How To Make An Easy Gluten-Free Pie Crust Recipe (Dairy-Free) (2024)

How To Make An Easy Gluten-Free Pie Crust Recipe (Dairy-Free) (1)

Easy Gluten-Free Pie Crust

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  • Author: Robin Brookshire
  • Yield: 1 pie crust 1x
  • Category: Desserts
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

This gluten-free pie crust recipe is easy to make and roll out. It turns out so tasty and flaky. This makes the perfect crust for dessert pies and savory pies

Ingredients

Scale

  • ½ cup dairy-free butter, chopped and frozen for 30 minutes
  • 1 ¼ cup gluten-free flour mix
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons of ice water

Instructions

Making the pie dough

Take the dairy-free butter and spread it out in small chunks on a freezer-safe plate. Then, place it in the freezer for 30 minutes.

In afood processor, put in the gluten-free flour, frozen dairy-free butter chunks, and salt and pulse until crumbly. Mix in one tablespoon of ice water (water only) and pulse. Add one more tablespoon of ice water and pulse until it forms into a ball.

If you don’t have a food processor, use two forks or a pastry cutter to cut in the dairy-free butter into the flour and salt. Cut in until crumbly. Mix in one tablespoon of ice water and mix. Add a second tablespoon of ice water and mix until it forms a ball.

Rolling it out

Take the ball of pie dough and any stray pieces of dough and place them on a piece of parchment paper that is on top of a pastry mat. Pat out into a round patty.

Place another piece of parchment paper over the pie dough and use a rolling pin to roll out to the pie crust to the size you need. Roll away from the center in different directions to evenly spread it out into a circle. Grab the parchment paper on the corners and turn the whole pie dough and both parchment papers over several times while rolling out.

Tip for using a pastry mat:

Using a pastry mat is really helpful in that it shows the measurements of the pie pan so that you know how big to roll it. If you don’t have something like that, turn your pie pan over on top to see how big you need it to be. You’ll want it a little larger than your pie pan.

And even though I use a pastry mat, I still put parchment paper down. Gluten-free pie dough is a bit stickier and more fragile than regular pie dough. Another great thing about the pastry mat is that it keeps the parchment paper from slipping, so it makes it easier to roll the dough out.

Putting the dough into the pie pan

Carefully pull off the top parchment paper, and then, holding the bottom layer of parchment paper, turn your pie crust over onto your pie pan and then slowly let it form to the inside of your pie pan.

Remove the parchment paper slowly. You may need to tear it in strips to get it off. Repair any tears that might happen by pushing the dough together with your fingers and then gently smooth out.

Trim the dough around the top edge of the pie pan to about a 1/2″ past the rim. Save any pieces that you trim off in case you need to repair any areas. Use your fingers to press a decorative design around the edge of the crust, or use a fork to press a design along the edge.

Now that you have it in the pie pan and the edge has been decorated, put it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill. After it’s chilled, take it out, fill it with your pie filling, and bake it according to directions. I find that it bakes best on the lowest oven rack.

Make The Top Crust

Make the second pie crust.Roll out the second pie crust the same as before.

Place on top of the pie and cut off excess about an inch away from the edge, then fold over the edge of the bottom crust’s edge and seal, then crimp. Cut a few slits in the top crust to allow the steam to escape.

Making a Lattice Design

If you want to do a lattice design, use a pizza cutter or decorative pastry cutter to cut the dough into strips.

Place the strips across the pie like a basket weave. If the strips tear, the dough is very easy to pinch back together. Seal the edges of the pie crust and decorate the edge using your fingers or use a fork along the top edge.

Bake according to your pie recipe.

Notes

Gluten-Free Flour:My favorite gluten-free & dairy-free flour blends to use areBetter BatterandPamela’s Artisan Blend. I’ve been using them both with great results.They are both a 1-1 substitute. If you use another gluten-free flour blend, be sure that it contains xanthan gum. If it doesn’t have it, add 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum per cup of gluten-free flour.

Dairy-Free Butter:Suggested brands are Country Crock Plant Based with Avocado Oil, Smart Balance, or Earth Balance.

How To Make An Easy Gluten-Free Pie Crust Recipe (Dairy-Free) (2024)

FAQs

Can you substitute water for milk in pie crust? ›

Some bakers use milk or buttermilk in their pie crust. Thanks to their milk solids, both will help crust brown and add a bit of tenderness. But the classic liquid in pie crust is water — ice water, to be precise.

What else could be used instead of butter in the pie crust? ›

WHAT ARE BUTTER ALTERNATIVES FOR BAKING?
  • MARGARINE. Margarine is a fat that is made mostly from vegetable oil that's flavored to taste like butter. ...
  • SHORTENING. Shortening is 100% fat, made from hydrogenated vegetable oils. ...
  • OLIVE OIL & VEGETABLE OIL. ...
  • COCONUT OIL. ...
  • PUMPKIN PURÉE. ...
  • APPLESAUCE. ...
  • GREEK YOGURT. ...
  • BANANAS.

How does milk affect a pie crust? ›

Milk encourages the browning reactions characteristic of baked goods like pastry crusts, cookies and biscuits. Milk contributes to the keeping quality of bread and gives it a soft crust. Additional protein and sugar (lactose) in milk adds more sweetness and a browner color to baked goods than water.

