Pie season is in full swing which means it’s time to stock up on all the essentials.
Cooking Tips
Instant Tapioca Is Pie Season’s MVP
You need to add this magical powder to your pie baking essentials. Here’s why.
By Published Nov. 11, 2022.
Butter, flour, sugar, fruit . . .
. . . and instant tapioca.
(Aka pie season’s MVP.)
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Fruit pies require a thickener. Otherwise you’ll end up with a pie full of soup!
You can use pectin or cornstarch. But more often than not you’re left with a gloppy mess.
Ground tapioca is the way to go. Here’s why:
- It dissolves easily during baking.
- It preserves rather than dampens fresh fruit flavor (as other common thickeners can).
- The result is a cohesive, perfectly sliced piece of pie.
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To grind tapioca into a powder, simply use your spice grinder. Transfer it to an air-tight container and it’ll keep in your pantry for up to 6 months.
How much tapioca powder should you use? Just a couple tablespoons will do the trick.
Here are a few of my favorite tapioca-thickened recipes: