A Slice of Comfort: Flaky Crust Pies in Norton, MA
- Jen Vondenbrink
- Sep 26
- 5 min read
Ashley Nichols and husband Andres Diossa are the owners of Flaky Crust Pies. The business was inspired when Ashley’s mom saw a television show about pie shops in America. With a love for cooking and baking, Flaky Crust Pies was born.
Flaky Crust Pies features sweet and savory pies ranging from traditional apple pie to seasonal berry pies. Their savory pies are a hidden gem and something you don’t want to miss.
Getting Started - Developing the "Flaky Crust"
Ashley began by renting kitchen space at Hope & Main in Warren, Rhode Island, where she perfected her signature pie crust. The crust, which has remained unchanged, is made with only flour, butter, salt, and water. You can taste the difference.
She took her pies to several different markets to test which flavors to start with. She knew she wanted to focus on sweet pies, but in the back of her head simmered a chicken pot pie recipe, which she also tested, unsure if they would open their pie shop with it or not.
Well, in 2019, they did, and it is a good thing. This pie is a classic, and the best version of a Chicken Pot Pie I’ve ever had.
What Makes Flaky Crust Pies So Special?
As I mentioned, their crust is made with all-natural ingredients, including butter. No lard or other shortening. This leads to extra flavor in the crust that you really miss in most commercially prepared pies, where there is little to no flavor in the crust.
Getting back to the Chicken Pot Pie, not only does it have the Flaky Crust signature pie crust, but it is the filling that brings it to life. I asked what makes this pot pie so special, and Ashley replied, “It is the love that goes into making it.”
She and her team cook the stock for 3 hours before assembling chunks of white chicken meat, vegetables, and using the stock to make an incredibly flavorful sauce. When you cut into the pie, you can smell the herbs. It is that fresh! Once I tasted this pie, there was no doubt why it is a Flaky Crust Best Seller. They keep plenty frozen on hand that you can pick up, order online, or even have them bake it for you, so it is ready for you to pick up.
I don’t mean to just rave about the Chicken Pot Pie, because all the pies are delicious. I especially like the strawberry rhubarb, and recently tried the cherry, which was amazing. All the pies are handmade with fresh ingredients.
A Mission to Transport People Through Food
I asked Ashley why her pies are so popular with her customers. She believes that the way they make the pies and the flavors remind people of comfort and home. She loves to transport people to those happy memories. I can attest that her pies are truly a warm, comforting hug.
It is that purpose that drives her to explore new ideas and flavors. She continues to test new recipes, which isn’t an easy process. First, she explores recipes. Her inspiration could come from a cookbook or even a meal she has had. Each spark and idea, and she asks, “I wonder what that would be like in a pie.”
Then she needs to figure out how to make more than just one pie so it retains the flavor she is looking for. Lots of testing and time go into each pie.
One of her favorite inspirations is their seasonal Thanksgiving Dinner Pie. The pie has all the trimmings of a Thanksgiving dinner, including stuffing, gravy, turkey, and cranberry sauce. They can’t keep these in stock during the season because they are so good and sought after. If you are interested in being transported back to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner this year, keep an eye out on her website, Facebook Page, or Instagram for the announcement of when they are in stock.
Running a Small Business - Words of Advice
Running a small business comes with its challenges, and Nichols emphasizes the need to be resilient, maintain a positive attitude, and stay open and creative to new ideas. She and her husband are a perfect team where she handles the baking side of things and he handles the other important aspects of the business, like payroll. “I couldn’t do it without him,” Ashley says.
“The challenges will always be there,” she continues. “It is how you work through them.” They are grateful for their loyal customers and love meeting new people through their visits to local farmers’ markets and other events.
Their vision for the business isn’t to grow it to multiple locations because they love the shop and want to use it as a home base. The couple wants to deepen their customer base by coming up with new products and meeting new customers. “Even after six years, there are still people who come in who didn’t know we are here,” says Nichols.
Where Can You Find Flaky Crust Pies?
Flaky Crust Pies is located at 401 Old Colony Road in Norton, MA. It is a retail shop, so there is no dining in. In addition to their delicious year-round pies, they also offer seasonal pies and weekly specials. Some of the year-round options include apple, blueberry crumble, and chocolate cream pies.
Savory pies include French Meat Pies, Shepherd's Pie, Barbeque Pork Mac & Cheese Pie, and a vegetarian Chickpea Curry option, which I plan to try soon!
Savory hand pies are also available, with fillings such as chicken taco or bacon, egg, and cheese. All savory pies can be purchased frozen or baked to order. The shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
You can also order online, which is super helpful during the holiday season or even during the busy workweek. You can even order through DoorDash and have Flaky Crust Pies delivered. You do need to give them 24 hours' notice to order, which makes sense and gives you the freshest pie possible.
In addition to pies, Flakey Crust also offers cookies, whoopie pies, seasonal items, and even side dishes! You can order the perfect dinner all in one place, from the main meal to dessert.
If you are in the area, make sure to stop by and check out Flaky Crust Pies. Pick up a baked pie for dessert or even as a hostess gift. Even better, explore the frozen pies and bake them at home. Honestly, within 90 minutes, you will have a bubbling, delicious pie just like Mom used to make.
What are you waiting for?
Flaky Crust Pies was featured on Phantom Gourmet!
Flaky Crust Pies is located at 401 Old Colony Road in Norton, MA.
Flaky Crust Pies Hours
Tuesday - Friday 10:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday 9:00-3:00pm
Closed Sunday & Monday
Jen Vondenbrink is a cooking, food, and lifestyle blogger at Appetite for Life since 2020. Jen Vondenbrink has over 35 years of professional cooking experience apprenticing with local pastry and artisan bread makers, working for culinary innovator J. Bildner & Sons in Boston, as well as Starbucks Coffee Company in Seattle, Washington. Jen Vondenbrink has published cookbooks such as Thanksgiving Recipes From Home, Fun Summer Recipes, and the Cozy Soup Cookbook. Jen Vondenbrink also hosts the Appetite for Life Cooking Club, where members get insights to enhance their cooking. Jen Vondenbrink offers cooking classes and cooking coaching, working one-on-one with people to strengthen their cooking knowledge and skills.
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