This clean eating pie crust recipe is a very simple dish to make. It comes together quickly and there are only about a million different things you can do with it.
Since this is a basic dough, there are tons of things you can do with it. If you will be making a pie, you could add cinnamon or another complimentary spice to the dough, and use olive or safflower oil. (Stay tuned for my holiday clean eating pie recipe using this same pie crust recipe!)
If you are making something savory, like the Clean Eating Pesto Quiche With Sun Dried Tomatoes I made a little while back, then try mixing in some Italian spice or garlic into the dough, and use olive oil.
Pie crust doesn’t have to be boring. You just have to get creative. But stay light on the spices so they don’t overpower what you are filling the crust with! About 1/2 tsp. per batch of dough. This extra spice should compliment the finished dish, not overwhelm it.
The great thing about pie crusts, is once they are filled, you can pretty much freeze any recipe you’ve made to keep on hand for one of those busy work nights. Or, just freeze the dough in the pie tin if you prefer a more “fresh” approach. Fill it last minute, pop it in the oven, and you’ve got a quick meal any day of the week!
I should mention that I’m adapting a recipe I found on the AllRecipes.com site. Why reinvent the wheel? Especially if it’s a good wheel.
YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY THESE CLEAN EATING RECIPES:
CLEAN EATING PIE CRUST RECIPE:
This easy-to-make, clean eating pie crust recipe is not only more nutritious than most thanks to being whole grain, it's also really delicious! It's a heartier crust than store-bought, but it has a really nice flavor that compliments any filling. This recipe makes enough for two pie crusts so the data below is for both of them cut into 8 pieces.
- 2 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour (affiliate link) plus extra on reserve
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1/2 cup milk (any type except coconut milk - it's too thick)
First, prepare your pie tins.
Spray your tin with a coat of spray-on oil from an oil sprayer, or use your fingers or a paper towel to spread the oil over the pan.
Add about 1/8 cup whole wheat pastry flour to your tin from your reserve flour (not from the 2 3/4 cups for the crust)
Shake your tin around until the flour completely coats the surface of the pie pan. Then set it aside.
Next, make the dough.
Put flour and salt into a mixing bowl and mix.
Measure your milk and oil into the same cup.
Mix well by hand until you have a firm dough. It takes some doing, so don’t give up.
Place your dough on a large piece of parchment paper. Flatten slightly with your hands or rolling pin, and then place another large sheet of parchment paper over the top so the dough is sandwiched in between. Roll with your rolling pin until your dough is about 1/8 in to 1/4 inch thick. You may need to lift the parchment occasionally or flip the whole thing over to get rid of wrinkles in the parchment.
Remove the top sheet of parchment, and roll out any wrinkles left in the dough by the parchment. You should have a nice, even and smooth piece of dough. Divide your dough in half.
Place your tin upside down on your dough. Flip the whole thing over, and mold the dough into your tin, being careful not to rip the dough.
Cut the excess dough around the edge of the pan. Keep your knife upright so you get a nice even cut. Crimp with a fork, and then place the whole thing in a large zip lock bag. Place in the freezer and you’ve got Clean Eating Pie Crust any time you need it!
Ta da!
Please note that the nutrition data below is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.
Julie says
June 5, 2010 at 2:46 pmI “heart” this recipe. 🙂 I’d like to try it with everything! Quiche, pies…how would it be as a pot pie crust? I’ve never done pot pies, but this recipe makes me want to.
The Gracious Pantry says
June 5, 2010 at 6:20 pmJulie –
Pot pies is something I’ve been putting off simply because I’ve never done it. I’m sure they are not difficult, it’s just one of those recipes I’ve been procrastinating on.
I really couldn’t tell you how the crust would be if it was used that way. The thing with a pot pie is, most folks want that really light and flaky crust that processed pot pies always have. This dough is not light and flaky like that. So while it may be good, you have to go into it knowing that it will be different than what you are used to.
I suppose I should quit putting it off and do a stinkin’ pot pie recipe. lol
Erin says
September 8, 2010 at 5:10 pmI don’t think Canola oil is clean. It is made from genetically-modified rapeseed plants.
