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TWT: Going Crustless: Pies, Quiches, and Alternatives

 

helping each other be good stewards of all our resources: money, possessions, time, energy, and health

 

When I was a little girl, my mom found a crustless quiche recipe in the local paper.  For many years it hung on the inside of a cupboard door, close to her stove.  Now, 30 years later, I still prefer quiches—and many pies—without a crust.   

The advantages of going crustless

Less time.  After all, the crust is the most time-consuming part of making a pie. 

Easier.  The fact that there are endless tutorials and videos on making pie crusts is a clear hint that crust-making is not an easy art to master.

Less calories.  In many pies, the crust is where the unnecessary calories are.

Less expensive, especially if you’re gluten-free.  Butter, which makes the best pie crusts, is not cheap, although shortening or margarine are more economical.  Ready-made pie crusts are expensive and they’re not very yummy either.  Trying to make a good gluten-free pie crust is not only difficult, but also pricey, because gluten-free flours are so expensive.

The disadvantages

Taste.  Some people love pie crust, although I consider it just an edible container for the good stuff.

Peer Pressure.  It takes some courage to serve crustless pies to guests, no matter how yummy the filling is.

 Some pies do need a crust.  Just think of apple pie, cherry pie, and steak and kidney pie. 

The alternatives:

Those ‘can’t-serve-without-a-crust’ fillings can be eaten in different ways.  You don’t need to eat pie to get the same flavour and goodness.  Fruit fillings can be desserts in a bowl, or they can accompany pudding, pancakes, or ice cream.  Savory fillings can be served over rice, potatoes, or breads.

Making it Practical:

I received some comments asking for recipes. I will post recipes another day, but to implement this idea you don’t need any new recipes.  The great thing is that you can use your own tried and true favorites.  All firm filling recipes—such as pumpkin pie, cream cheese pies, quiches, lemon meringue pie, cream pies, and pudding pies—will work.  

Just prepare the filling as usual.  We add a tablespoon of cornstarch or gelatin if the filling recipe tends to sag or be runny. (We just use whichever is available; I haven’t noticed a difference between the two.) Of course, you need a pie pan without holes in the bottom; we use pyrex and we grease it.  Then we just bake the filling in the oven as though it were in a crust—same time, same temperature.  

If I’m in a rush, I’ll  bake pumpkin pies and quiches in the microwave, being careful to use half power so that the edges don’t get tough, but they are nicer baked in a regular oven.

Occasionally we’ll still have a crusty pie for a special occasion, but now we usually go crustless.   It works for us, saving us time, money, energy, and empty calories.  And we end up eating the fillings  more often, which is always good.

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12 Comments

  1. Tina says:

    I agree but where oh where is the recipe!?!!! I found a wonderful fluted Oneida dish perfect for crustless pies at the thrift store. 25 cents!

    1. Annie Kate says:

      Oops, Tina, I never even thought of mentioning a recipe! So many recipes work. My favorites are pumpkin pie and lemon meringue pie.

      I’ll add something to my post.

      Thanks for pointing this out!

      Annie Kate

      PS That’s a great thrift store find! 🙂

  2. Heather says:

    Hi, Annie Kate! I did link the Mathletics–but the special ends tonight. Hopefully someone might enjoy:)

    Honestly, I have NEVER thought to make a quiche without the crust…but it does make sense…

  3. Canadagirl says:

    Yes, I agree with Tina…some recipes would be nice. [0=

    I really like making my pumpkin custard cups more than making pumpkin pie now. Yes, less calories and fuss is very nice indeed. [0=

    Blessings in Him<
    -Mary

    1. Annie Kate says:

      Pumpkin custard cups are a great idea! We just make a whole crustless pie, but custard cups can be very special.

      Annie Kate

  4. Olivia says:

    Crustless, huh? I’m not sure I can live without the crust!! There are probably a few pie fillings that I would like without the crust, though.

  5. I’m not sure yet;) I think some would be good, but then there are others that the crust cuts down on the sweetness of the filling. I will need to experiment with this one! Of course I like the idea of not having the calories for the crust!

    1. Annie Kate says:

      Oh, Lori, that is so funny!

      We cut down on the sweetness of the filling by adding less sugar–another calorie, health, and money saver. LOL

      Annie Kate

  6. I had never thought of this before. My hubby’s favorite is apple, so it might not work too well for me!

  7. […] @ Frugal Femina – Toddler Funnies21. Living So Abundantly(Inexpensive Plant as Decor)22. Annie Kate (Going Crustless: Pies, Quiches, etc)23. Tacos de Barbacoa in a Crockpot24. Linda’s Lunacy- Sponge […]

  8. We make pumpkin souffle with no crust ~ pie without crust and use Splenda instead of sugar. LOVE IT!!!! Can’t really tell the difference! thanks for sharing! hugs!

  9. […] we slipped the filling into a glass pie plate. (Crustless pies work for […]

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