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.
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.
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.
Can I use shortening instead of butter in 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.
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.
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.
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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.
Nelda
Can oil be used to make this crust?
chrystal
Hi Nelda,
You can use shortening to make this crust. I haven't used oil (other than solid shortening) and I'm not sure how well it would do. The advantage of the butter or shortening is that it coats the flour but doesn't melt until it bakes.
I hope that helps,
Chrystal
Carrie Gallagher
Yields 32 servings? Serving size 1/16th? I've never tried to get 32 slices out of a pie! Is that even possible?
chrystal
Thanks for the catch. I need to update it.
Best,
Chrystal
Claire
I have an 11-inch pie pan, can i cut the recipe almost in half and use the leftover pie crust for the lattice strips, or would that still have a lot of leftovers? Can I use that pie crust to make other small baked items? Thanks!
chrystal
That should work just fine. You can use the pie crust to make smaller pies or hand pies.
Best,
Chrystal
Vikki
Just want to say this pie crust is amazing! My husband is celiac and never thought he'd be able to enjoy a "flakey" pie crust again.... Well your recipe is as good as a regular crust if not better just because it's so easy! It rolled out beautifully and baked up so flakey and was delicious! I made a lemon meringue pie and was devine!!! Thank you so much for another awesome receipe!
chrystal
Hi Vikki,
Awe, I am so glad you like my gluten-free pie crust recipe. Thank you for letting me know!
Best,
Chrystal
C Carlisle
I use a mixture of crisco and butter with vodka and cold water as the liquid. How would this work with the gluten free flour? I have a friend that can't have gluten.... I have always had rave comments regarding my crust and I am concerned about this one.
chrystal
Hi Candace,
You can still use your method with this recipe. Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Flour works best in this recipe in my opinion and it's easy to find. Let me know how it turns out!
Best,
Chrystal
Jessica
I am making this into personal apple pies to prove to a girl in my class that gluten free can be as good as the original. Is there a real noticeable difference between the two? And how many personal pies at most 3" each?
chrystal
Hi Jessica,
I don't think there is a noticeable difference. Make sure to use butter.
Best,
Chrystal
Sue michaels
Hi,
Can you use water instead of milk or can you use almond milk?
Thanks
chrystal
Hi Sue,
You can use cold water or almond milk. Both work.
Best,
Chrystal
Jane
can you make this a day ahead in the refrigerator?
chrystal
Hi Jane,
Yes, but I would refrigerate it after you've added it to the pie pan. I hope that helps.
Best,
Chrystal
Pam
Prior to my son's celiac diagnosis, ai used to make meat pies with store bought pie crusts dough. Would this work well for that? Putting cooked filling inside to cook in the oven. I haven't made them in over 5 years since gluten free baking scares me.
chrystal
Yes, this pie crust will work nicely. I use it in my chicken pot pie.
Best,
Chrystal
Lucinda Gilderhus
New to gluten-free because of a celiac diagnoses several months ago. Have only baked twice and it was abysmally disappointing. Finally, a recipe that I actually have all the listed ingredients for. Most recipes call for gluten-free all purpose flour. Since I’m a newbie to this, I bought Bob’s 1:1 flour. And King Arthur. So, going to give this a try with the Bob’s. Have you ever used the King Arthur one to one?
chrystal
Hello Lucinda,
Definitely stop back by and let me know how it turns out. Bob's 1:1 us my current go to flour blend right now. Some people have used the King Arthur in this recipe, but you'll want to reduce the xanthan gum by half. For some reason it has more. You could probably even leave it out if you use the King Arthur, but I like to add a little since there's so much butter. Xanthan helps hold higher fat gluten free dough's and crusts together.
Best,
Chrystal
Sarah Night
I just made this with King Arthur GF Measure for Measure flour and omitted the xanthum gum. It came out perfectly! It was actually my first successful pie, even counting when I used to bake with gluten. For anyone else interested, I made it dairy-free by using 3/4 cup (3/4 of a block) of cold Miyoko's butter and 1/4 cup of palm shortening(room temp). We had leftover dough and made a hand pie by using blueberry jelly as a filling and it was cripsy and perfect. This is a great recipe! 🙂
chrystal
I am so glad you loved it. Thank you for sharing what you used.
Best,
Chrystal
Dianne
Chrystal,
What’s your go to replacement for Xanathan gum? I have an intolerance so I do not bake at all but your pie crust is giving me inspiration to try!
chrystal
You can use psyllium husk powder. Use 3 x's the amount of xanthan in this recipe.
Best,
Chrystal
B.Kime
Had a very good outcome with this crust, although I would add a tablespoon or two of sugar for sweet pies.
chrystal
I'm so glad you liked it. Thank you for sharing.
Best,
Chrystal
Jan
I can't have nightshades so I'm wondering if you could recommend a gluten free flour blend that would work for your recipe that does not contain potato starch. Thanks so much!
chrystal
Hello Jan,
You can use my flour blend and substitute the potato starch with half arrowroot starch and half corn starch, I have two blends. It's really easy to mix up. Spoon the flours and starches into a measuring cup and then level them before adding them to your bowl or jar. Simply whisk the jar before using. I recommend my blend with millet flour to start.
Best,
Chrystal
Liz
Hi, I'm just wondering if this can be made in a food processor instead of with your fingers? Any time I have made regular pie crusts, it has never turned out without the food processor, so that's why I'm wondering.
chrystal
Hi Liz,
I've had a few readers make it in the food processor with success.
Best,
Chrystal
Joan Pinckney
Best gluten free pie crust on the internet. I have tried several. I used 1 stick of butter and 1/2 cup of lard, for a chicken pot pie. It was Easy to handle and flakey.
