How to Blind Bake

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Last Updated: May 6, 2021 Approved

Blind baking is partially or completely baking a pastry base before adding the filling. This creates a stronger crust that can hold moist filling without getting soggy; it's also useful when filling needs less time to cook than the pastry. If you want to learn to blind bake, see Step 1 to get started today.

Steps

Tin or glass pie dishes are most common.
To achieve a snug fit, gently drop the pie dish onto the kitchen bench a few times to help the pastry settle into the edges.^{[1]
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Cover the dish with a clean tea towel or greaseproof paper. This firming assists in stopping the pastry from shrinking during baking.^{[2]
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Don't overdo it, though; too many holes will let the filling leak through the crust.^{[3]
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5
Place one of the following over the pastry base, cutting the covering wide enough to make sure it covers the edges as well:^{[4]
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- Baking paper (parchment) or greaseproof (wax) paper TIP: 'Scrunch' the paper up a few times before using – this makes it more pliable and able to mold into the bottom angle (and sides of a fluted tin).
- Coffee filter (unbleached)
- Aluminum foil (vented tent) -- make a "breathing" crust shield)
This prevents the pastry base from rising through air bubbles, which would leave it uneven and weakened. For easier clean-up, place the beans in an oven bag or a cheesecloth satchel tied with kitchen twine.^{[5]
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If there is no suggested temperature, or you are making this up as you go, heat the oven to medium heat (approx. 200ºC/400ºF) and bake the base for approximately 15 minutes, (less for a pastry containing sugar). Keep an eye on its progress; the key colour to watch for is a light golden brown.^{[6]
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At this stage, some chefs apply an egg wash to the crust to prevent it from absorbing moisture from the filling. To do this, cook the pastry for a little less time in Step 7. Pop the glazed base back into the oven for a 2-minute bake to set the egg wash. Remove once again and allow 1 minute for cooling before adding the filling.
If you are not following a recipe, reduce the heat for the last baking (180ºC/350ºF). Because the base and edges are baked by now, the pastry will continue to brown while you leave the whole pie in the oven. To allay this, make sure the filling will bake quickly (sometimes you will need to precook it to get the baking time down enough) and cover the edges of the pastry with a foil ring.
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Question

Can I reuse beans used for blind baking?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Yes, you can reuse dried beans (or dry rice grains) that have been used for blind baking. Just let them cool down before transferring them to a storage container. Label the container as "blind baking beans" or similar, so you don't accidentally try cooking them to eat.

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Is it possible to make a blind baked pastry base ahead?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Yes, this is possible. Make the pastry and blind bake as required. Let it cool down, then place in the refrigerator to firm up. Once firm enough, transfer to an airtight freezer bag or container, label and date and place in the freezer. Use within 1 month. There is no need to thaw, just add the ingredients and allow for a few more minutes during baking.

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Why do I need to blind bake?

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Blind baking is needed to prevent pastry from turning soggy when a heavy or liquid filling is added to the pastry base. It is only the base of the pastry case that needs blind baking; the pastry case lid can go over the topping and be baked at the same time as the filling.

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Tips

Fillings that would benefit from a blind-baked pastry include: fruit (stewed or fresh), custard, meringue and quiche.

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If you don't have time to chill the pastry or let it sit for a bit, make sure you have covered the pie dish with adequate pastry so that any shrinkage will not affect the ability of the pie to hold filling. Even chilling it very briefly in the freezer firms the base a little prior to baking.

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You can purchase pie crust shields for the edges of your pastry if you wish, or make one yourself.

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Warnings

Try not to stretch your pastry to make it fit - it will only shrink in the oven and disappoint you!

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Don't pierce the base of a pastry that you are not blind baking and are adding wet liquids to - the liquids will run through the holes into the pie dish and make the base soggy.

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Dried beans will give off a bad smell in the heat of the oven.

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