• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Restless Chipotle

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Start Here
    • Ingredients Substitutions
    • Tips for Measuring Ingredients Accurately
  • About
  • Shop
  • Your Recipe Box
  • Meal Plans
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • My Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Start Here!
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • My Recipes
    • Meal Plans
    • Start Here!
    • Videos
    • Blog
    • Shop
    • Recipe Box
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Pie Recipes

    Easiest No Bake Crumb Crust Recipe

    Published: Jul 3, 2020 Last Updated: Apr 6, 2022 by Marye 1023 words. | About 6 minutes to read this article.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    An easy crumb crust that's. no bake! Just chill and fill! Use your favorite cookies, breadcrumbs, or crackers to create unique combinations. Add cinnamon, ginger, or other spices to make it even more special!
    Total time 35 minutes
    Jump to Recipe
    Crumb crust with text overlay for Pinterest

    This is the BEST Graham cracker crust recipe for any baked or no bake pie, cheesecake, or bar!!! Plenty of variations including bread crumbs, cake crumbs, cookie crumbs, and more! You'll never buy a store-bought crust again!

    Even easier?? Try my easy, 2 ingredient Oreo Cookie Crust!

    no bake crumb crust is an easy way to have pie without heating up the kitchen ! This versatile recipe has many suggested variations - restlesschipotle.com
    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 💭  Tips
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 FAQs
    • 📚 Related recipes
    • 📞 The last word
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

    • You can make an infinite variety of unique, no bake pie crusts to fit any flavor pie.
    • No need to heat up the kitchen during the summer.
    • Make graham cracker crust for cheesecake, chocolate crumb crusts for chocolate pie, pretzel crust for peanut butter pie, and so on!

    This is really a super easy, no fail recipe that can be adapted to any flavor or preference. It's quicker and easier than a pastry pie crust, too.

    🥘 Ingredients

    The ingredients for this crumb crust couldn't be easier! Remember you can use whatever type of crumbs you like - even bread crumbs or cake crumbs!

    Make sure you have a total of 1 ½ cups.

    Labeled ingredients for the crumb pie crust.
    • Crumbs (graham cracker, pretzel, bread, cake, cookie, etc)
    • Butter
    • Sugar

    🔪 Instructions

    Step by step images for making a crumb crust.
    1. Melt the butter. Blend graham crackers or cookies in a blender or food processor to make fine crumbs.
    2. Put graham cracker crumbs in a large bowl.
    3. Add sugar and stir.
    4. Add the melted butter.
    5. Stir well to combine.
    6. Stir until all the crumbs are moistened and they hold together when squeezed firmly in your hand.
    7. Gently press the mixture over the bottom of a 9-inch pie dish.
    8. Press up the sides and even out the top with your finger.
    9. Chill for one hour minimum or bake at 325F for 10 minutes.

    📖 Variations

    Here are some of the crusts I've made with this recipe just to give you some inspiration...

    • Ritz
    • Goldfish (so good with an apple cheesecake pie!)
    • Lemon cookies and gingersnaps combined
    • Gingersnaps
    • Pecan Sandies
    • Ice cream cones
    • Oreos
    • Nutter Butters
    • Graham crackers
    • Lorna Doones
    • Pretzels (especially good with lime pie)
    • Oreos and Pecan Sandies combined
    • Oreos and Nutter Butters combined
    • Dry bread crumbs
    • Dry cake crumbs ( I love this method for ice cream pies)
    • You can even use finely ground nuts as part of the crumbs!

    Don't be afraid to add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, or another favorite spice. Vanilla extract and other flavorings can be added with the butter, too.

    You get the idea. You'll think of so many more!

    Slice of pie that is made with this crumb crust recipe.
    My popular millionaire pie uses this crumb crust recipe.

    💭  Tips

    Expert Tip: Use a flat bottom cup or back of a measuring cup to press the crumbs into the pie plate. It packs them down better than your fingers.

    • If you use bread or cake crumbs make sure they are dry and crispy. You can toast them in a 375F oven to dry them out - watch carefully!
    • If you don't have a blender or food processor make the crumbs by putting the crackers in a plastic bag and using a rolling pin.
    • Spray the pie pan with nonstick spray to help the crust slip out easily when serving.
    • If your crust doesn't hold together dump it back in the bowl and add a tablespoon or two more melted butter.
    • Freeze the prepared crust right in the pan, tightly covered, for up to 3 months. No need to thaw before using.

    👩🏻‍🍳 FAQs

    Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.

    Can I leave out the sugar?

    The sugar helps to hold the crust together so you need to add it to keep your crust from being too crumbly.

    Why does my crust crumble?

    You need to add a bit more melted butter.

    How do I make this recipe for a 13x9-inch pan?

    Use 1-½ times the recipe and it should be perfect for that size pan.

    My crumb crust is rock hard! I almost can't cut it - why?

    You've probably pressed the crumbs in too hard. Firm, medium pressure should be just right.

    finished crumb crust in a pie plate.

