A golden, flaky Gluten-Free Pie Crust that is simple to make and perfect for making gluten-free pies. You are going to love working with this gluten-free pie crust recipe. Dairy-free and vegan option included.
If you are looking for the perfect gluten-free pie to make with this gluten-free pie crust you might like my Gluten-Free Chicken Pot Pie, or my Gluten-Free Pecan Pie.
What we're coving in this gluten free pie recipe post: How to make gluten free pie crust, tips for making the best gluten free pie crust, a dairy-free option for this gluten free pie crust, and baking and freezing instructions for making gluten free pie crust.
You can use one of my recommended gluten free flour blends, my personal gluten free flour blend, or your favorite blend with similar ingredients. For more ideas check out my Easy Gluten Free Recipes.
Gluten-Free Pie Crust
Over the years I have shared some of my favorite gluten-free pie recipes. While many of them use the same gluten-free pie crust, I've never shared a post that highlights the recipe by itself. Some of my readers have been asking for a post that gives only a gluten-free pie crust recipe with tips and tricks.
Many people are intimidated by gf pie crust recipes. It does take a bit of extra time versus purchasing a gluten-free pie crust at the store, but the fresh flaky crust at the end of it is worth it. It's not hard, it doesn't take a lot of ingredients - it only takes about 20 extra minutes.
Gluten Free Pie Crust Ingredients
Gluten Free Flour - You can use my gluten free flour blend recipe (both blends work well) or a store bought blend like Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Baking Flour. Bob's Red Mill all purpose gluten free flour doesn't work well in this pie crust recipe. Make sure your gluten free flour is at room temperature when you start otherwise it will absorb the milk too quickly.
Salt - If you are using salted butter or a dairy-free butter, you'll want to omit the additional salt.
Xanthan Gum - Because pie crusts are high fat, this helps hold the pie crust together. Omit the xanthan gum if you're using a blend that includes it.
Butter - We recommend starting with unsalted butter, but you can use salted butter and omit the salt. You can also use a dairy-free butter like Earth Balance buttery spread.
Milk - Any time of milk works, even dairy-free milk. Add more or less to get the consistency you need.
If you have any questions on how to make this gluten free pie crust, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you.
How to Make Gluten-Free Pie Crust
Making the gluten-free pie crust is simple, again, it just takes some time. Here are the steps.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and xanthan gum.
- Cut butter (or shortening) into flour.
- The butter should resemble the size of small peas.
- Add milk.
- Use your hands to work the milk into the dough, until the ingredients are combined and the dough forms a ball. Add more milk if needed.
- Divide dough in half and roll one dough ball between two pieces of wax paper. Repeat with the second dough ball.
- Remove the top piece of wax paper and place the pie pan upside down on dough.
- Flip the pan and pie crust dough over so the pie pan is right side up. Peel the wax paper off. Repair and pinch the gluten free pie crust dough into shape.
If you are baking the crust and then filling it with filling, preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake for 15 - 18 minutes or until cooked through.< For other recipes where you bake the pie with the filling in it, follow the recipe baking instructions.
This gluten-free pie crust recipe makes two, 10-inch gluten-free pie crusts. There is a dairy-free and vegan option if you need a gluten-free vegan pie crust. If you don't need two pie crusts, either cut the recipe in half or freeze the second pie crust.
Tips for making an easy gluten-free pie crust
- Read the recipe steps and make sure you have all ingredients on hand before you begin.
- Make sure all ingredients are cold before you begin.
- If you use a flour blend with xanthan gum, omit it from the recipe.
- Don’t overwork the crust dough, it will toughen and cause cracks when you transfer it to the pie pan.
- If the pie crust dough is too soft, chill for 30 minutes before rolling it out.
- For a decorative top – cut out lattice strips and weave over the top of the pie, or use cookie cutters for fun shapes.
- Top your gluten free pie with foil for the first half of baking, instead of the second half to prevent the crust from burning.
- Let the pie cool completely before slicing.
Just another tip about gluten-free pies in general. I always bake my gluten-free pies on a baking sheet in case the filling bubbles out. It helps prevent a mess in the oven.
Gluten-Free Pies
I cut this gluten-free pie crust recipe in half to make this stunning gluten-free pumpkin pie (pictured above). I had some extra gluten-free pie crust dough leftover, so I used leaf cutouts to decorate the top. This gluten-free pie crust is versatile and works with savory and sweet gluten-free pies.
If you are interested in more of a lattice look, I also used this gluten-free pie crust in my gluten-free cherry pie. I placed one pie crust on the bottom, added filling to the center, then cut the second gluten-free vegan pie crust into strips. Weaving them together was easy.
Do you have to egg wash gluten-free pie crust?
Some people use an egg wash on their gluten-free pie crust to give it a glossy coating or to help it brown. I don’t. When I bake gluten-free pies I start with foil over the crust for about half the baking time, then I remove the foil and let the gluten-free pie crust brown while it finishes baking. The crust will cook and start to brown under the foil, but it’s this process of keeping it covered upfront that helps keep it from darkening too much while the filling bakes up.
Shortening in Gluten Free Pie Crust
Yes. I use palm shortening to keep my gluten-free pie crusts dairy-free and vegan. You can use butter or regular shortening in this gluten-free pie crust recipe. I haven't personally tried dairy-free butter in this recipe.
