How to Weave a Lattice Pie Crust

A lattice pie crust is both beautiful and functional — the woven pattern shows off the filling and allows steam to escape as the pie bakes. Once you learn the technique, you can adapt it to any fruit pie for a classic, bakery-quality finish.

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to weave a lattice top that bakes up neat and evenly spaced. You’ll just need a few simple tools and a little patience — the results are worth it.

a rhubarb pie on a table with napkin and plates.

Equipment You’ll Need

Gather your tools before you start. The right setup makes the process easier and neater.

  • Pie Plate – The size and shape of your pie plate determine how many strips you’ll need.
  • Rolling Pin – For rolling the top crust to an even thickness.
  • Ruler – To measure and guide your cuts for uniform strips.
  • Pizza Cutter or Paring Knife – To cut clean, straight strips of dough.

How to Weave a Lattice Pie Crust

You might be surprised how simple it is weave a beautiful lattice top pie. Cut the strips thinner for a more intricate look or slightly thicker for a more rustic look. 

  1. Step 1: Roll and Cut the Dough

    Have your pie plate filled with a bottom crust and the filling of your choice.
    Roll the dough for the lattice top from the center out, turning it frequently so it doesn’t stick. Keep rolling until it forms a 12-inch circle about ⅛-inch thick.
    Use a ruler to mark even increments for cutting the strips. Cut the strips with a pizza cutter or sharp knife — anywhere from ½ inch to 1 inch wide, depending on the look you want for your pie.

  2. Step 2: Lay the First Strips

    Brush the edge of the pie dough in the pan with a little egg wash.
    Arrange half of the dough strips in one direction across the pie, leaving small gaps between each strip. Use the longest strips in the center and the shorter ones toward the edges.
    Flip every other strip back halfway, then lay one long strip across the pie, perpendicular to the first set. Flip the folded strips back down. Continue lifting alternating strips and adding new ones in the opposite direction to create the weave.pie dough strips on a pie making a lattice.

  3. Step 3: Finish and Bake

    Once the pie is fully covered, press the ends of the strips onto the bottom crust to seal. Trim the excess dough with scissors or a paring knife, If you’d like, crimp the edges with a fork or your fingers.
    Brush the entire top with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar for shine and texture. Bake according to your pie recipe.a lattice top pie. unbaked.

Watch the Process

See the entire weaving technique in action in the video below.

Learn More Pie Recipes & Techniques

Take your pie baking a step further with these tutorials and recipes: