By Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On February 1, 2023
Learn how to make this sweet and buttery from-scratch gluten-free graham cracker crust using only six ingredients. This easy gluten-free pie crust recipe is ready in minutes and is the best base for your favorite pie desserts. The traditional graham cracker version is included too!
Ever wondered about the origin of the graham cracker crust? Well, this article gives you insights, and no, it is not about s'mores, but rather a vegetarian movement.
No matter what you use this biscuit for, I'm excited to share this gluten-free graham cracker crust recipe with you. If you are looking for a traditional pie crust, you'll love my gluten-free pie crust. Both crusts work with my gluten-free pecan pie. For more pie recipes check out my gluten-free desserts archive.
GLUTEN-FREE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST RECIPE
This gluten-free graham cracker crust doesn't use gluten-free graham crackers. There are only a few simple ingredients needed for this gluten-free graham cracker pie crust recipe and they are ingredients that most people have on hand, in their pantry or refrigerator. And gluten-free graham crackers aren't one of them...
You can also make a gluten-free dairy-free graham cracker crust using dairy-free butter.
You can par-bake this graham cracker crust recipe. Simply bake it at 350F for 12 minutes. Let it cool to room temperature before filling it. If you are making a baked pie, mix the crust ingredients, press the crust into your pan and bake as directed.
WHY YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE THIS GLUTEN-FREE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST
Simple ingredients - Pantry staples you have on hand already and no you don't even need gluten-free graham crackers.
No fancy equipment - You can mix up this gluten-free graham cracker crust recipe by hand or use a food processor.
Easy to make - No fancy techniques, very simple ingredients and your food processor (you can make it by hand too).
INGREDIENTS IN GLUTEN-FREE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST
This gluten-free graham crackers crust recipe uses gluten-free flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, butter. That's it. Easy-peasy.
Flour - Use an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend to hold the crust together. I used Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 All Purpose Gluten-Free Flour Blend.
Oats - ½ cup gluten-free quick cooking oats. I used Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Organic Quick Cooking Oats.
Sugar - ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed. This adds moisture and good flavor to your crust. Don't use white cane sugar.
Cinnamon - ¼ teaspoon cinnamon.
Baking soda - ¼ teaspoon baking soda.
Butter - ¼ cup butter (½ stick), cold, cut into 1-inch cubes. Use the best quality butter you can get as butter is a key ingredient to a great crust.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR THIS GLUTEN-FREE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST
Food processor - I use a food processor for a smooth and even graham cracker mixture. If you don’t have a food processor, mix the dry crust ingredients in a bowl, and cut butter in until it’s fine and resembles coarse crumbs.
Glass pie pan - 8" glass pie pan -- I like to use ones with handles.
If you have any questions about making gluten-free graham cracker crust, please leave a comment and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN-FREE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST
WITH NO GLUTEN-FREE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST
- In a food processor, combine gluten-free flour, quick oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and butter.
- Process until finely chopped (Approximately 30 seconds).
- Pour graham cracker crumbs mixture into an 8" glass pie pan.
- Press graham cracker crumbs mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until it starts to brown.
These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions in gluten-free Grahan cracker crust, please see the complete recipe below.
WITH GLUTEN-FREE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST
- In a medium mixing bowl combine 2 cups of gluten-free graham crackers crushed (graham cracker sheets) with two tablespoons of sugar. Mix until combined. Stir in ¼ cup of melted unsalted butter. TIP: If you don't have graham crackers you can use gluten-free digestive biscuits.
- Pour the graham crackers crumb mixture into a 8-inch or 9-inch pie pan and press the graham crackers crumbs evenly into the bottom of the pie pan.
- For a baked crust, bake at 375F for 8-10 minutes. For a unbaked crust, chill for 1 hour before adding the filling in.
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST GF GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST
Use a food processor - If you have a food processor it works well in making the ingredients finely chopped.
Start with the sides - When placing the graham cracker crumbs into the pie pan, start with the sides first. It helps to distribute the graham cracker crumbs more evenly.
Use a measuring cup - You can use a measuring cup to press the graham cracker crumbs into the pie pan.
HOW DO I STORE GLUTEN-FREE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST?
Wrap it in a plastic wrapping for up to 3 days and store it in the refrigerator.
CAN I FREEZE GLUTEN-FREE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST?
Yes, you can freeze it. You can freeze it for up to 3 months in the pan or a large Ziplock bag.
CAN YOU MAKE THIS GLUTEN-FREE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST AHEAD OF TIME?
Yes, you can. Make it up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator.
WHAT SUBSTITUTIONS / REPLACEMENTS CAN I MAKE IN THIS?
