Walmart pumpkin pie test: does it live up to expectations?

Walmart’s pumpkin pie is one of the most widely available holiday desserts in the country, but its popularity doesn’t guarantee quality.

By now we've tested four other grocery store pies

So, it was about time to put Walmart to the test.

Below, you'll find a detailed, honest review of the pie and whether it's worth stopping by to pick up. From taste to serving size, we will give you all the details to help you decide if it's the best pie to share with family and friends.

Where to purchase

Walmart pumpkin pie. — Image credit: spatuladesserts.com

While Walmart typically stocks the same products, they are not always located in the same places in the store. At the local Walmart, the bakery section is at the very front of the store, and there's a shelving unit stocked with pumpkin pies. If that area is bare in your store, they usually also have a middle section in an aisle at the edge of the grocery section where they put seasonal desserts for people to grab as they're walking by. You should check both locations to secure a pie.

There are two sizes of pumpkin pie available. One is a 10-inch that serves eight ($7.34), and one is an 8-inch that serves five. ($5.23) We bought the 10-inch pie.

There is no indication that this is only a seasonal item, and there was plenty in stock in both sizes. We didn't feel that calling or ordering ahead was needed. It may be an issue closer to the holidays, but for the weeks leading up to it, our local Walmart had an abundance.

Ingredient list

pumpkin, water, enriched wheat flour (flour, niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), sugar, palm and soybean oil shortening, eggs, invert sugar, brown sugar, food starch-modified, nonfat milk, contains less than 2% of carob bean gum, carrageenan, citric acid, dextrose, dough conditioner (l-cysteine), maltodextrin, molasses, potassium sorbate (preservative), salt, sodium propionate (preservative), soybean oil, spices, whey.

The list of ingredients was long, with pumpkin first and water second. There is no butter in this pie, but there is palm oil and soybean oil shortening, as well as soybean oil.

We were surprised to find molasses listed as an ingredient in this pie.

The box does not say it needs to be refrigerated after opening.

Appearance

The first thought about the pie's appearance was that it was really orange. It didn't look natural in terms of coloring.

The pie is in a plain brown cardboard box with a clear plastic cover so you can see the pie inside. The box had a flip tab on the side that you opened to slide the pie out. It wasn't functional, and it was a bit awkward. It was even harder to put the pie back into the box and then get the two tabs to hook to stay together.

The box was very flimsy, so if you're transporting it, be sure not to stack anything on top. The side tab also seems like it could be an issue, as it could easily slide right out.

Weighing in at 2 lb 5 oz, this pie is large. The 10-inch diameter is larger than a typical homemade pie.

Cutting and slicing

The pie was very easy to slice. There was no issue cutting through the filling or the crust, and it remained intact throughout the cutting and serving process.

The filling is on the thicker side, so that helped the pie keep its shape nicely on the plate. The cut piece was hefty and had a good, hearty weight.

A sniff test is always a must. The pie itself had a really nice smell with hints of spice and cinnamon. The crust had zero smell.

Taste

The first impression was that the pie had a strong cinnamon flavor. It was the only flavor that we could taste, and it was overpowering. The ingredient list for this pie has "spices" in it, but cinnamon was what stood out.

After a couple more bites, attention was drawn to the pie's grainy texture. It wasn't as creamy or smooth as we had hoped. The grainy texture was subtle but still noticeable. Those with a sensitive palate or mouth will definitely notice this.

The pie had a good sweetness, making it flavorful enough to eat without needing whipped cream. The crust was dry and salty, with no particular flavor.

Texture

We didn't care for the texture of this pie. It felt like an ingredient didn't mix into the filling enough, and it stood out just enough to take away the smoothness and creaminess.

The crust texture varied. Under the filling, it was fine. It wasn't flaky, but it didn't crumble either. The end crust was dry and crumbly.

A piece of this pie would be fine to eat with a fork, or sturdy and hefty enough to hold and eat.

Would you buy it again

The final verdict is that we would not purchase this pie again. The crust was less than desirable, and we couldn't get past the grainy texture.

At just over $7 and able to serve eight people, it may be one of the best pies for anyone on a budget, but for us, it isn't worth the price point based on the reasons mentioned above. It was a swing and a miss.

The takeaway

We didn't know what to expect when we purchased the pumpkin pie, but we weren't impressed with the offering. Trying to cut a piece of the pie without the crust breaking in half made this pie a deal breaker. Our cravings have moved past the pumpkin pie, and next time we're at Walmart, we're going to see what other fun seasonal flavor options there are.