How to Keep Pie Crust From Puffing Up
After being away for a few days on a girls trip, I walked in the door to find two packages of fresh strawberries from our local Cherry Creek Orchard waiting on the counter. My husband was definitely craving a fresh strawberry pie! He had even picked up all the other ingredients so there would be no excuse that I “didn’t have everything I needed.” 😂 So today I made two pies. One problem with fresh strawberry pies is that the juicy filling can seep into the crust and leave it a little soggy. Learning how to prevent pie crust puffing really helps because a flat, crispy crust holds together better without cracks or air pockets.That’s where pie weights come to the rescue.
Ceramic Pie Weights for a Crispy Pie Crust
First off, yes, I use frozen pie crusts. I’m not a diehard pie crust baker and usually refrain from making them from scratch, though I definitely admire people who do. I’ve always just let the frozen crust thaw a bit and then pricked holes in the bottom with a fork. That process is actually called “docking” the crust. Docking can help prevent pie crust puffing, but it doesn’t always keep the center from rising while baking.
For a fresh strawberry pie with a thickened juicy filling, those little puffed-up areas can crack and allow the filling to seep down into the crust, leaving parts of it soggy. To help avoid that, I bake the crust flat and crispy, let it cool completely, and allow the filling to cool slightly before pouring it in — but not long enough for it to fully set.All those little steps help prevent a soggy pie crust.
Over the years I’ve tried several frozen pie crust tips and tricks to keep the crust flat while baking, but these ceramic pie weights have given me the best results so far.
Are Pie Weights Foolproof?
Are ceramic pie weights 100% foolproof? No. My second crust still developed a small crack, even though it didn’t puff up in the center. But overall, the results were much better than what I’ve had in the past with just docking the crust using a fork alone. The pie weights kept the crust flatter and more even, which really helps when you’re trying to prevent a soggy pie crust in fresh strawberry pies and other juicy desserts.
Read the Directions on the Pie Weights Box 😄
First off, read the directions on the box. I didn’t, of course, because I “knew” how to use pie weights already. 😂 I like my pie crusts nicely browned, and I completely missed the part in the directions that said to remove the pie weights about 5 minutes before the crust is done baking. So after taking the ceramic pie weights out, I had to pop my crusts back into the oven for a few more minutes to finish browning.
One thing I noticed is that the pie weights do sink down into the crust a little while baking, so they don’t simply pour right out afterward. Some will roll off easily, but others need a little encouragement. Just remember — they’re hot! I used a spoon and a knife to gently nudge a few loose. Once the pie weights cool completely, you can just pour them back into their container and reuse them again and again.
Where to Buy Ceramic Pie Weights
I’m not exactly sure where I originally bought my ceramic pie weights, but I think it may have been at Bed Bath & Beyond years ago. These days, though, they’re very easy to find on Amazon. Honestly, they would make such a cute little gift packaged with a pretty pie plate, recipe card, or kitchen towel for anyone who loves baking pies.
Here’s my Amazon affiliate link for the ceramic pie weights I use: Ceramic Pie Weights
Alternatives to Ceramic Pie Weights
If you don’t happen to have these neat little ceramic pie weights tucked away in your kitchen drawer, there are several other things you can use to help prevent pie crust puffing while baking. The main goal is simply to weigh the crust down so it stays flat and bakes evenly.
Some common alternatives are:
- Dried beans
- Uncooked rice
- Another smaller pie plate set inside the crust
- BB’s placed inside an oven-safe cooking bag
Yes… I’ve actually used BB’s before. 😂 They worked pretty well too! The only problem was when I wrote a blog post about it years ago, MSN apparently thought I was suggesting something “violent” and denied the article. So apparently ceramic pie weights are the safer choice for both baking and the internet.🙄
Fresh Strawberry Pie and Peach Pie Season
By the way, if you’re looking for a good summer dessert, here’s my recipe for fresh strawberry pie using that crispy pie crust I talked about above. I’m also going to add my fresh peach pie recipe. Peach season is just starting at Cherry Creek Orchard, and we are already eagerly waiting for those first ripe peaches to arrive! There’s just something about fresh summer fruit desserts that’s hard to beat.
