How to Make a Delicious Bean Pie From Scratch

Bean pie is a sweet, nutritious dessert that originated in the African American Muslim community. It’s made from a simple mixture of navy beans, sugar, eggs, evaporated milk, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and either a homemade or store-bought pie crust.

I love bean pie because it’s hearty, rich and satisfying. The texture is smooth and creamy, similar to pumpkin pie but with its own distinct flavor. And it’s easy to make with just a handful of ingredients you likely already have on hand.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the entire process of making bean pie completely from scratch, including making your own pie crust. I’ve also included some tips and tricks I’ve learned from years of perfecting my bean pie recipe. Whether you’re new to bean pies or a seasoned pro, read on for everything you need to know about how to make this classic dessert!

Ingredients Needed

Here’s what you’ll need to make a homemade bean pie

For the pie crust:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup shortening or butter
5-8 tablespoons cold water

For the filling:

2 (15.5 ounce) cans navy beans, rinsed and drained
1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
2 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated nutmeg

Make the Pie Crust

Let’s start with the crust, since it needs time to chill in the fridge.

In a large bowl, mix together the flour and salt.
Cut in the shortening or butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in the cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix.
Form dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Once the dough has chilled, remove from fridge and let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes to soften slightly. This will make it easier to roll out.

Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly flour a work surface and roll dough into a 12-inch circle, about 1/8 inch thick.
Gently fold dough in half and transfer to a 9-inch pie pan. Unfold and ease into the pan, pressing it into the bottom and sides.
Trim edges if needed. Prick bottom and sides with a fork.
Line pie shell with parchment paper or foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove weights and parchment and bake 5 more minutes.
Let cool completely on a wire rack before filling.

Make the Bean Pie Filling

Now onto the star of the show – the sweet and creamy bean filling!

Drain and rinse the navy beans well. Make sure to remove any loose skins.
In a food processor, combine the rinsed beans and evaporated milk. Blend until smooth, about 1 minute.
Add the sugar, melted butter, eggs and egg yolks, flour, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Process until completely smooth, about 1 more minute.
Pour filling into cooled pie crust. Tap gently on counter to release any air bubbles.

Bake the Bean Pie

Almost there! Follow these last steps to bake and cool your bean pie.

Bake pie at 450°F for 15 minutes.
Reduce heat to 350°F and continue baking for 35-40 more minutes, until filling is set and crust is golden brown.
Allow pie to cool at room temperature for 1 hour before slicing. This helps it set up.
Serve pie warm or refrigerate until chilled. Store any leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days.

And that’s it – you now have a deliciously sweet and nutty homemade bean pie to enjoy! The smooth, creamy filling pairs perfectly with the flaky crust.

Tips for Making the Best Bean Pie

Here are some helpful tips I’ve learned over the years for making bean pie like a pro:

Use very ripe, soft navy beans. Older, drier beans don’t puree as smoothly.
Drain and rinse beans very well to remove skins and get creamiest texture.
Chill pie dough thoroughly before rolling for easiest handling.
Partially bake crust before filling so it crisps up nicely.
For custard-like filling, don’t skimp on the eggs and egg yolks.
Bake at high temperature initially to prevent soggy crust.
Let cool completely or filling will be too soft to slice.

Get Creative with Your Bean Pie

Once you’ve mastered the classic bean pie recipe, try out some fun flavor variations!

Swap cinnamon and nutmeg for pumpkin pie spice
Add 1/2 cup peanut butter to filling
Use chocolate wafer cookie crust instead of plain pastry
Top with whipped cream, nuts, coconut, or chocolate shavings
Stir in 1 cup drained crushed pineapple for tropical bean pie
Layer caramel and sliced bananas in pie crust before adding filling

how to make a bean pie

Ingredients For classic bean pie

2 c cooked mashed beans(navy, great northern, pinto)
1/2 c softened butter (1 stick)
2 c granulated sugar
4 eggs, beaten with a fork
1 can evaporated milk (any brand)
2 Tbsp flour
2 tsp nutmeg
2 Tbsp vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon
1 9 inch pie shell

How To Make classic bean pie

1. Put mashed beans in a large bowl. Add softened butter and mix well. Add the sugar and mix well by hand.
2. Put the one can of evaporated milk into a blender. Then add the beaten eggs and blend. Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, and vanilla to the milk and eggs, and then blend it all together.
3 Finally add the butter, bean and sugar mixture. Blend for at least 2 minutes. This will give the pie a nice smooth consistency. Put the mixture into a 9-inch pie shell and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until the crust is brown and firm. It takes approximately 60 minutes to bake. (This filling is enough for two pies. ) .
Last Step: Don’t forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network and watch all of your friends drool. And dont forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too! .

Bean Pie (You’ve never had pie this good before)

FAQ

What is bean pie made of?

A bean pie is a sweet custard pie whose filling consists of mashed beans, usually navy bean, sugar, eggs, milk, butter and spices. Common spices and flavorings include vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Variations can include cloves, ginger, pumpkin pie spice and lemon extract.

Is eating bean pie good for you?

Fiber Content: With approximately 6 grams of fiber per serving, bean pies are a good source of dietary fiber. Fiber aids in digestion and helps with satiety, and supports digestive health. Low Fat: Navy beans are naturally low in fat, contributing to a healthier dessert alternative.

What is a bean pie Nation of Islam?

The bean pie is sweet, custard-like, and a foundationally humble foodstuff. It’s also a culinary icon of the controversial Nation of Islam and of revolutionary black power. The bean pie’s basic ingredients are simple: navy beans, sugar, eggs, milk, some warming spices, and a whole-wheat crust.

What does navy bean pie taste like?

The filling of a bean pie is made by blending navy beans, sugar, spices, and other ingredients together to create a smooth and creamy mixture. The most common spices used in bean pie include cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla, giving it a warm and comforting flavor that is perfect for the cooler months of the year.

How do you make a bean pie crust?

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. In a blender, combine beans, evaporated milk, 2 tablespoons flour, sugar, butter, cinnamon, eggs, and vanilla. Blend until mixture is smooth. Strain bean mixture through a sieve into a glass measuring cup. Pour filling into cooled crust and bake until golden filling is just set, 50 to 60 minutes.

What is the best way to eat beans?

The best way to eat beans is to first cook them in a large pot of water, about 4 cups of water to every 1 cup of beans. Adding lemon grass or other herbs to the water can improve the flavor. Once beans are cooked the best thing to do is combine them with cooked rice, this is because beans are low in methionine and rice is low in lysine, so combining them makes a more complete protein.

What’s in a bean pie?

Bean pie is a twist on a classic custard pie. While sugar, eggs, evaporated milk, and spices create a simple custard base, there are also mashed navy beans in the mix for a rich filling that’s sweet and generously spiced.

How do you make a mashed bean pie?

In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and stir with a fork to mix well. Add the milk, butter, eggs, and vanilla, and stir to mix everything well. Add the mashed beans and use an electric mixer or a whisk to beat all the ingredients together well, making a thick, smooth filling. Pour the filling into the piecrust.