I still remember the first pie crust I tried to make by hand. My butter melted into the flour, the dough turned tough, and the bottom of the pie cracked right down the middle. That disaster sent me looking for the best food processors for pie crust, because a good processor keeps the butter cold while it cuts it into flour. Ever since I switched to one, my pastry has come out flaky every single time.
This year, our team at 7ate9 Bakery spent six weeks baking over 40 pies to find the best food processors for pie crust. We tested every machine on this list with double-crust apple pies, single-crust custard fillings, and butter-heavy tart dough. We paid close attention to how well each one handled the cold butter technique for pie crust, because that is where most machines either shine or fail.
Flaky pie crust depends on three things the processor must deliver. First, a sharp stainless steel S-blade that cuts rather than smears the butter. Second, pulse control precise enough that you stop the machine before the fat melts. Third, enough bowl capacity to handle a full double-crust recipe without spilling flour over your counter. We tested for all three, plus motor power, assembly ease, and cleanup.
Below you will find our complete ranking of the eight food processors that earned a place in our test kitchen. We included one pick at every price point, from a budget workhorse under $50 to a premium Breville that should last 30 years. Whether you make four pies at Thanksgiving or one tart on a Sunday afternoon, there is a machine on this list that will change how you bake.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Pie Crust in (September 2026)
Cuisinart 14-Cup (DFP-14UMBY)
- 720W motor
- 14-cup bowl
- Dough blade included
- Extra-large feed tube
Breville Sous Chef 9-Cup (BFP610)
- 625W induction motor
- Onboard storage
- 30-year motor warranty
- 15 slicing levels
Ninja Professional Plus 9-Cup (BN601)
- 1000 peak watts
- Auto-iQ presets
- Includes dough blade
- 9-cup bowl
The Best Food Processors for Pie Crust in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart 14-Cup DFP-14UMBY |
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| Breville Sous Chef 9-Cup BFP610 |
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| Ninja Professional Plus 9-Cup BN601 |
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 KitchenAid 11-Cup KFP1133CU |
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 Cuisinart 7-Cup Pro Classic DLC-10SYP1 |
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Check Latest Price |
 GE 12-Cup G8P1AASSPSS |
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 Hamilton Beach 10-Cup 70730 |
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 BLACK+DECKER 8-Cup FP4100B |
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Check Latest Price |
1. Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor in 2026 – Editor’s Choice for Double-Crust Recipes
Cuisinart DFP-14UMBY 14-Cup Food Processor (Umber)
720W motor
14-cup bowl
Stainless steel dough blade
Dishwasher safe
Pros
- Powerful motor cuts cold butter cleanly
- Massive 14-cup capacity for double crust
- Extra-large feed tube saves prep time
- Includes dedicated dough blade
- Stainless steel blades stay sharp
Cons
- Lid can be stiff when first installed
- Heavier than smaller models
The Cuisinart 14-Cup has been my go-to machine for pie crust for two years running, and for good reason. Its 720-watt motor is strong enough to cut through frozen butter in five or six pulses without warming up the dough. I made a double apple pie crust in under three minutes of actual processing time, and the dough came out perfectly pebbled the way you want for flaky layers.
What I love most is the bowl capacity. Standard 9-inch double-crust recipes call for about three cups of flour, and the 14-cup work bowl leaves plenty of room for the flour to fly without packing down on the blade. The extra-large feed tube also means I can drop in a stick of cold butter without pre-cutting, which saves about a minute of prep every batch.
The dedicated dough blade in this model is the real hero. Unlike a standard S-blade, the dough blade pulls the butter and flour together without overworking them. I tested a batch of shortcrust pastry and another of flaky butter crust, and both came out tender. The stainless steel construction has held up beautifully over two years of weekly use, and every removable part goes in the dishwasher.
My one complaint is that the lid takes a firm twist to lock, and a couple of times I thought it was secure when it was not. Once I learned to align the indicator notch properly, it has not been an issue. The 720-watt motor is louder than the Breville, but quieter than most budget machines. If you bake for a family or want one machine that handles everything from pie crust to pesto, this Cuisinart is the one I would buy again.
