Pie is my very favorite dessert, and when I had to cut gluten out of my diet over a decade ago, it was the food I missed the most. It set me on a journey to create gluten free pie recipes that anybody could master and that nobody would know are GF. These gluten-free pies are flaky, buttery and foolproof - perfect for special occasions, holidays or everyday!
Homemade gluten-free pie crust
The key to a delicious pie is a flaky crust. This gluten-free pie crust recipe is a game changer. It's made without shortening, and it has a buttery flavor that tastes just like a classic crust. One reader commented:
"My grand daughter has celiac disease and I've been trying various gluten-free pie crust recipes for several years with very limited success. I tried yours for the Thanksgiving pies and this is the first recipe that actually worked! The dough was just as easy to roll out as the "real thing" with regular flour and everybody said the pies were yummy and they couldn't tell the difference. Unbelievable!"
The dough is made with simple ingredients, including either Cup4Cup Gluten Free Flour, or a homemade gluten-free flour blend, which you can get in my class, Mastering Gluten Free Pie Making. In the class I'll show you how to master gluten-free pie dough, you'll learn foolproof pie making techniques, and you'll get recipes that you can only find in the class (more on that in a minute!).
Pie making equipment
- Food processor: You can use a food processor to make the pie dough, which makes the process quick and easy. If you don't have one, however, you can also use your hands or a pastry cutter (more about that in the class above!).
- Pie plate: I prefer to use glass pie plates, which allow me to see the bottom crust, ensuring that it's cooked through.
- Rolling pin: While you can use any rolling pin you have, I prefer using a tapered (or French) rolling pin, which allows me to feel the dough under my hands, giving me more control.
- Parchment paper: Rolling the dough on parchment paper ensures that it won't stick. These pre-cut sheets are a great time-saver and won't curl.
- Baking sheet: You'll need a baking sheet to cook single crust galettes, and I also recommend baking double crust pies (such as apple or blueberry) on a baking sheet so that it can catch any drips (keeping your oven clean).
- Pie weights: If making a single-crust pies, such as pumpkin pie, quiche or custard pies, you'll want to blind bake the crust to ensure that it turns golden brown and crispy. While you can use pie weights for this, I just use a pound of dried beans! You can use the beans over and over (let them cool them store them in a zip-top bag).
*This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links to products I use and love (from which I earn income, at no cost to you). Thank you or supporting From Scratch Fast!
Pie making tips:
- You can make the pie dough months ahead and freeze it! There's nothing better than finding a stash of homemade pie dough in the freezer (holidays, I see you!). Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap then store it in an airtight container or zip-top freezer bag.
- The key to a flaky pie crust is to use cold butter and cold water in the dough. The cold butter will create pockets of steam, creating layers and a flakier texture. If the butter is too warm or if the dough gets too warm, the butter will seep out of the crust when it bakes.
- Brushing the pie with egg wash (or you can use heavy cream or half and half) before baking helps it brown in the oven, giving it a beautiful golden brown color.
- If your dough immediately starts to crack when you're rolling it out, it's too cold. Let it sit at room temperature until it's slightly softened but still cold.
Gluten-free pie recipes
Sweet pies
Savory pies
Get the pies below in my Mastering Gluten Free Pie Making class!
Peach, Blueberry or Pear and Almond Galette
Double-Crust Pie (Apple or Blueberry Pie)
Spinach and Mushroom (or Bacon) Quiche
FAQs
Check out this gluten free pie dough post to learn how to make the best pie crust! The pie crust dough is easy to make using just five ingredients.
I've tested a ton of store-bought gluten free flour blends, and Cup4Cup by far performs the best in pie dough. Other flour blends will work, but the dough will be more crumbly (just be sure they contain xanthan gum). For a homemade flour blend recipe, check out my class, Mastering Gluten Free Pie Making.
If your crust is crumbly it could be for two reasons. First, the type of flour you use is key. If you use a gluten free all purpose flour blend that doesn't contain xanthan gum the crust will be very crumbly and will be hard to handle. Second, if you don't add enough water to the dough, it won't hold together. The dough should look shaggy but should stick together when pressed between your fingers.
There are several brands of pumpkin pie as well as cherry pie that are gluten free. Just be sure that the filling is thickened with a starch (such as cornstarch), not flour.
Stay connected!
I'd love to answer any of your questions and see what you're cooking!! Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment below. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube & Pinterest, and be sure to tag @fromscratchfast so that I can share your creations!
Leave a Comment