Premade Gluten-Free Pies: Best of 2017
We’ve broken down everything you need to know about those gluten-free packaged premade pies that pop up in grocery stores around the holidays. Here’s how to find your new favorite pie.
All About Gluten-Free Pies
We polled our readers about pie and over 1,200 responded. One reader said that she hadn’t had a slice in eight years because she couldn’t find a gluten-free pie that tasted like “real” pie. Over 70 percent told us they’ve never tried a premade gluten-free pie. More of us are buying a premade crust and making our own fillings. Almost 94 percent of survey respondents said they have used a prepared gluten-free pie crust.
We found 13 companies that produce gluten-free premade pies and ship them nationwide. We also found plenty of smaller gluten-free bakeries that make mouth-watering pies but because they don’t ship or have national distribution, they are not included in this review.
Shipping can be costly and problematic.
Proper packaging and cooling is an issue. We found that some pies arrived irreparably damaged from tumbling around in a truck. Some frozen pies arrived warm. Some were shipped perfectly but the shipping fees were two to three times the cost of the pie. We included shipping prices when available in our comprehensive charts.
Thankfully, prepared gluten-free pie crust and pie crust mixes are readily available and much less expensive than full pies. All you need is a great filling recipe and you’re set. We found several lesser-known crust and mix brands to share with you.
Which pies are our readers’ favorites?
Your favorite pies (in order of preference) were apple, cherry and pumpkin. Other favorites were pecan, blueberry and peach. But it’s not just about the filling. Over 75 percent of you couldn’t choose between the filling and the crust—you love them both equally and expect both to be delicious. Our favorite reader quote is, “Why can’t the whole pie taste good?” We agree!
Over half of our readers want a pie, pie crust or mix that is certified gluten-free. Larger companies often have certification, but certification is more difficult and expensive for smaller bakeries. Always check to make sure pies are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility or that good manufacturing practices are used to segregate ingredients. Call the manufacturer’s customer service number if you’re unsure how a pie or crust is manufactured.
Most of the prepared pies and crusts we tested contain egg and/or dairy. Egg is primarily used in the crust, while dairy can be used in both the filling and the crust. Only one pie crust mix contained dairy in the mix itself. If you’ve got a tree nut allergy, look for companies that don’t manufacture tree nut pies (like pecan) or crusts, or ones that have good manufacturing practices and testing procedures for top allergens.
Gluten Free & More‘s Favorite Pies & Crusts
Testing more than 70 pies and over a dozen pie crusts was a time-consuming task. And it wasn’t kind to our waistlines. Nevertheless, we are not complaining!
GF&M staff around the country ate the pies and rated them based on appearance, taste and texture. On conference calls, we had lively discussions about which pies had the best berries and whether diced or sliced apples made the best apple pies.
The Best Premade Gluten Free Pie Review
Without a doubt, pies are America’s favorite holiday dessert. Fortunately for those who don’t have the time or desire for homemade, there are plenty of tasty premade gluten-free options. Just pop them in the oven and they’re done! Another timesaver is buying a readymade gluten-free crust or a crust mix and filling it with your favorite pie filling.
These commercial products help you step away from the kitchen. You can spend less time baking and more time unwrapping presents and catching up with friends and family. You deserve that—and a really delicious gluten-free pie!
Click on the chart image for our comprehensive gluten-free pie review! Want the short answers? Our favorites are categorized and highlighted below. Be sure to check the full ingredients list for every pie reviewed at the end of this page.
BEST OVERALL PREMADE GLUTEN-FREE PIE BRANDS
In alphabetical order, these premade pie brands won us over.
We fell in love with The Maine Pie Co. Their pies feature a buttery crust and their rich, sweet fillings explode with berries, especially their blueberry pie. Their pies contain dairy and egg. Raised Gluten Free and Unrefined Bakery also have delicious pies and wonderful ingredients. Plus, they have dairy-free and egg-free options.
These three pie companies create quality pies that we’d be proud to serve at our holiday potlucks (and some of us already have). The appearance, taste, texture and variety of superior flavors made these three companies tops. You can purchase these pies at retail locations across the country. They ship using high-quality methods to ensure their pies arrive cold, beautiful and in good shape.
BEST GLUTEN-FREE PREMADE PUMPKIN PIES
We found that many gluten-free pumpkin pies are bland. Although mild flavor is ideal for those who favor a neutral pumpkin pie (it brings out the flavor of the crust and topping), one of our editors craved a pie that made the squash shine.
For top place, our taste-testers were torn between a very rich, dairy-filled, mild pumpkin pie from The Maine Pie Co. and a spicy, robustly flavored pumpkin pie with a graham crust from Raised Gluten Free.
Winners
Best Pumpkin: Pumpkin Pie by The Maine Pie Co.
