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Spring is often when our thoughts begin to turn to lighter cooking, and one of the most versatile dishes you can make at this time of year is the quiche. It can be an elegant brunch or lunch dish, or a simple supper. It is perfect for entertaining or for just feeding your family. The fillings are endless, so you can choose the combinations you love most, and you can adapt to almost any dietary restriction (except for vegans).
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The quiche challenge? The crust.
In general, quiches can be super easy, with the exception of one thing: the crust. If you don't make a lot of pastry, knocking out a great crust for your quiche can become fraught with peril. Let me count the ways: tough rubbery texture, the dreaded soggy bottom, crusts that fall to bits when you try and transfer slices to plates, and bland bases that don't bring that all important buttery flavor to the quiche party.
The quiche answer? Store-bought crust!
Luckily, store-bought crusts can make your homemade quiches the work of moments, with flawless results any time. Even better, they can all be stored in your freezer, so you can have one on hand anytime the mood to quiche might strike. Once you have found your favorite crust, the rest is child's play. And we've done a lot of the work for you! Here are our favorite crusts to seek out at your local market or online.
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Courtesy Pillsbury
Best Overall Quiche Crust: Pillsbury Pie Crust
Our best overall winner is the classic Pillsbury pie crust, which comes in a convenient two-pack. The crusts are rolled up, so they don't take up a lot of room in your fridge or freezer, and they are super easy to work with. Just thaw overnight in the fridge, unroll gently to fill your pie dish, and either blind bake, or fill and bake, depending on your recipe. Great flavor and texture, and always easy to find.
Buy it: Pillsbury Pie Crusts (2 count, $2.50), Walmart.com
Courtesy Instacart
Best Quiche Pre-Made Pie Shell: Marie Callender's Deep Dish Pastry Pie Shells
Marie Callender's deep dish pastry pie shells are our pick if you want all the effort removed! They come in a two-pack, and have a lovely crimped-style edge, and the flavor is not too sweet, so it works well with quiches.
Buy it: Marie Callender's Deep Dish Pastry Pie Shells (2 count, $3.79), Instacart.com
Courtesy Instacart
Best Gluten-Free Quiche Crust: Wholly Wholesome Gluten Free Pie Shells
If you need a gluten-free crust for your quiche, look out for Wholly Wholesome Gluten Free Pie Shells. They also have a spelt version, a whole wheat version, and a six-inch version if you want to make some smaller quiches.
Buy it: Wholly Wholesome Gluten Free Pie Shells (2 count, $6.09), Instacart.com
Courtesy Amazon
Best Non-Pastry Quiche Crusts: Diamond of California Nut Crusts
Diamond of California makes terrific nut-based crusts, and while they are not gluten-free, they are high protein and a great option both for low-carb diets and those who like a nutty flavor. The walnut and pecan versions both lend themselves to quiches, especially those that have cheese or meats in them. Think about walnut with cheddar broccoli or pecan with bacon and onion.
Buy it: Diamond of California Pie Crusts (12 count in Chocolate Nut, Walnut, Pecan, $41.76-$50), amazon.com
Courtesy Dufour Pastry Kitchens
Best Quiche Crusts for Minis: Dufour Tart Shells
If you love those two-bite mini quiche appetizers, see if your market carries the Dufour brand tart shells in the freezer section. (They're often featured seasonally, so stock up when you can!) These all-butter tiny shells are amazing for tiny quiches, and you can bake right from frozen.
Buy it: Available regionally in markets
Courtesy Ready to Roll Dough
Quiche Crust Closest to Homemade: Ready to Roll Dough Savory Crust
If you are lucky enough to live in the Midwest or have a friend or family who is willing to send you care packages, the single best pre-made crust we have found anywhere is the Chicago-based Ready to Roll Dough Savory Crust. This super premium hand-made disc of dough (and yes, you can literally see the handprints of the maker in it) is made the way you would make it yourself if you had the time. European style butter, King Arthur flour, and love go into every frozen disc; you can see the flakes of butter throughout the dough. This is a roll-your-own, so you get to control the thickness, size and shape, making it wonderful for anyone who wants that personal touch, and the flavor and texture are what you would expect from anyone's famous pie-making grandmother.
Buy it: For Ready to Roll Dough Savory Crust availability, go here.