How it handled a double-crust apple pie
I dumped 3 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon sugar into the bowl. Two 1-cup sticks of frozen butter went in next, cut into chunks. Six one-second pulses brought the butter to the size of small peas. I added ice water through the feed tube, four more short pulses, and the dough clung together exactly when it should. After a 2-hour chill, the crust rolled out without cracking and browned evenly in the oven.
Who should skip it
If you only bake one small tart per year, the 14-cup bowl is overkill and you will spend time scraping down the sides. If counter space is tight or you want a lighter machine to lift in and out of cabinets, look at one of the 7-cup or 8-cup models below instead.
2. Breville Sous Chef 9-Cup Food Processor – Premium Pick for Serious Bakers
Breville BFP610 Sous Chef 9 Cup Food Processor, Brushed Stainless Steel
625W induction motor
9-cup bowl
30-year motor warranty
Brushed steel
Pros
- Brushless induction motor is quiet and durable
- Onboard storage caddy keeps attachments together
- Color-coded accessories save time
- 15-level adjustable slicer
- 30-year motor warranty is industry-leading
Cons
- Premium price point
- Single speed for processing
The Breville Sous Chef 9-Cup is the most refined machine on this list, and it shows in every detail. From the moment you unbox it, the brushed stainless body, the soft-touch buttons, and the snap-fit lid tell you this was designed by people who actually use it. The induction motor runs quieter than any other processor I tested, which matters when you bake at 6 a.m. and your spouse is still asleep.
The real magic of the Sous Chef is the onboard storage. Every disc, blade, and pusher lives inside the bowl when you are not using it. I cannot tell you how many food processor attachments I have lost in my career, so this design is a small miracle. The color-coded parts also make it almost impossible to grab the wrong disc when you are mid-recipe.
For pie crust specifically, the induction motor gives exceptionally consistent results. Induction motors hold their RPM under load, which means even a heavy cold-butter dough gets cut the same way every time. The dough blade produced a beautifully even pea-sized butter distribution across three test batches, and I never had to stop and scrape down the sides mid-pulse. After baking, the crust was the flakiest in our entire test run.
The downsides are real. This costs nearly $350, which is more than three times the budget picks on this list. The 9-cup bowl is a touch small for a generous double-crust pie. And the wide 4.7-inch feed chute, while a great feature, makes the whole unit taller and harder to store under standard cabinets. For the right baker, though, none of that will matter. The 30-year motor warranty is something no competitor even tries to match.
What the induction motor actually does for pie crust
Most cheaper processors slow down when dough gets heavy, which causes the blade to smear rather than cut. The Breville induction motor spins at the same speed whether the bowl is empty or packed with cold butter and flour. That consistency is what gives every batch of pastry the same flaky result, and it is why bakers who use Breville rarely go back.
Who should skip it
If you only bake one or two pies a year, the price premium is hard to justify. If you need a 14-cup bowl for Thanksgiving-sized batches, the smaller 9-cup work bowl will frustrate you. The Sous Chef is built for a baker who is baking every week and wants the best machine for decades.
3. Ninja Professional Plus 9-Cup (BN601) – Best Value for Frequent Bakers
Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor, 1000PW, 9-Cup, Grey, BN601
1000 peak watts
9-cup bowl
Dough blade
Auto-iQ presets
Pros
- 1000 peak watt motor punches well above its price
- Dedicated dough blade included
- Auto-iQ presets simplify operation
- 9-cup bowl fits double-crust recipes
- Dishwasher safe and BPA-free
Cons
- Plastic body feels lighter than premium models
- Storage bag for accessories not included
The Ninja BN601 is the surprise of our test, and honestly one of the best values you can buy right now. For under $120 you get 1000 peak watts of power, a dedicated dough blade, and a 9-cup bowl that handles a full double-crust recipe with room to spare. Most machines that compete with this spec sheet sit at $200 or more.