The Gracious Pantry says
September 8, 2010 at 6:09 pmErin – You can use whichever oil suites your eating plan. Try safflower oil or even olive oil. They will work just as well.
Erin says
September 10, 2010 at 6:36 pmI don’t eat any refined vegetable oils. (except on occaision) Extra virgin olive oil might give it a strange flavor. I would probably use extra virgin cold-pressed coconut oil as the best, cleanest option.
The Gracious Pantry says
September 10, 2010 at 6:49 pmErin – Whatever works for you, will be best. It’s a pretty versatile recipe. Let me know how you like it!
Heather Kramer says
September 21, 2010 at 10:32 amWhat temp should it be cooked at?
The Gracious Pantry says
September 21, 2010 at 10:35 amHeather – It depends on what you’re making with it. I bake most things at 350 degree F. Especially if I’m making a quiche or something like that.
Diane Haupt says
September 22, 2010 at 10:31 amIs the calorie count/ fat content really THAT high ?!?!?!
The Gracious Pantry says
September 22, 2010 at 11:54 amDiane – For the crust, yes. But keep in mind that you are not eating the whole crust in one sitting. If you look at the recipe for my pesto quiche(in which I use this crust recipe) you’ll see that the fat content is actually pretty low. Plus, the fat content will depend on how small of an amount you use (how big of a dish your pot pies get cooked in and how much dough you need to cover them).
And lastly, the fat used is a healthy fat. While fat is fat when you’re counting grams, the health benefits to good fats are well documented. So approach it with moderation, and portion your dough out with consideration for the fat content. I think you’ll find that you can actually keep the fat content pretty low when you include it in other recipes.
Misty says
November 4, 2017 at 6:40 amLove this answer! Recipe looks great, can’t wait to give it a try! Thanks!
The Gracious Pantry says
November 4, 2017 at 9:20 amMisty – My pleasure! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Susanne says
November 12, 2010 at 5:51 pmI would like to try this recipe with the Clean Eating Pumpkin Pie for Thanksgiving but I don’t do Soy Milk. Can I substitute the soy milk for nonfat milk? I also wanted to cook it the night before, since I’ll be using my oven for the turkey on Thanksgiving, can you give me any pointers, please.
The Gracious Pantry says
November 12, 2010 at 6:39 pmSusanne – Yes, you can substitute milk. But I suggest 1% to help with texture. However, I’m sure fat free will work as well.
You can certainly bake the pie crust the night before. No problem at all. Just keep it in a cool/cold place overnight.
Court says
January 4, 2011 at 12:47 pmCan you subsitute skim milk for the soy milk in this recipe? I have a soy allergy (one of the reasons I started eating clean!) so this wouldn’t work so well! Thanks!
The Gracious Pantry says
January 4, 2011 at 2:47 pmCourt – Yes! Regular milk or almond milk will work fine.
Dawn says
February 18, 2011 at 3:22 pmI am VERY new to eating clean. I was a little concerned about Erin’s post. Is cocunut oil the only clean oil out there? What about the wildtree grapeseed oil? Any advice you can give is appreciated! Thanks!
The Gracious Pantry says
February 18, 2011 at 3:25 pmDawn – No need for concern. But if it worries you, grape seed oil works well as does avocado oil. Enjoy!
Lisa V says
March 21, 2011 at 8:38 amI made this yesterday with the Broccoli Mushroom Quiche. So good! I loved the crust.
The Gracious Pantry says
March 21, 2011 at 12:20 pmLisa – Wonderful!!! It’s such an all purpose recipe. I love that about it. I can make just about anything with it!
Becky says
April 5, 2011 at 8:27 amI must say, I’ve tried a LOT of whole wheat pie crusts and, though I may have liked them, others in my family never did because of the strong “wheaty” flavor. This is by far the best and one of the easiest pie crust recipes I’ve ever tried. The whole wheat pastry flour really tames down those flavors and I love that I didn’t have to use any white flour at all to balance the taste! Definitely a keeper. I made a family favorite quiche last night using this recipe and everyone – even my 8yr old daughter really enjoyed! That’s big praise! 🙂
Thanks!
