If you are tired of rolling out pastry dough or buying processed graham cracker crusts, this recipe is your new best friend. This Oatmeal Pie Crust is incredibly simple, wholesome, and tastes like a giant, soft oatmeal cookie.
Table of Contents
It is the perfect vessel for all your favorite no-bake fillings. Whether you are making a chocolate tart, a key lime pie, or a creamy cheesecake, this crust adds a rustic, sweet, and nutty flavor that complements everything.
Plus, it is naturally gluten-free and vegan, making it a fantastic option for serving guests with dietary restrictions without sacrificing flavor.
A Little Story About This Dish
I used to stress over making the perfect traditional pie crust. The cold butter, the ice water, the fear of overworking the dough—it was a lot. I wanted something that felt homemade but didn’t require a degree in pastry arts.
I started experimenting with oats as a base. I loved the idea of a “healthy” crust that offered texture and chewiness.
When I pulled this Oatmeal Pie Crust out of the oven for the first time, I knew I had a winner. It smelled like cinnamon toast and held together perfectly. Now, it is the only crust I use for my summer cream pies.
Get Ready to Cook!
You are about 20 minutes away from a golden, fragrant crust that is ready to be filled. Let’s get your equipment and ingredients ready.
What to Expect
Time: 20-25 minutes total.
Difficulty: Very Easy! Your food processor does the heavy lifting.
Before You Begin
This crust is designed specifically for no-bake fillings. It is baked blind (empty) and then cooled before you add fillings like chocolate ganache, pudding, or coconut cream. It is not suitable for pies that require long baking times, like pumpkin or apple pie, as the crust will burn.
The texture of the oats is key. You want to pulse them until they are coarse, not a fine powder. This gives the crust its signature “cookie” texture.
If you need a healthy oatmeal pie crust option, check the notes! You can swap the fat for applesauce for a softer, lower-fat version.
The Heart of the Dish: Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are the simple pantry staples you need for this recipe.
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (Certified GF if needed) | 2 cups |
| Sugar | 3 tablespoons |
| Cinnamon | ½ teaspoon |
| Fine Sea Salt (omit if using salted butter) | ¼ teaspoon |
| Vegan Butter, melted | 6 tablespoons |
| Maple Syrup or Agave | 1 tablespoon |
| Vanilla Extract | ½ teaspoon |
Let’s Get Cooking! Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to create a sturdy and delicious base for your pies.
1. Preheat and Prep:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Have a 9-inch glass or ceramic pie plate ready.
2. Process the Dry Ingredients:
In the bowl of a large food processor, combine the rolled oats, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Process continuously for about 10 seconds. Then, pulse the machine a few times until the oats are mostly broken down but still have a coarse, crumbly texture. You do not want fine flour.
3. Bind the Crust:
Pour the melted vegan butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract into the food processor over the oat mixture. Process again until everything is well combined. The mixture should look moist and easily clump together when pinched between your fingers.
4. Press into the Pan:
Spoon the oat mixture into your pie plate. Distribute it evenly across the bottom. Using the flat bottom of a measuring cup or glass, firmly press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the dish. Use your fingers to ensure the sides are packed tight.
5. Bake to Perfection:
Place the pie plate in the oven and bake for 16 to 18 minutes. You are looking for a set crust that is lightly golden brown.
6. Reshape and Cool:
The crust might puff up slightly during the last few minutes of baking. As soon as you remove it from the oven, use the back of a spoon or your measuring cup to gently press it back down. Let the crust cool completely before adding your filling.
Mastering the Dish: Pointers for Perfection & How to Store
Here are a few final tips to ensure your crust is perfect every time.
Pointers for Perfection
If you don’t have a food processor, you can pulse the oats in a blender, but be careful not to turn them into powder. You can then mix the wet ingredients in a bowl by hand. For a savory oatmeal pie crust, simply omit the sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon, and perhaps add a pinch of dried herbs.
How to Store
You can bake this crust ahead of time! Once cooled completely, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days before filling. It holds its texture well for a couple of days once filled, but very wet fillings may soften it over time.
If you need fresh ideas for gluten-free meals, these recipes are a fantastic choice:
Print
Gluten Free Oatmeal Pie Crust
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 1 9-inch crust 1x
Description
The perfect Gluten-Free Oatmeal Pie Crust! This easy, vegan recipe tastes like a soft oatmeal cookie and is the ideal base for all your favorite no-bake fillings. It’s a healthy, wholesome alternative to graham cracker crusts.
Ingredients
2 cups old fashioned rolled oats (certified GF if needed)
3 tablespoons sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt (optional, omit if using salted butter)
6 tablespoons vegan butter, melted (or ½ cup applesauce for oil-free)
1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
2. In a large food processor, combine oats, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Process for 10 seconds, then pulse until oats are coarse (not fine flour).
3. Add melted butter, maple syrup, and vanilla. Process until moist and clumpy.
4. Pour mixture into a 9-inch pie plate. Using the flat bottom of a glass, firmly press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides.
5. Bake for 16-18 minutes until set and lightly golden. If puffed, gently press down with a spoon immediately after removing from oven.
6. Cool completely before filling with your favorite no-bake filling.
Notes
Butter Note: Do not swap vegan butter for dairy butter 1:1, as dairy butter may result in a rock-hard crust. Stick to vegan butter or the applesauce option.
Fat-Free Option: Substitute butter with ½ cup applesauce and omit maple syrup. Bake for 20 minutes. The texture will be softer/chewier.
Best Use: This crust is best for no-bake pies (chocolate, key lime, cheesecake) and not recommended for baked pies like pumpkin.
Make Ahead: The baked crust can be refrigerated for up to 3 days before filling.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Base
- Method: Baking, Food Processor
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8th)
- Calories: 192
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Your Burning Questions Answered!
Here are answers to common questions about making an oat-based crust.
1. How to make oats crust without butter?
For an oatmeal pie crust no-butter version, or if you are following a low-fat diet, you can substitute the butter with applesauce! Use ½ cup of applesauce and omit the maple syrup. Bake it for a little longer (about 20 minutes). The texture will be softer and chewier, but it holds together beautifully.
2. Can I use oat flour for pie crust?
Technically yes, but this specific recipe relies on the coarse texture of rolled oats to create a crust that mimics a graham cracker crust. Using fine oat flour would result in a different, likely denser texture that might require liquid adjustments. It is best to stick to processing whole oats for this specific oatmeal pie crust recipe.
3. What is the best substitute for pie crust?
If you want something gluten-free and easier than traditional pastry, an oatmeal crust for cheesecake or cream pies is the best substitute. It offers more flavor and nutrition than a standard pastry crust and is much faster to prepare since there is no chilling or rolling required.
Dig In & Enjoy!
You are now ready to fill this golden, aromatic crust with whatever your heart desires. Whether it’s chocolate pudding or fresh fruit, this crust will provide the perfect crunchy, sweet foundation.
Please consider following me on Pinterest to catch all my latest updates and posts.