Pie Thickener (2024)

Pie Thickener (1)

How to make your best filling.

You eagerly cut into your gorgeous fruit pie and… No! Its filling is awash in a sea of juice. Did you misjudge how much thickener to use? Ensure that your apple, blueberry, cherry, and other fruit pie fillings are perfectly thickened by following this handy guide.

Our five favorites

All-purpose flour is an easy solution, as you’re sure to have it in your pantry. Since it’s lower in starch, you'll use more of it than you would higher-starch thickeners.

Quick-cooking tapioca makes filling bright and clear, but also gives it a stippled and somewhat sticky texture. Filling mixed with tapioca needs to rest 15 to 30 minutes before baking, for the tapioca to soften.

Instant ClearJel keeps fillings thick through a great range of temperatures, making it ideal for pies that are frozen, before or after baking.

Pie Filling Enhancer thickens fruit pie fillings the same way Instant ClearJel does. Its advantage is added ascorbic acid (which adds a bright, tart note), and superfine sugar, which prevents it from clumping. Pie Filling Enhancer is about half sugar, so you'll want to reduce the sugar in your recipe accordingly.

Cornstarch has thickening power similar to Instant ClearJel. Like flour, it lends a cloudy, semi-transparent look to filling. It can also give filling a starchy taste. For full effectiveness, make sure the pie filling is bubbling up through the crust before removing your pie from the oven.

Pie Thickener (2)

Apples

Need the least amount of thickener, since they're less juicy. They're also high in natural pectin; pectin helps filling thicken.

ThickenerFor 1 cup of fruitFor one 9" pie (8 cups of fruit)
All-purpose flour1 3/4 tsp1/4 cup + 2 tsp
Instant ClearJel1/2 tsp1 tbsp + 1 tsp
Cornstarch1/2 tsp1 tbsp + 1 tsp
Quick-cooking tapioca3/4 tsp2 tbsp
Pie Filling Enhancer1 1/2 tsp
Reduce sugar by 3/4 tsp
1/4 cup
Reduce sugar by 2 tbsp

Blackberries & Raspberries

Are very juicy, and release even more liquid if they've been frozen; they need more thickener than apples.

ThickenerFor 1 cup of fruitFor one 9" pie (8 cups of fruit)
All-purpose flour1 tbsp + 1 tsp1/2 cup + 2 tbsp + 1 tsp
Instant ClearJel2 3/4 tsp1/4 cup + 3 tbsp + 1 tsp
Cornstarch1 tbsp1/2 cup
Quick-cooking tapioca1 tbsp1/2 cup
Pie Filling Enhancer1 tbsp + 2 tsp
Reduce sugar by 2 1/2 tsp
3/4 cup + 2 tsp
Reduce sugar by 6 tbsp + 1 tsp

Blueberries

These have a lot of pectin; they'll need a little less thickener than other berries.

ThickenerFor 1 cup of fruitFor one 9" pie (8 cups of fruit)
All-purpose flour1 tbsp1/2 cup
Instant ClearJel2 tsp1/3 cup
Cornstarch2 1/2 tsp6 tbsp + 2 tsp
Quick-cooking tapioca1 1/2 tsp1/4 cup
Pie Filling Enhancer1 tbsp + 1 tsp
Reduce sugar by 2 tsp
1/3 cup
Reduce sugar by 2 tbsp + 2 tsp

Cherries

Fresh cherries will need slightly less thickener than canned or frozen.

ThickenerFor 1 cup of fruitFor one 9" pie (8 cups of fruit)
All-purpose flour1 tbsp1/2 cup
Instant ClearJel2 1/2 tsp6 tbsp + 2 tsp
Cornstarch2 1/2 tsp6 tbsp + 2 tsp
Quick-cooking tapioca1 1/4 tsp3 tbsp + 1 tsp
Pie Filling Enhancer1 tbsp + 1/2 tsp
Reduce sugar by 2 tsp
1/2 cup + 1 tbsp + 1 tsp
Reduce sugar by 1/4 cup + 2 tsp

Peaches

Don't have quite as much pectin as apples; they're also juicier, so will require more thickener.

ThickenerFor 1 cup of fruitFor one 9" pie (8 cups of fruit)
All-purpose flour2 1/2 tsp6 tbsp + 2 tsp
Instant ClearJel2 1/2 tsp6 tbsp + 2 tsp
Cornstarch2 1/2 tsp6 tbsp + 2 tsp
Quick-cooking tapioca1 1/2 tsp1/4 cup
Pie Filling Enhancer1 tbsp + 2 tsp
Reduce sugar by 2 1/2 tsp
3/4 cup + 1 tbsp + 1 tsp
Reduce sugar by 6 tbsp + 2 tsp

Strawberry/rhubarb

The juiciest fruit with the least amount of pectin; these will require the most thickener.

ThickenerFor 1 cup of fruitFor one 9" pie (8 cups of fruit)
All-purpose flour1 tbsp + 1 1/2 tsp3/4 cup
Instant ClearJel2 1/2 tsp6 tbsp + 2 tsp
Cornstarch1 tbsp + 1/4 tsp1/2 cup + 2 tsp
Quick-cooking tapioca2 1/2 tsp6 tbsp + 2 tsp
Pie Filling Enhancer2 tbsp
Reduce sugar by 1 tbsp
1 cup
Reduce sugar by 1/2 cup

Disclaimer: The information on this chart may differ from other recipes. If you’re following a King Arthur recipe, follow the quantity listed on the recipe for the best results.

