This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Our go-to easy pie crust recipe requires only 5 ingredients and comes out perfect every time making it the best homemade pie crust.

Try this crust perfection with an Apple Pie Recipe, Oatmeal Pie, Pecan Pie or your favorite filling!

Homemade pie crust recipe in a pie pan poked with fork holes.

Go-To Pie Crust Recipe

Today I’m going to teach you how to make the easiest pie crust recipe!

I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that pie crust can be a frustrating endeavor, especially when it must be blind-baked. There are so many variables that can turn a seemingly flawless pie crust into a total disaster, but with this recipe, you will be a pie crust pro.

We love it because:

This recipe will be especially helpful for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Measured flour, sugar, salt, and butter on a kitchen counter.

Pie crust ingredients

Ingredients for all an easy flaky pie crust:

  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Butter – you can use shortening, but we definitely recommend butter.
  • Ice Water

Five simple ingredients are all you need for this homemade pie crust! It’s really the method that makes all the difference.

How to make pie crust

Start your easy pie crust recipe by making the dough.

  1. DRY INGREDIENTS. In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Make sure your bowl is big enough to keep the ingredients from spilling over as you cut in the butter.
  2. CUT THE DOUGH. Cut the cold unsalted butter into tablespoons. Add to the dry flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or butter knife, cut butter into pea-sized pieces.
Two homemade pie crusts wrapped in plastic.

Pie Dough Balls

It’s important to let this easy pie crust recipe rest to make it nice and flaky.

  1. WET INGREDIENTS. Add 6 tablespoons of cold water, and using a fork, mix until combined. If too dry, continue adding water until the crust comes together and is clumpy. It should be shaggy and slightly dry.
    • An additional 1-3 tablespoons of water may be needed depending on the current climate. During the drier months of the year (fall/winter) extra water may be needed, while 6 tablespoons may be enough during the summer.
  2. KNEAD. Turn the mixture onto a lightly floured surface. Fold the dough into itself (kneading lightly) until it comes together. Form it into a ball and divide it into two. Pat into flat disks and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
  3. CHILL. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
    • THIS IS SO IMPORTANT!! The pie crust must be sufficiently chilled to hold its shape during the rolling and baking process, which helps make a flaky crust.
Pie crust poked with a fork and ready to bake.

Flute a Pie Crust

Create a perfect finish to your homemade pie crust recipe by fluting the edges!

  1. ROLL. On a lightly floured surface, using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a 13-inch circle. Place into a 9-inch pie plate.
  2. SHAPE. Gently press into the bottom of the pan and to the sides. Fold any excess over so that a thick outer crust forms. Flute the top using a pinching motion. Dock (or prick) the bottom of the pie crust with a fork to prevent it from bubbling in the center as it bakes.
  3. CHILL. Chill for 30 minutes in the refrigerator (or freezer) before using/baking.
Homemade pie crust topped with parchment paper and filled with beans.

blind Bake pie crust

Easily prep and blind-bake this best pie crust recipe by following these simple steps.

  1. PREP. To blind-bake the crust, line it with parchment paper or foil and fill it with pie weights, dried beans, or rice to prevent bubbling while baking. 
  2. REFRIGERATE. Refrigerate the crust for 30 minutes.
  3. PREHEAT. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  4. BAKE. Bake for 13-15 minutes, then remove the foil and beans and continue baking for an additional 13-15 minutes or until the bottom is fully baked through.
  5. COOL + FILL! Let cool completely before filling.
Homemade pie crust topped with parchment paper and filled with beans.

Recipe Tips

  • Filled pie. Use this easy pie crust recipe to make filled pies. Use one of the circles of dough to press into the pie plate, add the filling, and the other circle of dough can be the top crust or a lattice crust. 
  • Baked pie crust. This recipe makes 2 fully baked pie crusts to use when the filling does not need to be baked such as in Banana Cream Pie or this Strawberry Pie.
  • Flaky crust. Butter is the biggest contributor to a flaky crust. When the butter melts during the baking time, the water in the butter turns to steam which creates thin, crispy, flaky layers.
    • It is important that the butter stays cold while you make it otherwise it melts at the wrong time. This is why you use cold butter, ice water, and chill it for 2 hours.
Coconut cream pie in a pie pan with a missing slice.