Vegan - This recipe doesn't use eggs. Substitute the butter with vegan dairy-free butter to make this gf graham cracker crust vegan.
ARE OATS GLUTEN-FREE?
Oats are naturally gluten-free, but they can become contaminated during processing if they are processed in a facility that also processes wheat or other ingredients with gluten.
NO-BAKE CRUST VS. BAKED GRAHAM CRACKER PIE CRUST
You can use this graham cracker pie crust for no-bake pie recipes as well as baked graham cracker crust recipes. For no-bake pie recipes you can bake the crust, allow it to cool and then place in your favorite filling. For baked recipes you can make the crust, add the filling, and then bake it.
WORKING WITH GLUTEN-FREE FLOURS
When working with or measuring gluten-free flour, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level. Do not scoop your measuring cup into the gluten-free flour.
The best method really is to weigh the gluten-free flour, but I don't have the ingredient weights for all my recipes yet.
WHAT CAN I MAKE WITH A GLUTEN-FREE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST?
It works well in gluten-free strawberry cheesecake among other pies and pastries. I also use it in my gluten-free blackberry cheesecake pie.
If you like making your own graham crackers, you'll want to make these gluten-free graham crackers.
Gluten-Free Graham Cracker Crust
Learn how to make this sweet & buttery from-scratch gluten-free graham cracker crust using only six ingredients. This easy pie crust recipe is ready in minutes.
Ingredients
- ½ cup all-purpose gluten-free flour blend (I used Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 All Purpose Gluten Free Flour Blend)
- ½ cup gluten-free quick cooking oats
- ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ cup butter (½ stick), cold, cut into 1-inch cubes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Position the oven rack in the center of oven.
- In a food processor, combine flour, quick oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and butter and process until finely chopped (Approximately 30 seconds).
- Press pie crust mixture into the bottom of an 8” glass pie pan.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes or until it starts to brown.
- Remove from the oven. The crust will appear raised. It should flatten on its own. If it doesn’t, press the crust with a spoon until it is even and flat.
Notes
- If you don’t have a food processor, mix the dry crust ingredients in a bowl, and cut butter in until it’s fine and resembles coarse crumbs.
- Substitute the butter with a dairy-free butter to make this pie crust dairy-free!
- This recipe doesn't use eggs. Substitute the butter with vegan dairy-free butter to make this graham cracker crust vegan.
- How to make a gluten free graham cracker crust with graham crackers: In a medium mixing bowl combine 2 cups of crushed gluten free graham crackers with two tablespoons of sugar. Mix until combined. Stir in ¼ cup of melted unsalted butter. Pour the crumb mixture into an 8-inch or 9-inch pie pan and press the crumbs evenly into the bottom of the pie pan. For a baked crust, bake at 375F for 8-10 minutes. For an unbaked crust, chill for 1 hour before adding the filling in.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. They never cost you extra.
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Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Organic Quick Cooking Oats, 32 Ounce -
4 Packs Glass Pie Plates, MCIRCO Deep Glass Pie Pans Set (7"/8"/9"/10"), Glass Pie Baking Dishes with Handles for Baking and Serving, Clear
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Ninja BN601 Professional Plus Food Processor, 1000 Peak Watts, 4 Functions for Chopping, Slicing, Purees & Dough with 9-Cup Processor Bowl, 3 Blades, Food Chute & Pusher, Silver
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Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, 22-ounce (Pack of 4)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1150Total Fat: 51gSaturated Fat: 31gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 139mgSodium: 1058mgCarbohydrates: 156gFiber: 4gSugar: 59gProtein: 18g
This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands that I used a the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.
Peggy
Hi,
I can’t eat oatmeal. What can I substitute for it. Thank you in advance.
chrystal
Hi Peggy, at this time I don't have a substitute for oatmeal. I am working on one though 🙂
Best,
Chrystal
sue Saunders
Hi. I use quinoa flakes for oats! They taste great.
chrystal
Thank you so much for sharing! I know others who would want to use quinoa flakes.
Best,
Chrystal
Lauri
Define .... gluten free flour “ blend”
chrystal
Oh! Sorry. I'll update the post. For this recipe I used Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Flour Blend, or my homemade flour blend.
Best,
Chrystal
Lisa
Will better batter GF flour work?
chrystal
Hi Lisa,
Yes, it should work in this recipe.
Best,
Chrystal
Lauren
If your pie recipe calls for an unbaked pie crust will this still work if you put the filling on top of the raw dough and then bake them both together? It's a thicker pecan pie filling, but I don't know about looser fillings like pumpkin.
chrystal
Hi Lauren,
Depending on what kind of pie you are making, I might not use this one. This pie crust recipe works best for pies like cream cheese pies, chocolate cream pies, and key lime pies. I haven't personally tried this pie crust with pumpkin or pecan pie. For any pie you bake, I would leave this crust unbaked, poor in the filling, and then bake.