Runner-Up: Pumpkin Pie by Whole Foods GlutenFree Bakehouse
Runner-Up: Pumpkin Pie by Hearthy Foods
Best Dairy-Free: Vegan Pumpkin Pie by Unrefined Bakery
Runner-Up Dairy-Free: Pumpkin Pie by Raised Gluten Free (also vegan)
BEST PREMADE GLUTEN-FREE PECAN PIES
When tasting pecan pies, we looked for pies that balanced the sweetness of corn syrup and the nuttiness of pecans. These pies typically include dairy in the form of butter, so we were excited to find dairy-free options, too.
Winners
Best Pecan: Pecan Pie by The Maine Pie Co. (very sweet!)
Runner-Up: Pecan Pie by Whole Foods GlutenFree Bakehouse
Runner-Up: Pecan Pie by Hearthy Foods
Best Dairy-Free: Pecan Pie by Unrefined Bakery
Runner-Up Dairy-Free: Derby Pie by Unrefined Bakery (Derby pie is bourbon chocolate pecan pie.)
BEST GLUTEN-FREE FRUIT PIES
Apple:
No matter how you dice them or slice them, apples are a favorite pie filling. Apple pies can be mild in flavor or robust with cinnamon notes. We preferred sliced apples versus diced, sturdy apples instead of mushy ones, and fruit-full pies rather than those with too much sauce. Most apple pies we found had a crumble top but The Maine Pie Co. offers a lattice-topped pie that can’t be beat.
GF Apple Pie Winners
Best Apple: Mini Apple Crumble Pie by 2Good2B
Best Apple: Apple Pie by The Maine Pie Co.
Runner-Up: Apple Crumb Pie by The Maine Pie Co.
Runner-Up: Family Size Apple Pie by Katz Gluten Free (dairy-free)
Berry:
These berry pies are so tasty, you’ll want to serve them year-round. The strawberry rhubarb pies were phenomenal.
GF Berry Pie Winners
Best Berry: Maine Wild Blueberry Pie by The Maine Pie Co.
Runner-Up: Blueberry Pie by Gluten Free Gloriously by Bay Ridge Bakery
Runner-Up: Mini Mixed Berry Crumble Pie by 2Good2B
Runner-Up: Small Blueberry Cream Pie by Hearthy Foods
Best Dairy-Free: Berry Peach Pie by Raised Gluten Free (vegan)
Best Rhubarb: Strawberry Rhubarb Pie by The Maine Pie Co.
Best Dairy-Free Rhubarb: Strawberry Rhubarb Pie by Raised Gluten Free (vegan)
Cherry:
Sticky-sweet cherries in some packaged pies can taste a little “fake.” We searched for a cherry pie that reminded us of eating real cherries, paired with a complementary crust. The Maine Pie Co. creates the best cherry pie we’ve ever had.
GF Cherry Pie Winner
Best Cherry: Sour Cherry Pie by The Maine Pie Co.
Coconut:
The winner tastes just like a macaroon. If you love coconut, keep an eye out for these pies.
GF Coconut Pie Winners
Best Coconut: Coconut Custard Pie by Unrefined Bakery
Runner-Up: Coconut Cream Mini-Pie by 3 Fellers Bakery
Lemon:
While not a traditional holiday pie, these lemon pies should not be discounted.
GF Lemon Pie Winners
Best Lemon: Lemon Mini-Pie by 3 Fellers Bakery
Best Dairy-Free: Meringue-less Lemon Pie by Raised Gluten Free (egg-free, dairy-free)
Runner-Up Dairy-Free: Meyer Lemon Tart by Hail Merry (vegan, grain-free)
BEST GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE PIES
We love chocolate! These chocolate pies are simple—without distracting toppings—and simply delicious. The best chocolate pies we found are actually dairy-free (and vegan).
Chocolate Pie Winners
Best Chocolate: Humboldt Mud Pie by Raised Gluten Free (vegan)
Runner-Up: Vegan Dark Chocolate Silk Pie by Unrefined Bakery
MINI GLUTEN-FREE PIES
Sometimes you don’t need a whole pie. A slice (or two) is just enough. These pie companies offer bite-size and individual-size pies and tarts.
2Good2B mini crumble pies are delicious, made for two to three people.
3 Fellers Bakery mini-pies are the perfect size for one person. A delicious grab-and-go dessert.
Hail Merry tarts are made for one to two people. They’re grain-free and vegan.
Hearthy Foods small pies are perfect for one person and can be prepared in the microwave.
Katz Gluten Free mini pies are flavorful, bite-size snacks.
Raised Gluten Free’s 6-inch pies are made for two to three people. These are smaller versions of their 9-inch pies.
