This post may contain affiliate links. Read Simple Veganizer disclosure policy.
This gluten-free, easy vegan pie crust is so simple to prepare. Made with healthy, oil- and butter-free ingredients, it is excellent for sweet and savory pies; this recipe will be your go-to for vegan pies!
I’m so happy to share this pie crust recipe I’ve used in my meals for the last couple of years. I love it because it is a beautiful blend of flavor, simplicity, and wholesomeness, and it can be used in many different types of pies!
When you are following a whole food plant-based way to eat, sometimes at the beginning you can feel you can’t enjoy some of your old recipes anymore until you find a way to make the same but healthier and with wholesome ingredients, like the case of this pie crust.
Now, it’s time to play with different fillings and enjoy your pies.
This Vegan Pie Crust is excellent for those with dietary restrictions. It’s free from common allergens like dairy, gluten, and eggs. It’s not Nut-Free, though, but I have a recipe on my list to share soon that is free from nuts.
HOW TO PREPARE THIS EASY VEGAN PIE CRUST
(Please read the printable recipe card below for detailed ingredients, measurements, steps, and notes).
This recipe is a breeze to prepare.
We use healthy ingredients like almond flour, flaxseed meal, and applesauce, which are easily found at any grocery store.
You will start by mixing the dry ingredients and then incorporating the wet ones to form a soft, moist dough that doesn’t crumble. Roll it out, nestle it into a pie dish, and let it chill briefly in the freezer.
A quick bake in a preheated oven, and voila – a golden, flaky, and utterly delicious vegan pie crust is ready for your favorite fillings.
It’s simplicity, taste, and texture rolled into one delightful culinary experience!
Let’s explore kitchen tools, the required ingredients, possible substitutions, and the steps with helpful pictures if needed.
USEFUL KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
To prepare this Easy Vegan Pie Crust recipe, you’ll need a few essential kitchen tools:
- A Large Mixing Bowl is needed to combine and mix the ingredients effectively.
- Measuring spoons and cups are essential for accurate measurements to ensure the perfect consistency and flavor.
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Dough Rolling Bag helps roll out the dough evenly without sticking and for easy transfer to the pie dish. You’ll also need parchment paper for baking.
- Rolling Pin to roll the dough to the desired thickness smoothly.
- A Pie Dish to shape and bake the pie crust. I’m using a 9-inch glass dish.
Super simple. Now, let’s review the list of ingredients and potential substitutions in some cases.
INGREDIENTS NOTES
Here is a list of everything you will need to prepare this delicious recipe:
- Fine Almond Flour provides a gluten-free base with a rich, nutty flavor and tender, flaky texture.
- Flaxseed Meal is a binding agent that replaces eggs and adds a nutritional boost of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. You can also use Ground chia seeds.
- Organic Cornstarch or Arrowroot Starch lightens the texture and aids in binding, ensuring a tender and cohesive crust.
- Baking powder helps the crust rise slightly, offering a light and airy texture, making it soft, and helping to expand your crust—a tip from the Kitchn.
- Salt enhances and balances flavors, adding a touch of savoriness.
- Apple Sauce introduces moisture without oils or butter and adds a subtle sweetness. See my recipe here!
- Apple Cider Vinegar strengthens the gluten-free flours and aids in leavening for a flaky, light, and tender outcome.
- Cold Water adjusts the dough’s consistency, ensuring it’s workable yet not too sticky.
DIRECTIONS WITH PICTURES
To prepare this easy vegan pie crust, mix the almond flour, flaxseed meal, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a bowl to combine the dry ingredients.
Then, integrate the applesauce and vinegar, stirring until a dough forms. Add cold water or extra flour to reach the ideal soft, but not sticky, consistency.
Place the dough between sheets of parchment paper or a silicon bag, rolling it out before transferring it to a pie dish.
Prick the base with a fork and freeze for 20 minutes. While it’s chilling, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Bake the crust with parchment and pie weights. For cooked pies, pre-bake for 15 minutes before adding the filling and baking following your recipe; for no-bake pies, bake until golden and let cool before filling.
You’re ready to enjoy a great gluten-free, vegan, oil-free pie crust!