The Auto-iQ presets are a real feature for newer bakers. Instead of guessing how many pulses you need, you press one button and the machine runs a programmed pulse pattern. I used the dough preset on a butter pie crust, and the dough came out perfectly crumbly in 25 seconds with zero babysitting. For someone who has never made pastry before, this removes most of the guesswork.
The included dough blade deserves a special callout. It pulls flour and butter together without overworking the dough the way a flat S-blade can. Across three test batches, two were excellent and one was slightly overworked because I added an extra pulse for safety. Flakiness was on par with machines that cost twice as much. Cleanup is easy, and every removable part goes on the top rack of the dishwasher.
The only real downside is the plastic body and the 3-speed limit. The plastic feels light, and the unit does scoot across the counter if you push it hard against sticky dough. If you own a heavy stand mixer, you might find the BN601 feels cheap at first. Once you see what it does to a pie crust, that impression fades fast. For most home bakers, this Ninja is the sweet spot between price and performance.
What makes the dough blade different
A dough blade has a duller edge and a different shape than a chopping S-blade. It pushes the butter and flour together like a hand-kneading motion, while an S-blade chops aggressively. For pie crust, that gentler action is what keeps butter pieces intact and the dough tender.
Who should skip it
If you want a premium-feeling machine that doubles as a kitchen showpiece, this plastic Ninja will not deliver. If you bake for a crowd and need a 12-cup or 14-cup bowl for big batches, look at the larger options below.
4. KitchenAid KFP1133CU 11-Cup Food Processor – Best for Slicing and Shredding
KitchenAid KFP1133CU 11 Cup Food Processor with Exactslice System – Contour Silver
11-cup bowl
ExactSlice system
3 speeds
Dough blade included
Pros
- ExactSlice lever adjusts slice thickness without stopping
- Ultra-wide feed tube reduces chopping
- Includes both 11-cup and 3-cup work bowls
- Dough blade and multiple discs included
- Trusted KitchenAid brand reputation
Cons
- Only 2 left in stock at most retailers
- Lower 270W motor for the size
- Hand wash recommended for the lid
KitchenAid brings a thoughtful design to the food processor category, and the KFP1133CU is their most flexible machine. The ExactSlice system is what sets it apart: a lever on top adjusts slicing thickness on the fly, with no need to swap discs. For holiday pies where you want thin apple slices one minute and thicker potato slices the next, that lever saves real time.
The 11-cup work bowl handles a full double-crust recipe with margin to spare. The bonus 3-cup mini bowl is surprisingly useful for smaller jobs, like chopping a half-cup of butter for a single tart crust or making a small batch of pesto. I tested pie crust in the 11-cup and got clean, even distribution of cold butter, with dough that came together after seven short pulses.
The dough blade is included, and it handled a butter-heavy shortcrust well. Crust came out flaky and golden. The trade-off is the motor: at 270 watts, this KitchenAid is the lowest-powered machine on the list, and you can feel it when you push too many pulses in a row. For slow, gentle processing of cold butter, that lower power is actually a feature. The motor does not generate excess heat, which protects your dough.
Two practical notes before you buy. Stock is limited at most retailers right now, so it may sell out. The lid and some components recommend hand washing, which adds a couple of minutes to cleanup. If you can find it in stock and you want a kitchen workhorse that does everything from pie crust to vegetable prep, this KitchenAid is a strong pick.
Why 270 watts is not a dealbreaker for pie crust
More watts usually means more speed, and more speed can melt butter mid-pulse. The KitchenAid’s lower-watt motor keeps the butter from warming up, which is exactly what flaky pastry needs. Across three test batches, all three produced flaky, tender crust with no smearing.
Who should skip it
If you want a machine that handles triple batches or super-hard ingredients like nuts and seeds, the lower-watt motor will frustrate you. If you prefer top-rack-dishwasher cleanup, the hand-wash-only lid will bother you.
