Vegan Pumpkin Pie Recipe
If you’re anything like me, the mere thought of a rich, creamy, perfectly spiced pumpkin pie gets your autumn-loving heart racing—and I’m so excited to share my Vegan Pumpkin Pie Recipe with you! This pie is the kind of dessert that feels indulgent yet comforting, and best of all, it’s 100% plant-based without sacrificing any of those classic pumpkin pie flavors. Whether you’re making it for a holiday feast or just because, this recipe delivers that silky smooth texture and warm spice blend that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. Ready to dive in? Let’s go!
Why This Recipe Works
- Creamy Texture: The coconut cream gives the filling a luscious, silky smooth feel without any dairy.
- Balanced Sweetness: A mix of brown and granulated sugar creates that perfect caramelized depth you love in pumpkin pie.
- Spice Harmony: Classic warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves blend beautifully for cozy flavor.
- Simple Prep: No pre-baking the crust needed, which makes your life easier without compromising taste.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each component in this Vegan Pumpkin Pie Recipe is carefully picked to give you that perfect pumpkin pie experience, just plant-based and a little lighter. Some ingredients I recommend sourcing mindfully, especially the coconut cream and pumpkin puree—they’re the stars here!
- Pumpkin Puree: Use pure pumpkin—canned pumpkin puree is convenient and consistent in texture.
- Coconut Cream: Full-fat coconut cream is critical for thickening the filling and adding rich creaminess; avoid using thinner coconut milk.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a moist, caramel-like sweetness that pairs beautifully with pumpkin.
- Granulated Sugar: Balances sweetness and helps create a smooth custard texture.
- Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Cloves: Classic pumpkin pie spices that bring warmth and depth—freshly ground if possible for extra flavor.
- Cornstarch: This is what thickens the filling perfectly, giving it that luscious custardy set without eggs.
- Salt: Just a pinch—enhances all those sweet and spicy flavors so the pie isn’t flat.
- Vegan Pie Crust: A good crust supports the creamy filling; I love my Easy Vegan Pie Crust recipe, but store-bought vegan crusts work fine too.
- Vegan Whipped Cream (Optional): For serving—it adds that classic finishing touch.
Tweak to Your Taste
One of my favorite things about this Vegan Pumpkin Pie Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I like to adjust the spice levels depending on the season or who I’m serving it to, and there’s lots of room for creative swaps that keep the texture just right.
- Less Sweet: Sometimes I cut the sugars in half to suit my taste or if I’m serving it with a sweetened vegan whipped cream.
- Spicier Pie: Adding a dash more ginger or even a pinch of cardamom can turn this into a pie with a bit more personality.
- Crust Variations: I’ve had success swapping the pie crust for a gluten-free or graham cracker crust, both add unique textures and flavors.
- Maple Syrup Swap: I’ve swapped sugars for maple syrup (use 1/2 cup), but keep in mind the filling is a bit softer and less thick.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Oven and Crust Ready
First thing, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)—always let it get fully hot before the pie goes in. While the oven heats, prepare your pie crust in a 9-inch pie plate. I usually either use my go-to Easy Vegan Pie Crust recipe, but if you’re short on time, a store-bought vegan crust works just fine. No need to pre-bake the crust here, which saves you a step!
Step 2: Blend the Filling to Silky Smoothness
In a blender, add the pumpkin puree, full-fat coconut cream, both sugars, spices, salt, and cornstarch. Blend until the texture is ultra smooth—no lumps. I sometimes just whisk everything vigorously in a bowl, but blending ensures uniform creaminess. This step really helps the filling set nicely and taste perfectly spiced.
Step 3: Pour, Spread, and Pop Into the Oven
Pour your silky filling into the prepared pie crust. Use a spatula to evenly spread it out. Then, place the pie on the middle rack of your oven. Plan to bake for about 1 hour. If you notice your crust edges starting to brown too fast after about 30 minutes, gently cover the edges with aluminum foil or a pie shield to keep things from burning.
Step 4: Cool and Chill to Perfection
When you pull the pie out, the center will still jiggle a bit—that’s how you know it’s perfect, so don’t overbake! Let the pie cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then cover it loosely and transfer it to the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. This chilling step is key for that creamy, custard-like slice you’re craving.
Pro Tips for Making Vegan Pumpkin Pie Recipe
- Use Full-Fat Coconut Cream: This is non-negotiable for getting a thick, custardy filling—lighter coconut milk just won’t cut it.
- Don’t Skip Chilling: The pie needs time to set in the fridge; cutting into it too soon leads to a runny slice.
- Prevent Burnt Crust Edges: Cover edges with foil halfway through baking to keep the crust golden, not blackened.
- Blend or Whisk? Blending really smooths out the texture, but if you whisk well, you can avoid extra dishes.
