The Recipe · No.1436 · How to Make Shortcrust Pastry
How to Make Shortcrust Pastry, and where to source it
Shortcrust and pie crust are built on opposite goals. Pie crust wants visible butter pieces that steam apart into flakes; shortcrust wants the butter completely rubbed in, coating every flour particle so gluten can't form. That gives you the crisp, sandy snap a tart shell needs to hold a wet filling without going soggy.
The ratio250g flour : 125g butter : 1 egg (2:1 flour to butter). Rub butter in FULLY — no visible pieces.
By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026
Prep15 min
Cook1 hour chill
Makes2 tart shells
CuisineBritish
Cost$
Vegetarian
Contains dairy · eggs · gluten
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for2tart shells
Plain flour
250g. Twice the butter by weight, which is the ratio to remember.
Rich enough that Mom might raise an eyebrow. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time
EffortA project
Cook it with
Air fryerInstant PotSlow cookerOne-potSheet pan
The Method
Rub in fullyFingertips, lifting and rubbing, until it looks like fine breadcrumbs with no butter pieces left. Fingertips are cooler than palms, which matters.
Bind with egg, barelyBeaten egg in, brought together with a knife then a hand. Stop the second it forms a ball. Kneading gives you a tough, shrinking shell.
Chill an hourFlattened into a disc, wrapped. This relaxes the gluten and stops shrinkage.
Roll and line, then chill againRolled thin, eased into the tin without stretching — stretched pastry shrinks straight back down the sides — then thirty minutes in the freezer.
Blind bake properlyParchment and baking beans, 350°F for twenty minutes, then beans out and another ten until pale gold and dry.
Seal it against wet fillingsA brush of beaten egg over the hot shell, back in for two minutes. It forms a waterproof layer and is the trick against a soggy bottom.
Make it yoursGround almonds for a quarter of the flour. Cocoa for chocolate tarts. Grated parmesan and black pepper for savoury.
Can you make How to Make Shortcrust Pastry in an air fryer? — Yes
Yes — this is exactly what an air fryer does well. Work in a single layer so the air can move, and shake or flip halfway for even crisping. It runs a touch faster than the oven, so check early.
Can you freeze How to Make Shortcrust Pastry? — Yes
Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.
Can you make How to Make Shortcrust Pastry ahead of time? — Yes
Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.
Is How to Make Shortcrust Pastry gluten-free? — Not as written
Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
Is How to Make Shortcrust Pastry vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan
It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy and egg. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.
Community Notes
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