Why You Should Use Saltines Instead of Graham Crackers for Pie Crusts This Summer

Your favorite bar cookies and cream pie recipes often call for a graham cracker crust. That’s because graham crackers, when crumbled and baked with butter, seamlessly complement whatever sweet topping or filling that resides on top of them. But if you’re in the mood for something different, we have a suggestion: saltine crackers.

Saltine Crackers for Pie Crust? 

Confused about this cracker swap? Or maybe you need a little bit of convincing? We understand. For years, you've only associated saltines with foods like soup and breaded chicken. We’re happy to report that your favorite soda cracker also makes a good pie crust. And we’ve got our reasons. 

Reasons Why You Should Use Saltines

Perhaps we should thank our ancestors for their innovative use of the humble cracker. Crackers were commonly used in pie crust during the time of the Great Depression. That’s because rations limited the availability of ingredients commonly used to make pie. Flash forward a few years and convenience became the new reason for adding soda crackers to your dough. In the 1950s, packaged foods were all the rage and Americans were using them to simplify everything, including pie crust. But regardless of history, and whether you believe it or not at this point, soda crackers in your pie are a good thing. And here’s why:

1. Convenience

   If we took a poll, we would guess that most people have crackers stocked in their pantries. Probably because they’re perfect with soup or topped with peanut butter. And since you already have them on hand, you’re already one step closer to delicious pie.

2. Flexibility (flavor)

   There’s not much you can do to alter the taste of graham crackers. They taste how they taste. But with saltines, you’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to flavor. Their neutrality makes them perfect for building a crust that’s infused with citrus zest or brown butter, for example. And it also gives you greater control of the sweetness and saltiness of your crust. That’s serious flexibility.

3. Cost

   For those of you not paying attention, graham crackers (like almost all groceries) have gotten pretty expensive. Yes, so have saltines, but compared to graham crackers, they’re a steal. So consider the swap a cost-effective one too!

How to Make Saltine Pie Crust

We used this Soda Cracker Pie recipe to create our crust, with a few tiny modifications. But here are the steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie pan.

2. Crush 25 crackers into crumbs and add 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder.

3. Beat 3 large egg whites to stiff peaks. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Fold in sugar mixture and cracker crumbs.

4. Bake until crust is puffy and golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.

5. Top with fresh fruit and whipped cream.

We also have a recipe for a Saltine Cracker Pie Crust to test out with your next Key Lime Pie or No Bake Peanut Butter Pie, too. Your sweet and salty desserts will never be the same.