Blind baking your pie crust can feel intimidating and using pie weights is crucial for an even finish. If you don't have ...

Use a layer of pie weights (small balls, typically ceramic) or dried beans over a sheet of aluminum foil or parchment paper to help the crust maintain its shape and not puff up while blind baking.

Bake the pie shell until the crust is just barely starting to brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Carefully remove the parchment paper and pie weights by lifting them out by the parchment paper, then return ...