The Gracious Pantry says
April 5, 2011 at 8:30 amBecky – That’s wonderful! I’m so happy you all enjoyed it!
Cee says
May 7, 2011 at 10:15 amI’d love to try this but, I’ve been looking for whole wheat pastry crust everywhere to no avail! I live in a small town so idk if I’ll ever find some :S where do you normally get yours? Or where can I find it?
The Gracious Pantry says
May 7, 2011 at 11:17 amCee – I get mine in bulk at Whole Foods. Most health food stores will carry it. But if you really can’t find it, I would just order it online. Bob’s Red Mill would be a great place to start. Good luck!
Cee says
May 7, 2011 at 10:16 amoops! Not crust, I meant flour :p
Amanda says
June 23, 2011 at 8:28 pmI new to clean eating. I read where you gave alternatives to dairy, is diary not considered ‘clean’? if I do not have issues with dairy, Could I sub Milk for the soy milk? I do not like soy productsfor my family, personal preference obviously, and was trying to come up with a good substitute. I suppose for something sweet almond milk but what about savory dishes.
Anonymous says
June 23, 2011 at 11:05 pmAmanda – Yes, you can use regular milk in any of my recipes. I don’t use it because I cannot tolerate milk. But you can always substitute in equal amounts.
Almond milk is not sweet unless you purchase it sweetened. I buy the stuff that is unsweetened and trust me, it’s anything BUT sweet. Unsweetened rice milk is also another option.
But for your purposes, yes, regular milk will work. Enjoy! 🙂
Lee says
June 28, 2011 at 2:22 pmWhat does clean eating mean ? No cow’s milk,butter or cow’s milk cheese?
Anonymous says
June 28, 2011 at 2:24 pmLee – Dairy is fine so long as it’s low fat or non fat. Personally, I can’t have dairy any longer, so I don’t use it in my recipes anymore.
Shanel says
July 10, 2011 at 5:03 pmI need to spend summer vacation making some if these. But mote importantly, how in the world do you ever resist Mini Chef with those eyes!! Ha! Shanel 🙂
Shanel says
July 10, 2011 at 5:03 pmI need to spend summer vacation making some if these. But mote importantly, how in the world do you ever resist Mini Chef with those eyes!! Ha! Shanel 🙂
Anonymous says
July 10, 2011 at 5:05 pmShanel – With secret Mom powers. It’s the only way… lol
Anonymous says
July 10, 2011 at 5:05 pmShanel – With secret Mom powers. It’s the only way… lol
Anonymous says
August 24, 2011 at 7:03 pmI love your website. Just discovered it last night. I was wondering, do you think this crust would work well for crostata? Apple-picking season is around the corner!
Anonymous says
August 24, 2011 at 7:03 pmI love your website. Just discovered it last night. I was wondering, do you think this crust would work well for crostata? Apple-picking season is around the corner!
Anonymous says
August 24, 2011 at 7:03 pmI love your website. Just discovered it last night. I was wondering, do you think this crust would work well for crostata? Apple-picking season is around the corner!
Anonymous says
August 24, 2011 at 8:08 pmBlackbird – This dough is pretty heavy by weight. But if you roll it thin enough, it should be fine with apples. I wouldn’t recommend it with softer fruits, but apples should work fine. Enjoy!
Anonymous says
August 24, 2011 at 8:08 pmBlackbird – This dough is pretty heavy by weight. But if you roll it thin enough, it should be fine with apples. I wouldn’t recommend it with softer fruits, but apples should work fine. Enjoy!
Anonymous says
August 24, 2011 at 8:08 pmBlackbird – This dough is pretty heavy by weight. But if you roll it thin enough, it should be fine with apples. I wouldn’t recommend it with softer fruits, but apples should work fine. Enjoy!
Anonymous says
August 24, 2011 at 8:08 pmBlackbird – This dough is pretty heavy by weight. But if you roll it thin enough, it should be fine with apples. I wouldn’t recommend it with softer fruits, but apples should work fine. Enjoy!
Anonymous says
August 24, 2011 at 7:03 pmI love your website. Just discovered it last night. I was wondering, do you think this crust would work well for crostata? Apple-picking season is around the corner!
