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    Home / Recipes / Desserts

    Mini Pie Crust

    By Lisa MarcAurele · Oct 3, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosures.

    Jump to Recipe Pin This
    mini pie crust with text.
    mini pie crust with text.

    This mini pie crust recipe is perfect for a single serving pie. The ingredients are simple and the process to make it is quick and easy.

    baked mini pie crust.

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    This scaled down recipe is perfect for when you want a single serving of pie. It's quick, easy, and only requires four ingredients plus ice cold water.

    It can also be made in advance and frozen for later. So, whether you're in the mood for a fruit pie or a chocolate one, this recipe will come in handy.

    Not only is this recipe is quick and easy to follow, it yields a delicious and flaky crust. It is sure to make your mini pie irresistible.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage
    • FAQ
    • Related Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Ingredients

    You just need a few simple ingredients to make this mini pie crust. In fact, you probably already have everything you need in your kitchen.

    mini pie crust ingredients.

    You need these ingredients on hand.

    • Flour
    • Butter
    • Shortening
    • Salt
    • Ice water

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    The process for making this scaled down mini pie crust is the same as what you'd do for a traditional recipe. You'll just need to form the dough, roll it out, form the crust, then bake.

    flour and salt in food processor.

    Add the flour and salt to a small food processor then pulse to combine.

    butter and shortening added to flour mixture.

    Add cold butter and shortening to the mixture. Pulse until a coarse sand texture is reached.

    dough ball on floured surface.

    Continue pulsing and pour cold water, one tablespoon at a time until the dough comes together into a ball. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface

    rolled dough in pie pan

    Roll the dough ball with a rolling pin to ⅛-inch thickness. Transfer to a mini pie dish.

    unbaked pie crust with fork piercing at base.

    Pierce the dough base and press it into the pie dish, cut the extra excess dough, but leave about ½-inch all the way around, tuck inside and crimp the edges.

    baked mini pie crust close up.

    Bake in preheated oven until crust is light brown, about 8 to 10 minutes.

    Variations

    There are many ways to change up a mini pie crust recipe. Here are a few variations to try:

    For a chocolate mini pie crust, simply substitute cocoa powder for the flour. This will give the crust a rich chocolate flavor that is perfect for filling with a creamy chocolate filling.

    For a nutty mini pie crust, substitute chopped nuts for the flour. This will give the crust a crunchy texture and nutty flavor that goes well with fruit or custard fillings.

    For a gluten-free mini pie crust, substitute gluten-free flour for the regular flour. This will make the crust suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

    Tips

    When it comes to making mini pie crust, there are a few things you can do to ensure your crust is perfect every time. Here are some tips to help you make the best mini pie crust:

    • Use a food processor to mix your ingredients together. This will ensure that the mixture is well combined and results in a smoother dough.
    • Add more flour if needed. If you find that the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour until it reaches the desired consistency.
    • Press into pie pan evenly. Once the dough is ready, use a fork or your fingers to press it into the bottom and up the sides of your mini pie dish. Be sure to evenly distribute the dough so that it bakes evenly.
    • Preheat your oven before baking the plain crust or pie to ensure that they cook through properly.
    mini pie crust baked out of baking pan.

    Serving Suggestions

    There are many ways to use a mini pie crust recipe to create delicious single serving pies. Quiche and tarts are always popular, but pot pies are a great way to change things up.

    Fill the crust with your favorite egg and cheese mixture to make a quiche. Add in some chopped ham or bacon for extra flavor. Our mini frittatas recipe would be an excellent filling idea. Or try making an individual Captain Rodney's Boucan Chicken Quiche for two.

    For a tart like Hokkaido baked cheese tarts or a strawberry galette, try using a fruit filling or even chocolate pudding. Top with whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra sweetness.

    Pot pies are perfect for individual servings. Simply fill the crust with your favorite meat and vegetable combination. Top with another piece of dough, cut slits for ventilation, and bake until golden brown. Serve with a side of mashed potatoes or green beans for a complete meal.

    Storage

    The crust can be stored either unbaked or baked.

