Pretty as Pie: Stylish Pie Plates That Make Your Dessert Shine

Few kitchen tools marry beauty and quality quite like the humble pie dish. Often associated with flaky crusts and sweet fillings, this classic bakeware design is far more than a one-purpose pan.  

With its beautiful design and dependable performance, this dish earns its place in your oven and at your table {even beyond dessert}. From festive gatherings to everyday meals, discover why this kitchen essential deserves the spotlight. 

What are Pie Dishes?   

Pie dishes are shallow, round baking vessels {typically with sloped sides} specially designed for even baking for pie crusts and fillings. While traditionally used for classic sweet or savory pies, these dishes have evolved into versatile kitchen staples that are also ideal for savory quiches, bubbling casseroles, crowd-pleasing dips, and even layered salads. Whether you’re making a fruit dessert or a hearty quiche, a pie plate offers both form and function for every use.  

Why Use Pie Plates?  

These dishes are a go-to choice for cooks who value both versatility and presentation. With their elevated shape and often decorative design, pie plates offer an alternative to plain bakeware, making them ideal for recipes you want to serve straight from the oven to the table. They strike the perfect balance between function and style as they are durable enough for the oven and aesthetically pleasing enough for entertaining. 

Choosing the Right Pie Dish 

When selecting the right dish, a few thoughtful considerations can help ensure it’s perfectly suited to your recipe, serving style, and kitchen needs. These considerations include:  

Material – The dish’s material affects everything from heat distribution to crust texture. Consider options like glass, ceramic, or metal pie plates.  

Size and depth – Not all recipes call for the same volume, so be sure to determine your recipe’s filling and portion needs.  

Fluted vs. smooth edges – Edge design adds personality and can impact the dish’s final look and structure. Different edges can also add to the pie dish’s total diameter, impacting oven fit, cabinet storage, and table presentation.  

Different Materials Used in Pie Plates 

When it comes to pie plates, there are different materials you can choose from {ceramic, glass, and metal}, which will significantly impact both the baking process and the overall experience, from heat distribution during baking to post-meal cleanup. Some materials, like ceramic, heat evenly, promoting a crisp, golden crust and consistent filling. On the other hand, glass retains heat for longer, while metal can heat up quickly for a fast bake.  

The material also influences practical considerations, such as whether the dish is suitable for oven-to-table recipes or if it’s microwave- and dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. Certain materials are more resistant to cracking when transitioning from freezer to oven, while others might require more careful handling. Ultimately, the right material affects how your dish bakes and its convenience, durability, and presentation.  

Metal Pie Dishes  

Metal dishes heat up quickly and conduct heat efficiently, making them great for achieving crisp, evenly browned crusts – especially on the bottom. However, they can sometimes over-bake delicate fillings and aren’t typically designed for serving, as they lack the visual appeal of ceramic or glass dishes. They’re best suited for bakers who prioritize crust texture over presentation.  

Glass Pie Dishes 

Glass baking dishes heat slower than metal but distribute heat evenly, which helps prevent over-baking and allows for steady, consistent cooking. A major advantage is their transparency, which allows you to monitor crust browning as it bakes. However, they can be more fragile and don’t always handle sudden temperature changes well, so careful handling is key.  

Ceramic Pie Dishes 

At Coton Colors, all our dishes are ceramic—the most reliable and versatile option. They distribute heat evenly for a golden, flaky crust and thoroughly baked filling and are oven-, dishwasher-, and microwave-safe. Plus, their naturally stylish appearance means your ceramic pie dish looks just as good on the table as it does in the oven, making them perfect for everything from casual tables to festive gatherings.  

What Size and Depth Pie Plate Do I Need? 

Pie dishes may look similar at first glance, but size and depth can make all the difference in how your dish bakes and what it can hold. Standard dishes are typically 9 inches in diameter and are great for more traditional fruit pies or savory bakes.  

When your recipe calls for a little more filling or flair, deep pie dish options offer the extra height you need for stacked ingredients or generous layers, like in quiches or pot pies. On the other hand, shallower dishes are ideal for more delicate or firm-set pies like custard or cookie pies, where less depth helps create the perfect structure and golden finish.  

We offer two thoughtfully designed pie dish sizes to meet a variety of baking needs. Our 9-inch dish (with a 12-inch total diameter, including its signature ruffled edge at 3 inches high) is ideal when your recipe calls for volume and visual impact. The 8-inch small pie dish (10-inch total diameter with the ruffle feature at 1.75 inches high) is a go-to for more compact bakes or when portion size matters. As an added bonus, they nest together for easy storage if you purchase both.  

Fluted vs. Smooth Edges 

When choosing a pie plate, the edge design plays a subtle but essential role in the final presentation and how you finish your crust. Fluted edges offer a nostalgic feel while giving you a natural guide for crimping dough and shaping decorative crusts. In contrast, smooth-edged dishes create a more modern look, perfect for clean-lined tablescapes and bakers who prefer a classic finish. Both styles bring something special to the table, whether you’re hosting a laid-back brunch or a formal dinner party.  

All our pie plates feature our signature ruffled {fluted} edge. This thoughtfully designed detail enhances both form and function.  

The ruffle acts as a decorative frame for shallower bakes like cookie pies and savory tarts. For deep pie dishes, it allows the filling to rise and gently scallop at the edges, creating a finished border straight from the oven. This flourish elevates any pie from homemade to display-worthy with zero extra effort.  

