Everything You Need to Know About Pie Weights and How to Blind Bake the Perfect Crust

Jocelyn Delk Adams

September 27, 2022 at 2:30 PM·7 min read

As you learn more about baking pies, you might have encountered the added step of blind baking your crust—that is, baking the pie on its own before adding filling. This step is taken to make sure that the crust bakes all the way through and doesn't end up soggy.

Recipes often call for the use of pie weights to keep the pie crust from shifting or puffing up during the blind bake, but if you're anything like most beginner bakers, this can be confusing.

Fear not though! I'm here to share everything you need to know about blind baking pie crust with pie weights, starting with: what are pie weights?

What are Pie Weights?

Pie weights are tools made of heat-safe metal or ceramic that are meant to weigh down pie crust to keep it in place as you blind bake it. Without pie weights, pie crust tends to puff up and shift in the pie pan.

Types of Pie Weights

The most common pie weights are ceramic balls, a single metal chain or a larger, disc-shaped weight. Each type has its benefits: individual ceramic balls are great for lots of shapes and sizes of pies and tarts; a metal pie weight chain is easy to remove when you're done using it; and a disc pie weight is an all-in-one piece you just pop into the center of your crust like this Chicago Metallic Pie Weight, $18.

How to Use Pie Weights to Blind Bake Pie Crust

To blind bake your pie crust, you'll need to start by adding a layer of parchment paper on top of the crust in the pie pan. Then you can add your pie weights in an even layer, making sure to distribute them to the edges of the bottom of the pan and blind bake the crust according to the recipe you're using.

What to Use as a Pie Weights Substitute

If you don't have store-bought pie weights, you still have a few options for blind baking your pie crust! One of the most common is dry rice or beans. They can be used in the same manner as ceramic pie weights, and can be reused repeatedly. You can also use white sugar, or even a second pie plate!

Blind Baking Pie Crust Without Pie Weights

Whatever type of pie weight you use, it's important to not skip using them or a pie weight substitute. If you blind bake your pie crust without these handy tools, it might shrink or shift in the pan, affecting the final result of your pie. But by now you know all about how to use pie weights and you're ready to get baking! Below, I'm sharing some of the best pie recipes to help you get you started.

Read more: How to Crimp Pie Crust