Anonymous says
September 26, 2011 at 11:40 pmLiz – the pie crust defrosts so quickly that you don’t need to worry about defrost time. Just fill it and stick it in the oven. Enjoy!
josephine says
October 8, 2011 at 10:49 pmDo you know what flour I can substitute for whole wheat pastry flour to make it gluten free?
Anonymous says
October 9, 2011 at 12:07 amJosephine – I’ve heard almond flour is pretty good, as is coconut flour. However, they will absorb different amounts of liquid. So you may have to play with that balance a bit.
josephine says
October 9, 2011 at 6:09 pmThank you! will give it a try!
Anonymous says
October 9, 2011 at 6:15 pmJosephine – Let me know how it turns out!
Georgia LaMantia says
March 15, 2019 at 10:15 pmI used cassava flour (1 cup) and the rest quinoa and rice flour. You have to really work with the dough in the bowl maybe 10 minutes or so and even when rolling it out on parchment. I would split but when I kept rolling it would come together. It turned out great baking and eating. I cooked all for the 45 minutes as the recipe called for but the crust was not browning but the rest was bubbling. I turned on the broiler with the pies still on the middle rack in the oven at around 40 minutes and it browned perfectly in about 2 minutes. I took the pies out and let them cool for about 10 minutes before eating. I also used Almond milk. It was delicious. Good luck on the crust.
Anonymous says
October 17, 2011 at 10:14 amTrude – Thanks! Let me know how the pies turn out!
Amy Eisenberger Bailey says
October 22, 2011 at 9:44 amSo, do you think this dough could be made with Almond Milk instead of Soy Milk? I can’t eat dairy or soy.
Anonymous says
October 22, 2011 at 9:45 amAmy – Sure! I use almond milk all the time.
Anonymous says
November 11, 2011 at 7:24 pmHeather – Sure. That should work. Enjoy!
Anonymous says
November 20, 2011 at 9:40 pmMelanie – Your welcome! Enjoy!
Anonymous says
November 23, 2011 at 10:02 amDolce – Any oil will work. I’m using safflower as I make it today. enjoy!
Deniseachio says
November 28, 2011 at 6:41 amCan you use butter instead of the oil?
Anonymous says
November 29, 2011 at 10:33 amDenise – I don’t recommend it for this recipe. Usually yes, but for this one, the oil works really, really well. You could always experiment though!
Deniseachio says
November 28, 2011 at 6:43 amIs safflower oil healthier than canola?
Anonymous says
November 29, 2011 at 10:33 amDenise – Yes.
Jill says
November 28, 2011 at 9:20 amMy husband’s big request for Thanksgiving was a blackberry pie, his favorite. I decided to throw him a curve ball and make it with this pie crust. I have never made a pie crust in my life, and this was too easy. He was very hesitant to try this pie (he does not quit get the eat clean way of life yet) and asked for a very small piece. And now the drum roll —- he asked for seconds! Yes, it was that good. I can see using this pie crust for pot pies as well. Thanks for such a great and easy recipe!!
Anonymous says
November 29, 2011 at 10:34 amJill – that’s fabulous!!! 😀
Anonymous says
November 29, 2011 at 2:37 pmJanick – That is correct. It’s enough for 2 standard, 9 inch crusts. You ‘ll even have a little left over and I’ll be posting a recipe for what to do with the leftover dough very soon. Let me know how it turns out!
Janick says
November 29, 2011 at 7:50 pmThank you so much for your reply. I will not only let you know how it turns out, I will give you the recipe to make it, if it turns out well that is 😉
Anonymous says
November 30, 2011 at 9:41 amJanick – Sounds great!
Anonymous says
December 6, 2011 at 11:34 pmBrees – Definitely!
Talishacomer05 says
December 23, 2011 at 8:51 amI do not have a Pie pan and I need to make this now with no time to run out and get one. I do have an 8×8 glass pan and a couple 9inch round pans, would one of these work?
Anonymous says
December 23, 2011 at 3:20 pmTalisha – The crust will bake in whatever dish you want to use. The question is how you want your finished dish to be shaped. Enjoy!
Evie says
January 12, 2012 at 3:49 amHi Tiffany,
Is it ok to use coconut milk instead of soy milk?