    📚 Related recipes

    You'll want to try my favorite Oreo crust, too.

    • No Bake Banana Pudding Pie
    • Blackberry Cobbler
    • Pineapple Cream Cheese Pie
    • Food Processor Pie Crust

    📞 The last word

    This no bake crumb crust is absolutely perfect for pies, cheesecakes, and bars. You can make it out of any type of cookie or cracker plus you can combine different kinds of crumbs to get unique and personalized flavors.

    For example, I made a lemon icebox pie with this recipe and I used pretzels and Nilla wafers for the crumb mixture. It was sweet and salty goodness!

    This is a blank canvas crust recipe, y'all. Don't be afraid to make it your way!

    This easy crumb crust recipe is completely unbaked. Freeze it for 30 minutes or so before filling it and be sure to chill your pie thoroughly after filling.

    📖 Recipe

    Finished crumb crust.
    4.74 from 15 votes

    Easy, No Bake Crumb Crust Recipe

    Print Pin Recipe Save Go to Collections
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    An easy crumb crust that's. no bake! Just chill and fill! Use your favorite cookies, breadcrumbs, or crackers to create unique combinations. Add cinnamon, ginger, or other spices to make it even more special!
    Course Desserts
    Cuisine Amercian Heritage
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Chill: 1 hour
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings:8
    Calories:159
    Author:Marye Audet-White
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Equipment Needed

    • Pie Pan
    • Blender

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs, or other crumbs. 33 crackers or so
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • ⅓ cup butter, you may need a bit more

    Instructions

    • Melt the butter.
    • Put graham cracker crumbs and sugar in a bowl.
    • Add the melted butter and stir well to combine.
    • Firmly press the mixture over the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate.
    • Chill for one hour minimum or bake at 325F for 10 minutes.

    Notes

    *Nutriton info was calculated using graham crackers. It will vary depending on what kind of crumbs you are using.
    Expert Tip: Use a flat bottom cup to press the crumbs into the pie plate. It packs them down better than your fingers.
    • If you use bread or cake crumbs make sure they are dry and crispy. You can toast them in a 375F oven to dry them out - watch carefully!
    • The actual amount of cookies/crackers needed will be different for each variety of cookie or cracker.
    • Spray the pie pan with nonstick spray to help the crust slip out easily when serving.
    • If your crust doesn't hold together dump it back in the bowl and add a tablespoon or two more melted butter.
    • Freeze the prepared crust right in the pan, tightly covered, for up to 3 months. No need to thaw before using.

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 171mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 236IU | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

    Sign up for the emails and never miss another recipe!!

      We'll never share your email or send you spam. Pinkie swear.

      First published May 29, 2015. Last updated June 22, 2021 to add more tips.

      « Best Cupcake Recipes Updated for 2021 🧁
      Best Ever Oh Henry Bars Recipe »

      About Marye

      With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Jennie

        March 15, 2021 at 10:00 pm

        Lorna doone cookies might be good just set inside your pan without crumbling they will be pre cut for you.

        Reply
      2. Stephanie

        November 18, 2018 at 7:20 pm

        I would like to make mini pumpkin pie. Similar size to two bite brownies. I read that the pie crust may crumble a bit when cutting. Since I wont be cutting these but essentially popping them out of the small tray do you think the crust will crumble or hold firm since its in a smaller base with no cutting? Any suggestions?

        Reply
        • Marye Audet

          November 19, 2018 at 1:57 pm

          I'd use regular pastry.

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Love it? Give it 5 stars!




      Primary Sidebar

      Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

      Hey Y'all, I'm Marye.

      NY Times bestselling author. Written over 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Army veteran. Nothing fazes me & together we're going to get the kind of meals on your table that you (and your family) have been dreaming of. 

      More about me →

      Summer Fun

      • Patriotic Fruit Salad
      • Patriotic Jello Poke Cake
      • Plain Cheesecake Recipe- No Fail NY Style
      • How to Make a Watermelon Basket - It's Seriously Easy

      Newest Meal Plan

      • Meal Plan 23: May 28 - June 3

      Popular Recipes

      • Crockpot Ranch Chicken (Easy Weeknight Recipe)
      • Southern Chicken Spaghetti with RoTel
      • Crispy Fried Potatoes
      • Sex in the Driveway: Bright Blue Cocktail
      • Saltine Cracker Recipe (Soda Crackers)
      • Copycat Red Robin Campfire Sauce Recipe
      • Chicken Casserole with Stovetop Stuffing
      • No Bake Lemon Icebox Pie: Grandma's Favorite

      Creamy Chicken Recipes

      12 Creamy Chicken Recipes the Family Will Love

      Footer

      ^ back to top

      About

      • About Marye Audet-White
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms & Conditions
      • Accessibility Policy
      MaryeAudet Whiteandherchildren Dec

      Featured in:

      Companies that Marye Audet-White and Restless Chipotle have been affiliated with.

      Contact Marye

      • Contact
      Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

      Copyright ©2021 Restless Chipotle Media, LLC