The Perfect Keto Tart Crust: Cooking Time Revealed

There are many keto-friendly alternatives to the traditional pastry crust. One of the most popular options is an almond flour crust, which can be used for both sweet and savoury pies and tarts. The crust is usually made with a combination of almond flour, butter, eggs, and salt, and can be flavoured with spices or sweetener. The dough is typically shaped into a ball and chilled before being rolled out and placed in a pie or tart dish. The crust is then baked until golden, which usually takes around 10-12 minutes.

How to make a keto tart crust

A keto tart crust is a great, low-carb alternative to a traditional pastry crust. It's also gluten-free and can be used for both sweet and savoury recipes. Here's a step-by-step guide to making your own keto tart crust:

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients:

• Almond flour (or another type of nut flour)
• Salt
• Granulated sweetener (optional, for sweet tarts)
• Butter
• Egg
• Vanilla extract (optional, for sweet tarts)
• Baking powder (optional)
• Xanthan gum (optional)

Method

• Combine the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the almond flour, sweetener (if using), salt, baking powder (if using), and xanthan gum (if using).
• Add the wet ingredients: Stir in the melted butter and egg until well combined. You can also add vanilla extract if you're making a sweet tart crust. The dough will be dry and crumbly, so keep mixing and stirring until it comes together.
• Shape the dough: Using your hands, shape the dough into a smooth ball. You can also use a food processor to mix the ingredients and form the dough.
• Chill the dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for about an hour to chill. This will make it easier to handle and roll out.
• Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Roll out the dough: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and place it between two sheets of parchment paper. Use a rolling pin to roll it out to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
• Transfer the dough to a tart pan: Grease a 9-inch tart pan or line it with parchment paper. Transfer the dough to the pan, pressing it into the bottom and up the sides. Use your fingers to patch any tears or rips, and flute the edges if desired. Poke holes in the bottom of the crust with a fork to prevent bubbling during baking.
• Blind bake the crust: Cover the edges of the crust with tin foil and blind bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until it starts to firm up. Alternatively, you can skip the blind baking if you have the filling ready and want to bake everything together.
• Cool the crust: Once the crust is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely before adding any fillings. This will help the crust set and prevent it from getting soggy.

Tips and Variations

• For a savoury tart crust, omit the sweetener and add more salt, as well as spices like garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning.
• For a sweet tart crust, add a granulated sweetener like erythritol or allulose, and spices like cinnamon or maple extract.
• If you want to make a top crust for a double-crust pie, you will need to modify the recipe by adding more ingredients and following specific instructions.
• You can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 2 months.

What ingredients are needed

Ingredients for a Keto Tart Crust

A keto tart crust is a great alternative to a traditional pastry crust, and can be used for both sweet and savoury tarts. Here are the ingredients you will need:

Almond Flour

Almond flour is a key ingredient in keto tart crusts, providing a mild depth of flavour and a tender texture. It is important to use blanched almond flour, as this has a finer consistency than almond meal, which will result in a crust with a coarser, grainier texture. You can make your own blanched almond flour, or buy it from a store.

Butter

Butter is another essential ingredient, adding flavour and richness to the crust. You can use regular salted butter, or butter-flavoured coconut oil if you prefer. For a dairy-free option, coconut oil or ghee are good alternatives.

Egg

Eggs are important in the keto tart crust as they make the dough more pliable and easier to roll out. They also help to hold the baked crust together. If you are unable to use eggs, you can substitute with additional butter, ghee, or coconut oil.

Salt

A pinch of salt is added to balance the other ingredients. If you are making a savoury crust, you can increase the amount of salt to enhance the flavour.

Sweetener

If you are making a sweet tart crust, you can add a granulated sweetener such as monk fruit allulose blend, erythritol, or coconut sugar. The amount of sweetener can be adjusted depending on the sweetness of your filling. For a savoury crust, omit the sweetener.

Baking Powder

Baking powder helps with the structure of the crust.

Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum is not always included, but it can be added to help hold the crust together.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract is an optional ingredient, but it is recommended for sweet pie crusts.

Coconut Flour

A small amount of coconut flour can be added to the almond flour to help soften the nuttiness of the almonds. Coconut flour absorbs more moisture than nut flours, so a little goes a long way.

Spices and Seasonings

For a savoury crust, you can add spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or parmesan cheese. For a sweet crust, cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice will add extra flavour.

Almond Milk

Almond milk is used to bring the dough together. However, it is important not to add too much, as this can make the dough soggy.

Water

A small amount of water can be added to help bring the dough together.

Other Ingredients

Some recipes suggest adding cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, or vanilla extract to enhance the flavour of the crust. You can also add spices and seasonings to make it savoury.

