Sourdough pie crust is buttery, flaky and tender. Made with your sourdough discard, this homemade pie crust can be used for both sweet or savory pie fillings.
It's amazing what you can make with your sourdough starter. This recipe for pie crust is just one of many!
Whether you want to make an old fashioned peanut butter pie, blueberry pie or sourdough pop tarts, you'll love how easily this dough comes together.
This recipe makes 1 pie crust for a 9" pie. Make sure to double the ingredients if your recipe calls for a top and bottom crust.
Step by step instructions
The first step in making a flaky, buttery pie crust, is to cut the butter into the flour. I find it easy to achieve this with a cheese grater and a bench scraper.
Grate the cold butter into a large mixing bowl and add the flour, salt and sugar. Toss the ingredients with a fork and then use the bench scraper to cut the butter into the flour until large crumbles form. (photo 1)
Add the sourdough starter and vinegar to the mixture and use a fork to combine the wet and dry ingredients. The mixture will be clumpy. (photo 2)
Use your hands to press the dough together until there are no more dry bits in the bowl. If the dough is too dry, add 1 teaspoon of ice water to help hydrate it. (photo 3)
Quickly form the dough into a rough disk shape. (photo 4)
Place the disk onto a piece of plastic wrap and use the plastic to help shape the dough. This will allow less transfer of heat from your hands and help to keep the butter as cold as possible. (photos 5 and 6)
After the dough is wrapped in plastic, use a rolling pin to flatten the disk which will help to smooth the edges. (photo 7)
Chill the dough for at least 2 hours or up to 4 days.
How to roll pie crust dough
When you are ready to bake your pie, remove the disk from the fridge and let rest on the counter at room temperature for 10 minutes. This will make the dough easier to roll out.
Place the dough on a floured work surface and use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough into a circle with a â…›" thickness.
It's best to start rolling the dough from the center, outwards, turning the pie crust 90° on the work surface after each roll.
Don't be afraid to use enough flour as needed to help prevent sticking.
Use the rolling pin to help lift the dough onto the pie plate.
Use your hands to press the dough into the pie plate and then follow your pie recipes directions for baking.
Some pie recipes call for only a bottom crust and others call for a top and bottom crust.
If your recipe calls for a top and bottom crust, you will need to double the ingredients in this recipe.
How to store and freeze pie crust
Store the unbaked pie crust in the fridge, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 4 days.
This sourdough pie crust can be made ahead of time and kept frozen for up to 3 months. Make sure to individually wrap each disk of dough tightly in plastic wrap. To help prevent freezer-burn, insert the wrapped dough into a freezer safe bag before freezing.
Tips for success
The sourdough starter used in this recipe is a 100% hydration starter. That means it is made of equal parts flour and water and is reflected in the ratios of dry to wet ingredients in the pie crust recipe.
This is why some people might find they need to add a little ice water when bringing the dough together.
When making pie crust, it's important to use cold ingredients to make sure the butter stays in pieces within the dough.
These little bits of butter scattered through out the pie crust dough will burst while baking, producing a tender, flaky crust!
More easy dessert recipes
Sourdough Pie Crust Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup + 1 teaspoon (125 g) all-purpose flour
- 8 tablespoons (113 g) butter (cold)
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) white vinegar
- ½ cup (125 g) sourdough starter discard (cold)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Use a cheese grater to grate the cold butter into a large mixing bowl. Add the flour, salt and sugar and use a fork to toss the ingredients together, making sure the butter is coated and separated. Use a bench scraper or a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the flour mixture, until it forms large crumbles.
- Add the sourdough discard and vinegar to the bowl and then use a fork to incorporate them into the mixture. Switch to your hands and press the dough together until there are no dry bits left in the bowl. (If the dough is too dry, add a teaspoon of ice water.)
- Form the dough into a disk shape and wrap in plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin to flatten the disk. (This will help smooth the edges.) Chill for at least 2 hours or up to 4 days.
- Proceed with your pie recipe directions.
Anita says
Is this recipe big enough to make a top and bottom crust for apple pie?
Amy Duska says
You'll need to double it!
Danny says
Amazing! Threw away all my other recipes...this is THE ONE.
Jean-Marie says
I love using this sourdough pie crust recipe! Thanks for sharing such an easy to follow recipe tutorial. Buttery flakiness and delicious! I think grating the butter is brilliant! Just finished making two pecan pies! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
kat says
Hi Amy! I just recently found your site and am so happy I did. I love how many discard recipes you have! This pie crust was to die for. I used it for homemade pizza hot pockets 🙂
I was thinking that the dough might work well for thumbprint cookies with Christmas coming up. Do you think it would work?
Ashley says
I've used this recipe before and am coming back to it because it's spectacular. Makes the perfect flaky tender crust for sweet or savory pies!
Sarah says
Loved it! Made it into pecan pie!
Marsha says
This has become my go-to for all things pie crust. I love the texture both before and after baking! SO easy to work with and the texture and flavor are spot-on! Thanks for this recipe!!
Joelle says
I used this for quiche and it turned out wonderful. Thanks for so many sourdough recipes. If it wasn’t for your site, I’d be lost on my sourdough journey.
Joanne Vargas says
I can't wait to try this sour dough pie crust! Thank you Amy!
Already gave it 5 stars because I know it will be great!
Jill says
Love it