Pie weights help to prevent it from puffing up or shrinking during the blind baking process. If you don't have pie weights, there are several alternatives you can use: Dried Beans or Rice: Fill the lined pie crust with dried beans or rice. You can reuse these beans or rice for future pies, but don't cook them afterward to eat. Pennies or Coins: Clean pennies or other small coins can work as weights. Another Pie Dish: Place a second pie dish of the same size on top of the pie crust you're blind baking. This will help weigh down the crust and prevent it from rising.