Flaky, buttery, sourdough pie crust is hands-down our favorite. It makes the perfect foundation for your favorite pie.
The nights have started to cool down, which has me dreaming about fall. That puts me in a baking mood pretty quickly.
I donโt know about you, but fall is my favorite season. Not just for the weather, or the changing fall leaves, or even the pumpkin spice lattes (try this tea version, if coffee isnโt your thing).
Really, itโs the food. Iโm here for it. The light summer foods can take a back seat to all the comfort foods of fall. Pumpkin, squash, and apples gracing the table is the best part, and it looks pretty, too.
Sourdough pie crust is the perfect backdrop to the real showstopper, which is the filling. Whether it be for apple pie, pumpkin pie, pear, peach, or even chicken pot pie, you’re going to find yourself choosing sourdough pie crust from now on.
The fermentation of the sourdough starter with the grains yields the delicious, signature, sourdough flavor, and then it’s paired with all butter to make the flakiest crust. Print out this recipe or write it down and keep it in your recipe holder.
It is so versatile and delicious.
Why you will love this recipe:
Fermented: Some recipes call for sourdough discard (in which case, you could just mix this up, chill, and bake), but fermented grains are healthier and easier to digest.
Flaky: This all-butter crust is super flaky. Since the dough is fermented, the extra rise increases the flaky, tender texture, making your pie crust especially memorable.
Sweet or savory: This versatile recipe can go sweet or savory. Use it to make your favorite fruit or pumpkin pie, or use it for shepherd’s pie or chicken pot pie. Think of it as the canvas for your painting. I’m feeling pretty artsy today, apparently, with all my creative comparisons.
Sourdough Pie Crust Tips:
- You want everything cold before baking. After the dough has mixed together and fermented, place it in the refrigerator or freezer to cool before rolling out and baking. This will also help the crust be nice and flaky.
- If you are new to sourdough and need a starter, make sure to check out how to make a sourdough starter. It is easier than one might think. You simply need a little time and patience.
- This recipe makes a double crust. If you are only making a pie with a single crust, just wrap one half in plastic wrap and place in the freezer until you need it. You’ll be glad you did!
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Tools you may need:
Grain mill (optional) – I buy all my grain in bulk and freshly mill it.
Food processor or pastry blender
Large bowl
How to Make Sourdough Pie Crust
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
Work in the butter, being careful to not over mix. The easiest way is to use a food processor. You can also use a pastry blender or just a fork.
Add in the starter and stir until combined.
Divide the dough in two and shape each half into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours or up to 3 days.
Sprinkle a clean countertop with flour and roll out the dough until it is approximately 12โณ.
To roll out into a circle, I like to press my rolling pin down the middle of the dough ball. Roll it back and forth, and then turn the disc about a quarter turn, roll back and forth, continuing to do so until you get a circle. Add a touch more flour to the surface if the dough starts to stick.
Drape it over a 9โณ pie plate.
Add pie filling.
Roll out the other half and drape it over the filling (I made an apple filling).
Trim the excess.
Optional: Crimp the edges and add a design to the middle for steam release. You can do this by making slits in the top or by using small cookie cutters to cut out a design before placing the second crust on top.
To make an apple pie:
Peel and slice 7 medium apples into a large bowl.
Sprinkle the apples with fresh lemon juice to prevent browning.
Combine 3 Tbsp flour (or 1/4 cup einkorn), 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup cane sugar, and 1 tsp cinnamon.
Mix it all together, stir in the apples, and pour into the pie crust.
Dot with 1 Tbsp butter in the center.
Add the top pie crust.
Whip one egg white and brush it on top.
Bake for 40 minutes at 375 degrees. The crust should be golden brown. If you find the edges are browning too fast and the filling not ready yet, cover the edges with tin foil.
Find More Sourdough Favorites:
- Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Topping
- Long-Fermented Sourdough Biscuits
- Einkorn Sourdough Bread
- Peach Cobbler
- Easy Cinnamon Maple Sourdough Apple Pie
If you try this recipe and love it, I would love if you gave it 5 stars! Thank you!
Sourdough Pie Crust
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour, 280 grams
- 2 teaspoons sugar, 8 grams
- 1 teaspoon salt, 11 grams
- 1 cup cold butter, cubed (227 grams)
- 1 cup sourdough starter discard, 285 grams
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine flour with salt and sugar.
- Work in the butter, being careful to not over mix.
- Add in the starter and stir until combined.
- Divide the dough in two and shape each half into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours or up to 3 days.
- Sprinkle a clean countertop with flour and roll out the dough until it is approximately 12โณ.
- Drape it over a 9โณ pie plate.
- Add pie filling.
- Roll out the other half and drape it over the filling
- Trim the excess.
- Optional: Crimp the edges and add design to the middle for steam release.
Notes
- You can use active sourdough starter or discard.
- You can cover with towel and allow to sit at room temperature to ferment for at least 8 hours or overnight, then refrigerate or freeze for a few hours before rolling out and baking. But I recommemnd just fermenting in the fridge for a few days to give a flakier crust.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Iโm confused about the measurements for salt and sugar. You show 1 tsp salt as 11 grams and 2 tspโs sugar as 8 grams. I measured 1tsp salt and itโs about 8 grams and 2 tspโs sugar weighs over 11 grams. Please advise!
Here’s the conversion chart I use.
Would it be possible to use pastry flour instead of all purpose, or would that mess it up?
Is this for 2 pie crusts? One top and one bottom? Or does the single recipe only make one?
It makes one top and one bottom!
You say that you mill your flour fresh. I do too. Did I miss where you talk about the specifics of using freshly milled flour for this recipe? Your pics donโt look like they are crust made with wheat. Could you explain if and how you sift freshly milled flour to be successful in this recipe?
If I used freshly milled flour, I like to use 1/2 AP to 1/2 FMF. I just use a fine sifter before incorporating it into recipes.
Iโm trying to make a refined sugar free apple pie filling. Can I use the filling from the cinnamon maple sourdough apple pie recipe?
Yes, you can.
Is the temp about 375F? Can’t seem to find it anywhere on this page! Thanks!
Yes. You just bake it to whatever pie recipe you need to use. This recipe is just how to make the crust!
Would I be able to make this ahead of time for Thanksgiving and freeze the crusts? If so, do I still need to put them in the fridge for a few days to ferment? Thanks. I made a chicken pot pie yesterday. It was so good and was still good for second day left overs ๐
Sure can!
Have you ever tried using maple instead of sugar in the crust?
I have not, but I am sure it would work!
I made this crust with a quiche. I let it sit in the fridge overnight. It turned out delicious. Nice and flaky. I will use the 2nd to try a small pot pie.
I just made this pie crust and want to use it for a pumpkin pie.
Can I use the temperature to bake this pie crust you’ve used in your pumpkin pie recipe? Since it’s not the same as the temperature you’ve mentioned in this recipe ๐ค
Yes, that’s fine.
I was just wondering if you can freeze this dough? I used half to make a pumpkin pie and this has to be the best crust I’ve ever had! Thank you so much.๐
Yes, it freezes well!
If freezing, how long is it good in freezer for? Defrosting fridge?
Complete sourdough beginner here. Every recipe of yours that Iโve tried has been delicious and your teaching style is perfect in everything from pitch to detail!
Quick question about your pie crust. Can this pie crust be used for a broccoli quiche (I assume your omit the sugar for a savoury pie/quiche?)?
Yes, it can! I use it all the time for pot pies.