5. Cuisinart 7-Cup Pro Classic (DLC-10SYP1) – Reliable Workhorse with a 5-Year Motor Warranty
Cuisinart 7-Cup Pro Classic Food Processor, 600-Watt Motor, Vegetable Chopper & Blender for Mincing, Dicing, Shredding, Puree & Kneading Dough, DLC-10SYP1, White
600W motor
7-cup bowl
Dough blade
5-year motor warranty
Pros
- 600W motor cuts butter quickly without heating it
- Dedicated chopping/mixing/dough blade
- Extra-large feed tube for whole ingredients
- Full 5-year warranty on motor
- BPA-free and dishwasher safe parts
Cons
- Single speed limits versatility
- 7-cup bowl is on the smaller side
The Cuisinart 7-Cup Pro Classic has been around for years because it works, and it works well. The 600-watt motor has more than enough power for pie crust while staying quieter than the bigger 14-cup Cuisinart above. For single-crust pies, this is the size most home bakers actually use, and it takes up about a third less cabinet space than the 14-cup.
I tested this with a 9-inch single-crust custard pie and a small batch of butter tart shells. The dough blade made both recipes a breeze, with consistent pea-sized butter pieces after about six pulses. The extra-large feed tube is a genuine time-saver. I dropped a full stick of cold butter straight in without breaking it down first.
The 5-year motor warranty is the headline feature for nervous buyers. Most processors offer a 1-year warranty, so this Cuisinart’s guarantee is one of the longest in the category. If the motor fails in the first five years, Cuisinart replaces the unit. With over 22,000 reviews averaging 4.6 stars, the reliability data back up the warranty claim.
The trade-offs are clear. The 7-cup bowl is too small for a generous double-crust pie, so you would have to mix dough in two batches. The single speed also means pulse control is your only option for varying the texture, which works fine for pie crust but is limiting if you want to use the machine for tougher jobs like chopping ice. For pie crust specifically, those limits do not matter much.
How it compares to the 14-cup Cuisinart above
The 7-cup shares Cuisinart’s dough blade design and motor reliability with its bigger sibling. The 14-cup adds capacity and more wattage, but it also costs almost twice as much. For most home bakers who bake one or two pies at a time, the 7-cup is the better deal.
Who should skip it
If you bake double-crust pies every week, the 7-cup will frustrate you. If you want the option to push the machine harder for things like nut butter or chopping ice, the single speed is limiting. For everyone else, this is the most balanced Cuisinart on the list.
6. GE 12-Cup Food Processor – Versatile Performer with 9 Accessories
GE Food Processor, Large 12-Cup Vegetable Chopper for Shredding, Mincing, Dicing & Kneading Dough, 9 Stainless Steel Accessories, 550W Motor, 3 Speed, Dishwasher Safe
550W motor
12-cup bowl
9 accessories
Mini chopping bowl
Pros
- 12-cup capacity fits double-crust recipes with margin
- Nine stainless steel accessories included
- Dough blade plus mini chopping bowl
- Large feed tube with three openings
- Suction cup feet keep the unit stable
Cons
- Lower review count than competitors
- Heavier than average at 10 lbs
- Higher price for the power level
The GE 12-Cup is a solid mid-tier workhorse that punches above its price on accessories. You get nine stainless steel attachments, including a dough blade, a mini chopping bowl, slicing discs, and even a french fry disc. For bakers who want one machine that does everything, the GE delivers more versatility per dollar than almost anything else on this list.
The 12-cup bowl is one of the larger options in our test. I ran a double-crust apple pie recipe with room to spare, and the dough came together in eight short pulses. The large feed tube has three different opening sizes, so I could fit a whole stick of butter through the largest one and a smaller carrot through the smallest. Suction cup feet held the unit steady even when I leaned on the pusher.
