Gluten-Free Pie Crust

146 Reviews 4.6 out of 5 stars

We're proud of the flaky texture of this crust, which can be difficult to achieve with gluten-free ingredients. Thorough baking and a golden brown color will give this crust a wonderful toasty flavor. This is enough for a single 9" crust, but can easily be doubled to make a two-crust pie.

Prep
20 mins
Bake
35 to 40 mins
Total
55 mins
Yield
one 9" single-crust pie
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Gluten-Free Pie Crust

Instructions

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  1. Lightly grease a 9" pie pan.

  2. Whisk together the flour or flour blend, sugar, Instant ClearJel, xanthan gum, and salt.

  3. Cut the cold butter into pats, then work the pats into the flour mixture until it's crumbly, with some larger, pea-sized chunks of butter remaining.

  4. Whisk the egg and vinegar or lemon juice together until very foamy. Mix into the dry ingredients. Stir until the mixture holds together, adding 1 to 3 additional tablespoons cold water if necessary.

  5. Shape into a ball and chill for an hour, or up to overnight.

  6. Allow the dough to rest at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before rolling.

  7. Roll out on a piece of plastic wrap, on a silicone rolling mat, or in a pie bag that's been heavily sprinkled with gluten-free flour or flour blend. Invert the crust into the prepared pie pan.

  8. Fill and bake as your pie recipe directs; note the yolk makes this crust brown quickly in the oven. Shield the edges of the crust with aluminum foil or a pie shield, to protect them from burning while baking.

Tips from our Bakers

  • Be aware: Some of your baking ingredients can be a hidden source of gluten. Learn more at our blog post: For gluten-free baking, think beyond just flour. For additional information on King Arthur-produced products, read the complete details of our allergen program, including our contact-prevention practices.

  • Making fruit pie? Apply strong heat to the bottom crust at the beginning of the baking time to prevent sogginess. For best results, use a metal (aluminum preferred) pie pan. Bake at 425°F on the bottom rack of your oven for 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F, move your pie to the middle rack, and continue to bake until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly.

  • If you're using this recipe as a base for custard pie, pre-bake the crust without filling. Preheat the oven to 375°F, line the bottom with pie weights, and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the weights, and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until the crust is a light golden brown. Cool the crust until you can touch it comfortably before pouring in the custard. Bake the custard-filled pie as directed in your recipe, shielding the edges as necessary. 

  • The top of a double-crust pie will brown OK; but brushing it with milk and sprinkling it with sugar will enhance its browning, and add sparkle and sweet crunch to your pie.

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