Anonymous says
January 13, 2012 at 9:01 pmEvie – I don’t see why not. Should work okay. Let me know how it turns out!
Anonymous says
January 19, 2012 at 9:37 pmEvie – Fabulous!
graciouspantry says
March 4, 2012 at 9:40 pmDebi – No, I didn’t meant that. I meant after rolling. It becomes a large piece of dough and it’s easy to cut in half once rolled. But you can do it any way you choose.
chris says
April 6, 2012 at 6:50 pmDo you think white whole wheat flour would work? with it being wheat some family members would object to this crust 🙁
graciouspantry says
April 7, 2012 at 5:27 amChris – I’m confused. White whole wheat flour is wheat too. Just a different variety.
graciouspantry says
April 7, 2012 at 5:31 amAshley – No, they are not the same. The pastry variety is a “finer grind” and has less gluten in it. A good middle ground (and easier to find) is WHITE whole wheat flour.
graciouspantry says
April 16, 2012 at 8:51 amJennifer – Wow. Excellent question. I really don’t know. I do know that pastry flour has less gluten in it than other flours. So I would be inclined to say that it is a different type of wheat. But I’m really not sure. I’m sorry. Hopefully there are some other readers who can chime in here.
graciouspantry says
May 13, 2012 at 3:39 pmGoodolsuthrngrl – I believe there is a difference in gluten content, but I’m not positive.
Mamasetta1 says
June 13, 2012 at 8:41 amCan you use melted butter instead of oil?
graciouspantry says
June 14, 2012 at 1:04 amSure.
graciouspantry says
September 3, 2012 at 8:16 amInteresting. Maybe it’s a regional thing? I don’t have anything here on the market with those names. But thank you for the information!
Samantha Traver says
September 12, 2012 at 3:35 pmRead through all the comments and even through some of your recipes using this crust. Do you not have to prebake it??
graciouspantry says
September 12, 2012 at 3:46 pmI never prebake this crust. I just fill the pie raw and bake everything at the same time.
graciouspantry says
October 3, 2012 at 2:36 pmSomething is off. Perhaps you are at a different altitude than me and need to adjust the liquid? What type of flour did you use? This isn’t the softest dough ever, but it’s nothing like what you are describing either.
graciouspantry says
October 4, 2012 at 5:45 pmHmmm…. how much cinnamon did you use? It’s possible that there was just enough to make the dough dry. Cinnamon can soak up some liquid if there’s enough of it. That, or something was measured incorrectly.
graciouspantry says
October 17, 2012 at 9:01 pmYou can, but the crust will be much more dense and dry.
graciouspantry says
October 26, 2012 at 3:05 pmUse the same amount of oil regardless of what type you use. You could try 1/2 tsp. cinnamon. Whatever you use, keep the spices in smaller portions because you only want a hint of flavor. You don’t want it to overtake whatever you fill the crust with.
Maria says
October 27, 2012 at 12:39 pmCan I use a glass pie pan?
graciouspantry says
October 27, 2012 at 6:37 pmIt should work just fine.
graciouspantry says
November 19, 2012 at 9:31 pmInteresting. I love it with pie! But it’s all individual tastes. I hope you’ll enjoy it with a savory dish.
Brianna Roehrborn says
November 20, 2012 at 6:10 pmCan I subsitute a different flour (oat or almond, etc.) instead of the whole wheat pastry flour?
graciouspantry says
November 20, 2012 at 6:38 pmOat flour would work.
graciouspantry says
November 20, 2012 at 6:39 pmBut you might have to adjust the liquid content slightly.
Mary Pat Kenney Filer says
November 21, 2012 at 1:30 pmI did not have enough for 3 pies, it was very flaky and had to add water to keep it together. Any advice?
graciouspantry says
November 21, 2012 at 3:27 pmDid you use a different type of flour? Perhaps you are at a different altitude. Adding more liquid was the correct thing to do. Let me know how it turns out.
Julie says
February 18, 2013 at 2:03 pmI am about to embark on making this pie crust. I am going to half it and add ground flax seed to it. If all goes well, next time I am going to substitute the whole wheat flour for a combination of gluten free flours.
