Skip to main content
Cooking Tips

How to Make a Lattice Pie Crust

The same beautiful pie topping with less effort.
By Published Oct. 11, 2021

Creating a beautiful lattice top for a homemade pie can feel like a brain-teaser. How do you get those crisp, straight edges? Which strip goes where?

In this video, part of the “Kitchen Smarts” series on America’s Test Kitchen’s YouTube channel, America’s Test Kitchen books team test cook Joe Gitter shares our technique for building a “no-weave” lattice top for a pie. If done properly, our approach gives the illusion of a woven lattice, with less effort. Here are some of our findings:

  • Use chilled dough: Cold dough will hold together better and will be easier to handle, so make sure both your unrolled dough and dough strips are cold.
  • Use a series of folding and unfolding: Don’t worry about any fancy braiding. Use our guide—and those malleable, chilled dough strips—to create the lattice design.
The Perfect Pie

Want to learn more? Find step-by-step guides, troubleshooting tips, and spectacular pie recipes of every kind in our comprehensive collection, The Perfect Pie.

Watch the Video

Featured Equipment

The Best Rolling Pin

J.K. Adams Plain Maple Rolling Dowel

This pin’s gentle weight and slightly textured surface holds a dusting of flour for less sticking. Its long, straight shape made achieving even dough thickness (whether it’s pie or pasta) and rolling out larger disks easy. 
Buy On Amazon
The Best Pizza Wheel

OXO Good Grips 4" Pizza Wheel

This wheel did it all—it was comfortable to hold and allowed for a powerful grip. Its streamlined design didn’t trap food, and it still looked brand new after 10 rounds in the dishwasher. Its blade was sharp and visible for precise, straight cuts. 
Buy On Amazon
Buy the Best

The Best Rimmed Baking Sheets

We tested six baking sheets and found three that are worth the money. 
Read our review

Subscribe to the America’s Test Kitchen YouTube channel to get alerted whenever we add a new video.


These six recipes are among our all-time favorites. Start a free trial to access all these, plus our other home kitchen–tested, foolproof recipes.

This is a members' feature.