12 Graham Crackers Crust Substitutes That Will Make Your Pie Popular

Pies are amazing, and most people love the crust part of the pie. However, there is no doubt that a bad pie crust will hurt the pie, and it doesn’t matter if the filling is heavenly; the goodness must start at the crust and proceed inward to the filling. 

Often, anything cracker-like or crunchy will work great. All you need to do is grind it up and then use butter to hold it together as you press and bake to perfection. 

Graham crackers are great for that pie crust, but sometimes they might not be available, and you might consider other options. 

Nutrition Value

Graham Cracker Substitutes 

There are some amazing Graham Crackers substitutes, and they are as follows: 

1. Ice Cream Cones

This is a genius option for people who are making ice cream pies. The ice cream cones are known for their awesome crispiness, making the pie so delicious.

Waffle cones work best as pie crusts because they taste more like cookies. 

They might be easy to break, so as you add the ice cream, be careful and remain gentle lest you risk breaking the cone. 

Take that store-bought waffle cone and wrap it in foil. Next, roll out the pie dough and quarter it. Finally, wrap one quarter around the foil form and then wrap the parchment on the pie dough to make it hold. 

Ensure your oven is preheated at 400 degrees and bake the cone for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake for another 15-20 minutes. 

Remember, wrapping foil around the waffle cone for shaping makes it as smooth as you can because sliding it out later will be tricky if crinkles exist.

The same applies to the parchment paper: keep it as smooth and tight as possible. 

After baking, allow the cones to cool while still wrapped in parchment to prevent breaking.

You can unwrap them after they are completely cool and add your filling. 

How To Substitute

Ice cream cones make a simple, tasty crust that is easier to make and is less messy. Ice cream cones are a fun and refreshing treat. These cones can be made with many different ingredients, but one thing they all have in common is a crispy graham cracker crust.

2. Crisp Cookies

Anything in the cookie family will work beautifully as a pie crust. You can opt for crisp cookies with spicy flavors, especially if your pie is creamy or a cheesecake.

You have many options, from Oreo cookies, nut-flavored cookies, vanilla cookies, and so on.  

First, you will need cookie crumbs from crisp cookies, which could be 1 ½ cups. They could be from butter cookies, chocolate sandwich cookies, spice cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and so on.

You will also need melted butter.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Crush those crisp cookies by rolling them in a plastic bag with a rolling pin or in a food processor until the result is a fine crumb mixture. 

Place those crumbs in a bowl and mix them with butter until they are well blended.

Then, press them into the bottom and sides of your pie pan, coated with cooking spray. 

Bake for around 8 to  10 minutes and let it cool, then fill it with your preferred filling and freeze it for that awesome finish with a great crust in place.

How To Substitute

There are many ways to substitute a graham cracker crust for a cookie crust. A great option is to use a crisp sugar cookie. he cookie crust is quick and easy to make and provides a crunchy, sweet, and tasty base for your pie.

3. Cold Cereal

This is a great substitute for the Graham Crackers crust because it is a crunchy and delicious option for a pie crust. You can grind the granola, cornflakes, and crispy rice cereal together, then top it up with yogurt filling. 

This is one of the best substitutes that give off that similar and sweet flavor common in Graham Crackers. 

Cereal is easy to find because it is a staple in most homes and easily available in grocery stores.

You could consider crushing rice crispies, granola, cornflakes and others that you prefer and use the flavored and delicious cereal to create uniqueness to your pie crust. 

You will love the crunchy texture of this cereal crust, which also works for various pies. You can also use it when making creamy foods or soft ones like yogurt, ice cream, and pudding. 

You will need breakfast cereal, which could be flaked or puffed, melted butter, sugar, which is only necessary if your cereal is presweetened, and cinnamon. 

Roll or grind the breakfast cereal and then mix it with the melted butter, cinnamon and sugar if you use it.

After mixing it well, press a pie pan of a similar diameter into the dough to form a crust of even thickness. 

Trim off any excesses; you don’t need to bake the crumb crusts before filling. However, if you add the baked filling, ensure you chill it well to prevent the crust from disintegrating.

If you need to bake it first, do so at 350 degrees and for 10 minutes and cool before adding the filling.  

