Pumpkin Pie Is Twice As Flavorful With This Fried Addition — No Need For Whipped Cream

Pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving table staple, but you don't have to stick with the traditional whipped cream or pastry crust toppings. There are plenty of fun ingredients and toppings to transform the pie's flavor. One unexpected option is fried herbs, which add a warm, earthy note that pairs beautifully with sweet, rich pumpkin filling. While rosemary and thyme can work, we especially recommend fried sage for its savory flavor and crispy texture. Here's how to do it.

You can mix fried sage into the pumpkin pie filling or use it as a topping for the finished pie. To infuse the filling, saute about 10 fresh sage leaves in butter over medium heat. Once the butter is browned and the sage is crisp, remove the skillet from the heat and stir it into your usual pumpkin pie filling. Bake as usual, and you'll get a subtle savory flavor and rich browned-butter notes in every slice.

Fried sage also works as a creative pumpkin pie topping to garnish to your dessert. After sauteing the sage leaves in butter, remove the crispy leaves from the skillet, let them cool, and place them directly on the finished pie or chop them up into thin pieces and sprinkle on top, adding a deep peppery flavor to the sweet pie.

For another way to incorporate sage into your pumpkin pie, try adding it to the crust. Turns out, you can add sage to your pie crust to make it more flavorful. Instead of fried sage, use about three tablespoons of fresh sage that's been finely chopped, mixing it with the flour, butter, and other ingredients for the pie crust dough. Then bake the crust as usual. According to chefs, it's one of 10 secret ingredients for a next-level pumpkin pie.

And if you want to use dried herbs? You can, but it might taste more potent than the fresh stuff. So consider using a little less if you don't want a super-strong herby flavor. You can also sprinkle dried sage on top of the pie after it's cooked, and if you like the savory touch, try combining it with other herbs like rosemary and thyme. Together, these herbs offer an earthier, fruitier aroma and flavor, and taste delightful with sweet desserts.