I Tried 6 Store-Bought Pie Crusts, and This Is the One I’ll Always Buy From Now On

I bake quite a bit, but I still struggle with homemade pie dough. Even when using a scale and ice-cold water, I often end up with tough, dry, and disappointing dough. So, I understand the appeal of premade pie crusts—and luckily, there are some good ones out there. But which one’s the best? I tested a few and was surprised by the results. It turns out my favorite isn’t the fanciest or the most expensive.

How I Chose Store-Bought Pie Crusts

I went to large grocery stores and selected traditional, all-purpose white flour pie crusts found in the refrigerated or freezer sections—no graham cracker or gluten-free options. I also chose doughs that fit 9-inch pie plates, excluding deep-dish varieties.

How I Tested the Pie Crusts

Testing is more fun with a crowd, so I enlisted some friends and family for a blind taste test. I baked all the pies “pumpkin-style” using the same ingredients and our popular Perfect Pumpkin Pie recipe. Judges sampled each crust both on its own and with filling, noting appearance, texture, and flavor. Here’s how each crust ranked.

The Best Store-Bought Pie Crusts, Ranked

6th Place: 365 (Whole Foods) Pre-Rolled Pie Crusts

Sadly, this pie crust fell flat. Testers described it as “bland” and “flavorless.” The texture was tough and chewy, not light or flaky, landing it in last place. Though it was easy to unroll and work with, that wasn’t enough to justify its $5.99 price tag.

5th Place: Pillsbury Frozen Pie Crusts

The idea of a frozen premade pie shell is appealing—just fill and bake! The only problem? They’re often cracked. I finally found one with minimal cracks, but it didn’t impress. While the flavor was “good,” the crust was “too thin,” making it dry with a limited edge. For some pie lovers, that might be okay, but for crust lovers like me, it just wasn’t enough. It’s not a bad pie crust, but it’s not great either.

4th Place: Trader Joe’s Pie Crusts

Trader Joe’s refrigerated pie crusts come in a pack of two rolled crusts. The dough was easy to unroll and transfer to a pie plate, which I appreciated. Testers liked the texture, describing it as “flaky and light” and “crumbly, but nice.” It was thicker than others on the list, but the flavor fell short. Perhaps some egg wash and a dash of sea salt to the edge would save it. We won’t give up on this one, and if you’re following a low-sodium diet, you’ll likely enjoy this one.

3rd Place: Bake House Creations (Aldi) Pie Crusts

At less than $3 for two crusts, this option is hard to beat! Testers enjoyed both its texture and flavor. While it wasn’t as light and flaky as homemade crusts, it was crisp and offered a good, crunchy bite. Unrolling and shaping it into the pie plate was easy, and the pie baked up beautifully. While it wasn’t our favorite, it’s a solid, economical choice.

2nd Place: Wholly Wholesome Organic Frozen Pie Shells

These frozen pie shells come ready to fill and bake, which is convenient, though finding one without cracks was challenging. Once I did, it delivered. There’s no need for rolling or pinching, making pie prep easy. Unlike Pillsbury’s frozen crust, this one had plenty of edge crust and baked nicely. Testers praised its “homemade” texture and buttery taste. We agreed a little more salt would bring out the flavor even more. For a pie crust that’s truly ready to go, this is a strong option.

1st Place: Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crusts

This crust is my go-to. It’s reliable, easy to use, tastes great, and always earns compliments as if it’s homemade. I was curious to see what my testers thought, and they agreed: it was “rich and buttery” with a “perfect edge crunch.” Not a single negative comment came up, which is why it’s our winner. While it’s not as inexpensive as Aldi, it’s still a good deal at around $5.50 for two crusts—and they’re often on sale during the holidays. If you want a crust that tastes homemade, this is the one.