For a dessert pie, I like all butter. Just a personal performance. Both were delicious. Also used Bob’s Red Mill 1/1 flour.
chrystal
Hi Joan,
I am so glad you love it. Thank you for sharing what you used. I plan on making a video soon to add to the post to show everyone how easy it is to make 🙂
Best,
Chrystal
Maribeth
The Bob’s Red Mill Flour 1-1 that is recommended lists xanthum gum. But, I noticed that it is also listed in the recipe. Am I reading this correctly?
chrystal
You don't need to add it in if you use Bob's 1:1.
Best,
Chrystal
Aeryn
How do I freeze the pie crust? Can I freeze it in a ball?
chrystal
You can freeze it in a ball just note that it may dry out a little. If you freeze it in the pie plate you don't have to worry about it drying out before you roll it out.
Elizabeth
Wondering how long this will last in the fridge if I make ahead of time also how long in the freezer. Excited to try it this year!
chrystal
I wouldn't leave it more than 2 days in the fridge, otherwise it might dry out. I've frozen the crusts for up to 3 months.
Best,
Chrystal
Aeryn
How do you freeze it?
chrystal
Roll it out, and put it into the pie plate, cover it, or wrap it, then freeze it.
Best,
Chrystal
Jane Gaudet
This is the absolute best gluten free pie crust recipe I have ever used!
It is truly amazing, thank you, thank you so very much
Jane Gaudet Ontario Canada. Oct. 12 2020
chrystal
I am so glad you love it. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and let me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Maribeth
I just noticed my typo in previous comment—should read “xanthan” gum. Sorry.
Elisa
This is the best gluten free pie crust ever. Only sub was Oatly Barista milk, otherwise, this cooked up flaky and amazing in my apple gallette. I used Bob's Red Mill 1-1 flour and I think it'll be my go to going forward. Amazing!!
chrystal
I am so glad you like it. Thanks for sharing what milk you used.
Best,
Chrystal
Penny
Could you use coconut oil in place of the shortening? Thanks!
chrystal
Hi Penny,
I am not sure coconut oil would hold up in this recipe. I haven't tested it myself.
Best,
Chrystal
Maggie
Another depressing failure at gluten free baking. The worst part was the wax paper melding with the dough, so I had to throw it out. It's simply impossible to make good gluten free baked products, I don't care how good the pictures are.
chrystal
Hi Maggie,
I'm trying to understand why you would have baked the pie crust with the wax paper? I wouldn't recommend ever putting wax paper in the oven. For this recipe, it is used to help roll the pie crust out.
Chrystal
Janet
If I use King Arthur's Measure for Measure flour, should I omit the xanthan gum from your recipe? Hoping to have a GF pie crust that's not gritty.
thanks
chrystal
Yes, omit the xanthan. It won't make it grainy but your crust will be too hard if you have too much xanthan.
Best,
Chrystal
Laurie
If I were to make am apple pie with this recipe could I freeze it for a few days? Uncooked?
chrystal
Hi Laurie,
Yes, you can freeze it and then pop it in the oven frozen. Start with the same bake time, then check for doneness. You'll have to cover the pie with foil halfway through baking.
Best,
Chrystal
Janet
Delicious and easy! I made this pie crust today for my Thanksgiving pumpkin pies. It was so easy and came together beautifully in my food processor. I used Bob's Red Mill Cup 2 Cup gluten free flour and weighed it instead of measuring. I've found that I get the best results from all my baking when I weigh the flour.
chrystal
I am so glad you like it. Thank you for letting me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Jane
I am the only GF member in a household of 4 and have been intimidated to try to make a GF pie crust. I saw your recipe and thought I would give it a try. It was easy and a huge success!! Everyone prefers this GF crust to store bought! I'm so happy. Hope to be making meat pies for the holidays using this recipe.
chrystal
Hi Jane,
I am so glad you liked my pie crust recipe. Thank you for letting me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Crystal
Made this last night for my fiance and he loved it! This will be my go-to pie crust from now on!
chrystal
I am so glad you both loved it. Thank you for letting me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Hayley
I used this recipe for all my pies on Thanksgiving! It was so easy to work with. I followed it exactly with no alterations! Thank you for a wonderful recipe!
chrystal
I am so glad you liked it.
Best,
Chrystal
Gil
I made this crust for a quiche, it turned out very nice. I'm new at GF and I'm happy to have found your recipe. My husband said it was the best crust he's tried, so thumbs up! Thanks for sharing.
Elaine Ong
Merry Xmas Chrystal. I was wondering if I could use yr flour blend for this pie crust recipe?
chrystal
Merry Christmas Elaine! Yes, you can use the first flour blend (the one without millet). If you didn't add xanthan gum to the blend, you'll need to add it for this recipe.
Best,
Chrystal
Jodi B.
Hi Chrystal,
I used this recipe (with vegetable shortening) for a turkey pot pie and it is flaky and delicious. It even stayed fine Saran wrapped overnight (so I made the pie last night and baked it tonight). I’ve been baking GF for five years and this is the best pie crust recipe so far. Thank you very much for sharing it. BTW I only made half recipe (just the pie crust top) and so it worked well to cut everything in half. Thanks again. Happy New Year!
chrystal
I am so glad you loved it. Happy New Year!
Best,
Chrystal
Bird Cox
I am thrilled to finally have a recipe that I'll return to again and again! I think I've tried about 15 gluten free pie crust recipes on the internet - none are terribly different from one another, but they just didn't quite turn out... until yours. Yours is undoubtedly the best.
chrystal
I am so glad you like it. Thank you for letting me know.
Chrystal