For pie crust, the included dough blade performed well. Butter pieces stayed cold and evenly distributed. One batch came out beautifully flaky. The only reason this is not ranked higher is the lower review count at 834 reviews and 4.4 stars, which suggests the long-term durability is less proven than the Cuisinart or Breville. With that said, every batch in our six-week test ran without issue.
The 550-watt motor is in the middle of the pack. It is powerful enough for pie crust but slower than the Ninja or the larger Cuisinart for tougher jobs. At 10 pounds, the unit is heavier than most, so consider where you will store it. If accessories and bowl size matter most to you, this GE is a strong pick.
Why the mini chopping bowl matters
For small jobs like chopping a quarter cup of butter or making a tiny batch of herb dough, the mini bowl is faster and more efficient than using the full-size bowl. Smaller batches process quicker, the blade cleans easier, and you avoid the mess of flour sticking to a half-empty big bowl.
Who should skip it
If long-term track record matters most to you, the Cuisinart or Breville have tens of thousands of reviews backing them. If you want the most powerful motor in the price range, the Ninja at $116.99 offers more peak watts for less money.
7. Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor (70730) – Best Budget 10-Cup with Bowl Scraper
Hamilton Beach Food Processor & Vegetable Chopper for Slicing, Shredding, Mincing, and Puree, 10 Cups + Easy Clean Bowl Scraper, Stainless Steel (70730)
450W motor
10-cup bowl
Built-in scraper
2 speeds + pulse
Pros
- Built-in bowl scraper saves time
- Large feed chute fits whole ingredients
- 2 speeds plus pulse for control
- Dishwasher safe and BPA-free
- Budget-friendly price point
Cons
- Lacks dedicated dough blade
- 450W motor is the lower end for pastry
- Plastic body feels light
The Hamilton Beach 10-Cup is one of the most popular food processors in America, with over 41,000 reviews at 4.5 stars. For under $70 you get a reliable workhorse that handles everyday chopping, slicing, and pie crust duty. The built-in bowl scraper is the standout feature, and once you use it, you wonder how you ever lived without it.
The scraper is a small plastic arm inside the bowl that wipes the sides clean every few seconds. For pie crust, this means I do not have to stop the machine, pop the lid, and scrape flour down from the sides. I tested a butter crust and the butter stayed evenly distributed across the bowl, no manual scraping required. That alone saved me about a minute per batch.
For pastry duty, the regular chopping blade works fine, though it is not as gentle as a dedicated dough blade. Across two test batches, the crust came out flaky but was slightly more worked than the machines with dough blades. If you are patient and use short pulses, the difference is small. The 450-watt motor is on the lower end, but it does not overheat the dough, which is a feature for cold-butter pastry.
The plastic body feels light and you can hear the motor straining under heavy loads, but the 10-cup bowl handled a double-crust pie without any spilling. Cleanup is fast and parts are top-rack dishwasher safe. For most home bakers who want a workhorse pie crust processor without a big investment, this Hamilton Beach is hard to beat.
Why the bowl scraper changes the workflow
Most processors pack flour against the sides of the bowl, which forces you to stop and scrape. The Hamilton Beach scraper arm wipes the bowl as it runs, which keeps ingredients moving toward the blade. The result is faster, more even processing and less effort from you.
Who should skip it
If you bake challenging all-butter croissants or brioche, the 450-watt motor is below what you need. If you want a quieter machine, this Hamilton Beach is louder than the Cuisinart or Ninja.
8. BLACK+DECKER 8-Cup Food Processor (FP4100B) – Budget Pick for Beginners
BLACK+DECKER 8-Cup Food Processor, Easy Assembly, Stainless Steel S-Blade, Shred, Slice, Chop, Puree, 450W Motor
450W motor
8-cup bowl
Stainless steel S-blade
Easy assembly
Pros
- Easy assembly with smart lid lock
- Stainless steel S-blade lasts well
- Reversible shred and slice disc included
- Prime eligible and ships fast
- Lowest price on the list
Cons
- Entry-level motor limits heavy dough work
- Smaller 8-cup bowl
- Limited accessories
The BLACK+DECKER FP4100B is the most affordable food processor on our list, and it is a great starting machine if you are curious about making pie crust but not ready to invest. Under $50 gets you a stainless steel S-blade, an 8-cup bowl, and a reversible shred and slice disc. The smart lid-locking mechanism means assembly takes about 30 seconds, which is ideal for beginners.
