What is a pie bird? Well, you may have seen one at your grandparents’ or at an old relative’s house, probably not knowing what it was. A pie bird is a little keepsake, a figurine with the shape and colors of a bird, that has a real purpose: venting steam from pies while being baked.
Usually made of ceramic, pie birds are hollow and work releasing the steam from the pies, just like a chimney, so the filling does not bubble and damage the crust. It really protects the appearance of the crust and of the pie in general.
Is a pie bird necessary? Well, no, it isn’t. Is it fun and cute? Absolutely! Some people collect them and have really big collections of all sorts of pie birds, resembling different kinds of birds.
Now you know what is a pie bird, let’s learn how to use it.
How to use a pie bird
If you are going to use a pie bird, you just can’t put it in the pie after baking –that would make it useless-. Once you see how to use a pie bird properly, you’ll never forget:
When the pie is ready to go in the oven, use a spoon to scoop the filling in the center of the pie. Then, place the pie bird, making a hole in the top crust and , leaving some space between the bottom of the pie and the lower part of the pie bird.
Thus, once the pie is baking, the steam is released through the bird’s beak. Some birds may even whistle when venting the steam, how cute is that?!
Be careful because you shouldn’t pull the pie bird from the pie after baking. If you do so, you may break the crust or pull the filling and, therefore, ruin the looks of the pie. So leave it where it is and cut slices around it.
Recipes to use your pie bird in
These delicious recipes with Spanish extra virgin olive oil are the perfect excuse to use your pie bird, you will love them!
- Pie crust recipe: first, the basics. Learn how to make a crunchy and golden pie crust and the secret for a perfect pie!
- Meat pie with olive oil from Spain: the classic meat pie with minced beef. Tasty, comforting and healthy, a perfect dish for Winter.
- Turkey pie: a must in every Christmas gathering that you can make all year. Everybody loves this pie because of its soft taste and creaminess. Amazing
- Apple crumble pie: a perfect dessert with apple and oatmeal. It is not mandatory to use a pie bird in this one, but if you do, it will look even better because the crust will be flatter.
What to do if you don’t have a pie bird
In case you don’t have a pie bird, you can use other stuff to make the same function. As long as it’s like a tube and it is heat resistant, it’ll work: a cinnamon stick, a piece of cardboard straw… you name it! You can also buy a pie crust vent, that has exactly the sema function as a pie bird, but obviously not that pretty.
We hope this article has helped you understand what is a pie bird, how to use pie bird and also inspired you to try new healthy recipes with EVOO from Spain!
FAQs
Usually made of ceramic, pie birds are hollow and work releasing the steam from the pies, just like a chimney, so the filling does not bubble and damage the crust.
How to use le creuset pie bird? ›
Simply place the bird in the centre of your pie with its friendly head poking through the topping to stop your pastry dropping into the filling. The hollow centre allow the pie juices to bubble freely, while also letting steam escape. Always up to scratch: our glazed stoneware is scratch resistant and easy to clean.
Are pie birds worth it? ›
You don't have to use a pie bird on any pie, but it can prevent the filling from erupting and making a mess of your pie crust. Some bakers also claim it makes the bottom crust less soggy. A pie bird is most beneficial when you're topping a pie with a solid crust.
When to use a pie funnel? ›
A small ceramic funnel which is placed on the filling of a pie, before the pastry lid is put in position. The funnel allows steam to escape during baking and prevents pastry cracking or turning soggy or the pie filling bubbling out.
What is the history of the pie bird? ›
A pie bird, also known as a pie vent, pie whistle, pie funnel, or pie chimney is a hollow ceramic device, that originated in Europe around the 1700s. It can be shaped like a funnel, chimney, or an up-stretched bird with open beak or many other animals, characters, etc.
What is a pie bunny used for? ›
The tiny gadgets are meant to sit in the center of a pie and serve as a steam vent, keeping the filling from overflowing.
What is the point of a pie bird? ›
A pie bird is a hollow ceramic tool that bakers place in the center of pies to prevent bubbling over. They can also be called pie vents, because that hollow core allows steam to escape during baking.
Do you grease an enamel pie dish? ›
Spraying your pie pan with cooking spray or greasing the pan might change the texture of the bottom of the crust, so if you're not going to remove the whole pie from the dish before serving and it doesn't have a sticky, messy filling, it's more than okay to refrain from greasing the pan.
What does a pie pan do in cooking? ›
Pie pans are used to bake pies; ideally, they ensure a flakey, cooked-through crust on the bottom, which is sometimes prone to sogginess.
What to use instead of a pie funnel? ›
If you don't have a pie funnel you can always use an upside down egg cup. Pop your filling in. And sprinkle with your extra strong cheddar. Roll out your lid and place on top.
This whimsical Pie Bird, also known as a pie vent, pie funnel, pie chimney, or pie whistle, allows steam to escape from the juices of meat and fruit pies while they bake to keep the pie fillings from bubbling over and baking onto the racks or oven floor.
How do you vent a pie crust? ›
The simplest way to add vents to a top crust is by cutting slits in it with a sharp knife. Four or five 2-inch slits, arranged circularly, radiating from the center toward the edges, should be plenty. You can use your finger to widen the slits slightly.
How to bake with a pie bird? ›
When baking a pie, place the pie bird in the center on the bottom pastry/crust. Add the fruit to surround the bird. Roll out the top pastry/crust and cut a small X in the center. Lay this crust over the pie with the beak protruding through the X.
Why do we poke holes in pies? ›
With docking, the holes allow steam to escape, so the crust should stay flat against the baking dish when it isn't held down by pie weights or a filling. Otherwise the crust can puff up, not only impacting appearance but also leaving you with less space for whatever filling you have planned.
Why is it important to blind bake the pie shell when making a pie with a no bake filling? ›
Blind Baked pie crusts: Blind baked pie crusts are a fully baked crust and are used for recipes which have a no-bake pie filling, such as a lemon meringue pie, chocolate cream pie, banoffee pie, or a french silk pie. You want to fully bake the crust, as it will not get another chance to crisp up.
Should you line a pie dish? ›
Should I line my pie pan with parchment paper? This is entirely up to you! I don't think you need it, but you can certainly use a parchment paper round on the bottom of the pie dish to prevent sticking.
Do you brush pie with milk or egg? ›
The general rule of thumb for an egg wash is one well-beaten whole egg plus one to two tablespoons of water. More water will lighten the golden color, or for a shinier pie, you can substitute the water with cream or milk. Sometimes, an egg wash is made with just yolks for extra color—or just whites for extra shine.
Do you have to let pie sit? ›
Before you slice in, it's critical to let the pie cool down for several hours, both for a clean slice and a safe forkful.
