New Hampshire residents prioritize apple-based desserts and potato-heavy sides for their Thanksgiving meals, according to Google search data analyzed for November 2025.
While the rest of the nation frequently gravitates toward pumpkin and sweet potato combinations, the Granite State maintains a distinct culinary profile that aligns more closely with its New England neighbors.
Search trends indicate that apple pie and apple crumble share the top spot for dessert preferences across New Hampshire. This preference holds firm against competition from pumpkin, pecan, and chocolate varieties, Only In Your State reported. The data aggregates both double-crust classics and crumb-topped variants into a single category, which consistently outperformed other dessert searches in the region.
For those seeking the local standard, Hanover serves as a primary hub for this tradition. Lou’s Restaurant & Bakery is recognized for its Mile High apple pie, a dish characterized by its significant volume of locally sourced fruit.
New Hampshire’s side dish preference centers on potatoes, encompassing mashed, au gratin, and scalloped preparations. This category finished as the second-most popular side dish nationwide, though its pairing with apple-based desserts remains a regional outlier. While seven states opted for the pumpkin and sweet potato combination, New Hampshire’s preference for savory potatoes effectively isolates the sweetness of the dessert course.
The state’s culinary footprint is not entirely unique, however. Connecticut and Rhode Island mirror this exact pairing, creating a distinct New England trend. This apple-and-potato alignment extends further into New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, where apple desserts also dominate search queries.
Proximity does not guarantee identical menus, as evidenced by the divergent choices of neighboring states. Massachusetts aligns with the preference for potato sides but substitutes apple-based desserts for cranberry pie. Maine presents a more significant departure, opting for blueberry pie and positioning cranberry sauce as a primary side dish.
| State | Primary Dessert | Primary Side |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | Apple | Potatoes |
| Massachusetts | Cranberry | Potatoes |
| Maine | Blueberry | Cranberry Sauce |
Whether serving mashed or scalloped spuds, the Granite State remains committed to a savory side-dish structure.
The data shows that while national trends favor the sweet potato casserole, New Hampshire residents have opted for a different configuration.