I tested the FP4100B with a single-crust apple pie and a small batch of tart shells. The dough came together with about nine short pulses, and the butter stayed mostly in pea-sized pieces. Texture was acceptable, though not quite as flaky as the Cuisinart or Breville results. For an entry-level machine, the output is genuinely good.
The 8-cup bowl is the smallest on this list. It fits a single-crust recipe with some margin, but if you want to make a full double-crust, you will need to mix dough in two batches. The 450-watt motor is honest about what it can do: it handles butter and flour fine but will not power through tougher jobs like chopping ice or processing large batches of vegetables in one go.
The real value here is the price. For someone baking their first pie, this is a low-risk way to find out if a food processor belongs in your kitchen. The reversible disc is a nice bonus that you do not get on every budget model. If you bake more than once a quarter, you will probably outgrow the 8-cup bowl fast, and that is when to upgrade to one of the bigger Cuisinarts or the Ninja.
What you actually save by going budget
The price difference between this BLACK+DECKER and the Cuisinart 14-Cup is about $250. That is real money, and for a beginner baker, the BLACK+DECKER does 80% of what the Cuisinart does. The remaining 20% matters if you bake weekly or want maximum capacity, but for a first food processor, it is more than enough.
Who should skip it
If you already know you love baking and want one machine for years, spend a bit more for the Cuisinart 7-Cup or Ninja 9-Cup. If you bake double-crust pies regularly, the 8-cup bowl is too small.
How to Pick the Right Food Processor for Pie Crust
Picking one of the best food processors for pie crust comes down to four features that matter most for pastry: bowl capacity, motor power, pulse control, and blade design. Get all four right and you will turn out flaky crust every time. Cut any of these short and you will fight tough, melted, or uneven dough.
Pick the right bowl capacity for your recipes
A 9-inch single-crust pie needs about 1.5 cups of flour in the bowl. A 9-inch double-crust pie needs about 3 cups. Anything smaller than a 7-cup bowl leaves no margin for the flour to move, and the butter smears against the blade instead of cutting cleanly. For most home bakers, a 9-cup or 11-cup bowl is the sweet spot. If you bake double-crust pies for a crowd, step up to 12 or 14 cups.
One important note on capacity: advertised cup sizes measure dry volume, and real working capacity is about 25% less once you add butter chunks and ice water. A 9-cup bowl holds about 2.5 cups of flour comfortably, which is exactly enough for a double-crust recipe. A 7-cup bowl will handle a single crust but tightens up for a double.
Motor power matters, but not the way you think
More watts is not always better for pie crust. A 1000-watt motor on high speed can melt butter in seconds, ruining your flakes before the dough even comes together. A 450- to 700-watt motor on pulse gives you more control and keeps the butter cold. The Ninja BN601 wins on paper with 1000 peak watts, but in practice the pulse function is what saves your dough.
The sweet spot for pie crust is between 450 and 720 watts paired with a pulse button that gives one-second bursts. The Cuisinart 14-Cup at 720 watts and the Cuisinart 7-Cup at 600 watts both produced the flakiest crust in our tests. Low-watt machines like the KitchenAid at 270 watts also worked, just more slowly.
Pulse control beats continuous processing every time
Pulse control is the most important feature for pie crust on a food processor. Holding the pulse button for two seconds, then releasing for three, then pulsing again gives you time to peek at the texture and stop before the butter melts. Continuous processing is great for chopping vegetables but dangerous for pastry. Every machine on this list has pulse, but the responsiveness of that pulse button varies.
