From graham crackers to nuts to ice cream cones, you can make a delicious crumb crust out of just about any kind of sweet dessert!
11 Ingredients You Can Turn into a Crumb Crust
Updated Feb. 20, 2024
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Pretzels
Pretzels are not only for on-the-go snacking. They can also add the perfect salty base for a sweet pie or cake. Try grinding them up and combining the crumbs with butter for a crispy crust, then topping with any chocolate cream or peanut butter filling. This easy peanut butter-pretzel pie is a must-try!
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Nuts
Without a doubt, nuts add richness and flavor to any dessert. So why not add an extra dose in the base of your favorite pie! Finely chopped almonds, walnuts, pecans and macadamia nuts all work great combined into your classic crumb crust recipe. Just check out this tropical macadamia pie.
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Oreos
An Oreo crust works beautifully with any kind of chocolate cream pie. The Oreo cream helps hold the crust together while giving you that delicious childhood memory back. An Oreo crust will also work well with a coffee-flavored dessert like this creamy coffee pie.
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Graham Crackers
Graham crackers are the originals of crumb crust ingredients. They’re sweet, buttery, and so much easier to use than pastry pie crust. Simply mix the crumbs with butter and sugar for an instant pie crust. Though if you want to put a twist on the old standard—use chocolate or cinnamon grahams. All flavors go will with this classic cream pie.
Check out our tried and true technique for making the perfect graham cracker crust.
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Nilla Wafers
Nilla wafers have a similar consistency to graham crackers, so they make the perfect base for a crumb crust. They also have that delightful vanilla flavoring, making them the perfect base for any type of fruit pie—like this raspberry pie—or even banana cream.
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Gingersnaps
If you like a little spice in your life, ditch the graham crackers and try a gingersnap pie crust. The zing from the ginger will pair perfectly with any fall dessert, especially this gingersnap pumpkin ice cream pie. Gingersnaps topped with pumpkin, cream cheese, and butterscotch pudding? You had us at gingersnaps!
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Wafer Cookies
Wafer cookies are light and airy which make them perfect for crushing into a crust. Use vanilla wafer cookies for just about any pie or opt for chocolate wafers to combine with flavors like peppermint, salted caramel or even cherries for a pretty Black Forest pie.
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Shortbread
Leftover shortbread at home? OK, we know that almost never happens, but if you have a few cookies leftover, crush them into a crust for your next pie. Just sub in shortbread crumbs in your favorite crumb crust recipes. Try it with this cherry almond mousse pie.
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Ice Cream Cones
Adding ice cream cones to any dessert immediately elevates the excitement level. Try using a cake cone to get a wafer cookie consistency to your crust. If you prefer a crispier crust, try mixing sugar cones into your recipe. This works well for ice cream pies and super fun desserts like this confetti pie.
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Cereal
Even though you may no longer snack on Cap’n Crunch each morning, it’s still okay to indulge sometimes, especially when they can be made into the perfect sweet pie crust. Try crushing up your favorite crunchy cereal—Crunch Berries, Fruity Pebbles, Trix, you name it—then using it as a crust for a frozen yogurt pie like this one.
If you love cereal (even the sugary kind for kids!), try these recipes.
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Saltines
It might sound strange, but these salty crackers make the perfect pairing with sweet pie fillings. Just check out this easy pink lemonade pie—tart, sweet and salty, this dessert has it all.
Check out other inventive ways to use saltines in your recipes.
Originally Published: September 25, 2018