    Unbaked

    Unbaked mini pie crusts can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    To store unbaked mini pie crust in the refrigerator, place in a mini pie dish and cover well with plastic wrap. To store unbaked mini pie crust in the freezer, place in disposable pans and freeze until solid. Then, transfer to a freezer-safe bag and label with the date.

    Baked

    Baked crust can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    To store baked, place the crust on a wire rack and let cool completely. Then, wrap tightly with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container.

    FAQ

    What is the best way to make mini pie crust?

    There are a few different ways to make mini pie crusts, but one of the easiest is to use a food processor. Simply add your ingredients to the food processor and pulse until the dough comes together. Then, roll out the dough, press into a pan, and bake.

    How long will a pie crust keep?

    A pie crust will last for about 2-3 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer. If you are planning on freezing your pie crust, it is best to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

    What are the best ways to use mini pie crust?

    Making desserts such as fruit pies, custard pies, and shells for unbaked fillings is a great way to use them. Savory dishes like individual quiche and pot pies are another popular use.

    Related Recipes

    This recipe can be used for savory small batch recipes or desserts. Here's a couple suggestions.

    • Single serve apple pie
    • Chili for two pot pies.

    Recipe

    baked mini pie crust.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

    Mini Pie Crust

    5 from 40 votes
    This mini pie crust recipe is perfect for an individual single serving pie. The ingredients are simple and the process to make it is super easy.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time30 minutes mins
    chill time15 minutes mins
    Total Time1 hour hr
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Servings (Adjustable): 1
    Calories: 103kcal
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    Ingredients

    • ¾ cups all-purpose flour
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 ½ tablespoon cold unsalted butter cubed (use shortening for dairy-free)
    • ⅛ cup + 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening chilled
    • ⅛ cup iced water

    Instructions

    • Add the flour and salt to the jug of a food processor or see note for manual method. Pulse to combine.
    • Add the cold butter and shortening to the mixture, and pulse until it resembles coarse sand. Continue pulsing and pour cold water, one tablespoon at a time until the dough comes together into a ball. You may not use all of the water.
    • Remove from the processor, wrap it in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 2h or 15 minutes in the freezer.
    • Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
    • Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, and roll it with a rolling pin to ⅛-inch thickness.
    • Pierce the dough base and press it into the pie dish, cut the extra excess dough, but leave about ½-inch all the way around, tuck inside and crimp the edges.
    • To bake the crust without a filling, fill the crust with ceramic baking beans, dried rice or beans to weigh the pastry down. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until light brown, remove from the oven and place on wire rack to cool.

    Notes

    For dairy-free, replace the butter with shortening.
    Can be made without a food processor by cutting the butter and shortening into the flour and salt mixture with a pastry blender or two knives.
    Double the recipe for a double-crust pie as this one yields only 1 crust.
    To bake with filling: Add your pie mixture into the crust, decorate and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. Once ready, remove it from the oven and leave it at ambient temperature to cool down.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 103kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 15mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.04g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg

    Equipment

    Mini pie pan
    Food processor

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    About Lisa MarcAurele

    Lisa MarcAurele is a blogger and cookbook author. She created Little Bit Recipes to help people save money by minimizing leftovers when cooking for one or two people. Lisa is also a co-founder of Daily Life Travels, where you can discover new places to visit and things to do. You can sign up for her recipe emails to see all her latest content.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 40 votes (35 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Molly Pisula

      October 28, 2022 at 5:24 pm

      5 stars
      This is a perfect tiny pie crust recipe! Made this for an apple pie for one, and it worked perfectly!

      Reply
    2. Journa Liz Ramirez

      October 31, 2022 at 7:42 am

      5 stars
      I had fun making this mini pie crust. It's so easy to make and it is so tasty. Satisfyingly good! Thanks Lisa for this wonderful recipe!

      Reply
    3. Allyssa

      October 31, 2022 at 10:36 am

      5 stars
      Really loved this amazing mini pie crust! Very easy to make and tasted really delicious! Loved this, thanks a lot!

      Reply
    4. Wendy

      October 31, 2022 at 10:55 am

      5 stars
      Easy and delicious! I will make this again.

      Reply
    5. Greta

      October 31, 2022 at 6:48 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is perfect for the pie that I want to make, so I'll save it. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply

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