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 crust of the pie is lined along the pie dish on the bottom and the side while the top is uncovered. This kind of pie looks similar to a tart.

A pie with a crust on the bottom as well as top, sealed from all the sides. Usually, slits are made on top of a double crusted pie to let the steam out while baking. A top layer of crust helps to maintain the moisture in the filling.

Aesthetically the most beautiful looking pie crust, a lattice pie has bottom crust and a weaved pie dough crust on the top. The pastry dough is layered under and above each other to look like a basket weave.

A pot pie is a type of pie sometimes referred to as a deep-dish pie that only has a top crust and no side or bottom crust. This kind of covering is usually used to make a savory pie.

The most interesting and flavorful aspect of the pie is its filling. There can be innumerable variations when it comes to pie filling, you are only limited by your imagination.

Fresh fruits make the best kind of pie fillings and are a classic choice.

A slice of warm apple or berry pie with a scoop of vanilla icecream or whipped cream on top is the most comforting thing on a plate. 

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 another example of a vegetable used in a pie; it is made with a sweetened rhubarb sometimes mixed with strawberries. This pie is famous in the UK.

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

Pumpkin Pie 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 eatten for desserts, they also make great savoury 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 savoury pies.