How To Substitute

The secret to a satisfying homemade pie crust is to use cold cereal as a crust instead of graham crackers. You can use any kind of cereal, but it’s best to use a low-sugar cereal like Cheerios or Corn Flakes.

4. Coconut Macaroons

Coconut macaroons are ideal substitutes for a Graham Cracker crust. They are simply a flour-free crust of shredded coconut and egg whites.

They offer a sweet and amazing contrast to most pie fillings, with the best examples being key lime and chocolate mousse. 

You will need sweetened condensed milk, egg white, vanilla, salt, and sweetened coconut. To begin, heat your oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray. 

Make your pie crust in a large bowl by stirring the ingredients until they are well blended.

Press your mixture to form a perfect pie crust, and then bake for 10-12 minutes and let it cool after you remove it from the oven. 

Make your key lime pie filling by whisking egg yolks, condensed milk, zest, and lime juice.

Pour this mixture over the coconut macaroon crust and bake it for up to 17 minutes or until you notice the filling is set and the coconut crust has turned golden brown around the edges. 

Remove from the oven, cool it on a cooling rack, and chill it in a refrigerator for at least an hour before serving it. 

How To Substitute

Coconut Macaroons are a vegan and gluten-free alternative to traditional graham cracker crusts. Made with just four ingredients, they are the perfect option for any special occasion or dinner party.

5. Crushed Pretzels

This is a great Graham Cracker substitute if you love sweet-savory combinations.

Pretzels make an awesome pie crust because they are salty, crunchy, and a little buttery which is perfect if you make a chocolate mousse and peanut butter pie. 

There is no doubt that crushed pretzels are a delicious crust for your pie because they also have this amazing taste with hints of vanilla and cinnamon.

In addition, their crunchy texture makes them ideal, especially if you make any softer and creamier desserts.

The pretzel crust mixture should always have the consistency of wet sand.

If your crumb crust turns dry, consider adding spoonfuls of melted butter to those crumbs until they become evenly moistened. 

On the other hand, if your mixture turns too wet and is a challenge to work with, consider adding more pretzel crumbs until you achieve the correct consistency.  

Begin by gathering your pretzel mixture up the sides of the plate until the edges are covered with crumbs, then form the top edges of the crust and make them neat by pressing them together with two fingers. 

Begin packing the sides of the pretzel crust with your thumb evenly and toward the center of your pie plate.

Keep packing the crumbs from the outer edges to the middle until a single layer is achieved, and make sure everything is even and tight before adding your filling. 

How To Substitute

Pretzel crust can be substituted for the graham cracker crust in a traditional recipe for a variety of pies and tarts.

6. Crashed Oats 

Crashed oats are amazing as a pie crust and a replacement for Graham crackers. They are ideal if you want a healthier option for your pie crust.

Crushed oats are nutritious with high fiber content and have a firm texture and delicious taste.  

They will make an amazing crust for your pie, and you can choose to have one of those flavored oats for an even better taste. The best thing is that it is so simple to prepare.

You will need quick-cook oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, salt, and cold butter.

First, mix the oats, sugar, flour, and salt, and then add butter until the mixture turns crumbly. 

Press those coarse crumbs firmly on the bottom and sides of your lightly greased 9” pie plate and bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes until you notice the crust turning a light brown.

When the crust shrinks back during baking, press it back up the sides before it cools, and when it finally cools, it will set perfectly. 

Consider using gluten-free oats and gluten-free flour if you don’t want the gluten in this crust. 

How To Substitute

This is a recipe for an easy and healthy pie crust that is light and airy. Crushed oats make for a healthier crust than a traditional graham cracker crust. The crust is easy to make and keeps for a few days in the refrigerator.

7. Saltine crackers

Saltine crackers can replace Graham crackers so well. Even though they are not similar in taste to Graham crackers, they will bring a unique twist.

Saltine crackers have this savory flavor that works wonderfully with desserts. 

Saltine crackers are useful in creating an amazing crust for your pie.  

You will need saltine crackers, white sugar, salt, unsalted melted butter, and honey. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease your 9-inch pie pan.

Begin by crushing the saltine cracker using a food processor and add sugar, salt, butter, and honey.

Next, press the crust into the prepared pie pan and bake in the oven for 16 minutes until golden.  

Remove the crust from the oven and while it is still hot, reform the crust if it has fallen during baking and then let it cool before you add the filling of your choice. 

How To Substitute

Graham cracker crust is one of the most popular crusts to use when making a pie. Substituting it with saltine crackers would be a good way to lower the calorie content and the carb count. Saltine crackers are a low-carb, low-calorie alternative to graham crackers.

8. Digestive Cookies

Digestive cookies are amazing substitutes; taste, consistency, and texture are similar to Graham crackers. Digestive cookies offer this crunchy flavor which works perfectly with any type of filling.

In addition, you can choose digestive cookies of flavors such as chocolate, coconut, or strawberry. 

Crush your digestive cookies into a fine crumb using a food processor or simply put them in a ziplock bag and use a rolling pin to crush them.

Next, mix your fine crumb with melted butter and stir until your mix looks like wet sand. 

Grease and line your 9-inch pan with cling wrap, mold the cookie crumbs into the pan using your hands and do your best to achieve even thickness everywhere. 

Put the crust in the fridge for about 15 minutes before you add your filling to create the most delicious pie. 

How To Substitute

To get the same sweet and salty flavors of a graham cracker crust, simply use digestive cookies. This recipe is simple and easy to follow, with the perfect balance of sweetness and salt.

9. Ginger Snaps 

Gingersnaps have these amazing ginger, honey, molasses, and cinnamon flavors, and they make great substitutes for Graham crackers thanks to their strong flavor, which never disappoints.

Their texture is closely similar to one of Graham’s crackers.  

It is a great substitute, especially if you want a substitute that adds special deliciousness and amazing ginger flavor in your pie.  

Use extra thin crispy gingersnaps for the best results.  

You will need gingersnaps, walnut crumbs, butter that is unsalted and melted, and brown sugar. 

You will need to preheat your oven to 350F and lightly butter or grease your pie plate. Crush the gingersnaps in a food processor until they turn into fine crumbs.

Add walnuts and sugar and process until the mixture is blended and finely ground. 

You can add butter into the mix and process until well-blended. When the mixture is ready, pat the crust into the bottom of your 9-inch pie plate and fix it up to the side, ensuring it is even everywhere.

Bake for about 12 minutes, then let it cool before adding your filling. 

How To Substitute

Ginger snaps are a crispy, crumbly cookie that are a little bit sweet and a little bit spicy. They make a great crust for ice cream sundaes, pies, and cheesecake. This recipe substitutes ginger snaps for graham crackers in a graham cracker crust for an easy no-bake cheesecake.

10. Sponge Cake 

This is a delicious option and a unique but perfect substitute for Graham crackers. Unlike the other pie crust options on this list, this one has a very different texture from  Graham Crackers.

However, it is ideal if you would love a firm base and not a crunchy one for your pie. 

The great thing about using a sponge cake as your substitute is that you will have various options for choosing flavors.

For example, you could go with lemon, vanilla, cinnamon, chocolate, orange, or any preferred flavor that will blend perfectly with your choice of filling. 

For the 9-inch cake crust, you will need softened unsalted melted butter, sifted flour, baking powder, table salt, large eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, lemon extract, and tartar cream.

Preheat your oven to 350F and butter the bottom and side of your pie pan. You can wrap the outside with aluminum foil and cover the bottom, extending it up the side.  

Use a bowl to sift the flour, salt, and baking powder together.

Use another bowl and add egg yolks and sugar, then use a mixture to mix. Sift the flour mixture over the batter and stir until it is well blended. 

Mix tartar cream and egg whites until they become frothy, and then slowly add sugar and beat until all the whites look glossy.

Fold the whites into the batter, and even when you see white specks, don’t worry.

Spread the batter at the bottom of your pie pan and bake for about 10 minutes until it turns golden. Touch the cake at the center, and it is done if you feel that springy effect.

Leave the crust in the pan to cool and then add your ready filling or prepare your preferred one to complete your sponge cake crust pie.   

How To Substitute

However, the taste and texture of a graham cracker crust can be difficult to replicate with cake. If you’d like to try it, you can use this recipe to make a sponge cake that has a crumbly and soft texture that is reminiscent of a graham cracker crust.

11. Brownies

Chocolate lovers, this one is for you in case you don’t have Graham crackers or none of the other options on this list.

This crust will taste like a brownie and is perfect if you make milk chocolate pudding as your filling. It is a delicious option and makes a wonderful crust for your pie. 

You will need semisweet chocolate that is chopped, unsalted butter, light brown sugar,  granulated sugar, pure vanilla extract, fine salt, a large egg, all-purpose flour, and cocoa powder. 

Preheat your oven to 325F and then melt the chocolate and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and keep stirring.

Stir sugars, salt, and vanilla into the chocolate mix and whisk. Take it off the heat and let it cool for a couple of minutes.  

Add egg into the mixture and stir until it is well-blended, stuck, and stiff. Add the batter to your pie plate and cover it with plastic wrap, then smooth it across the pie plate and up the sides using your fingers. 

You can remove the plastic wrap and bake until the top is crispy for about 15 minutes. Then, cool on a wire rack for about 15 minutes before adding your filling. 

How To Substitute

Graham cracker crust is a classic and delicious recipe for pie crust. It can be a little time consuming, but it is worth it. But, there is a way to substitute graham cracker crust with brownies. This recipe is easy to follow and you will have a delicious and sweet dessert in no time.

12. Homemade Graham Crackers

You can use this option if you don’t want store-bought Graham crackers and want a Graham crackers crust that will taste exactly the way you want.

Surprisingly, you can make your graham crackers right at home, and you don’t need any fancy ingredients to achieve this. 

You will need Graham flour(whole wheat flour), brown sugar, whole milk, baking soda, butter, salt, baking soda, honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon (for flavor),

Heat your oven in advance and use parchment sheets to line your baking dish. Add flour, baking soda, sugar, salt, and cinnamon and mix them. 

Use another bowl to whisk butter, honey, milk, and vanilla extract until they are well blended. 

Combine the two mixtures until they form a great and ready dough  

Let the dough cool for about an hour, then roll it out for cutting. Make sure you stick to a not-more-than-an-inch in thickness, but it shouldn’t be too thin. 

After you cut the dough into smaller pieces, place them into a baking sheet and bake the Graham Crackers for about 15 minutes.

After they are ready, you can then use them to prepare a crust for your delicious pie!

How To Substitute

Homemade graham crackers are easy to make and offer the same taste as store-bought. It’s simple to use in place of graham crust crackers and these homemade graham crackers for a dessert crust for any sweet or savory dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There An Alternative Crust To Graham Crackers For Cheesecake? 

There are various alternatives to cheesecake, such as wafer cookies,  crushed cornflakes, biscuits, ice cream cones, and even Oreos or any other ideal chocolate-flavored cookies as a crust for your cheesecakes. 

Are There Biscuits That Look And Taste Like Graham Crackers? 

Any vanilla-flavored biscuits are great substitutes for Graham crackers because they taste similar. Marie biscuits are great examples of an alternative because they have a similar vanilla flavor and a similar texture.

But if you want to sample different flavors, you can choose coconut-flavored or chocolate-flavored biscuits. 

What Makes Graham Crackers Special And Different From The Other Crackers?

Graham crackers are made from Graham flour which is a flour that is similar to whole wheat flour, with the difference being that the Graham flour is more coarsely ground and perfect for creating adorable crackers for pie crusts and other uses in the cooking world.

12 Graham Crackers Crust Substitutes That Will Make Your Pie Popular

Prep Time

20

minutes

Cooking Time

10

minutes

Total Time

30

minutes

Looking for graham cracker crust substitutes? Get the best options to choose from the list and enhance your tastebuds with improvised recipes.

Ingredients

• Ice cream cones

• Crisp Cookies

• Cold cereal

• crushed pretzels

• coconut macaroons

• Crashed Oats

• saltine crackers

• digestive cookies

• Ginger snaps

• Sponge cake

• Brownies

• Homemade Graham Crackers 

Directions

• Choose your favorite substitute from the list given above
• Follow the directions given in the recipe after having substituted the ingredient in the correct ratio

Recipe Video

• Author
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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!

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