All About Pie Plates

A pie plate is a round shallow baking pan with slanted sides. They are manufactured in several sizes with the most popular sizes being between 8 and 10 inches across and between 1 and 2 inches deep. Deep-dish pie plates are also available and can be up to 12 inches across and 2 to 3 inches deep. Standard pie plates are often used for baking single and double crust pies while deep-dish versions are used to cook main course dishes like chicken pot pies.

Pie plates are constructed out of many different types of materials including stoneware, ceramic, glass, aluminum, and steel. Stoneware, glass, and ceramic pie plates are the most effective as they absorb and retain heat better than aluminum, which will reflect the heat. Stoneware pie plates will withstand the hottest temperatures so they might be preferred when baking some high-heat dishes. Take care to not place ceramic or glass pie plates in the oven directly from the refrigerator as this could cause them to shatter. Allow them to warm to room temperature and than place them in the oven.

Pie plates allow for a wide variety of dishes to be made. Here are brief descriptions of some of the most common types of pies.

Single crust pies

Single crust pies are baked in a standard pie plate and are a pie that doesn't have a top crust. The only curst is the one on the bottom, in the pie plate, and the edges are trimmed and crimped. Often single crust pies are partially baked without the filling to prevent the crust from becoming loose or soggy. Single crust pies often have a topping, such as whipped cream or meringues, which are meant to be served with the pie.

Double crust pies

As the name would imply, double crust pies are pies with a top and bottom crust. First, the bottom crust is rolled out flat and placed in the pie plate. The filling is then added and an additional crust is rolled out and placed on the top of the pie. The edges on the bottom and top are then trimmed, crimped, and sealed together. Typically the top crust will also have several slits or holes poked in it to allow steam to escape as the pie is baking.

Savory Pies

Savory pies are main dish pies like chicken or beef pot pies, BBQ pies, and black bean pies. These are typically baked in deep-dish pie plates that are at least 12 inches in diameter.

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