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? ›

Water (or Water and Butter)

Pie crust or cookie dough usually needs just a couple of tablespoons of milk, so the same amount of water will keep the dough from crumbling.

How does milk affect a pie crust? ›

But pastry washes are not entirely interchangeable; different kinds produce different effects. In general, protein (such as eggs) and sugar (found naturally in milk) encourage browning, while fat (like oil) adds shine. Some of the best purported washes are mixtures, such as egg and milk or cream.

Why does my gluten-free pie crust fall apart? ›

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 pie crust have 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 can I use if I don't have milk? ›

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.
  • Half and half. ...
  • Heavy cream. ...
  • Nondairy milks, like soy and almond. ...
  • Sour cream. ...
  • Yogurt. ...
  • Evaporated milk. ...
  • Canned coconut milk. ...
  • Water.
Dec 3, 2021

What is the best substitute for milk in baking? ›

Among other milk alternatives like almond milk, soy milk and oat milk, soy milk is by far the best for baking. I learned this over the course of several years and many cookies, cakes, muffins and pies. Moreover, some people will tell you that you must swap full-fat coconut milk in for heavy cream or half-and-half.

What does milk do in dough? ›

In the dough stage, milk increases water absorption. Consequently, dough made with milk should come softer from the mixer than dough made with water. Other aspects of milk in yeast doughs include: Dough may be mixed more intensively.

What does milk do in pastry dough? ›

Activates the ingredients

Besides simply adding liquid content to the batter, milk plays a crucial role in activating key ingredients in baking. Milk is a solvent for sugar, and the proteins contained in milk add structure and firmness to muffins and cupcakes.

Can you use milk instead of egg on pie? ›

According to David Joachim, author of The Food Substitutions Bible, the very best substitute for egg wash is milk or heavy cream. Simply brush the baked good with 1 tablespoon of milk or heavy cream for every ¼ cup of egg wash the recipe calls for.

How do you make gluten free dough not fall apart? ›

The gluten in traditional flour is what gives dough its stickiness. Without it, gluten-free products can be dry and crumbly. There is a way to compensate for this however — use xanthan gum. Some bakers also use gelatin or agar.

How do you keep gluten free dough from falling apart? ›

To successfully make a gluten-free pie crust that won't fall apart, add one egg to your dry ingredients before adding any water. Fully combine the egg and then add only the amount of water you need to form the dough.

Does adding vinegar to pie crust stop gluten? ›

Vinegar, buttermilk, lemon juice, and vodka all change the interaction of the liquid and gluten in the dough. But the difference between a dough with acid in it and one without (when made with the same technique) is infinitesimal. In other words, no ingredient can cure poor execution.

Does gluten free crust have dairy in it? ›

What Are the Ingredients for Domino's Gluten Free Pizza Crust? The Domino's gluten free flour blend includes white rice flour, brown rice flour, and potato flour. Other ingredients include water, olive oil, yeast, honey, and salt. Our gluten free pizza crust is also dairy free.

What can I substitute for butter in 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.

What to use instead of egg for pie crust? ›

Instead of egg wash, use one of these options:
  1. sweetened soy milk.
  2. watered down corn or sugar syrup.
  3. oil plus agave nectar.
  4. plain water (helps the dough stick together, but won't help with browning)
Nov 26, 2014

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 you replace milk with water in baking? ›

As a last resort, you can also use water to replace milk for your baking recipe. Your final bake will not be as rich as if you used milk or other milk alternatives. If the recipe only needs a small amount of milk, such as 60ml, then replacing milk with just water should be fine.

Can you use water instead of milk in dough? ›

Milk contains lactose, which is a type of sugar. It caramelizes during baking and results in quick and even browning of the crust. In comparison, the bread made with water will have a paler crust. If you want a brown crust with water, add a bit of sugar to the dough and brush a bit of butter on the top.

What happens if you bake with water instead of milk? ›

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.

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