Various Types of Pies Every Baking Enthusiast Should Know About

If there is one thing we can all agree upon, it is that pies are the ultimate comfort food. If you want to master the art of making pies, it is important to know a few basics first.

At its broader description, a pie is any dish with a pastry crust with a filling of any kind sweet or savory, that is baked in a round shallow pan.

A pie crust as in its shell is typically made of a shortcrust pastry. A classic shortcrust pastry dough is made using flour water and a type of fat.

We can divide pies based on two categories.

1. The different types of Crusts


2. The different types of Fillings

When talking about the pie crust here we are not talking about the different ingredients of a crust but rather the style and position of the crust layer in the pie.

The pie has a bottom and side crust but no top, resembling a tart.

This pie has crust both on the bottom and top, sealed on all sides. Slits on top release steam while baking, and the top crust keeps the filling moist.

A lattice pie has a bottom crust and a woven pastry dough crust on top, resembling a basket weave, making it visually appealing.

A pot pie, often called a deep-dish pie, has only a top crust and no side or bottom crust. Typically used for savory pies.

The pie filling is the most interesting and flavorful part, offering countless variations limited only by imagination.

Fresh fruits create the best pie fillings, a classic choice.

A warm slice of apple or berry pie with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream is the ultimate comfort food.

A lot of savory pies are made with vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, peas, tomatoes, leeks, potatoes, etc. with curry or cheese. It is often a debate that a quiche is same as a savory pie.

Rhubarb pie is a vegetable-based pie, often sweetened and mixed with strawberries, popular in the UK.

These pies typically have a cooked egg custard base and usually have a layer of whipped cream on top.

This is a classic example of a custard based pie. Thanksgiving would be incomplete without pumpkin pie.

A variety of pies have nuts as the main ingredient in their filling. It can be accompanied by caramel, custard or cream.

Pies are not just eaten for desserts, they also make great savory dishes that can be enjoyed as a meal.

A chicken pot pie, shepherd’s pie, cottage pie, fish pie, minced meat pie, tourtière are all varieties savory pies.