Debi says
March 17, 2013 at 2:50 pmDo you have to mix by hand? I’m so used to making dough in the food processor. I’m also very new to clean eating, so why can’t you use pastured butter from cows not treated with antibiotics or hormones?
The Gracious Pantry says
March 17, 2013 at 4:20 pmDebi – I’m sure it would work just fine with a paddle, and you can use butter, but this recipe really isn’t formulated for that. So you may have to adjust the other ingredients. Not sure as I’ve never tried.
Jennifer says
March 21, 2013 at 12:59 pmCan you use applesause to replace oil?
The Gracious Pantry says
March 21, 2013 at 6:29 pmNot for this. Sorry.
Lauren G says
June 18, 2013 at 7:41 pmI am doing the clean eat diet and was wondering if I can use sprouted whole wheat flour instead of whole wheat pastry flour? If not, how about half&half of each? Also would walnut oil work?
The Gracious Pantry says
June 18, 2013 at 7:48 pmLauren – Yes to both, although, with the different flour, the crust will be a bit more dense. But good just the same!
Sue C says
August 22, 2013 at 3:56 pmSo glad to see this! My 10 year old son loves pastries (meat and potato pies – native to Cornwall and Upper Peninsula Michigan) but we have had a difficult time finding a healthy crust — mostly hydrogenated vegetable shortening. He was so sad to see the ingredients… the boy is a voracious label reader! This will be a good starting point for creating the perfect “clean” recipe… unless you would like to do that for us!?
The Gracious Pantry says
August 22, 2013 at 5:35 pmSue C – I’m a little confused. What is it you want a recipe for? Does this recipe not work for you somehow?
Sue C says
August 22, 2013 at 6:53 pmI’m looking for a clean recipe for a pasty. (Cornish meat and potato pie) not pastries.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasty
Where we live in Michigan, they are quite famous in our Upper Penninsula.
We ate several on vacation and are trying to create a clean recipe to make at home.
This will get me the crust portion of the meat and potato pie I think.
They are not baked in a pie pan, but rather on a cookie sheet, when filled, folded over, edges sealed. Next up the filling. I think the crust will be the hardest part, so I was happy to find this.
Sorry for the confusion.
The Gracious Pantry says
August 22, 2013 at 11:57 pmSue C – Interesting! I’ve never heard of it, but I’ll certainly give it a try. 🙂
Laurie says
September 14, 2013 at 6:23 amHas anyone tried freezing the dough in a disc wrapped in Saran Wrap vs already rolled out in the tin? Just thinking its easier to store and takes up less room.
Thanks.
The Gracious Pantry says
September 14, 2013 at 8:07 amLaurie – I haven’t, I’m sorry. But you could give it a shot!
Tracy says
September 16, 2013 at 9:17 amHi there!
What adjustments would I need to make of I use plain whole wheat flour instead of whole wheat pastry flour?
I read that the pastry kind is more finely ground. Could I just grind it a bit more in a magic bullet before using it?
Thank you
The Gracious Pantry says
September 16, 2013 at 9:42 amTracy – Grinding it won’t work. WWF and WWPF are actually made from two different types of wheat. To be honest, if there are any adjustments to be made, I don’t know them. I never adjust the measurements when I substitute either way. I just use the same amounts across the board. I’ve never had a problem with using equal amounts. That said, the regular variety tends to have more gluten and is more dense and coarse. So that’s what you will get in your finished product as well. If you plan on doing that with this particular pie crust recipe, you should be fine with equal amounts. Pie crusts tend to be pretty forgiving.
Shannon says
September 20, 2013 at 4:12 pmHi! Just wanted to let you know that I made this crust yesterday GF and DF and it was really good! I used a GF flour that I found at my Costco and almond milk. I also used coconut oil instead of olive. I made it for an apple pie and it worked wonderfully. I was able to make 2 pie bottoms and then I crumbled up the rest, mixed it with some maple sugar and cinnamon and it was awesome. My dough was very firm and didn’t stick together well, but I was able to press it into the pan and be ok. It also didn’t really hold it’s shape once cut and served, but who cares? It was delicious! (It was served with a vegan carmel sauce I found a recipe for and “cleaned” up) Thanks for the recipe! Will be making again, very soon!