I hope that helps,
Chrystal
Judy
Thank you! I was looking for a recipe to use for my cheesecake. I’ve been baking all my life and recently had to go gluten free. This recipe turned out amazing and I had all the ingredients on hand.
chrystal
Hi Judy,
I'm so glad you like it! I love using this graham cracker crust recipe for cheesecake.
Best,
Chrystal
Jamie
Can we use rolled oats instead of quick oats?
chrystal
Yes, just give them a quick pulse in the food processor before you add the other ingredients.
Best,
Chrystal
Linda
I have to say...this is the best and easiest crust for cheesecake. I might use it unnbaked for pumpkin pie as well. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Wendy Stoltz
Hi Linda,
Great, glad you love it!
Karyn
What if I don’t have a glass pie pan? Can I use an aluminum pie pan?
chrystal
Hi Karyn,
Yes, you can use a aluminum pie pan.
Best,
Chrystal
Carrie Labinski
Hi, thank you for this tasty recipe as we enjoyed it. I think my family enjoyed it more than the pie filling! I'm not sure if it was due to one of the ingredients I used but I had some trouble with the crust sticking to the bottom of my glass pie plate. Do you think next time I should pull it out of the oven earlier? Perhaps my ingredients were drier than yours and I should use more butter? Or do you have any other suggestions? Thank you!
chrystal
Hi Carrie,
Try compacting the crust mixture into the pie more. You can also spray some oil on the pie pan.
Best,
Chrystal
Laurie
Hi! I am making 7 layer bars. How much of this recipe would I need to make an 8”x 11” pan of bars?
Wendy Stoltz
Hi Laurie, it all depends on how thick you like the base. Maybe start off with the recipe and then make more if required.
Karen
Hi
Do you think I can substitute the flour for another type of gluten free flour. Almond, quinoa, etc.
chrystal
I don't think almond flour would work. I have never used qunioa flour. You can use a different flour blend that's a mix of flours and starches.
Best,
Chrystal
Kristi
Do you have a suggestion for how to make this a chocolate graham cracker crust? Thank you!
chrystal
Hi Kristi,
You can probably add 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa to this recipe. I haven't tried it myself, but that's where I would start. Mix it in with the flour.
Best,
Chrystal
Christie
I made this crust for a homemade key lime pie. It was so delicious that I am looking for ways to turn the crust into a cookie. I substituted nutmeg for cinnamon because I'm allergic. It was fantastic!
chrystal
I am so glad you like it. Thank you for letting me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Cathy Turriff
How long will this mix stay good in the fridge? Alternatively, can it be frozen?
I did make it on the weekend - was excellent!
chrystal
Hi Cathy,
If you press it into the pie pan, it should stay good in the fridge for 3-5 days. The freezer up to 3 months. It may dry out a little, like most things that go into the fridge or freezer.
Best,
Chrystal
Tanya
Hello 🙂 If I wanted to make this GF graham cracker crust from scratch for a pumpkin cheesecake filling, do I bake it beforehand or can I fill it with the cheesecake filling and then just bake the whole thing at once? Thank you!
chrystal
Hi Tanya,
No need to bake it before you add the filling. You can bake the whole thing at once 🙂
Best,
Chrystal
Julie
This is awesome! What a wonderful idea, and now I won’t have to run to the grocery store to buy expensive GF graham crackers every time I want to make this type of crust. Thanks!!
Jennifer Dorgan
I like this crust better than actual graham cracker crust. Great recipe
Nicole
Hi! I plan to make this tomorrow for the fiancé’s birthday and I just realized I only have a 9.5 inch pie pan. Can I use this pan?
chrystal
Hi Nicole,
Sorry, I am just seeing this. The crust won't fill the 9.5 inch pan all the way.
Best,
Chrystal
Dawn
I want to make this crust for tomorrow, but I see it's for an 8" pie plate, and all of the ones I have are 9". I guess standard size is 9-10". Could you please include the directions for making the crust for those size pans? Thank you so much!
chrystal
Hi Dawn, you can always make 1 and 1/2 times the recipe for a 10". Otherwise, it will still work in a 9" but it won't reach the rim of the pie pan.
Best,
Chrystal
June
Can you use Oat Flour instead of instant oats?
chrystal
I haven't tried it with oat flour, but it should work. I don't know what the ratio would be, since oat flour is already ground up.
Best,
Chrystal