Dairy-free Pumpkin Pie
gluten-free | grain-free | dairy-free | tree nut free | refined-sugar free
by Alexa Lehr | The Pioneer Chicks | November 16, 2023
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I dare say there’s nothing that tastes more like fall than a big slice of pie bursting with pumpkin spice flavor! This dairy-free pumpkin pie recipe is a must have for fall baking on the homestead since it is allergy-friendly, super easy to make, and honestly the best tasting pumpkin pie I have had! I love pumpkin and it brings on so many good memories of cool fall days, bright fall colors, and fun fall activities. Pumpkin pie is definitely a traditional fall pie in my house and I love making this pie every year. This is a fool-proof recipe that turns out fantastic every time!
Pioneer Recipe
Dairy-free pumpkin pie is definitely a pioneer recipe! When the West was first starting to be settled, sweet potato pie was more common since potatoes would have been easier to grow. However, as the West was settled, pumpkins quickly became a staple in every homesteader’s garden. As homesteading developed, the pumpkin really took off! Fall festivals and gatherings almost always featured pumpkin contests and pumpkin baked goods, so it’s pretty safe to say that pumpkins have quickly become an American staple.
As a modern pioneer, I love pumpkin! Everything from pumpkin pancakes to pumpkin coffee cake to this delicious pumpkin pie! And let’s not forget the pumpkin cookies and pumpkin pie bars! Pumpkin is such a versatile ingredient and I love coming up with healthy, allergy-friendly recipes that feature pumpkin, especially during the fall baking season.
This dairy-free pumpkin pie recipe was actually super easy to make into an allergy-friendly version and I had no problem converting my family’s traditional pumpkin pie recipe into a dairy-free and low-inflammation version when I went on my anti-inflammatory diet. I didn’t have to be deprived of my pie while being conscious of what I ate!
This pumpkin pie is:
- dairy-free
- gluten-free
- grain-free
- tree nut free
- corn free
- naturally sweetened
- anti-inflammatory
Dairy-free pumpkin pie is truly a healthy pioneer recipe that is the perfect traditional fall dessert, snack, or breakfast (more on that later).
Uses for Pumpkin
Eating seasonally is so easy during the fall! It’s harvest time and there are lots of delicious, fresh fruit and vegetable options to use for cooking, baking, meal prep, snacking, and so much more! Pumpkins are in abundance come fall and there are so many great ways you can use them!
Here are some ideas that I use to put fresh pumpkins to good use:
1). Baking
Of course, baking with pumpkins is one of the most obvious, useful ways of using them. If you need other ideas besides this dairy-free pumpkin pie recipe check out these other recipes!
- Gluten-free Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies– this recipe also has nutritional information on pumpkins and how to cook pumpkins
- Gluten-free Pumpkin Oat Pancakes- these are super easy to whip up for a delicious fall breakfast
- Grain-free Pumpkin Donuts- these grain-free donuts have great texture and combine two fall foods into one, donuts + pumpkin = fall!
- Grain-free Pumpkin Coffee Cake– this delicious coffee cake is light, fluffy, and bursting with fall flavor
2). Roast the Seeds
Making your own homemade, salted pumpkin seeds would be a great way to use pumpkin seeds! I find that homemade roasted pumpkin seeds are way better than store-bought roasted pumpkin seeds. Plus you can make them any flavor you want. From plain sea salt to spicy cayenne pepper, you can flavor up the seeds any way you want!
Roasted pumpkin seeds go great in salads, trail mixes, topping dips or soups, or eating by the handful!
3). Feed to your Chickens
On the homestead, nothing goes to waste thanks to a flock of natural composters and scavengers! Pumpkin is a great supplement for chickens and the seeds are a natural de-wormer. I just put the whole pumpkin in my flock’s enclosure and let them chow down! My flock pretty much has access to a pumpkin all the time during the fall season so that they can munch on it whenever they want. They also get the leftover seeds, pumpkin skins, and any extra pumpkin flesh I have leftover after baking pumpkins.
If you do not have chickens, pumpkin is also healthy for dogs. Adding cooked pumpkin to your dog’s diet can help with digestion issues and supply extra nutrients. There are also pumpkin dog treat recipes that you can make for your pet!
4). Save it for Later
Food preservation is a great modern pioneer skill to learn, and you can start with pumpkin! Canning pumpkin is not recommended because of the amount of air space that is left after the canning process. Instead, I like to freeze my cooked pumpkin in mason jars or quart freezer bags.
Freezing pumpkin is easy, just make sure you label the bag or jar with the date so you know when you froze the pumpkin. The only trouble I have had with frozen pumpkin is remembering to take it out of the freezer in time for it to unthaw before I use it!
