Recipes often call for the use of pie weights to keep the pie crust from shifting or puffing up during the blind bake, but if you’re anything like most beginner bakers, this can be confusing. Fear not though! I’m here to share everything you need to know about blind baking pie crust with pie weights, starting with: what are pie weights?
What are Pie Weights?
Pie weights are tools made of heat-safe metal or ceramic that are meant to weigh down pie crust to keep it in place as you blind bake it. Without pie weights, pie crust tends to puff up and shift in the pie pan.
Types of Pie Weights
The most common pie weights are ceramic balls, a single metal chain or a larger, disc-shaped weight. Each type has its benefits: individual ceramic balls are great for lots of shapes and sizes of pies and tarts; a metal pie weight chain is easy to remove when you’re done using it; and a disc pie weight is an all-in-one piece you just pop into the center of your crust like this Chicago Metallic Pie Weight, $18.
How to Use Pie Weights to Blind Bake Pie Crust
To blind bake your pie crust, you’ll need to start by adding a layer of parchment paper on top of the crust in the pie pan. Then you can add your pie weights in an even layer, making sure to distribute them to the edges of the bottom of the pan and blind bake the crust according to the recipe you’re using.
What to Use as a Pie Weights Substitute
If you don’t have store-bought pie weights, you still have a few options for blind baking your pie crust! One of the most common is dry rice or beans. They can be used in the same manner as ceramic pie weights, and can be reused repeatedly. You can also use white sugar, or even a second pie plate!
Blind Baking Pie Crust Without Pie Weights
Whatever type of pie weight you use, it’s important to not skip using them or a pie weight substitute. If you blind bake your pie crust without these handy tools, it might shrink or shift in the pan, affecting the final result of your pie. But by now you know all about how to use pie weights and you’re ready to get baking! Below, I’m sharing some of the best pie recipes to help you get you started. Read more: How to Crimp Pie Crust
21 Best Pie Recipes
Get the recipe: Easy Pie Crust Get the recipe: Turkey and Cheddar Pie with Bacon Lattice Top Get the recipe: Mini Apple Pies Get the recipe: Candied Sweet Potato Pie Get the recipe: Bacon, Sausage and Sauerkraut Pie Get the recipe: Brown Butter Pecan Pie Get the recipe: Lemon Meringue Pie Get the recipe: Southern Egg Pie (Egg Custard Pie) Get the recipe: Shoofly Pie Get the recipe: Chess Pie Get the recipe: Southern Pecan Pie Recipe Get the recipe: Vegan Sweet Potato Pie Get the recipe: Crème Brûlée Pie Get the recipe: Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Get the recipe: Vegan Pumpkin Pie Get the recipe: Chocolate French Silk Pie Get the recipe: Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie Get the recipe: Coconut Cream Pie Get the recipe: Classic Quiche Lorraine Get the recipe: Maple Pecan Pie Get the recipe: Meyer Lemon Orange Meringue Pie