What you’ll love about this recipe? Well, you will find that it is:
- Flaky and tasty.
- Nutrient-Rich Ingredients.
- Crispy on the edges
- Tender but firm on the bottom
- Versatile for different types of pies
- Customizable.
- Easy to make!
Let’s prepare this Vegan Pie Crust and enjoy it with your favorite filling!
WATCH THE STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO!
Remember to subscribe to my YouTube Channel so you can catch all of the weekly recipe videos!
PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD
EASY VEGAN PIE CRUST (Oil and Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond Flour (fine)
- 3 tbsp flaxseed meal (ground flax seeds)
- 1/3 cup organic cornstarch (or arrowroot starch)
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1/3 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- cold water (optional, as needed)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine almond flour, flaxseed meal, cornstarch (or arrowroot starch), baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add applesauce and vinegar to the dry mixture. Mix until it starts forming a dough.
- Adjust Texture: If needed, gradually add one tablespoon of cold water at a time until the dough reaches the desired consistency. It should be soft, moist but not sticky. If it’s too sticky add more flour as needed.
- Roll Out the Dough: Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper* and use another piece on top to roll it out to the desired thickness. Transfer the rolled-out dough into a pie dish, gently pressing it into the bottom and sides. If you notice any holes or tears in your dough, you can use the excess dough from the edges to patch it up. Fill in the gaps with the extra dough to ensure your dough covers the pie dish.
- Refrigerate: Prick the bottom of the crust lightly with a fork to prevent it from puffing up. Cover and place it in the freezer for 20 minutes.
- Preheat Oven: In the meantime, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Bake the Crust: Cover the pie crust with parchment paper, and use pie weights or other heat-safe material to weigh the crust down.
- For cooked pies (filling that requires baking), pre-bake (in the center rack) the pie crust for 15 minutes; remove the weight and parchment paper, add the filling, and continue baking it following your recipe**.
- For no-bake pies: bake the pie crust for 15 minutes (in the center rack); remove the weight and parchment paper after 15 minutes, and bake for 5-10 minutes more or until the crust is lightly golden. Let cool for 20 minutes before filling.
- Enjoy your delicious gluten-free, vegan, and oil-free pie crust!
Notes
- Substitute ground flax seeds with Ground Chia Seeds, but not Whole.
- * You can also use a Silicone Dough Rolling Bag instead of parchment paper. It’s one of my favorite items in my kitchen!
- ** To prevent the outer parts of the pie crust from burning during the baking process, it’s a good idea to shield the uncovered crust with aluminum foil. This technique ensures even baking of the pie and its crust, avoiding the crust turning excessively dark or burnt.
- The pie crust dough, without the filling, can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for three days or in the freezer as long as it is effectively covered (for up to 3 months).
- The prep time includes 20 minutes in the freezer, and the baking time only includes the pre-baking or par-baking.
- The recipe was adapted from “From My Bowl.”
WAYS TO ENJOY THIS EASY VEGAN PIE CRUST
Enjoy exploring the endless possibilities that this versatile crust generously offers; here are some ideas:
- Sweet Pies: Fill the crust with apple, berry, or peach fillings, topping with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dollop of vegan whipped cream.
- Savory Delights like Vegetable Quiches: Adorn it with a rich, delicious mix of roasted vegetables and tofu for a hearty meal. You should try the Argentine corn pie.
- Cream Pies: Pour velvety vegan chocolate, banana, nut butter, or coconut cream filling for a decadent, indulgent treat.
- Holiday Specials: Customize the crust with spices and fillings to create themed pies for holidays, like pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.
- Tartlets: Convert the recipe to make mini tart shells, perfect for individual servings of sweet or savory fillings for appetizers or desserts.
Additionally, here are some customizations you can do to play with the flavor of the crust:
- Flavor Infusions: Add rosemary or other herbs, cinnamon, or nutmeg to the dough for an aromatic twist, adapting to savory or sweet fillings.
- Seed Alternatives: try chia seeds (ground) for a different texture and nutritional profile.
- Sweetened Option: Introduce a touch of maple syrup for a slightly sweet crust, perfect for dessert pies.
2 thoughts on “EASY VEGAN PIE CRUST (Oil and Gluten-Free)”