How do you keep gluten-free pastry from crumbling? ›

Add xanthan gum to gluten-free flour. It enhances elastic qualities that gluten-free flours lack, making it easier to work with and less likely to crumble. Add plenty of water to the gluten-free flour to prevent the pastry from becoming too dry when rolling out.

What can I substitute for milk in a pie recipe? ›

Milk in most recipes hydrates the dry ingredients and adds flavor, and there are plenty of substitutes that can do just that without compromising the final result.
  1. Half and half. ...
  2. Heavy cream. ...
  3. Nondairy milks, like soy and almond. ...
  4. Sour cream. ...
  5. Yogurt. ...
  6. Evaporated milk. ...
  7. Canned coconut milk. ...
  8. Water.
Dec 3, 2021

How do you substitute milk for dough? ›

Dairy Substitutes for Milk
  1. Cream or Half-and-Half. Cream is richer than milk, so to avoid heavier dough or batter use a ratio of about 60 percent cream to 40 percent water. ...
  2. Evaporated or Powdered Milk. ...
  3. Sour Cream or Plain Yogurt. ...
  4. Water (or Water and Butter) ...
  5. Nut Milk. ...
  6. Soy Milk. ...
  7. Oat Milk. ...
  8. Rice Milk.
Apr 3, 2023

Does pie crust contain dairy? ›

Most are actually dairy free, as they're typically made with either lard or a palm-oil based shortening. (Keep in mind that lard would not be a vegan option; if you are vegan double check the ingredients to find a good option for you). For example, you could try Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust (contains wheat) or Mrs.

What are the three different fats that can be used in making pie crusts? ›

We finally settle the debate on the pros and cons for pie crusts made with shortening, butter, lard, and oil. Pie crust is essentially fat + flour + water (plus a dash of salt), but how you combine those ingredients can make all the difference in the outcome of your pie.

What is a vegan substitute for butter in pie? ›

How to Replace Butter in Vegan Baking
  1. Applesauce. Applesauce can be used to replace regular or melted butter in a recipe. ...
  2. Olive Oil. You can use olive oil as a butter substitute in more savory vegan baking dishes. ...
  3. Pumpkin Puree/Avocado Puree. ...
  4. Ready-Made Vegan Butters.

What is one thing you should not do when making pie crust? ›

In pie crust, you don't want gluten to form so you don't want to mix too much and overwork the dough. For a flaky crust, cut the butter so that chunks of butter about the size of walnut halves remain. The chunks of cold butter create the layers in the dough.

Can I substitute milk? ›

Non-dairy milks, such as oat, soy or nut milks can also be used as 1:1 substitute for milk in baked goods. They don't perform as well in sauces or gravies, but are a perfectly fine substitute for milk in your boxed mac and cheese — just be sure to use the unsweetened versions of these popular milks.

What not to do when making pie crust? ›

Below are six common mistakes when making a homemade pie crust and some helpful solutions to avoid them.
  1. The ingredients are too warm. ...
  2. The pie dough is overworked from excessive mixing or rolling. ...
  3. The pie dough isn't given enough time to relax and chill. ...
  4. The pie dough is shrinking down the sides of the pan.
Oct 18, 2022

What is the trick to baking with gluten free flour? ›

2 teaspoons of baking powder per cup of gluten-free flour is necessary to ensure proper leavening. Baking soda and buttermilk can be used to leaven instead of baking powder, but 1-1/8 teaspoon of cream of tartar should be added for each 1/2 teaspoon baking soda used.

Why does my gluten free pie crust fall apart? ›

Ingredients and Substitutions:

You also want to make sure this flour blend has xantham gum. Xantham gum is what helps hold the flour and pie ingredients together, and mimics what gluten does. Gluten is like glue, and is why doughs stay together. Without xantham gum, it will be crumbly and fall apart.

Does adding vinegar to pie crust stop gluten? ›

The acidic properties of vinegar inhibit gluten, some will say. This theory proposes that once the water and flour are combined, gluten starts forming, causing the dough to grow tough. Adding an acid, the theory goes, stops the gluten in its tracks and rescues the crust from toughness.

Can you substitute water for milk in dough? ›

Water can be used in most recipes that call for milk. According to the USDA, 88 percent of the volume of milk is water. No milk? No problem, just use one of the ten substitutes for milk in your baking and cooking at home.

What happens if I use water instead of milk in baking? ›

Making your cakes with water instead of milk results in stronger, purer chocolate flavor. Water: the foundation of life, the substance that comprises 70% of our planet, and the thing that makes chocolate cakes even more chocolatey.

What happens if you replace milk with water in baking? ›

Water. You can use water in most baking recipes that call for milk. Use 1 cup of water and 1-1/2 teaspoons of butter for every 1 cup of milk called for in the recipe. The extra butter will help your baked goods stay moist.

Is milk or water better for pastry? ›

At its most basic a short-crust pastry is just flour and fat mixed with water. However, the water can be substituted with milk or beaten egg, you can use either/or lard and butter for the fats, and other ingredients like sugar or salt can flavour the pastry.

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