Best Pie Dishes for Different Types of Pies 

Your pie’s filling and baking style can help determine which pie plate will deliver the best results. From flaky fruit pies to rich, savory quiches, the right material and shape can make all the difference.  

Fruit pies – Ceramic or glass dishes for even heat distribution and a golden crust are perfect for fruit pies like a Key Lime Pie.  

Custard and cream pies – For a Pumpkin Pie or other custard and cream pies, go for a smooth ceramic dish that ensures gentle baking and prevents over-browning.  

Savory pies – Savory pies, like a Tomato Tart Pie, should use a ceramic deep pie dish that retains heat.  

Incorporating a Pie Dish into Your Dessert Table  

A pie plate adds both height and visual interest to your dessert table, especially when paired with cake stands, cookie platters, or trays. Choose pie dishes with distinctive edges or a vibrant glaze to create focal points that draw the eyes. Whether you’re serving fruit pies, tarts, or custards, these designs help create an inspired dessert table that feels layered, intentional, and chic.   

Alternative Uses for Pie Dishes in the Kitchen  

Pie plates are surprisingly versatile tools that can go far beyond just dessert. Their round shape and even heat distribution make them ideal for savory dishes like frittatas or baked pasta.  

You can also use them to roast vegetables in smaller portions or cook comforting sides that benefit from a golden top and tender center, such as mac and cheese or G-Daddy’s Favorite Baked Beans Recipe. And of course, they’re excellent for rustic desserts such as chocolate cookie pies, brownies, crisps, cobblers, or even cinnamon rolls.  

Beyond the oven, pie plates can be just as useful for serving and organizing. Use one as a casual serving bowl for leafy green salads, or arrange a mini charcuterie spread or dip trio in the tray. In the kitchen, a small pie dish can even double as a catchall to corral stove-side essentials like oils, utensils, and seasoning jars.  

Using a Pie Dish Around Your Home 

With their soft curves and signature ruffled edge, our ceramic pie plates resemble a stylish bowl just as much as traditional bakeware, making them perfect for use beyond the kitchen. Whether you’re organizing everyday items or simply looking for functional décor, these versatile dishes offer creative solutions throughout your home.  

Home Organization and Storage with Pie Plates 

When not used in pie baking, these dishes effortlessly double as catchall trays. Place one by the front door to keep keys, sunglasses, and mail in one tidy spot, or set one on a dresser to hold everyday jewelry, watches, or a favorite perfume bottle.  

In the bathroom, a small pie dish can hold rolled hand towels, bath salts, or individually wrapped soaps to offer a boutique-inspired touch that feels welcoming and refined. Their graceful silhouette adds a decorative look, while their sturdy build keeps clutter contained in a polished, intentional way.  

Pie Dishes as Decoration 

The thoughtful design of pie plates makes them ideal for creative moments. Use one as a saucer underneath a potted plant to turn basic greenery into a styled accent. It can also become one of the most unexpectedly versatile seasonal accents to keep on hand.  

For seasonal centerpieces or cozy vignettes, try arranging a few pillar candles inside a pie plate, accented with pinecones or ornaments for the holidays, fresh citrus and herbs in the summer, or cinnamon sticks and mini pumpkins in autumn. Add a vase or a few candle holders to complement the centerpiece, and you have an effortless display.  

How Many Pie Dishes Do I {Really} Need?  

Whether you’re stocking your first kitchen or building a dream collection, here’s a guide to help you decide what works best for your cooking and entertaining style:  

Just starting out? Start with one thoughtfully chosen ceramic pie dish in a neutral color {check out our Signature White collection} that works for everyday use and still feels special enough for entertaining.  

Host often? Having two or three pie dishes in your rotation allows you to bake ahead, try multiple recipes at once, and dedicate dishes to sweet and savory {this is especially helpful during the holidays}. 

Building a wedding registry? Aim for a well-rounded collection in your wedding registry with one neutral or everyday dish from our Signature White or Iris Blue Collections, one festive or seasonal option like our Red Stripe dish, and one shallow or small pie dish for tarts, cookie pies, or lighter bakes.  

Build a Coordinated Bakeware Collection  

If you love the look of our pie dishes, you’ll be happy to know that they’re part of a thoughtfully designed collection of cookware and bakeware essentials. Each features our signature ruffled edge and is available in three colorways: Signature White, Iris Blue, and Red Stripe.  

From casual weeknight dinners to festive holiday gatherings, this collection lets you mix and match shapes while maintaining a coordinated, styled look across your kitchen and table. Pair your pie plate with a coordinating casserole dish for baked pasta or cobblers, a matching loaf pan for quick breads and savory bakes, or a ruffle serving bowl and oval platter for serving with style.  

Each design is crafted from durable ceramic built to transition seamlessly from freezer to oven to table {just allow it to come to room temperature before baking}. Whether you’re curating a wedding registry, upgrading your kitchen staples, or building a collection you’ll use for years to come, these designs are made to work beautifully together.  

A well-chosen pie dish is more than just a type of bakeware. It’s a versatile essential that brings function and personality to every corner of your home. From the oven to the table to everyday organization, it’s a hardworking design that earns its place in your daily routine. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, styling a seasonal centerpiece, or baking a simple weeknight quiche, let your baking dish do more than one job and look good while doing it.