Kelli Avila January 23, 2026

Hi friends,

Every year around this time I ask my Instagram community what feels hardest about making pies, and the answers are almost always the same: pie crust!

"How much water do I need to add?"

"Why does my crust fall apart?"

"Why is my crust tough?"

"I'm afraid of making it!"

If pie crust has ever made you doubt yourself, you’re in good company. But you can get better at this because despite it's reputation, making pie crust by hand is surprisingly simple to do with just a few resources at your disposal. And well, resources I have!

Here are my best tutorials on making pie crust, listed in the order you should read them:

How to Make Pie Crust I shared this resource last week, but it's worth sharing again. This is my comprehensive guide on How to Make Pie Crust and should be considered a roadmap to help you discover the best method for you to make pie crust successfully. read the article

Making Pie Crust By Hand This method feels intimidating to a lot of bakers, but it’s the best way to really learn the dough. Working with your hands lets you understand its texture and appearance up close, and it’s actually harder to mess up because you can feel what’s happening instead of relying on a machine. read the article

More ways: Making Pie Crust with a Pastry Blender, Making Pie Crust in a Food Processor, Making Pie Crust in a Stand Mixer​

How to Blind Bake Learning how to blind bake can be a big part of having pie success. This guide will take you through all the essential steps, including the required tools and techniques, to confidently par-bake your pie crust. read the article

How to Make a Lattice ​ If you want that quintessential, classic Americana finish for your perfect pie, mastering the art of weaving a lattice is a must! My technique is a little different than most people use, so be sure to give this a look! read the article

Pie Crust Recipes:

It's important to remember that there are many types of pie crusts. While a flaky, buttery crust is the classic choice in the U.S., it's not always the best option for every pie. They can be sweet or savory, light and crumbly, flaky and buttery, press-in or roll-out; there is a whole range of styles to fit various applications.

If you are looking for a classic butter pie crust, I've got you covered. My recipe is more butter heavy than most, and prioritizes tenderness with mild flakiness. I recommend making it in the food processor.

Still nervous? Last year I shared a Super Easy Pie Crust made with melted butter and a simple mix and press method. It bakes into a light, crumbly single crust with no chilling or rolling needed. Just mix the dough, press it into the pan, and bake.

Watch Me Make Pie Crust By Hand

Lots of videos on my instagram, but I wanted to share this one of how to make pie crust by hand. Give it a try this weekend, so you are ready to go before the big pie holiday!

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That's it from me! I hope you have a lovely weekend filled with peace, rest and the ones you love.