There isn’t one frozen pie crust that wins for every pie. In The Kitchn’s 2025 frozen-crust test, Marie Callender’s Deep Dish Pastry Pie Shells topped the standard category, while Wholly Wholesome’s gluten-free shell won its separate gluten-free category. Epicurious also favored Marie Callender’s tinned shells in a 2019 comparison, but noted a capacity caveat. These are other publications’ results—not a taste test conducted by The Finance Base.
Which frozen pie crusts came out on top?
The strongest frozen-only support in the available comparisons is for Marie Callender’s tinned shells. The Kitchn named its Deep Dish Pastry Pie Shells best frozen crust in a test updated August 30, 2025; Epicurious had named Marie Callender’s its favorite tinned crust in a November 18, 2019 test. The results are encouraging, but they do not establish a universal winner: the tests used different methods, and the older test also included refrigerated dough.
| Product or category | What the outlet found | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Marie Callender’s Deep Dish Pastry Pie Shells | The Kitchn named it best frozen crust in its 2025 comparison and described it as sturdy and flaky, with restrained flavor. Epicurious named Marie Callender’s its favorite tinned crust in 2019, calling it the flakiest shell in that test with a neutral flavor. | Epicurious said the shell held closer to a standard 9-inch pie than a typical deep-dish recipe. Check the fit and capacity for your specific filling. |
| Wholly Wholesome gluten-free shell | The Kitchn selected it as best gluten-free frozen crust in its 2025 test. | This is a distinct gluten-free product category; it should not be confused with Wholly Wholesome’s traditional shell. |
| Wholly Wholesome traditional shell | The Kitchn described its traditional shell as a five-ingredient product with a toasty flavor. | The Kitchn’s gluten-free category winner was a different shell. |
| Trader Joe’s roll-and-fill crust | Epicurious named it its overall favorite roll-and-fill crust in 2019. | This is historical evidence from a comparison that included refrigerated and frozen products, not a current frozen-only ranking. |
| Kroger refrigerated dough | Bon Appétit named it winner of a 2025 blind test of six premade crusts. | It was refrigerated dough, so the result is a comparison point rather than a frozen-crust recommendation. |
What the published tests actually measured
The Kitchn’s 2025 frozen-crust test
The Kitchn reported testing eight frozen crusts across standard and gluten-free categories with nine tasters. The outlet used the same pecan-pie filling, baked each crust according to package directions, and served coded pies in random order. Tasters rated appearance, smell, texture, and flavor on a five-point scale. Its findings—including Marie Callender’s standard-category win and Wholly Wholesome’s gluten-free win—belong to The Kitchn’s test, not to The Finance Base.
Read The Kitchn’s frozen pie crust comparison.
Epicurious’s 2019 comparison
Epicurious compared nine commercially available frozen and refrigerated crusts. It chose Trader Joe’s for roll-and-fill dough and Marie Callender’s for tinned shells. Its comments on Marie Callender’s neutral flavor and limited capacity help explain why a crust praised for texture may still not fit every recipe. Because the comparison dates to 2019, it should not be used to infer today’s price or store availability.
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- Save time and create your own delicious pies at home with these ready-made pie shells.
- Made from scratch, these pastry shells are a great foundation to any apple pie, pecan pie, lemon meringue, and more.
- Reuse the baker's pie pan for additional baked desserts.
- Each pack comes with two pie shells, enough to craft plenty of pie for friends and family to enjoy.
- This box contains two 8-ounce (227g) pastry shells with 16 total recommended servings of 130 calories and 0g of trans fat each. These pastry shells contain wheat.
Read Epicurious’s prepared-crust taste test.
Bon Appétit’s 2025 prepared-crust test
Bon Appétit blind-tested six frozen and refrigerated premade crusts, blind-baked them according to package directions, and then added pumpkin filling. It judged qualities including flakiness, browning, bottom texture, structure under filling, and handling. Its winner, Kroger refrigerated dough, is not a frozen crust. The outlet’s notes about dough and pie weights apply to the dough format it tested, not automatically to every frozen shell.
Read Bon Appétit’s prepared pie crust test.
How to choose a frozen crust for your pie
- Match the format to the job. A shell already set in a tin saves shaping time. Roll-out dough gives you more flexibility over the dish and edge, but requires handling.
- Check capacity, not just the label. A “deep dish” name does not guarantee a shell will hold the volume of your recipe. Compare the crust’s dimensions and the recipe’s filling needs; a shallow shell can also affect how a custard bakes.
- Think about the filling’s weight and moisture. A sturdy shell matters for a heavy or wet filling. For a pie that is especially prone to a soggy base, follow the recipe’s advice about prebaking rather than assuming every crust needs the same treatment.
- Choose the texture and flavor you want. The cited tests describe differences such as flaky, tender, neutral, restrained, or toasty. These are preferences, not guarantees that one style suits every sweet or savory pie.
- Verify dietary needs on the package. A gluten-free option is a separate product, and ingredient lists can change. Read the current label rather than relying on an older review.
How to bake a frozen crust without guessing
Use the directions for the exact crust you purchase. Frozen shells and roll-out dough may have different thawing, shaping, and baking requirements, and recipe instructions can call for either an unbaked crust or a prebaked shell.
Rank #2
- Wholly Wholesome, Pie Shells, Traditional, 2 ct, 14 oz (Frozen)
For example, Pillsbury’s product page describes its regular frozen pie crust as two 9-inch crusts with pans. For a filled one-crust pie, its directions say to add filling to the frozen crust and bake as the recipe directs. For a prebaked shell, it specifies thawing for 10–20 minutes, pricking the bottom and sides with a fork, then baking at 400°F for 9–11 minutes or until lightly browned. These instructions apply to that product only; check the physical package for the latest preparation, ingredient, and nutrition information.
See Pillsbury’s product details and baking directions.
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- One 2 count box of Pie Crusts
- Unroll and bake
- Contains 2 9" pie crusts
- Contains: Wheat
- Keep refrigerated
When a recipe calls for blind-baking, follow its directions for lining and weighing the crust. Pie weights can help hold a crust’s shape during that step, but they are not a substitute for the package’s product-specific instructions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- HOMEMADE TASTE: Delicious and convenient refrigerated pie crust dough tastes like homemade without the hassle; Just unroll, fill and bake
- FAMILY FAVORITES: Use premade pie crusts with your favorite pie fillings; Bake sweet pies like apple cinnamon, pecan, and pumpkin or savory like turkey pot pie and quiche
- TASTY POSSIBILITIES: Create a one-crust baked pie shell, one crust filled pie, or two crust filled pie following easy directions on the package
- REFRIGERATED PIE CRUST: Conveniently kept in the refrigerator so you're always prepared to bake pies for desserts, food gifts, a party pastry table and more
- CONTAINS: One 14.1 oz package of two Pillsbury Premade Refrigerated Pie Crusts
Rank #4
- HOMEMADE TASTE: Not only delicious but convenient, these crusts are ideal for all your pie creations; Deep-dish size gives you room for plenty of yummy fillings
- SWEET OR SAVORY: The crust that complements your pie fillings, from chiffon, cream, and fruit pies to turkey pot pies and quiches; Second crust can be used for two-crust pies
- BAKING INSPIRATION: Explore Pillsbury recipes to find the perfect pie for your next get-together or holiday desserts table
- QUICK AND EASY: Take a crust out of the freezer to make pies for gatherings, family events, or as part of your meals
- CONTAINS: Two pieces of Pillsbury Frozen Pie Crust, Deep Dish, 9-Inch Pie Crusts and Pans, 12 oz
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
