Selecting the right pie dish is a fundamental step for any baker, from the novice to the seasoned professional. The material, depth, and design of your pan directly influence the quality of your bake, affecting everything from crust browning to filling consistency. A good dish ensures even heat distribution for a perfectly cooked crust and a beautiful presentation worthy of any table.
With options ranging from classic glass to durable ceramic and practical nonstick steel, finding the ideal pie plate can be a challenge. This roundup simplifies your search by highlighting nine of the best pie dishes available, each with unique strengths to suit different baking styles and needs. Whether you prioritize aesthetics, durability, or versatility, there is a perfect pan here for your next baking project.
Our Top Picks for the Best Pie Dishes
- Mora Ceramic Deep Fluted Pie Dish for Baking
- GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Steel Pie Pan , 9″
- Emile Henry 9″ Pie Dish – Modern Classics Collection
- LE TAUCI Ceramic Pie Pans for Baking, Set of 2
- Pyrex Deep 2-Pack (9.5″) Glass Baking Dish Set
- Pyrex 9 Inch Pie Plate Dish – Made in the USA
- Anchor Hocking Oven Basics 9.5-Inch Deep Pie Plate
- Pyrex Easy Grab 9.5-Inch Deep Pie Dish
- Emile Henry Modern Classics Pie Dish 9-Inch
Mora Ceramic Deep Fluted Pie Dish for Baking
This Mora pie dish offers more than just a vessel for baking; it’s designed as a reminder to slow down and enjoy the process. The pan features extra deep sides and fluted edges, making it simple to create beautiful crusts. With an interior measuring 9 inches wide and 2.5 inches deep, it accommodates standard pie recipes with ease.
Crafted from a proprietary Paladin Clay, this ceramic dish is 20% stronger than many competitors, promising greater durability. The material provides optimal heat retention and even distribution for consistently baked pies. It is also resistant to thermal shock, allowing you to move it directly from the freezer to a hot oven, and is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Steel Pie Pan
The GoodCook pie pan is a straightforward and reliable choice for everyday baking. This 9-inch pan ensures even heat distribution, which is key for thoroughly baking your pie crust without hot spots. It is an excellent tool for all your favorite recipes, from apple to pecan pie.
Its primary advantage is a scratch-resistant nonstick coating that provides excellent food release. This feature makes serving your pie simple and cleanup quick and easy. The coating is also noted as being metal spatula safe, adding to its practicality for direct serving.
Emile Henry 9″ Pie Dish – Modern Classics Collection
Handcrafted in France from high-fired Burgundy clay, the Emile Henry pie dish brings a touch of artisanal quality to your kitchen. This HR ceramic material is known for its high resistance and superior performance. It offers exceptional even-heat diffusion and heat retention, keeping your pie warm at the table longer.
This dish is remarkably resilient against extreme temperature changes. It can safely go from a freezer or refrigerator directly into a hot oven up to 520°F, making it incredibly versatile for recipes that require a cold crust. It is also safe for use under the broiler, in the microwave, and is easy to clean.
LE TAUCI Ceramic Pie Pans for Baking, Set of 2
This set from LE TAUCI offers excellent value with two 9-inch ceramic pie plates. The fluted rim makes crimping pie dough easy and results in a lovely, professional-looking crust. At 1.7 inches deep, it works well for both homemade creations and standard store-bought pie crusts.
Ceramic is a healthier alternative to metal bakeware, and this dish evenly distributes heat for a consistent bake. The durable, high-resistance glaze will not absorb food odors or flavors, ensuring your apple pie tastes like apple pie every time. Its elegant white finish makes it suitable for serving directly at the table.
Pyrex Deep 2-Pack (9.5″) Glass Baking Dish Set
This Pyrex set provides two versatile and deep glass pie plates, offering great utility for any kitchen. The set includes one deep non-fluted dish and one Easy Grab dish with a fluted rim. The deep design offers significantly more capacity, helping to prevent spillovers and allowing for generous fillings.
The classic designs are both functional and stylish. The Easy Grab plate features wave-pattern rims for secure handling, while the deep plate has wide handles for a safe grip. Made from high-quality glass, these dishes are safe for the microwave, dishwasher, freezer, and pre-heated oven.
Pyrex 9 Inch Pie Plate Dish – Made in the USA
This is the original, genuine Pyrex pie plate made in the USA from pure borosilicate glass. Its timeless design has been a kitchen staple for generations. The clear glass allows you to monitor the browning of your bottom crust, a helpful feature for achieving the perfect bake.
The non-porous glass surface will not absorb food odors, flavors, or stains, ensuring that your bakeware remains pristine over time. It is engineered to be safe for the refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, and pre-heated oven, offering complete versatility for all your baking and storage needs.
Anchor Hocking Oven Basics 9.5-Inch Deep Pie Plate
The Anchor Hocking deep pie plate is made from durable tempered glass, built to last through years of regular use. The 9.5-inch diameter with a deep well provides ample space for large recipes, minimizing the risk of overflow. Its clear glass construction lets you keep an eye on your crust as it bakes.
This bakeware is a safe and healthy choice for your kitchen, as it will not warp, stain, or retain food smells. It is free from chemicals that can leach into food, making it a reliable option for family meals. It is approved for use in the microwave, pre-heated oven, refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher.