If you want flaky crust, learn the moment when pea-sized butter pieces start clinging together with flour. That is the cue to drizzle in ice water through the feed tube, then pulse two or three more times maximum. The combination of a sharp cold butter technique for pie crust and quick pulses is what separates tender pastry from tough pastry.
Dough blades vs S-blades for pie crust
A dough blade has a dull edge and a wide curve that pulls butter and flour together gently. An S-blade has a sharp edge that chops ingredients aggressively. For pie crust, a dough blade produces more even results with less overworking, because it does not cut the butter into tiny pieces too quickly. Five of the eight machines on this list (Cuisinart 14-Cup, Ninja, GE, KitchenAid, Cuisinart 7-Cup, and Breville) include a dedicated dough blade.
If a processor does not include a dough blade, the standard S-blade still works for pie crust. You just need to be careful with your pulses. Use short one-second bursts and stop the moment the butter reaches pea-sized pieces. The Hamilton Beach and BLACK+DECKER on this list work fine without dough blades, as long as you keep the pulses short.
Feed tube size matters for prep time
A wide feed tube lets you drop a whole stick of cold butter straight in without pre-cutting. Every minute you save on prep is a minute the butter stays colder, which means flakier crust. The Cuisinart 14-Cup, Breville Sous Chef, and KitchenAid KFP1133CU all have extra-large feed tubes that fit whole butter sticks. The smaller 7-cup and 8-cup machines require you to cut butter into chunks first.
Frequently Asked Questions About Food Processors for Pie Crust
Can I make pie crust in a food processor?
Yes. A food processor is one of the best tools for pie crust because its sharp S-blade or dough blade cuts cold butter into flour quickly without warming the dough. Pulse in short bursts, stop when the butter reaches pea-sized pieces, then drizzle ice water through the feed tube and pulse two or three more times. The result is flaky, tender pastry every time.
Is a 7 cup food processor big enough for pie crust?
A 7-cup food processor is enough for a single 9-inch pie crust, with room to spare. For a full 9-inch double-crust pie, you will need an 11-cup or 14-cup bowl, otherwise the flour packs against the sides and the butter smears instead of cutting cleanly. The Cuisinart 7-Cup Pro Classic on this list is our top pick for single-crust bakers.
Which food processor is best for pastry?
For pastry, the best food processors are the Cuisinart 14-Cup DFP-14UMBY for capacity and consistency, the Breville Sous Chef 9-Cup for premium build and induction motor, and the Ninja Professional Plus 9-Cup BN601 for value with a dedicated dough blade. All three include a dough blade, which produces flakier pastry than a standard S-blade.
Is a food processor better than a stand mixer for pie crust?
A food processor is better than a stand mixer for pie crust because it cuts cold butter into flour quickly without warming the fat, which is the key to flaky layers. A stand mixer with a paddle attachment works for butter-rich doughs but tends to overwork the butter into the flour. For tender, flaky pastry, most bakers prefer a food processor with a dough blade and good pulse control.
Final Thoughts on the Best Food Processors for Pie Crust in 2026
After six weeks and over 40 pies, our team at 7ate9 Bakery has a clear ranking. The Cuisinart 14-Cup DFP-14UMBY wins for overall best, with a 720-watt motor and enough capacity for any recipe. The Breville Sous Chef 9-Cup is the right choice if you bake weekly and want a machine that lasts decades. The Ninja Professional Plus 9-Cup is the best food processor for pie crust if you want a dough blade and 1000-watt power without breaking $150.
If you bake one or two single-crust pies a year, the Cuisinart 7-Cup Pro Classic is the better value. If you want maximum versatility, the GE 12-Cup brings nine accessories to the table. And if you are new to baking, the BLACK+DECKER 8-Cup gets you into the world of food-processed pie crust for under $50.
Whichever machine you pick, remember the real secret to flaky pastry. Keep your butter cold, use short pulses, and stop the moment your mixture looks like coarse cornmeal with pea-sized butter pieces. With the best food processors for pie crust and the right technique, your pies will come out flaky from Thanksgiving through the summer baking season.