The Gracious Pantry says
September 20, 2013 at 8:51 pmShannon – Glad it all worked out! Thanks for sharing your experience! 🙂
Laurie says
September 21, 2013 at 12:11 amI made the dough last night and plan to make an apple pie after going apple picking today. Thanks for confirming coconut oil worked. I used safflower, but thought about using coconut. Can’t wait to make the pie.
The Gracious Pantry says
September 21, 2013 at 7:21 amLaurie – Let me know how the pie turns out! 🙂
Laurie says
September 22, 2013 at 4:14 amSo I made the crust. It was very tough and difficult to roll out, so I added more almond milk. It tasted great, though more like shortbread than pie dough. Lo and behold, I realized I had only used a quarter cup of milk rather than 3/4 cup. D’oh. I don’t know the last time I did something like that. It tasted great with the apple pie, just not a pie crust. Will make again with the right amount of milk. I also added some cinnamon to the dough which was nice.
For the pie fillingn, I adapted a recipe that users cream, brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon to pilot over the apples. I used fat free half and half with no discernible difference. I also made a small ramekin using almond milk. I thought it was pretty decent. My son (almost 12) gave it a 7.75. My boyfriend thought it was ok. He thought it tasted too flowery. It’s funny because I assumed he meant flour-y. Took a few minutes to get on the same page.
Anyway, I think I’m going to make your apple pumpkin muffins. Went apple picking yesterday. I may do a different recipe though because I’ve baked with pumpkin the past two weekends.
The Gracious Pantry says
September 22, 2013 at 6:33 amLaurie – Ya, if you change a recipe a lot, it’s always a gamble. But glad it all worked out!
Laurie says
September 22, 2013 at 8:45 amYah. Except I didn’t meant to change it!
The Gracious Pantry says
September 22, 2013 at 11:09 amLaurie – Oh! Oops!
Laurie says
September 22, 2013 at 1:40 pmFor what it’s worth, my boyfriend liked it. And, I didn’t realize the mistake til later. Asi said, it tasted like shortbread which is yummy in its own right. I am really enjoying your blog. I’ve been a fanatical baker for years (since my son was born almost 12 years ago), but hadn’t baked much since trying to eat healthier (it’s that turning 45 thing). I missed baking and needed it to balance my crazy life as a divorced mom and working 50 or so hours a week. I’m now hooked on baking clean. I gave my personal trainer a muffin I made this morning and she loved it! The trainer is my 2x week treat to myself!
The Gracious Pantry says
September 23, 2013 at 7:37 amLaurie – Good for you!! I hope the next attempt at the crust goes more to plan.
Elizabeth says
October 25, 2013 at 7:13 amWould sifted whole wheat flour or oat flour work? And is coconut oil a good oil for this?
The Gracious Pantry says
October 29, 2013 at 10:01 amElizabeth – It will work, but the result will still be a little more coarse/dense. Coconut oil should be fine, but you’ll have to work it in a bit more with your hands.
britne says
November 20, 2013 at 6:57 amI’m not sure if this is what the previous comment is about so I’m going to ask anyways. The difference between pastry flour and all purpose flour. I would like to make this today but only have all purpose and would rather not have to go to the store.
The Gracious Pantry says
November 20, 2013 at 5:14 pmBritne – If you want to eat clean, neither will work. If your goal is clean eating, you need WHOLE WHEAT pastry flour. All purpose is very processed. That being said, if they are made from two different types of wheat. They have different amounts of gluten in them, and the pastry variety has a finer “grind”.
britne says
November 21, 2013 at 6:20 amIt is whole wheat. I figured all purpose can be any type, it just means that it can be used for anything guess I was wrong. i found a conversion chart from “normal” to “pastry” that says to just use a TBS less per cup. will this work?
The Gracious Pantry says
November 21, 2013 at 10:01 amBritne – Sure. I’ve always just used equal amounts, but you can always start with the smaller amount and add the extra tbsp. if you feel you need it.
Lauren says
November 21, 2013 at 9:14 amI think I’m the only one who noticed that the ingredients list calls for 3/4 cup of milk, but the photo in the.directions show 1/2 cup… Which is it?