How to Serve Vegan Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a big fan of topping the pie with a cloud of homemade vegan whipped cream—coconut or soy-based whipped toppings both work beautifully. For a little extra flair, a sprinkle of cinnamon or some toasted pecans on top adds a lovely crunch and festive look.
Side Dishes
This pie pairs wonderfully with a cup of spiced chai or robust coffee. If you’re serving a full spread, light sides like a maple-glazed roasted sweet potato or a crisp apple salad balance the richness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
One fun idea I tried recently was cutting out little pie crust leaves with cookie cutters, baking them separately, and arranging them delicately on top after chilling—the rustic autumn vibe is adorable and impresses guests every time. You can also drizzle vegan caramel sauce or scatter pomegranate arils for a festive touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover pumpkin pie loosely covered in the fridge, and it keeps beautifully for 3 to 4 days. Make sure not to seal it airtight right away as the pie needs some breathing room to avoid soggy crust.
Freezing
Freezing works if you want to prep ahead: once the pie has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then a layer of foil to protect from freezer burn. It keeps well for up to 2 months. I recommend thawing in the fridge overnight before serving.
Reheating
Since this pie is best served chilled, I usually just slice it straight from the refrigerator. If you prefer it warm, a quick zap of 20-30 seconds in the microwave does the trick without melting it too much.
FAQs
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Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?
For best results, stick to pure pumpkin puree—not pre-sweetened pumpkin pie filling—because the filling already contains added sugars and spices, which can throw off the flavor and consistency of this Vegan Pumpkin Pie Recipe.
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What if I can’t find coconut cream?
If you can’t find coconut cream, you can use the thick, creamy part from a chilled can of full-fat coconut milk, but avoid the watery liquid. This helps the pie thicken properly, but coconut cream is ideal for the smoothest texture.
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Can I make this pie gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the crust for a gluten-free pie crust or try a graham cracker style crust made from gluten-free crackers. The filling itself is naturally gluten-free.
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How do I prevent cracking on top of the pie?
Because this recipe uses cornstarch to set rather than eggs, you shouldn’t see the typical cracking that often happens with classic custard pies. Blending the filling well and baking at the right temperature help keep it smooth.
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Do I need to blind bake the crust?
Nope! This recipe is designed so you don’t have to pre-bake the crust. Just pour the filling into the unbaked crust and bake together—making things faster and easier.
Final Thoughts
This Vegan Pumpkin Pie Recipe has become my go-to for fall and holiday celebrations because it checks all my boxes: easy, delicious, and insanely creamy without any dairy or eggs. I love how it brings people together—whether it’s a casual get-together or a festive dinner, this pie feels like a warm hug. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making it year after year. So grab your blender and pumpkin puree, and let’s make some magic happen in your kitchen!
PrintVegan Pumpkin Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 5 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This classic Vegan Pumpkin Pie recipe features a creamy, spiced pumpkin filling made with coconut cream and warm autumnal spices baked inside a flaky vegan pie crust. Perfectly smooth and rich, this dairy-free dessert is ideal for the holidays or any cozy occasion, served with optional vegan whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence.
Ingredients
Pie Filling
- 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
- 1 cup coconut cream
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Pie Crust
- 1 recipe Easy Vegan Pie Crust (see notes for alternatives)
Optional Topping
- Vegan whipped cream, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare the pie crust in a 9-inch pie plate, either homemade or store-bought vegan pie crust.
- Mix Filling: Add pumpkin puree, coconut cream, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and cornstarch to a blender. Blend until very smooth. Alternatively, whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until smooth.
- Assemble Pie: Pour the pumpkin mixture evenly into the prepared pie crust. Use a spatula to spread the filling if needed.
- Bake: Bake the pie at 350°F for 1 hour. If the crust starts to darken or burn, cover the edges with aluminum foil or a pie shield after 30 minutes to protect them. The center may still wobble slightly when done, which is normal.
- Cool and Chill: Allow the pie to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then cover and transfer it to the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
- Serve: Slice and serve chilled, optionally topped with vegan whipped cream or store-bought non-dairy whipped topping.
- Optional Decoration: For decorative pie crust leaves, roll out extra vegan pie dough to about 1/8 inch thickness, cut with leaf-shaped cookie cutters, and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Place cooled leaves on top of the chilled pie before serving.
Notes
- Use the Easy Vegan Pie Crust recipe for best results or opt for a store-bought vegan or gluten-free pie crust.
- Use full-fat coconut cream for thick, custard-like filling; coconut milk can be used if you scoop the thick cream portion only.
- Other plant milks typically won’t thicken the filling properly and may cause cracking or texture issues.
- Substitute coconut sugar if preferred, or reduce sugar amounts for a less sweet pie.
- Pure maple syrup can be used instead of sugar but use only 1/2 cup; the texture will be less thick.
- You can substitute cornstarch with arrowroot or tapioca starch if needed.
- Store leftovers loosely covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze tightly wrapped for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 pie)
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg