Last Updated on March 26, 2022 by Anne-Marie

This gluten free dairy free pumpkin pie recipe is a must serve Thanksgiving dessert. Comes with a vegan option, too.

Why this recipe works

This gluten free dairy free pumpkin pie is a delectable, deep dish pumpkin pie that’s a must serve Thanksgiving dessert.

This best pumpkin pie recipe without evaporated milk is perfect for your dairy and gluten-free guests.

Plus, the easy-to-make gluten-free crust is made with gluten-free cookies.

Since it’s so creamy and delectable everyone will rave over this great recipe.

Ingredients

Don’t let the amount of ingredients faze you. This gluten and dairy-free pumpkin pie is worth the effort.

For the gluten free pie crust:

● gluten free animal cracker cookies or gluten free graham crackers – find these at your grocery store or online

● brown sugar

● vegan or dairy free buttery spread – I like Earth Balance.

You could also use coconut oil, the kind that’s solid at room temperature.

For the dairy free gluten free pie filling

● pumpkin puree – don’t use a pumpkin pie mix

● large eggs

● soy or coconut vanilla yogurt – to keep this pie recipe dairy-free

● more brown sugar

● pumpkin pie spice

● vanilla extract

● fine sea salt

For the dairy free whipped coconut cream layer

● coconut cream – Make sure to chill this in the refrigerator overnight! You cannot make the whipped cream layer unless the coconut cream has been chilled.

● granulated sugar

● more vanilla extract

● decorative sugar – I like King Arthur Flour White Sparkling Sugar. You could also use coconut sugar or turbinado sugar.

● ground cinnamon

How to make a gluten free dairy free pumpkin pie

This gluten-free pumpkin pie recipe will become a favorite dessert on your Thanksgiving table.

(Again, make sure you've chilled the coconut cream overnight before you start the recipe.)

For the homemade pie crust:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Put cookies in blender or food processor and pulse until the cookies are crushed into fine crumbs. Put the crumbs into a medium-sized bowl.

3. Add brown sugar and whisk until combined and there are no lumps.

4. Add the melted butter (vegan butter or coconut oil). Stir until the mixture is crumbly.

5. Place the cookie crumb mixture into a 9-inch springform cake pan with a removable ring. Using the flat bottom and sides of a drinking glass, pack down the crumbs on the bottom and up the sides of the cake pan.

6. Bake the crust until set but not browned for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.

For dairy-free pumpkin pie filling:

1. Blend the pumpkin puree, eggs, yogurt, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and salt in a blender.

2. Place the cake pan on a baking sheet.

3. Pour the pumpkin filling in the pie crust evenly to the edges.

4. Bake until the filling is just set, about 35 minutes. The center may appear soft but will firm up when cooled.

5. Let the pie cool on a wire rack to room temperature.

6. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours before adding the coconut cream layer.

For dairy free whipped coconut cream layer:

1. While the pie is cooling in the refrigerator, place the bowl and wire whip beater from your stand mixer in the refrigerator or freezer to chill.

2. Prepare the coconut whipped cream by spooning the chilled coconut cream into the chilled bowl. Add granulated sugar and vanilla extract.

3. Whip the coconut cream on medium-high just like you would whipping cream until it’s light and fluffy and there are no little chunks. Do not overbeat.

4. Carefully spoon coconut cream on to pumpkin pie layer. Smooth top with a spatula or back of a large spoon.

5. Mix decorative sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle on top.

Save extra cinnamon sugar for garnishing individual pieces if you wish.

6. Refrigerate pumpkin pie until the serving time if you like a mousse-like pie. You can also freeze it for several hours if you prefer a firmer freezer pie.

7. To serve, place the pie on a pie plate, then remove the ring. Slice and enjoy.

FAQ

Can I make a sugar free pumpkin pie?

You can reduce the calories and sugar by using a natural, no calorie sweetener like Swerve Sweetener, Brown.

Instead of the decorative sugar, you could use Swerve Sweetener.

However, it’s still not a completely sugar free pumpkin pie recipe since the cookies used in the crust and the yogurt still contain some sugar.

Can I make a vegan pumpkin pie?

Yes, you can make this a vegan pumpkin pie recipe with a little work.

Crust: First, find a vegan gluten-free cookie for the crust. I like snickerdoodle Bakeology Gluten-Free Vegan Cookies.

You can also try Goodie Girl Cinnamon Brown Sugar Breakfast Biscuits.

Yogurt: This recipe uses dairy-free yogurts. You’ll need to check if they’re vegan, too.

Butter: Use a vegan buttery spread like Earth Balance or coconut oil that’s solid at room temperature.

Egg: Use your favorite egg substitute like Follow Your Heart VeganEgg. Since I haven’t used an egg substitute, I don’t know if baking times will change.

Custard-like pie recipes are pretty forgiving, so my guess is that it should be successful if you go 100% vegan with this recipe.

If you give it a whirl, please share your experience below in the comments. I’d love to hear how it went!

Can I use other dairy-free milks?

You must use FULL FAT coconut cream in this recipe for the top cream layer of this dairy-free pumpkin pie recipe.

Do NOT use the canned light coconut milk, regular coconut milk that is found in the refrigerator section, or full fat coconut milk.

Also, don't use the kind of coconut cream used to make Pina Coladas that’s sold in the cocktail mixer section.

Finally, other alternative non-dairy milks like almond milk, oat milk, soy milks, etc. won’t work in this recipe.

How to serve

Remove the pie from the refrigerator or freezer. Then place it on a pie plate and remove the ring. (The pie will stay on the the bottom of the springform pan.)

Slice with a knife or cake cutter.

Do I need to make whipped cream for serving?

This pie already has a nice thick layer of whipped coconut cream. No need to make more.

Bring this pie to parties and potlucks

This pumpkin pie is very road friendly since it’s made in a deep dish 9-inch springform pan with removable bottom that isn’t removed until serving time.

(I recommend getting the 3-pan set since it costs only a few dollars more. And you can use the 7-inch pan to make Instant Pot Lasagna.)

Freezing the pie overnight and letting it defrost on your way to mom’s house keeps the pie nice and cool. Just wrap the pie in plastic wrap and keep it in an insulated bag.

If it’s still frozen by dessert time, the pie is still yummy and a little more fun to eat. (Kind of like my Espresso Chocolate No Bake Pie!)

How to store leftover pie

Since the pie stays on the bottom of the springform pan, carefully replace the springform ring and snap it into place.

Then cover the top of the leftover pie with plastic wrap.

That way your pumpkin pie doesn’t accidentally get smashed in the refrigerator and the wrap isn’t covered in creamy custard and whipped coconut cream.

More tips

Starting to melt? If you find the whipped coconut cream getting a bit weepy after being out on the counter or table, just place it in the freezer to firm up for a little bit.

More dairy free gluten free pumpkin desserts

● Keto Pumpkin Mousse

● Dairy Free Pumpkin Fudge

● Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread

● Pumpkin Bread Pudding

● Pumpkin Gluten Free Scones

● Crockpot Pumpkin Dump Cake

Check out the Best Gluten Free Thanksgiving Desserts Recipes and the Best Keto Thanksgiving Recipes for more delicious recipes for your holiday table.

What's your favorite pumpkin dessert?

Originally published on November 19, 2015. Updated with new pictures and information.