Versatile Almond Flour Pie Crust

1. Oven Setup

Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C) to ensure an even baking environment for your crust.

2. Dry Ingredients Blend

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk the almond flour with either erythritol sweetener or garlic powder, depending on your desired crust flavor, along with the salt.

3. Crumb Formation

Pour the melted butter into the bowl with your dry ingredients. Stir the mixture until it takes on a coarse, crumbly texture.

4. Pressing the Dough

Transfer your dough into a 9-inch pie dish or a 9- to 10-inch tart pan. Firmly press the dough across the bottom and up the sides to form the crust. Smooth the surface with the back of a flat-bottomed glass or measuring cup and crimp the edges for a decorative touch. Don't forget to prick the bottom with a fork to prevent air pockets during baking.

5. Baking Options

For a fully prebaked crust: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges turn a lovely golden brown. Cool the crust before adding your filling. For a par-baked crust: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the crust slightly puffs but remains pale. Cool it down before adding your filling. When you continue baking with the additional filling, consider shielding the crust edges with foil to protect against over-browning.