Gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo pumpkin pie is a delicious and healthy dessert you must make this Thanksgiving. Everything you love about classic pumpkin pie made healthier (but tastes just as delicious!).
Paleo During the Holidays
Fall is just around the corner! Which means pumpkin season has commenced. A few years ago, when I found out that I have gluten and dairy sensitivities, I would get anxious about the holidays that are celebrated around eating food, like Thanksgiving, especially when I’m invited to other people’s homes.
I didn’t want to offend the host by not eating the dishes they worked so hard to prepare. I’m sure anyone with a restrictive diet (I hate those words) understands these situations. I hosted both Thanksgiving and Christmas last year, so I can have full control of all the ingredients and enjoy the meals without worrying. Plus, I love to cook (duh) and playing the hostess.
However, when I do attend other people’s festivities, I have found that you can talk to the host beforehand, and he or she, 99% of the time, understands. You can also offer to bring your own dish that everyone can enjoy so you have something to eat, just in case. For me, I find that I can usually navigate around the dishes at a non-Paleo Thanksgiving dinner except when it comes to dessert, so that is most likely what I would bring.
What Makes This Recipe Great
And what says Thanksgiving dessert like a good ol’ pumpkin pie? I don’t always love eating sweets, but I have zero problems polishing off a piece (or 5) of pumpkin pie. It’s the only kind of pie I like.
I think it’s the flaky, buttery crust with the slight sweetness of the pumpkin that’s not too overpowering. The crust is always my favorite part, and this recipe delivers on the delicious crust. You can leave the crust as is or press the edge with a fork all around, like I did, to make it a bit more decorative. Finding out that I can make Paleo Pumpkin Pie made my Thanksgiving 10x better. At least.
I hope I can help you indulge in a healthy way this holiday season without needing a “detox” or fad diet resolution in the new year. I plan to post a few more holiday recipes in the next month to guide you, so stay tuned!
Ingredient Notes
Paleo Pie Crust
- Almond flour: I like Bob’s Red Mill’s super fine almond flour.
- Butter: For dairy-free, you can substitute vegan butter or melted coconut oil.
- Egg
- Salt
Pumpkin Pie Filling
- Pumpkin puree: Make sure you get canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Eggs
- Raw honey: In order to make this paleo, I don’t use any refined sugar. You can also use maple syrup if preferred.
- Full-Fat Coconut milk
- Vanilla extract
- Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, freshly grated ginger, cloves, and salt. I use this combination to make my own, but a pumpkin pie spice blend will work in a pinch.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Crust
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Put all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until well combined. It should form a dough.
- Press the dough evenly into a 9-inch pie dish.
- Bake the dough in the oven for 5 minutes and take it out of the oven.
Filling
- In a large bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the filling, making sure they are really well mixed.
- Pour into the pre-baked crust.
- Bake for 45 minutes.
- Let the pie cool for a few minutes in the pie pan, then slice and serve! Add a dollop of dairy-free whipped cream or coconut cream if desired.
Expert Tips
- Food Processor: If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a high-powered blender to make the crust.
- Sweetener: If you substitute maple syrup for honey…
- Paleo Pumpkin Pie Bars: If you’d prefer to make pumpkin bars, follow the same instructions, but use an 8x8x2-inch square pan. After the pie has cooled, cut into squares and serve.
Serving Tips
- Serve this healthy pumpkin pie recipe with your favorite non-dairy whipped cream, and enjoy!
Storage Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Serve chilled!
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Pumpkin is a paleo-friendly ingredient as it is a whole food with nothing else added.
Canned pumpkin is just cooked and pureed pumpkin squash. Canned pumpkin pie filling is sweetened and spiced pureed pumpkin. It contains added sugars, spices, etc. It is not paleo-friendly as it is not refined-sugar-free.
More Delicious Pumpkin Recipes
Marbled Paleo Chocolate Pumpkin Bread
If you make this recipe, please leave me a star rating and comment below! I love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Follow me on social media Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for even more delicious recipes!
Gluten-Free Paleo Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Ingredients
FOR THE CRUST
- 2 cups almond flour
- 2 tbsp grass-fed butter, melted
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp salt
FOR THE FILLING
- 1-15 ounce canned pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie mix)
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup raw honey
- 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
FOR THE CRUST
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Put all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until well combined. It should form a dough.
- Press the dough evenly into a 9 inch pie pan.
- Bake the dough in the oven for 5 minutes and take it out of the oven.
FOR THE FILLING
- In a large bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the filling making sure they are really well mixed.
- Pour into the pre-baked crust.
- Bake for 45 minutes.
Notes
Expert Tips
- Food Processor: If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a high-powered blender to make the crust.
- Sweetener: If you substitute maple syrup for honey…
- Paleo Pumpkin Pie Bars: If you’d prefer to make pumpkin bars, follow the same instructions, but use an 8x8x2-inch square pan. After the pie has cooled, cut into squares and serve.
Serving Tips
- Serve this healthy pumpkin pie recipe with your favorite non-dairy whipped cream, and enjoy!
Storage Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Serve chilled!
Leave a Reply