Discovering Flaky Crust Pies: A Journey of Flavor and Comfort
Updated: Aug 23
Ashley Nichols and her husband, Andres Diossa, are the creative minds behind Flaky Crust Pies. This delightful business was born when Ashley’s mom saw a television show about pie shops across America. With a passion for cooking and baking, Flaky Crust Pies came to life!
Flaky Crust Pies offers a variety of sweet and savory pies, from traditional apple pie to seasonal berry delights. Their savory pies are a hidden gem that you absolutely must try!
Getting Started - Developing the "Flaky Crust"
Ashley began her journey by renting kitchen space at Hope & Main in Warren, Rhode Island. Here, she perfected her signature pie crust. This crust, which remains unchanged, is made with just flour, butter, salt, and water. Trust me, you can taste the difference!
To find the perfect flavors, Ashley tested her pies at various markets. She knew she wanted to focus on sweet pies, but a chicken pot pie recipe simmered in the back of her mind. Would it make the cut for their pie shop?
In 2019, they opened their doors, and let me tell you, it was a fantastic decision! This chicken pot pie is a classic and hands down the best I’ve ever tasted.
What Makes Flaky Crust Pies So Special?
As I mentioned earlier, their crust is crafted from all-natural ingredients, including butter. No lard or shortening here! This results in a crust bursting with flavor, something you often miss in commercially prepared pies.
Now, let’s talk about that Chicken Pot Pie again. It’s not just the crust that makes it special; it’s the filling! I asked Ashley what sets this pot pie apart, and she said, “It is the love that goes into making it.”
Her team cooks the stock for three hours before adding chunks of white chicken meat and vegetables, creating an incredibly flavorful sauce. When you cut into the pie, the aroma of fresh herbs fills the air. It’s that fresh! Once I tasted it, I understood why it’s a Flaky Crust best seller. They keep plenty frozen, so you can pick one up, order online, or have them bake it for you. It’s ready when you are!
I don’t want to just rave about the Chicken Pot Pie, though. Every pie is delicious! I’m particularly fond of the strawberry rhubarb, and I recently tried the cherry pie, which was simply amazing. All their pies are handmade with fresh ingredients.
A Mission to Transport People Through Food
I was curious why Ashley’s pies resonate so deeply with customers. She believes the way they make the pies and the flavors evoke feelings of comfort and home. She aims to transport people back to those happy memories. I can honestly say her pies feel like a warm, comforting hug!
This mission drives her to explore new ideas and flavors. She’s always testing new recipes, which can be quite the challenge. First, she gathers inspiration from cookbooks or meals she’s enjoyed. Each spark of an idea leads her to wonder, “What would that taste like in a pie?”
Next, she has to figure out how to make more than just one pie while retaining the flavor she envisions. Lots of testing and time go into each creation.
One of her favorite inspirations is their seasonal Thanksgiving Dinner Pie. This pie includes all the trimmings of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner: stuffing, gravy, turkey, and cranberry sauce. They can’t keep these in stock during the season because they’re just that good! If you want to relive a classic Thanksgiving dinner this year, keep an eye on her website, Facebook Page, or Instagram for updates on when they’re available.
Running a Small Business - Words of Advice
Running a small business is no walk in the park. Ashley emphasizes the importance of resilience, maintaining a positive attitude, and staying open to new ideas. She and her husband make a great team—Ashley handles the baking, while Andres takes care of other essential business aspects, like payroll. “I couldn’t do it without him,” Ashley says.
“The challenges will always be there,” she continues. “It’s how you work through them.” They are grateful for their loyal customers and love meeting new faces at local farmers’ markets and events.
Their vision isn’t to expand to multiple locations. They cherish their shop and want to use it as a home base. Instead, they aim to deepen their customer relationships by creating new products and meeting new customers. “Even after six years, there are still people who come in who didn’t know we are here,” Ashley shares.
Where Can You Find Flaky Crust Pies?
Flaky Crust Pies is located at 401 Old Colony Road in Norton, MA. It’s a retail shop, so there’s no dining in. Along with their delicious year-round pies, they offer seasonal pies and weekly specials. Year-round options include apple, blueberry crumble, and chocolate cream pies.
Savory pies are also on the menu! You can find 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 available too, with fillings like chicken taco or bacon, egg, and cheese. You can purchase all savory pies 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 convenient during the holiday season or a busy workweek. You can even order through DoorDash for delivery. Just remember to give them 24 hours' notice to ensure you get the freshest pie possible!
In addition to pies, Flaky Crust also offers cookies, whoopie pies, seasonal items, and even side dishes! You can order everything you need for a perfect dinner, from the main meal to dessert.
If you’re in the area, make sure to stop by Flaky Crust Pies. Grab a baked pie for dessert or as a hostess gift. Even better, explore their frozen pies and bake them at home. Honestly, within 90 minutes, you’ll 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 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday & Monday
Jen Vondenbrink is a cooking, food, and lifestyle blogger at Appetite for Life since 2020. With over 35 years of professional cooking experience, she has apprenticed with local pastry and artisan bread makers, worked for culinary innovator J. Bildner & Sons in Boston, and Starbucks Coffee Company in Seattle, Washington. Jen has published cookbooks such as "Thanksgiving Recipes From Home," "Fun Summer Recipes," and "The Cozy Soup Cookbook." She also hosts the Appetite for Life Cooking Club, offering insights to enhance cooking skills. Jen provides cooking classes and coaching, working one-on-one with individuals to strengthen their culinary knowledge and skills.
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