The Gracious Pantry says
November 21, 2013 at 9:59 amLauren – Thanks for noticing! I think I may have adjusted it at some point, but I am making them again this weekend, so I’ll double check. For now, I do know the photo is correct, so stick with the 1/2 cup. Just use the extra 1/4 cup if needed for a good dough.
Stephanie Marie says
November 21, 2013 at 10:30 amHi Tiffany!
I’ve made many of your recipes and have even modified some and have to say, I’ve loved every single one!
I’ve made this one twice now, used for a quiche and as a layering desert in place of phylo (lol, it was interested, but still very tasty)… so sweet & savory, very basic & versatile.
As I gear up for the holiday, I’m wondering if I may prepare this a day ahead and store the crust in the ziploc in the fridge, but not freeze… would this work or should I just freeze it anyway and let it thaw the next day? Just wanted to save time on the thawing process if possible.
Many thanks in advance!
The Gracious Pantry says
November 22, 2013 at 1:57 amStephanie – So glad you’re enjoying my recipes! 🙂 Yes, this will be fine in the fridge for one day. But it will be very soft, so handle with care. Enjoy!
Kara says
November 26, 2013 at 4:17 pmDo you think I could be bold and try subbing the oil for applesauce? I know it works in most pastries, but I’m not sure about this.
The Gracious Pantry says
November 26, 2013 at 4:47 pmKara – Possibly. Pie crust is pretty forgiving. Worth a shot! But I would have a backup plan just in case…
Kiran says
November 27, 2013 at 12:42 pmHi,
I tried this and it only filledo ut one pie pan for me. What could I have done wrong? Also, I sprinkled cinnamon on it but it was still bland. What are your thoughts about adding honey and cinnamon to make it sweeter?
The Gracious Pantry says
November 27, 2013 at 4:07 pmKiran – You can certainly add honey if you like, but it will make the dough stickier and harder to work with, so you’ll have to play it by ear on that one. But really, pie crust never has much flavor. It’s all about what you fill it with. I would guess that you either didn’t roll it thin enough, or something got measured incorrectly. I made this same recipe last night and it definitely makes enough for 2 crusts. How much milk did you add?
Kiran says
December 1, 2013 at 7:44 pmIt was my first time ever attempting pie crust. I believe I followed directions to the “t” but I will attempt it later this month again and report back to you. Thank you for reading and responding. I am a HUGE fan of your site.
The Gracious Pantry says
December 1, 2013 at 9:06 pmKiran – Thanks! And yes please, let me know how it goes.
Whitney says
January 11, 2014 at 3:16 pmWhat is the difference between whole wheat pastry flour and whole wheat flour?
Could I use the whole wheat flour instead?
The Gracious Pantry says
January 11, 2014 at 3:42 pmWhitney – Here’s an article I did on that: https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-flour/
Keri says
March 24, 2014 at 12:50 pmHi there, this looks like a great recipe. I’m actually in the middle of making it right now and because I couldn’t find the pastry flour I used the regular whole wheat instead. The only problem is that’s not forming a dough AT ALL. It looks like a graham cracker crust right now. I already added 1/4 cup more liquid but don’t know what else to do. Any suggestions or should I just bake as is and hope for the best? Thanks.
The Gracious Pantry says
March 24, 2014 at 2:44 pmKeri – the regular stuff will soak up more liquid. So add more liquid for sure. The thing is, when you do, you also have to knead the dough for a long time to really incorporate it. It’s easy to add too much if you don’t.
Rachael says
October 28, 2018 at 8:38 amThe dough seems really crumbly and as if it lacks moisture…I added some water but I’m still not sure if it will hold as a single piece when I roll it into a circular shape. Thanks!
The Gracious Pantry says
October 28, 2018 at 5:33 pmRachael – Did everything get measured correctly? You can always add a little extra oil or milk too. It should be a dense but workable dough.
Patty says
June 16, 2019 at 8:34 pmIs the salt really important or can it be left out?
The Gracious Pantry says
June 17, 2019 at 3:10 pmPatty – You can leave it out. 🙂