined.
Prepare Peanuts: Use a rolling pin to lightly crush about half of the roasted salted peanuts, leaving roughly large pieces to maintain texture. Add both the crushed and whole peanuts to the filling mixture and stir until evenly combined.
Assemble Pie: Pour the peanut filling evenly into the chilled pie crust, smoothing the top gently.
Bake Pie: Place the pie on the middle rack of the preheated oven and bake until the filling is set and slightly puffed, about 1 hour.
Cool and Set: Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool to room temperature. Let it sit for at least 3 hours before slicing to ensure the filling fully sets and slices cleanly.
Serve: Slice and serve the Virginia Peanut Pie. Enjoy this rich, nutty classic dessert!

Notes

Chilling the pie crust before adding the filling helps prevent the crust from shrinking during baking.
Lightly crushing half the peanuts retains a pleasant crunch and texture inside the pie.
Letting the pie sit for at least 3 hours is crucial for the filling to fully set.
You can substitute roasted unsalted peanuts and add a pinch of salt if you prefer a less salty pie.
Use room temperature eggs to ensure the filling mixes smoothly without curdling.