If you don’t have a pie pan or the available ones are busy, and you need extra cookware for baking your pies, you can use pie pan substitutes. They include tart pans, cake pans, muffin pans, etc. These substitutes work like a pie pan, as they are of similar sizes to a pie pan.
To substitute pans, you have to measure the dimensions and depths of the specific pan that should be used originally. This will help you determine the right substitute based on what you want to bake. Below are some pie pan substitutes.
If you don’t have a pie pan, you can use a cake pan for baking your pie. Cake pans, which are made from a variety of materials such as aluminum, steel, and silicone, often have more depth than a pie pan. They can hold the volume of a large pie and are good at baking the pie until doneness, no matter how deep the filling is.
Another substitute for a pie pan is a tart pan with a removable bottom. A removable bottom makes it easier to remove the pie by pushing up the bottom without spoiling the pie crust. Some tart pans have fluted sides, while some have straight sides.
Tart pans with fluted sides make your pie look more appealing and professional. If your tart pan has no removable bottom, you can use a cake lifter or a spatula to remove the pie from the pan. However, be careful so that the pie won’t slip off the spatula or cake lifter.
Muffin pans are suitable substitutes for pie pans, especially when you want to make mini pies. Mini pies are great when you want to make a pie for a group of people, and you don’t want to go through the stress of dividing a large pie among them.
Besides, with muffin pans, you can make a variety of pies with different fruit fillings simultaneously. However, ensure the kinds of pie you bake in a muffin pan require the same temperature and time to get done properly.
In addition, you can use baking paper in place of a pie pan. Enclose the pie in the baking paper and fold the edges. Press the blade of a knife horizontally against the edge to seal it properly. You can flute the edges if you want. Slide the paper on a baking sheet before you place it in the oven.
Baking pies in a cast iron skillet is as easy as any other vessel. I use a No. 8 Field Skillet for my recipes, which is the closest in size to a standard pie plate.
Check the doneness of your pie
You have to make sure every part of the pie is properly baked before removing it from the oven. One way to do this is to take out a small slice from the pie. Through the vacant space, you can see the bottom crust and middle of the pie and how firm the filling is.
Also, you can run your knife through the pie to check for doneness. If it comes out clean, then the pie is ready. However, be careful so as not to scratch the pan’s coating with the knife.
How To Use A Pie Pan Substitute
If you want a uniformly baked and golden pie crust when using your pie pan substitutes, you need to know how to go about it. Getting the perfect pie isn’t easy as it seems, but below are some tips to help you.
Preheating the oven helps your pie crust to set immediately when you place it inside the oven. Your recipe will determine the temperature you will set the oven to. For instance, fruit pies will require a higher temperature than non-fruit pies. If you’re using a high temperature, ensure your pie pan substitute is strong enough to withstand the heat.
To stop your pie crust from having a soggy bottom, you need to pre-bake the dough first. To do this, first, line your pan. Grease the pan with butter and line it with a piece of parchment paper. Put the dough in it and bake for some minutes. Pre-baking makes the dough firm; as such, it won’t become soggy when you add the filling.
After the dough has been pre-baked, take the pie out of the oven and let it cool. Once it is cool enough for you to handle, put the fillings on it and cover with another layer of dough. Ensure you cut holes in the edges of both doughs for uniform baking. You can decorate your pie crust top according to your recipe. Some of the ingredients you can use for the filling are fruits, cornstarch, boiled steak, etc.
6 Pies You Can Make Without a Pie Pan
FAQ
What can I use if I dont have a pie pan?
Can I bake my pie on a cookie sheet?
Can You bake a pie without a pan?
These pie pan substitutes will allow you to still bake a pie without any issues! As a general rule, you can bake a pie without a pie pan by using a round disposable aluminum pan as a substitute. When using a disposable aluminum pan to bake a pie, make sure to increase the baking time by about 10-15 minutes for the crust to fully bake.
Can You bake a pie with a disposable aluminum pan?
When using a disposable aluminum pan to bake a pie, make sure to increase the baking time by about 10-15 minutes for the crust to fully bake. While disposable aluminum pans are great for baking a pie, there are several other substitutes that could work for baking a pie without a pie pan.
Can I use a baking sheet instead of a pie pan?
Most people have a baking sheet on hand, making this a viable substitute for pie pans. Follow the easy steps to make a pie! Step 1: Roll out the pie crust onto the parchment paper. Step 2: Add your fillings, and roll the border to hold the fillings in place firmly. Step 3: Transfer the parchment paper to a baking sheet. Step 4: Bake!
Should you use a non-stick pie pan?
Non-stick pans are super convenient but should be hand washed. Keep this in mind when planning your pie baking journey! A baking pan should be reusable. You are likely to make more than one pie in your life! Choose a pie pan or pie pan substitute that you will be able to use again and again.