Bake the Best Mini Strawberry Pies: A Deliciously Easy Ramekin Recipe

If you’re looking for the perfect way to use up a bounty of fresh, ripe strawberries, look no further! These Mini Strawberry Pies are an absolute delight. Imagine individual, perfectly portioned strawberry pies, baked to golden perfection in charming ramekins. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of a buttery, flaky homemade pie crust cradling a luscious, juicy homemade strawberry pie filling.

Following up on my highly popular homemade strawberry pie filling recipe, it was only natural to bring you these exquisite mini pies. They offer all the comfort and flavor of a traditional strawberry pie but in a charming, individual format.

Much like my beloved mini peach pies, mini cherry pies, and mini apple pies, these mini strawberry pies are designed for individual enjoyment. Baked in small ceramic ramekins, they feature that irresistible combination of a rich, buttery, and flaky homemade pie crust embracing a sweet and tangy homemade strawberry pie filling. They’re simply divine!

While the temptation to devour an entire pie is often strong, portion control can be a sweet victory. That’s precisely why I scaled down my classic strawberry pie recipe into these delightful mini berry pies. Now, you can savor the best homemade strawberry pie experience without overindulging, making them a truly guilt-free pleasure.

When you typically think of a mini strawberry pie recipe, you might picture those tiny, bite-sized versions made in a cupcake pan. However, my vision for these individual treats was something a bit more substantial – a truly satisfying summer dessert for two, designed so you don’t have to share! Imagine topping your own personal pie with a generous dollop of homemade whipped cream or a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream.

These mini strawberry pies are also perfectly sized to be a romantic dessert for two, ideal for enhancing a cozy date night at home. And for those sweltering summer days when turning on the oven seems unbearable, I’ve got great news: I’ve successfully tested these in the air fryer too! This means you can stay cool, enjoy your fresh-baked pie, and skip preheating a large oven.

Essential Ingredients for Your Mini Strawberry Pies

Crafting the perfect mini pies starts with quality ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to create your homemade pie crust and assemble these delightful treats:

• All-purpose flour: This forms the structural base of your tender pie crust. It also helps in preventing the dough from becoming overly sticky, making it easier to work with.
• Granulated Sugar: A touch of sugar in the crust adds subtle sweetness and, crucially, aids in achieving that beautiful golden-brown color during baking.
• Salt: Often overlooked, salt is vital for balancing flavors and enhancing the overall taste of your crust, especially when using unsalted butter.
• Cold Butter: Butter is the cornerstone of flavor, imparting a rich, melt-in-your-mouth quality to the crust. Ensuring it’s very cold is key to creating pockets of steam during baking, which leads to flakiness.
• Cold Shortening: While butter adds flavor, shortening excels in creating an incredibly tender and flaky texture. By combining both fats, you achieve a pie crust that is both richly flavorful and wonderfully flaky. Look for stick shortening, which is easy to measure. Storing it in the freezer ensures it’s extra cold.
• Cold Water: The magic of cold water lies in its ability to bind the dough together without developing too much gluten, which can make the crust tough. More importantly, it creates steam as it bakes, contributing significantly to that coveted flaky texture.
• Strawberry Pie Filling: For the absolute best flavor, I highly recommend using a homemade pie filling. However, a good quality canned filling can also be used for convenience.
• Egg (for egg wash): An egg wash isn’t just for aesthetics; it plays a critical role in giving your pie crust that glossy, deep golden-brown finish that makes it look as delicious as it tastes.

What are Ramekins and Why Are They Perfect for Mini Pies?

Ramekins are small, round, ceramic baking dishes, often featuring a fluted exterior. They are truly the perfect vessel for serving individual desserts, such as my popular deep dish brownies for two and the quick microwave chocolate chip cookie.

For this mini strawberry pie recipe, I used two 6-ounce ramekins. These are widely available – you can easily buy a pair online, find them at most big box stores, or even discover some unique ones at a thrift store. Once you’ve got yours, and after enjoying your delicious ramekin pies, be sure to explore my full list of Ramekin Dessert Recipes for more inspiration!

How to Make Delectable Mini Strawberry Pies

Ready to create your own small pie recipe masterpieces? Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure your mini strawberry pies turn out perfectly:

1. Prepare Your Homemade Pie Crust for Mini Pies

The foundation of any great pie is its crust. For a more in-depth guide, including essential tips and tricks for a truly flaky texture, please refer to my dedicated small pie crust recipe. In short, you’ll be cutting cold fats into flour, adding cold water, and chilling the dough. Remember, keeping everything cold and not overworking the dough are your secrets to success!

