Flakey Pie Crust

Flakey pie crust is a delicate, layered pastry base used for both sweet and savory pies, typically made from flour, cold butter or lard, a small amount of water, and salt. Originating from European baking traditions, it has become a staple in American home cooking, especially for classic desserts like apple pie and pot pie.

🍳 View the full Flakey Pie Crust recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This crust is high in fat and refined carbohydrates, providing a quick source of energy but minimal protein or fiber. A single slice (about 1/8 of a 9-inch pie crust) contains roughly 150-200 calories, with most calories coming from butter or shortening.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	140 kcal
Protein	2 g
Carbs	12 g
Fat	10 g
Fiber	0.5 g
Sugar	0 g
Sodium	130 mg
Iron	1.2 mg
Thiamin (B1)	0.1 mg
Niacin (B3)	1.5 mg
Folate	25 mcg
Calcium	10 mg
Phosphorus	30 mg
Selenium	4 mcg
Manganese	0.2 mg

Per 1/8 of a 9-inch crust (approx. 30 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

The signature flakiness comes from keeping ingredients cold and folding the dough, which creates steam pockets during baking—a technique that transforms simple ingredients into a tender, layered texture. Nutritionally, it's a classic example of how preparation method can dramatically alter the sensory experience of basic staples like flour and fat.