This gluten-free pie crust recipe is the go-to recipe for all things pie in our house. I like to use Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend when making pies, but you can also use a similar blend, or my gluten-free flour blend.
Gluten Free Pie Crust Frozen
If you looking for a gluten free pie crust frozen and ready to purchase, here are a couple you may want to check out:
Wholly Gluten Free Shells
The Main Pie Company
New Season Gluten Free Pie Shell
Kinnikinnick Gluten Free Pie Crust
If you are looking for more dessert pies you should check out this Dairy-Free Banana Cream Pie from Meaningful Eats. What the Fork Food Blog has a scrumptious recipe for Gluten Free Fudge Pecan Pie. For a keto pie you'll want to make this Dairy Free & Keto Key Lime Pie.
Easy Gluten-Free Pie Crust
A golden, flaky Gluten-Free Pie Crust that is simple to make and perfect for making gluten-free pies.
Ingredients
For the crust(Makes two 10" crusts)
- 3 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour blend
- ½ teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)
- 2 teaspoons xanthan gum (omit if you use a blend that has xanthan)
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks), cold - cut into small pieces (or palm shortening, or shortening)
- 8-10 tablespoons milk, cold (or dairy-free milk)
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and xanthan gum.
- Cut butter (or shortening) into flour.
- The butter should resemble the size of small peas.
- Add milk.
- Use your hands to work the milk into the dough, until the ingredients are combined and the dough forms a ball. Add more milk if needed.
- Divide dough in half and roll one dough ball between two pieces of wax paper. Repeat with the second dough ball.
- Remove the top piece of wax paper and place the pie pan upside down on dough.
- Flip the pan and pie crust dough over so the pie pan is right side up. Peel the wax paper off. Repair and pinch the gluten free pie crust dough into shape.
- If you are baking the crust and then filling it with filling, preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake for 15 - 18 minutes or until cooked through.
- For other recipes where you bake the pie with the filling in it, follow the recipe baking instructions.
Notes
- If you only need one pie crust, you can cut the recipe in half.
- If you use a flour blend with xanthan gum, omit it from the recipe.
- Don’t overwork the crust dough, it will toughen and cause cracks when you transfer it to the pie pan.
- If the pie crust dough is too soft, chill for 30 minutes before rolling it out.
- For a decorative top – cut out lattice strips and weave over the top of the pie, or use cookie cutters for fun shapes.
- Top your gluten free pie with foil for the first half of baking, instead of the second half to prevent the crust from burning.
- Let the pie cool completely before slicing.
- 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 weight it but I don't have the ingredient weights for all my recipes yet.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
⅛th of two crustsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 193Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 163mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 3g
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.
Nicole
Hi Chrystal,
Can I use this recipe to make little pie crust bites to just top a chicken pot pies with? Would I just flatten and bake small pieces until done?
Thanks!
chrystal
Yes, you can use this pie crust recipe for the top of a pot pie, in smaller circles, if you want. You can cut out circles and bake them.
Best,
Chrystal
Ashley
This is my first time making a GF pie crust and am wondering if I can make it ahead and freeze it for a few days?
chrystal
Yes, you can make it ahead and freeze it. Just note that it will dry out a little in the freezer.
Best,
Chrystal
joe
How thick do you roll? Tks.
chrystal
To about 10-12 inches round. It should be a 1/4"- to 1/2" in thickness.
Best,
Chrystal
Alicia Johnson Brewer
I had my doubts, but was pleasantly surprised at how easy and yummy this recipe was. I used Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Oat Flour. I made two Chicken Quesadilla Pies and will be using this recipe to make all sorts of sweet and savory pies in the future. Thank you!!!
Liz
You stated above that all porpoise won’t work and to use baking gluten free flour but then in the recipe you have all purpose. Which one should I use?
chrystal
Hi Liz,
This recipe doesn't work with Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Gluten Free Flour. You can use MY all purpose gluten free flour blend recipe OR Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour.
I hope that helps.
Best,
Chrystal
Catherine
I enjoyed reading these recipes. I have been looking for yummy gluten free desserts and I found them with yours.
chrystal
I am so glad you are enjoying my recipes. Thank you for letting me know.
Best,
Chrystal
abi
My store bought gluten freee AP flour is made of rice sorghum and maize starch. will it work for this recipe?
Lindsay
Hi Abi!
You should be able to make this recipe with most GF AP Flour blends. Try it and let me know how it works!
Lenora
Can I make pumpkin pie with crust Do I bake the crust a few minutes before putting the filling in .?
Lindsay
Yes, you can use this crust for pumpkin pie! Par-bake the crust if your pie recipe says to. When I make gluten free pumpkin pie I don't bake it first.
Hannah
Disappointing. Followed the recipe to a T and had no issues until it came to rolling out. When I tried to take the wax paper off my dough it completely stuck to it and ripped it. I had to mush it together with my hands in the pan to try and salvage it. The second ball I didn't even bother using the wax paper. It was easier to roll out this way but kept tearing. I guess we'll see how the dinner turns out. Atleast the inside of my pie will taste good.
Lindsay
Hi Hannah. Sorry you had trouble with the recipe. I would suggest chilling the dough next time before trying to remove the paper. If the butter gets too warm the dough will get soft and be sticky.