{"id":29109,"date":"2022-08-16T03:24:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-16T03:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ceramiccookwarehub.com\/?p=29109"},"modified":"2023-04-05T23:37:45","modified_gmt":"2023-04-05T23:37:45","slug":"pie-weights-substitute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ceramiccookwarehub.com\/pie-weights-substitute\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Use Instead Of Store-Bought Pie Weights [AKA Baking Beads]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Pie weights are worth buying if you’re doing a lot of blind baking. But if your recipe is a one off, you might just want a quick and easy alternative that’s also a cheaper option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatives to using store bought pie weights include using no-weights (docking), dried beans, lentils, rice grains, popcorn kernels, pasta, and marbles<\/em>. There are pros and cons to using these…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pie weights are small balls or beads that you place on the base of a pie shell to stop air pockets forming under the crust during blind baking, so the base sits flat on the baking dish<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Other names for pie weights: Baking beads, baking balls, <\/strong>and baking beans<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now onto what to use as pie weights (or not)…<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what to use if you have no pie weights?<\/strong> Here’s a list of substitutes for pie weights that rate a mention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So you know…you can blind bake without pie weights.<\/strong> What you do is use the tines (prongs) of a fork to put many fine holes in the pastry. It allows trapped air to escape during the baking so you don’t get those pockets of air forming under the shell and lifting up the pastry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I’ve done this many times. You can say it’s a tried and tested approach for economical home baking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some call this “docking” the pie. It means pricking the uncooked pastry base all over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n <\/a>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Can you use rice as a pie weight? Yes, rice grains can be used as a baking beads substitute. Just place enough grains to lay over the crust, making sure to add good coverage and depth. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \n <\/a>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n What are the best beans for blind baking? Dried beans — any beans — are good as pie weights in blind baking. Much like rice grains you can use dried beans in blind baking. Before baking, place enough beans on the pastry base in a layer to cover the base and fill up to the top of the crust. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \n <\/a>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Can you use popcorn as pie weights? Popcorn kernels can work as pie weights similarly to rice and beans. At a pinch, I’d use them. But as a proper substitute, I’d be worried about them popping in the oven. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \n <\/a>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Can I use lentils as pie weights? You can use lentils as a pie weight alternative much the same as you can beans and rice. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \n <\/a>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Can I use pasta instead of baking beans? Pasta can work as a pie weight substitute.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can use sugar as a pie weight substitute. I found this tip of using sugar in a baking subreddit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The sugar can be used as normal afterwards according to the subreddit user. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This more detailed instruction<\/a> on using sugar in blind baking, involves aluminum foil, you might find helpful (I opt for simple solutions).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s the list of options to use as a substitute for pie weights with estimated costs. Each one costs less than the proper pie weights. But, factoring in that you can only use these as blind baking weights a few times or in some cases only once, the reusable ceramic baking beans<\/a> are a good option. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAbout pie weights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
No weights (docking)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Upside<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Downside<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Rice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Upside<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The downside<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Beans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Upside<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The downside<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Popcorn kernels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Upside<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The bad<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Lentils<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Upside<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The bad<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Pasta<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Upside<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The bad<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Sugar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The bad<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Pie Weights Alternatives cost per use<\/h2>\n\n\n\n