BEST PREMADE GLUTEN-FREE PIE CRUSTS
A sturdy, tasty gluten-free crust is the backbone of every great gluten-free pie. Our favorite pre-made crusts in alphabetical order are:
Kinnikinnick (our readers’ #2 favorite premade crust)
Whole Foods GlutenFree Bakehouse (our readers’ #1 favorite premade crust)
Wholly Gluten Free by Wholly Wholesome
Looking for a paleo crust? Try Liberated Specialty Foods’ pie crust or Kitchun shells, which come in two flavors—And the Grahmy-y Goes To and Chocolate Like It’s Hot.
BEST GF PIE CRUST MIXES
Thankfully, some of our favorite crust mixes are readily available in grocery stores. Others might require a special order online—but they’re much easier to ship than pre-made pies. (No need to be kept cold during shipping.) Here are our favorites in alphabetical order:
Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Pie Crust Mix (our readers’ #1 favorite pie crust mix)
Inspiration Mixes Gluten-Free Pie Crust Mix
Runner-Up: Gluten Free Mama’s Mama’s Pie Crust Mix
Runner-Up: Glutino’s Gluten-Free Pantry Perfect Pie Crust Mix (our readers’ #3 favorite pie crust mix)
Runner-Up: King Arthur Flour Gluten Free Pie Crust Mix(our readers’ #2 favorite pie crust mix)
DIY Gluten-Free Crusts
If you don’t have a prepared crust or crust mix handy, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make your own pie crust. Make an easy gluten-free crust using crushed graham crackers or cookies from these companies.
Schar Honeygrams (contains soy)
Glutino Chocolate Vanilla Creme Cookies (contains soy; may contain, milk, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts)
Kinnikinnick KinniToos Chocolate Vanilla Sandwich Creme Cookies (contains soy)
Mi-Del Gluten-Free Chocolate Sandwich Cookies (contains egg, soy)
Pie Chart Ingredient Listings
2GOOD2B
3 Fellers
Coconut Cream Mini-Pie: Coconut meat, canned evaporated raw milk without added vitamin A and vitamin D, raw coconut cream (liquid expressed from grated meat), granulated sugar, whipped cream, egg yolk, cornstarch made from non-genetically modified cornstarch, almonds, powdered sugar, butter, vanilla extract, salt
Gluten-Free Gloriously
Hail Merry
Persian Lime Tart: Organic shredded coconut, organic blue agave, cashews, organic virgin coconut oil, organic coconut sugar, lime juice, almond flour, organic coconut flour, lemon juice powder, sea salt
Harry & David
Hearthy Foods
Filling: apples, non-GMO palm oil, potato starch, cane sugar, cinnamon, sea salt
Filling: brown sugar, cane sugar, whole eggs, pecans, potato starch, butter (cream, salt), half and half milk, sea salt
Filling: pumpkin, cane sugar, evaporated milk (milk, dipotassium phosphate, carrageenan, vitamin D3), whole eggs, spices, sea salt
Filling: organic cane sugar, concentrated milk (dipotassium phosphate, sodium ascorbate (vitamin C), carrageenan, cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), cane sugar, whole eggs, blueberries, cheddar cheese (milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, water, whey, whey protein concentrate, sodium phosphate, skim milk, milk fat, sodium alginate, apocarotenal, annatto), vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, sea salt
Filling: concentrated milk (dipotassium phosphate, sodium ascorbate (vitamin C), carrageenan, cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), cane sugar, whole eggs, apples, cheddar cheese (milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, water, whey, whey protein concentrate, sodium phosphate, skim milk, milk fat, sodium alginate, apocarotenal, annatto), vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, sea salt
Filling: cane sugar, sweet potato, whole eggs, non-GMO palm oil, vanilla, spices, sea salt
Izzi B’s Allergen Free Bakery
Katz Gluten Free
Filling: apples, sugar, tapioca starch, cinnamon, salt.
Vanilla glaze: confection sugar, water, sugar, canola oil, pure vanilla extract, salt, agar, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate
Filling: apples, sugar, tapioca starch, cinnamon, salt
Filling: blueberries, water, sugar, corn syrup, modified food starch, vegetable gum, citric acid, vegetable extract.
Vanilla glaze: confection sugar, water, sugar, canola oil, pure vanilla extract, salt, agar, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate
Filling: blueberries, water, sugar, corn syrup, modified food starch, vegetable gum, citric acid, vegetable extract (for color)
Filling: cherries, water, sugar, corn syrup, modified food starch, vegetable gum, citric acid, vegetable extract.
Vanilla glaze: confection sugar, water, sugar, canola oil, pure vanilla extract, salt, agar, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate
Filling: cherries, water, sugar, modified tapioca starch, vegetable gum, citric acid, vegetable extract (for color)
Filling: apples, sugar, tapioca starch, cinnamon, salt, spice, erythorbic acid (to maintain color)
Filling: pumpkin, eggs, water, brown sugar, cornstarch, sugar, canola oil, pure vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, agar, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate
The Maine Pie Co.