Storing Info

STORE unbaked easy homemade pie crust in the fridge for up to 3 days by covering it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. If storing a pre-baked pie crust, cover it and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Bake for a few minutes to keep it crispy.

FREEZE. This perfect pie crust can be frozen unrolled or rolled. Make sure in either case to wrap it very tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. It should keep for up to 6 months, which is great when holiday baking rolls around. Allow time to thaw before rolling and placing it in a pie pan.

  • If freezing the pie crust in the pie dish, I would suggest using a metal pie tin or a shock-proof glass pie dish. Many glass pie dishes will shatter if transferred directly from the freezer to the hot oven.
Prepared easy pie crust recipe in a baking dish ready for filling.

For More delicious pie recipes, Check Out:

5 from 18 votes

Pie Crust Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Our go-to pie crust recipe requires only 5 ingredients and comes out perfect every time making it the best homemade pie crust.
Servings: 2 crusts
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total: 3 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients 

  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • cup unsalted butter (3 sticks)
  • 6-9 tablespoons ice cold water

Instructions 

  • In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
  • Cut butter into tablespoons. Add to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, cut butter into pea-size pieces.
  • Add 6 tablespoons of water, and using a fork, mix until combined. If too dry, continue adding water until the crust comes together and is clumpy. It should be shaggy and slightly dry.
  • Turn the mixture onto a lightly floured surface. Fold the dough into itself (kneading lightly) until it comes together. Form it into a ball and divide it into two. Pat into flat discs and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
  • On a lightly floured surface, using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a 13-inch circle. Place into a 9-inch pie dish. Flute the edges and dock the bottom of the crust with a fork.
  • To blind bake the crust, line it with parchment paper or foil, and fill it with pie weights, beans, or rice to prevent bubbling while baking. 
  • Refrigerate the crust for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Bake for 13-15 minutes, then remove the foil and beans and continue baking for an additional 13-15 minutes or until the bottom is fully baked through.
  • Let cool completely before filling.

Video

Notes

How to flute a pie crust. Use two hands to pinch the crust (create a “flute”) by pressing the thumb on the inside of the crust between the pinched thumb and index finger on the outside. Continue this wavy pattern all the way around the crust.
To freeze. If you are freezing the crust in a pie dish, we would suggest using a metal pie tin or a shock-proof glass pie dish.  Many glass pie dishes will shatter if transferred directly from the freezer to the hot oven.

Nutrition

Serving: 1crust, Calories: 2475kcal, Carbohydrates: 253g, Protein: 35g, Fat: 147g, Saturated Fat: 92g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g, Monounsaturated Fat: 38g, Trans Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 382mg, Sodium: 981mg, Potassium: 391mg, Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 4434IU, Calcium: 92mg, Iron: 15mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Making this recipe? Tag us!
Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

So Easy & So Yummy

Get my cookbook!

My new cookbook is the ultimate resource for feeding your friends and family with 200+ simple recipes including videos, tips & more!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




13 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Best Apple Pie I’ve ever made!! Everyone raved about the pie. My adult daughter said, “Mom, I’m not a pie crust fan, but this was amazing!” The pie crust really made the pie. I used the food processor. Since it was winter like, I used 7 tablespoons of water. It was crumbly and came together so well. I didn’t over work it. The dough sat in the refrigerator for several hours. I gently pounded it with my rolling pin before I began to roll it out. I learned that technique from a famous pie creator from Chicago. It came out so light and flaky. This will definitely be my go-to recipe for fruit pies. Thank you so much!!

  2. I have one question about the baking time for this butter pie crust. Earlier in the article, you say to fill the crust with foil and beans, bake for 13-15 minutes at 350; then remove the beans and bake an additional 13-15 minutes. Later, in the actual recipe, that first baking time with the beans is 60 minutes, and the second bake, 6-8 minutes. Please clarify which is correct. Thank you for these lovely recipes!

    1. Hi! Yes, it is the shorter baking times (13-15 minutes). We updated the post as well so it won’t be confusing. Thanks for pointing that out.