Pyrex Easy Grab 9.5-Inch Deep Pie Dish
The Pyrex Easy Grab pie dish is designed with user convenience in mind. Its defining feature is the pronounced, fluted wave-pattern rim that provides a secure and comfortable grip, even when wearing oven mitts. The deep 9.5-inch capacity allows for larger pies and helps contain fillings.
As with all Pyrex glass bakeware, this dish offers the benefit of seeing your crust brown through the clear material. It is engineered to handle thermal shock, making it safe for the freezer, pre-heated oven, microwave, and dishwasher. This combination of practical design and material reliability makes it a popular choice.
Emile Henry Modern Classics Pie Dish 9-Inch
Another superb option from the renowned French manufacturer, this Emile Henry pie dish combines elegant design with high-performance ceramics. Crafted from their durable HR clay, it provides outstanding, even heat distribution for perfectly baked pies from the center to the edges. The material’s heat retention also keeps your finished pie warm for longer periods.
This dish is built to withstand the rigors of a busy kitchen. It is resistant to chipping and cracking and can endure temperature shifts from -58°F to 520°F. This means you can confidently take it from the freezer directly to a hot oven. Its beautiful finish makes it appropriate for baking, serving, and storing.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Pie Dish
I’ve baked a lot of pies in my time, and I can tell you that the dish you use is more than just a container; it’s a core part of the baking process. The right pie dish can mean the difference between a soggy bottom and a perfectly crisp, golden crust. When I’m looking for a new pie dish, I focus on a few key things: material, size, depth, and color. Getting these right makes all the effort worthwhile.
First, let’s talk material. This is probably the most important decision. I have a soft spot for classic glass dishes, like the standard Pyrex. They’re my go-to because I can see the bottom and sides of the crust browning, which is a huge help for judging doneness. They also tend to distribute heat evenly, preventing hot spots. Ceramic dishes are beautiful and great for even heating, but they can be heavy and sometimes take longer to preheat. Metal pans, especially dull aluminum, are champions at conducting heat, leading to a super crisp bottom crust. They’re lightweight and affordable, but they don’t offer that visual check. Stoneware is another option; it heats slowly and evenly, resulting in a very consistent bake, but it’s often the heaviest choice.
Size and depth are next on my checklist. A standard 9-inch diameter is the classic for most recipes. But pay close attention to depth. A shallow dish won’t hold a recipe meant for a deep-dish pie, leading to overflow and a mess in your oven. I always check the recipe’s recommended volume (often 4-6 cups) and compare it to the dish’s capacity. The lip or rim of the dish is a small detail that matters a lot. A good, wide rim gives you something solid to crimp your crust onto, making for a prettier finish and a more secure seal for double-crust pies.
Finally, consider the color. This is especially relevant for metal and ceramic dishes. A darker, matte finish will absorb heat more aggressively, which can lead to a faster, darker brown crust. A lighter, shinier finish reflects more heat, which can help prevent the crust from burning before the filling is fully cooked. For me, a light-colored metal or a glass dish offers the most control, especially when baking fruit pies that need a long time in the oven. Thinking about these factors will help you find one of the best pie dishes for baking that suits your specific needs and recipes.
FAQ
What is the best material for a pie dish?
In my experience, there isn’t one single “best” material; it depends on what you value most. I use glass most often because it lets me see the crust browning. If you want an incredibly crisp bottom crust, a dull aluminum metal pan is hard to beat. For even heating and a beautiful presentation straight to the table, ceramic or stoneware is a fantastic choice. It’s about your personal preference and baking style.
Can I use a metal pan instead of a glass pie dish?
Absolutely, you can. I do it all the time. The main thing to remember is that metal conducts heat faster and more efficiently than glass. This means your crust will likely brown more quickly and become crisper. Because of this, you might need to slightly lower your oven temperature by about 25 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent the edges from burning before the filling is cooked through. Always keep an eye on it.
Do I need to grease my pie dish before baking?
For most pie dishes, no, you don’t need to grease it. In fact, I find that a light coating of butter or spray can sometimes make the crust greasy or cause it to slide down the sides during baking. The fat in the pastry usually provides enough release. The one exception might be if you’re making a pie with a very low-fat crust or a crustless quiche, where a light greasing could be a helpful insurance policy.
What’s the difference between a pie dish and a tart pan?
This is a great question, as they look similar but function differently. A standard pie dish has sloped sides and is designed for pies where the crust is pressed in. A tart pan, which I use for different desserts, has straight, fluted sides and almost always has a removable bottom. This allows you to cleanly lift the tart out of the pan for a neat presentation. The crust for a tart is also usually firmer and crumblier than a flaky pie crust.
How do I prevent my ceramic pie dish from cracking?
I’ve learned this the hard way! The main culprit is sudden, extreme temperature changes. Never place a cold ceramic dish directly into a hot oven, and never put a hot ceramic dish directly on a cold, wet countertop or in the sink. Always let the dish come to room temperature gradually. I also avoid using ceramic under a super high broiler setting, as the intense top heat can cause stress and cracking. With a little care, a good ceramic dish will last for years.
Is a deeper pie dish better?
A deeper dish isn’t inherently better; it’s just for a different purpose. I use a standard-depth dish for most of my fruit and custard pies. A deep-dish pie plate is essential when you’re making a recipe specifically labeled “deep-dish,” as it holds more filling. Using a deep dish for a regular recipe can result in a crust that looks too thin and a filling that seems sparse. Always match your dish to the recipe’s requirements for the best results with your best pie dishes for baking.