2. Assemble Your Mini Strawberry Pies

• Roll out the bottom crust: Take one piece of your chilled pie dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll it out into a circle that’s a bit larger than the diameter and depth of your ramekin. Gently line the bottom and sides of the ramekin with the crust, pressing it in lightly. Don’t worry if it tears a little; you can patch it together seamlessly.
• Fill with strawberry goodness: Spoon half of your delicious strawberry pie filling into the dough-lined ramekin, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
• Add the top crust: Roll out a second piece of pie dough into a circle just large enough to cover the top of the ramekin. You have two artistic choices here:
  • Lattice Crust: Cut the dough into even strips and weave them over the filling for a classic, elegant look.
  • Full Crust: Place the entire dough circle over the filling and seal the edges by crimping or pressing with a fork. If choosing a full crust, be sure to cut a few small slits in the top. These vents are crucial for allowing steam to escape, preventing a soggy crust and ensuring even baking.
• Repeat and prepare for baking: Duplicate this entire process with your second ramekin and the remaining dough and filling. You should now have two beautifully assembled individual strawberry pies.
• Ready the baking sheet: Place both ramekins onto a standard cookie sheet. This simple step serves a double purpose: it catches any potential spills of bubbling filling and makes it much easier to transfer the hot ramekins in and out of the oven safely.

3. Bake to Golden Perfection

• Egg wash for shine: Just before baking, lightly brush the tops of your pies with the beaten egg wash. This will give them that gorgeous, glossy, golden-brown finish we all love.
• Oven Baking: Bake your mini strawberry pies in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 35-40 minutes. Look for visual cues: the crust should be beautifully golden brown, and the filling should be visibly bubbly around the edges.
• Air Fryer Option: If you prefer to keep your kitchen cool or want a quicker bake, you can also make these in an air fryer! Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. This method saves you the time of preheating a full oven.
• Cool and serve: Once baked, remove the pies from the oven (or air fryer) and let them cool for at least 15 minutes. This cooling period is essential not just to prevent burning your tongue, but also to allow the filling to set slightly. Serve warm for a comforting treat, or cool completely to room temperature.

Is an Egg Wash Truly Necessary for Small Pies?

While technically not strictly “necessary” for the pie to cook, an egg wash is definitely the secret weapon for achieving that coveted shiny, golden-brown pie crust. It adds a professional touch and enhances the visual appeal of your homemade mini pies.

Since you’re only making two pies, you might wonder what to do with any leftover egg wash. Don’t let it go to waste! You can save it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days and use it to brush other delightful desserts that benefit from an egg wash, such as strawberry turnovers. Alternatively, it’s excellent for dredging breaded items, like the chicken in my buffalo chicken tacos.

Serving Suggestions for Your Mini Strawberry Pies

These mini strawberry pies are incredibly delicious on their own, offering a perfect balance of sweet and flaky. However, they truly shine when paired with a thoughtful topping. As mentioned earlier, a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a generous swirl of homemade whipped cream are classic choices that elevate the experience.

But why stop there? Get creative with flavored whipped creams to add an extra layer of deliciousness and a unique twist to your individual strawberry pies. Consider these delightful options:

• Strawberry whipped cream: For an irresistible double dose of strawberry flavor, enhancing the berry notes.
• Chocolate whipped cream: A decadent choice that playfully mimics the beloved combination of chocolate-covered strawberries.
• Maple whipped cream: Adds a comforting touch of natural sweetness and a subtle, warm aroma.
• Cream cheese whipped cream: Offers a delightful tanginess that beautifully complements the sweetness of the strawberries.
• Honey whipped cream: Infuses a delicate floral note and a gentle, natural sweetness.

Don’t forget simple garnishes like a dusting of powdered sugar or a fresh mint sprig for an elegant finish!

How to Freeze Mini Strawberry Pies for Future Enjoyment

Whether you’re planning to save your delicious small pies for a busy weeknight or getting a head start on your baking, freezing mini pies is a fantastic option. You can freeze these individual strawberry pies using one of two methods, both equally effective:

1. Before Baking: Fully assemble both of your mini pies in their ramekins, including the top crust. Then, carefully wrap each ramekin pie tightly in plastic wrap, ensuring no air can get in. Place the wrapped pies into a freezer-safe bag or container, and freeze for up to 6 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
2. After Baking: Allow your baked mini pies to cool completely to room temperature. This is crucial to prevent condensation and ice crystals from forming. Once cooled, wrap each pie individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 6 months. This method is great for having a ready-to-eat dessert on hand; simply thaw and warm!

Baking Frozen Strawberry Pie: Tips for Success

When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen ramekin pies, a little preparation ensures the best results. For pies frozen before baking, transfer them from the freezer to the refrigerator and let them thaw overnight. Once thawed, let them sit out at room temperature for about 30 minutes while your oven preheats. Then, bake as directed in the recipe.

If you’re baking a pie that was frozen while still cold (or slightly frozen), you may need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the total baking time. The most important indicators of doneness are a golden-brown crust and a visibly bubbly filling. For pies frozen *after* baking, simply thaw them in the refrigerator, and then you can gently warm them in a low oven (around 300°F/150°C) for 10-15 minutes if desired, or enjoy at room temperature.

Explore More Delightful Mini Pie Recipes

If you’re enjoying the charm and deliciousness of your mini strawberry pies, you’re in for a treat! Discover these other fantastic mini pie recipes, perfect for any occasion or craving:

• Mini Deep-Dish Lemon Meringue Pies: Zesty, creamy, and topped with fluffy meringue – all in a cute individual serving.
• Mini Deep-Dish Pumpkin Pies: A perfect, spiced autumnal treat, ideal for individual servings during the holidays.
• Eggless Pumpkin Pie for Two: Enjoy a classic fall flavor with this delightful egg-free version, perfectly sized for sharing.