Pumpkin Pie- A Family Tradition
Pumpkin pie is a fall tradition in my family. My dad is the only person in my household that doesn’t like pumpkin pie, but that’s fine with me! One less person eating the pie doesn’t cause too many problems in my house! Aside from pumpkin pie being traditional in and of itself, there are also a few family traditions that surround pumpkin pie on my homestead.
Breakfast Time!– The one that stands out the most to me is having pie for breakfast. Yes, you heard me right, we have pie for breakfast! And not just any breakfast, but for Thanksgiving Day breakfast! I don’t know how long we have been doing it, but my mom, Anna, and I have been having either pumpkin pie or sweet potato pie for breakfast for as long as I can remember. It’s a great way to start the day! Not to mention this pie is healthy for you, low in sugar, and very filling.
Thanksgiving Staple– This dairy-free pumpkin is also a staple at my family’s Thanksgiving gatherings as well. It is a traditional pie that is dairy-free and gluten-free so that even family members with dietary restrictions can enjoy it. I always love contributing a pie that every one can enjoy! Here are some other Thanksgiving pies I have made for my holiday family gatherings:
Pumpkin Pie Recipe Tips
This pumpkin pie recipe is super straight forward. Making a pie has never been easier! I have made this pie so many times and it comes out perfect every time. It truly is a fool-proof recipe. Here are some recipe tips to make this pie even easier!
- Type of Pumpkin– This recipe can be made with store-bought canned pumpkin, fresh pumpkin, or frozen pumpkin. Depending on the type of pumpkin you use, the moisture level may need to be varied slightly. Add more or less coconut milk to achieve a pumpkin mixture that is slightly thick but pourable.
- Frozen Pumpkin Tip– If you use frozen pumpkin, you may want to increase the tapioca flour by a tablespoon or two to make up for the extra moisture. You can also use arrowroot flour in substitute for the tapioca flour.
- Dairy-free Milk– Any dairy-free milk substitute can be used for the milk in this recipe and it doesn’t have to be from a can. I like to use coconut milk beverage or oat milk.
- Sugar Sub– Honey can be used instead of maple syrup in this recipe, the pie just won’t be as sweet.
- Pie Crust– For a grain-free pie crust option, check out this pastry crust or this flakey pie crust. I like using the flakier pie crust for this pie.
- Baking Tip– The pie filling should fill up most of the pie crust, if too much pie crust sticks up above the filling line then it will be more likely to burn while the pie is baking.
- Doneness Test– The pie is done baking when it is not jiggly in the middle! Let the pie cool and set up before slicing it and serving.
This dairy-free pumpkin pie has a rich, smooth, and creamy texture that is bursting with fall flavors like pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Every bite reminds me of fall! Here’s the recipe that I make for every family Thanksgiving gathering!
Dairy-free Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients
- 2 cups organic, pumpkin puree
- 2 large, organic eggs
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut milk
- 2 T. unsulfured, organic molasses (optional)
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 T. Bob’s Red Mill tapioca flour
- 2 tsp. organic, ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. organic, ground ginger
- 1/4-1/2 tsp. organic, ground cloves
- 1 unbaked pie crust
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Have a 9" pie plate prepared with a grain-free pie crust.
- Place all of the pie filling ingredients in a high power blender, I use my Vitamix. Blend on high until everything is combined.
- Pour the mixture into the un-baked pie crust. Place the pie plate on a baking sheet to catch any potential spills. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Keeping the pie in the oven, turn the temperature down to 350°F. Bake for 50-60 more minutes. To test to see if the pie is done, insert a knife twice into the center of the pie, making an X shape. The center should not be gooey or jiggly.
- Allow the pie to cool before slicing and serving!
Where to Find the Ingredients:
- Pacific Foods unsweetened coconut milk
- Bob’s Red Mill tapioca flour
- Wholesome organic unsulfured molasses
- Simply Organic ground cinnamon
- Simply Organic ground ginger
- Supplies: 9″ glass pie plate, Vitamix
Dairy-free pumpkin pie is the perfect pioneer recipe that is easy, allergy-friendly, contains wholesome ingredients, and tastes amazing! The rich, creamy texture of this pie is just perfect and you will quickly know why this pie is a fall tradition in my house. I love being able to bake with ingredients while they are in-season, and fall pumpkin recipes are some of my favorite recipes to make. This pie is a great way to bake seasonally and enjoy the flavors of fall!
For more pioneer recipes for the fall season and year-round, make sure you are a part of our modern pioneer newsletter community! You’ll even get our Modern Pioneer Starter package and exclusive content in each of our bi-weekly emails! We’d love for you to become a modern pioneer with us!
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