Crumble topping: white rice flour, brown rice flour, tapioca starch, potato starch, butter, gluten-free rolled oats, brown sugar, xanthan gum, salt, cinnamon.
Filling: apples, sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, cinnamon, sea salt, nutmeg, cloves
Filling: apples, sugar, fresh lemon juice, cornstarch (non-GMO), cinnamon, sea salt, nutmeg, cloves
Filling: wild Maine blueberries, sugar, fresh lemon juice, cornstarch, butter, cinnamon, salt
Filling: light corn syrup (non-GMO), sugar, eggs, pecans, butter, vanilla extract
Filling: pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, spices
Crumble topping: The Maine Pie Co. Gluten-Free Mix (white rice flour, brown rice flour, potato starch, tapioca starch), gluten-free rolled oats, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, sea salt, xanthan gum.
Filling: sour cherries, sugar, fresh lemon juice, cornstarch (non-GMO)
Crumble topping: white rice flour, brown rice flour, tapioca starch, potato starch, butter, gluten-free rolled oats, brown sugar, xanthan gum, salt, cinnamon.
Filling: strawberries, rhubarb, sugar, cornstarch (non-GMO), cinnamon, sea salt
Filling: wild Maine blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, sugar, fresh lemon juice, cornstarch (non-GMO), cinnamon, salt
Raised Gluten Free
Filling: organic coconut milk [pure organic coconut extract, water, organic guar gum (less than 1%)], organic chocolate (organic cane sugar, organic chocolate liquor, organic cocoa butter, organic vanilla powder), organic chocolate extract (organic alcohol, organic cocoa nibs, organic vanilla extract, filtered water)
Filling: organic coconut milk [pure organic coconut extract, water, organic guar gum (less than 1%)], fair trade chocolate (cacao beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin, vanilla beans), java crème flavoring (coffee extractives, vanilla extract, water), organic decaf espresso powder
Filling: organic tofu (filtered water, organic soy beans, calcium sulfate), cane sugar, lemon juice, canola oil, lemon extract (lemon oil, alcohol, water), organic vanilla extract (water, organic alcohol, organic vanilla bean extractives), lemon oil
Filling: pumpkin puree, organic tofu (filtered water, organic soy beans, calcium sulfate), cane sugar, organic vanilla extract (water, organic alcohol, organic vanilla bean extractives), organic cinnamon, organic nutmeg, ginger, organic cloves, sea salt
Unrefined Bakery
Filling: organic and free-range eggs, organic coconut milk, organic sugar, organic shredded coconut, non-GMO oils (canola, palm, olive), organic and non-GMO arrowroot flour, organic coconut extract, sunflower lecithin, lactic acid (non-dairy), annatto extract
Filling: organic sugar, organic and free-range eggs, organic coconut milk, non-GMO oils (canola, palm, olive), organic cocoa, pure vanilla extract, sea salt, cinnamon, sunflower lecithin, lactic acid (non-dairy), annatto extract
Filling: organic sugar, organic pecans, non-GMO oils (canola, palm, olive), organic and free-range eggs, semisweet chocolate chips (evaporated cane juice, chocolate liquor, non-dairy cocoa butter), organic and non-GMO arrowroot flour, bourbon, sunflower lecithin, lactic acid (non-dairy), annatto extract
Filling: organic and free-range eggs, organic coconut milk, honey, non-GMO oils (canola, palm, olive), organic cocoa, pure vanilla extract, sea salt, cinnamon, sunflower lecithin, lactic acid (non-dairy), annatto extract
Filling: non-GMO pumpkin, organic coconut milk, organic and free-range eggs, honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon, sea salt, nutmeg
Filling: organic sugar, organic pecans, non-GMO oils (canola, palm, olive), organic and free-range eggs, organic and non-GMO arrowroot flour, organic coconut milk, pure vanilla extract, sunflower lecithin, lactic acid (non-dairy), annatto extract
Filling: non-GMO pumpkin, organic coconut milk, eggs, organic cane sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, sea salt, nutmeg
Filling: organic coconut milk, organic sugar, unsweetened chocolate, non-GMO semisweet chocolate chips (evaporated cane juice, chocolate liquor, non-dairy cocoa butter), organic and non-GMO arrowroot flour, organic cocoa, pure vanilla extract, sea salt
Filling: non-GMO pumpkin, organic coconut milk, organic cane sugar, organic and non-GMO arrowroot flour, vanilla extract, cinnamon, sea salt, nutmeg
Whole Foods GlutenFree Bakehouse
Wolferman’s
Pie Crust Ingredient Listing
Gefen
Kinnikinnick
Kitchun
Liberated Specialty Foods
The Maine Pie Co.
Mi-Del
Whole Foods GlutenFree Bakehouse
Wholly Gluten Free
Written by Erica Dermer, originally published in Gluten Free & More.