Tips

Through thin and thick

Pie Thickener (3)
  • Remember that fresh farmers market fruit, especially berries, is often juicier than fruit you buy at the supermarket. Adjust your thickener accordingly.
  • Because steam from the filling is able to evaporate more quickly in streusel- or lattice-topped pies, as well as in those topped with pastry cutouts, these require a bit less thickener than pies made with a solid top crust.
  • To prevent your filling from clumping, mix thickener with the sugar in your recipe before adding to the fruit.
  • A just-baked fruit pie’s filling will be very hot out of the oven, and quite messy to serve. The filling will set as it cools; be sure to let your pie cool completely before cutting and serving.

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Pie Thickener (2024)

FAQs

What can I use to thicken pie filling? ›

Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency. Tapioca starch is preferable for products that will be frozen because it will not break down when thawed. We like tapioca in blueberry, cherry or peach pies.

Is cornstarch or flour better to thicken a berry pie? ›

Cornstarch makes for a shiny, glossy filling. A little goes a long way because it has twice the gelling power of flour. Flour thickens nicely but leaves more of a matte finish. You'll need to use twice as much as you would with cornstarch.

How do you thicken a runny pie? ›

All-purpose flour is an easy solution, as you're sure to have it in your pantry. Since it's lower in starch, you'll use more of it than you would higher-starch thickeners.

How to thicken no bake pie filling? ›

  1. Cornstarch: Mix with cold water, add to filling, and cook until thick.
  2. Flour: Stir a few tablespoons into the filling.
  3. Tapioca: Use instant tapioca as a thickener.
  4. Reduce Liquid: Cook the filling on the stovetop to evaporate excess liquid.
Nov 27, 2020

What is the best way to thicken meat pie filling? ›

Mix potato starch with 60ml (¼ cup) cold water in a bowl until smooth, then stir it through beef mixture to combine. Bring back to the boil, then remove from heat and transfer to a container to cool. Refrigerate overnight to chill and thicken. Meanwhile, prepare pastry.

What can I use instead of cornstarch to thicken apple pie filling? ›

All-purpose flour is an easy substitute for cornstarch; in fact you may see recipes for thickening pie fillings or soups with either. You'll need 2 tablespoons of flour for every 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a recipe.

Which starch is the most common for thickening fruit pie fillings? ›

The three most common starches used to thicken the fruit juices of a pie are flour, tapioca, and cornstarch. I prefer cornstarch because I find that it actually enhances the flavor of the fruit.

What is the most appropriate starch to use for thickening cream pie fillings? ›

There are plenty of situations that require the thickening power of a pantry starch: your pie filling, soup, sauce, gravy. Cornstarch, tapioca starch (also known as tapioca flour), arrowroot, potato starch and plain old wheat flour are typical options.

Does pie filling thicken as it cools? ›

And, finally, as much as a steaming-hot slice of apple pie sounds appealing, let your pie rest for at least an hour before slicing. The filling will thicken as it cools and don't worry—your pie will still be plenty warm enough to gently melt that scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of it.

What causes runny pie filling? ›

We reserve using flour as a thickener for heartier fruits like apples and pears. 2. Pay attention to bake times: one reason you'll often end up with a runny fruit pie is simply that it hasn't been baked long enough.

What do I do if my cream pie is runny? ›

To fix this, you can cook the pudding mixture over low heat until it thickens, or add a thickener such as cornstarch or tapioca flour. Another possible reason for a runny banana cream pie is that the pie filling was not chilled properly before being added to the crust.

What can I use as a pie thickener? ›

Types of Pie Thickeners
  • All-Purpose Flour. Flour is a popular thickener for sauces and soups, and it can be used to add body to your fruit filling. ...
  • Cornstarch. ...
  • Arrowroot. ...
  • Quick-Cooking Tapioca. ...
  • Instant ClearJel.
Oct 29, 2018

How much cornstarch do I use to thicken a pie? ›

I used 1/4 cup corn starch when I made a fresh raspberry pie, 1 tablespoon when I made a peach pie and 2 tablespoons when I made pineapple custard. It really just depends on the type of fillings and thickness you are going for when using corn starch.

Can I use cream of tartar to thicken pie filling? ›

No. Cornstarch is a starch used for thickening, while cream of tartar is an acid used for leavening, stabilizing, and preventing crystallization.

What to use instead of cornstarch for thickening? ›

Here are five of the best cornstarch substitutes for all your thickening needs.
  • All-Purpose Flour. Yep, that's right — all-purpose flour is a very stable thickener. ...
  • Arrowroot Powder. ...
  • Potato Starch. ...
  • Rice Flour. ...
  • Tapioca Starch.
Jun 23, 2023

How do you thicken pastry filling? ›

Cornstarch thickens the pastry cream without imparting a floury flavor. Bringing pastry cream to a bubble deactivates the yolk's starch-dissolving amylase. Finishing with butter adds shine and flavor.

What if the filling is too runny in steak pie? ›

If the filling is too runny, lift out the meat and veg with a slotted spoon to your pie dish and boil the liquid hard to reduce. Then combine with the meat and allow to cool while you make the pastry. Preheat the oven to 190c/170c fan. Sift the flour and salt into a food processor or a mixing bowl.

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