How long to bake a keto tart crust

The length of time required to bake a keto tart crust depends on several factors, including the specific recipe used, the desired texture, and whether the crust is blind-baked or baked with the filling. Here is a step-by-step guide on how long to bake a keto tart crust:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Before baking your keto tart crust, it is important to properly prepare the dough. Most keto tart crust recipes involve mixing dry ingredients such as almond flour, sweetener (for sweet tarts), baking powder, and salt. Then, wet ingredients such as melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract are added and mixed until a crumbly dough forms. Some recipes also suggest using a food processor to mix the ingredients, which can help achieve a smoother dough.

Step 2: Shape and Chill the Dough

Once the dough is mixed, use your hands to shape it into a ball. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for about an hour. Chilling the dough helps to firm it up and makes it easier to handle when shaping the tart crust.

Step 3: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

Preheat your oven to a temperature between 350°F (177°C) and 375°F (190°C). The ideal temperature may vary slightly depending on your oven and the specific recipe you are following. Lightly grease a pie or tart pan, preferably with a glass or ceramic pan to avoid over-browning. You can use an 8-inch or 9-inch pan, depending on your preference and the recipe.

Step 4: Roll Out the Dough and Shape the Crust

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and discard the plastic wrap. Place the ball of dough between two sheets of parchment paper and use a rolling pin to roll it out to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Carefully transfer the rolled-out dough to your prepared pie dish. Use your fingers to press the dough into the pan, repairing any tears or rips. Use a fork to create a pattern on the edges of the crust, then poke holes through the base to prevent cracking or puffing during baking.

Step 5: Blind-Bake the Crust (Optional)

If you are preparing the crust ahead of time or using a filling that does not require baking, you can blind-bake the crust. Cover the edges of the crust with tin foil to prevent over-browning. Blind-bake the crust in the preheated oven for 6 to 12 minutes, until it begins to firm up and turns slightly golden. Remove the crust from the oven and let it cool completely before adding your desired filling.

Step 6: Add the Filling and Bake

If you are using a filling that requires baking, such as a custard or quiche filling, you can add the filling to the crust after blind-baking. Alternatively, some recipes may call for adding the filling to the crust before any baking takes place. Cover the edges of the crust with foil or a pie shield to prevent over-browning. Bake the filled tart according to your recipe's instructions, which may vary depending on the type of filling used.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Once your keto tart is baked, allow it to cool for at least 10 to 15 minutes before serving. This helps the crust and filling set, ensuring that your tart holds together when sliced and served.

How to store a keto tart crust

To store a keto tart crust, you have several options. You can:

• Wrap the dough in plastic and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Press the dough into the pan and cover it in plastic in the fridge.
• Pre-bake the crust and store it in the fridge. It can also be kept on the counter for a day or so after baking.
• Freeze the dough, a raw crust pressed into a pan, or a pre-baked crust. It will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.

When storing the keto crust, it is important to keep it completely covered, as even a tiny air pocket can dry it out.

How to make a sweet or savoury keto tart crust

How to Make a Sweet or Savory Keto Tart Crust

A keto tart crust is a great, low-carb option for those who want to cut down on carbs but still enjoy a delicious treat. Here's a step-by-step guide to making a sweet or savory keto tart crust:

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients:

• Almond flour (2 cups)
• Xanthan gum (1/2 teaspoon)
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon)
• Butter, melted (3 tablespoons)
• Egg (1)
• Granulated sweetener (3 tablespoons) (optional)
• Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon) (optional)

Step 1: Combine the Ingredients

In a small bowl, mix together the almond flour, xanthan gum, and salt. Add the melted butter and egg, and mix until well combined. If you're making a sweet crust, also add the granulated sweetener and vanilla extract.

Step 2: Shape and Chill

Use your hands to shape the dough into a ball. Cover it with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for about an hour to chill.

Step 3: Prep Work

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease an 8 or 9-inch pie dish or tart pan and set it aside.

Step 4: Roll Out the Dough

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and take off the plastic wrap. Place the ball of dough between two pieces of parchment paper and use a rolling pin to roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick.

Step 5: Transfer the Dough to the Pan

Gently transfer the dough to your prepared pie dish or tart pan. Use your fingers to press down any tears or rips in the dough. Use a fork to create a pattern around the edges, then poke holes through the base of the dough.

Step 6: Blind Bake the Crust

Cover the edges of the crust with tin foil. Blind bake the crust for 10-12 minutes, until it starts to firm up. Remove it from the oven and let it cool completely before filling. Alternatively, you can add your filling and bake everything together.

Tips:

• You can use a food processor to mix the ingredients, which saves time and ensures they are well combined.
• If the dough is still tacky after chilling, lightly flour the bottom of the parchment paper before rolling it out.
• Don't forget to poke holes in the bottom of the dough to prevent cracking or puffing during baking.
• You can skip the blind baking step if you have your filling ready to go. Blind baking is only necessary if you plan to store the crust before baking.
• For a nut-free option, use sunflower seed flour instead of almond flour. Coconut flour is not recommended as it can make the crust too dry.
• To make a sweet pie crust, add cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice. For a savory pie crust, add seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or Parmesan cheese.

Frequently asked questions