Easy Pie Crust Recipe (Buttery & Flaky Every Time)

There’s something so comforting about baking from scratch, and this pie crust recipe is one of those back-to-basics essentials every home baker should have. It’s buttery, flaky, and surprisingly easy to make—even if you’ve never made pie dough before.

I love this recipe because it uses simple pantry ingredients and comes together quickly, without any complicated techniques. Whether you’re baking a cozy apple pie, a silky pumpkin pie, or a savory quiche, this crust creates the perfect foundation every single time.

Once you try this homemade pie crust, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought again. It’s tender, reliable, and made with love—and that always shows in the final pie.

More Recipes

• Old Fashioned Custard Pie
• No-Sugar Apple Pie Recipe

Ingredients for Pie Crust Recipe

These simple ingredients work together to create a buttery, flaky pie crust with the perfect balance of tenderness and structure.

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (300 g)
• 1 teaspoon salt (5 g)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (12 g) – optional, for sweet pies
• 1 cup unsalted butter, very cold and cubed (226 g)
• 6–8 tablespoons ice water (90–120 ml)

Optional additions (if needed):

• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or white vinegar (5 ml) – helps create a tender crust
• 1–2 teaspoons sugar (5–10 g) – extra sweetness for dessert pies

Instructions

Follow these easy, beginner-friendly steps to make a homemade pie crust that turns out flaky and delicious every time.

1. Mix the dry ingredients.
   Add the flour, salt, and sugar (if using) to a large mixing bowl. Whisk until everything is evenly combined.
2. Cut in the cold butter.
   Add the cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingertips to work it into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces. This step is key for a flaky texture.
3. Add the ice water slowly.
   Drizzle in 6 tablespoons (90 ml) of ice water, one tablespoon at a time, gently mixing after each addition. Add more water only if needed. The dough should hold together when pressed.
4. Bring the dough together.
   Turn the dough onto a clean surface and gently press it together without kneading. Divide in half for a double-crust pie, then flatten each portion into a disk.
5. Chill the dough.
   Wrap the dough tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (about 40°F / 4°C). Chilling keeps the butter cold and prevents shrinking during baking.
6. Roll and use as needed.
   Roll the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface and use it according to your pie recipe.

Tips & Variations for the Best Pie Crust Recipe

• Keep everything cold.
  Cold butter and ice water are essential. If the dough starts to feel warm while working, place it back in the fridge for a few minutes.
• Don’t overwork the dough.
  Mix just until the dough comes together. Overmixing develops gluten and can make the crust tough instead of tender.
• Use vinegar for extra tenderness.
  A small splash of vinegar helps prevent gluten formation and makes the crust easier to roll.
• Make it sweet or savory.
  Add sugar for dessert pies, or skip it entirely for savory pies like quiche or pot pie.
• Try a food processor method.
  Pulse the flour and butter together, then add water slowly. Stop pulsing as soon as the dough begins to clump.
• Make it ahead.
  Wrap the dough tightly and refrigerate it for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.

Ideas for Pie Crust Recipe

• Classic dessert pies.
  Use this pie crust recipe for apple pie, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, or any fruit-filled favorite.
• Creamy no-bake fillings.
  Blind-bake the crust and fill it with chocolate cream, banana cream, or vanilla pudding for an easy dessert.
• Savory pies and quiches.
  Skip the sugar and use the crust for quiche, chicken pot pie, or vegetable tarts.
• Mini pies and tartlets.
  Cut the dough into smaller portions for individual pies—perfect for parties or bake sales.
• Holiday baking.
  This crust works beautifully for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and special family gatherings.

FAQs

Recipe

Yield: 1 double-crust or 2 single crusts

Pie Crust Recipe

Print

This easy pie crust recipe creates a buttery, flaky crust that works beautifully for sweet or savory pies. It’s beginner-friendly and made with simple pantry staples.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (300 g)
• 1 teaspoon salt (5 g)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (12 g) – optional
• 1 cup unsalted butter, very cold and cubed (226 g)
• 6–8 tablespoons ice water (90–120 ml)

Optional:

• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or white vinegar (5 ml)

Instructions

1. Add the flour, salt, and sugar (if using) to a large bowl. Whisk until combined.
   
2. Add the cold butter and cut it into the flour until the mixture forms coarse crumbs with pea-sized butter pieces.
   
3. Drizzle in the ice water one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough holds together when pressed.
   
4. Turn the dough onto a clean surface and gently press it into a ball without kneading. Divide in half for a double crust and flatten into disks.
   
5. Wrap the dough tightly and refrigerate for 30 minutes (about 40°F / 4°C).
   
6. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface and use according to your pie recipe.
   
7. Bake according to your filling instructions. Typical pie baking temperatures range from 375°F–425°F (190°C–220°C) depending on the recipe.
   

Notes

Keep all ingredients cold for the flakiest texture.

Chill the dough again if it softens while rolling.

This crust works for sweet and savory pies.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 slice of pie crust
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 210

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients used.

I truly hope this pie crust recipe becomes one of those go-to recipes you reach for again and again. It’s simple, reliable, and creates that buttery, flaky texture every homemade pie deserves.

If you give this recipe a try, don’t forget to save it for later or share it on Pinterest so you can easily find it when pie cravings hit. I’d also love to hear how it turned out for you—drop a comment with your favorite pie filling or any tips you discovered along the way.

Happy baking, and enjoy every delicious slice 💛🥧