This keto blueberry pie features a gooey blueberry pie filling piled high on a flaky, buttery pie crust. Inspired by a vegan blueberry pie recipe, this low-carb version allows you to indulge in a refreshing and perfectly sweet treat while staying true to your ketogenic lifestyle.
Why You'll Love This Keto Blueberry Pie
- Diet-friendly: Perfect for those following a keto, low-carb, or gluten-free diet.
- Bursting with fresh blueberry flavor: The combination of textures and flavors is simply irresistible.
- Versatile: Works with fresh or frozen blueberries, making it a year-round delight.
Key Ingredients and Their Role
- Almond Flour: Blanched almond flour provides the base for the pie crust, ensuring a gluten-free and low-carb alternative to traditional flour. Almond flour is the main ingredient for an almond flour crust.
- Coconut Flour: Works in conjunction with almond flour to create the right texture for the crust, and helps to neutralize the almond flavor.
- Xanthan Gum: Just a pinch of xanthan gum is added to give the crust more sturdiness and shape, mimicking the binding effect of gluten. Increasing the xanthan gum can create a smoother crust, but may sacrifice some flakiness. If you’re still struggling with the pie crust, up the xanthan gum to 1/2 teaspoon.
- Baking Powder: This helps the crust to rise slightly, creating a lighter texture.
- Butter: Cold, salted butter is crucial for a flaky pie crust. If using unsalted butter, add ¼ teaspoon of sea salt to the pie dough. Chop the butter into small cubes.
- Liquid Stevia & Granulated Sweetener: These provide the necessary sweetness without the carbs, keeping the pie keto-friendly. Granulated Swerve is a popular choice, but you can use whichever low-carb sweetener you prefer.
- Blueberries: Fresh or frozen blueberries can be used, offering flexibility depending on the season and availability.
- Lemon Juice: A touch of lemon juice enhances the blueberry flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Chia Seeds: Chia seeds can be used as an alternative to xanthan gum for thickening the filling.
- Egg: An egg is used to brush on the outside of the crust, giving it a golden-brown color.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Keto Pie Crust
- Mix: In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: almond flour, coconut flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, and sweetener.
- Blend: In a high-speed blender or food processor, add all your ingredients and blend well until a fine and crumbly texture remains. Like with any pastry dough, make sure not to over-process the dough.
- Chill: Form two smooth dough balls and cover them completely in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for at least two hours. Don’t skip the chill time. The dough is easier to work with when chilled.
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease a 9-inch pie dish and set aside.
- Roll Out: Place the dough balls on two sheets of parchment paper. Roll out the dough, making one larger than the other. When rolling out the pie crust, you may want to use parchment or wax paper. Given the lack of gluten, the crust is more fragile and it will break easily if not handled with care. So I suggest rolling it out between two sheets of parchment paper. And talking about lack of gluten, this is the reason why the dough will crack slightly when baked. I’ve noticed that the cracking can be lessened by allowing the dough to rest overnight (as it hydrates more evenly, I’m guessing), though note that taste and texture will be the same.
- Assemble: Place the larger piece into the pie pan, allowing the sides to overhang. Use the fork again and poke some holes all over the pie crust to let air in and to prevent it from rising and cracking.
Keto Blueberry Pie Filling
- Simmer: In a small saucepan, add the blueberry filling ingredients (blueberries, sweetener, lemon juice, and a thickener like cornstarch or xanthan gum) over low heat.
- Once it begins to simmer, gently stir it for 4-5 minutes, before removing it from the heat.
Assembling and Baking
- Assemble: Pour the berry mixture into the pie pan, spread it into an even layer, and top with the second layer of dough. Fill the pie with the filling and spread it out until it is mostly even. Top with the second layer of dough, and crimp the sides.
- Bake: Place the pie in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush with the egg wash. Place a pie shield over the edges. No one wants a burnt pie crust, and it can be a challenge to make sure that doesn’t happen. But it’s not impossible. If you don’t own a pie shield then I suggest getting one, it’s a must-have in a bakers kitchen.
Tips for the Perfect Keto Blueberry Pie
- Don't skip the chill time: Chilling the dough is essential for a flaky crust.
- Switch up the berries: Feel free to experiment with other low-carb berries like raspberries or blackberries.
- Handle the dough with care: Given the lack of gluten, the almond flour crust can be fragile. Roll it out between two sheets of parchment paper to prevent it from breaking.
- Adjust sweetness to taste: Keto palates adapt quickly to the absence of sugar, so sweeten the filling to your preference.
- Consider adding spices: A touch of cinnamon or lemon zest can enhance the blueberry flavor.
Variations and Creative Twists
- Lattice Crust: Prefer a lattice crust? Roll out the top dough and cut it into strips, weaving them over the filling.
- Individual Hand Pies: For portion control and a fun twist, make mini blueberry hand pies.
- Crumble Topping: Instead of a top crust, add a keto-friendly crumble topping for added texture and flavor.
Serving and Storing
- Serving: This sugar-free blueberry pie is best served cold. Top with a scoop of keto vanilla ice cream or sugar-free whipped cream for an extra-special treat.
- Storing: Blueberry pie should be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze individual slices in airtight containers for up to 3-6 months.
The Nutritional Benefits of Blueberries
Blueberries are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients. They are known as a "superfood" due to their high antioxidant content and potential health benefits. While they do contain natural sugars and carbs, incorporating them into a keto diet can be done in moderation.
Overcoming Common Challenges
- Crust Cracking: The lack of gluten in the almond flour crust can cause it to crack slightly when baked. This can be lessened by allowing the dough to rest overnight.
- Filling Consistency: If you prefer a thicker filling, add a bit more xanthan gum or chia seeds. If you don’t want to use the cornstarch, you can replace it with ½-1 tsp of xanthan gum. It won’t come out with the same consistency though so keep that in mind.
- Sweetener Crystallization: To prevent crystallization, especially when refrigerating the pie, use allulose as your sweetener.
Making it Dairy-Free
While this particular recipe contains butter in the pie crust, it can be adapted to be dairy-free by using a suitable butter substitute.
Final Thoughts
This keto blueberry pie is a testament to the fact that you don't have to sacrifice flavor or enjoyment while following a ketogenic lifestyle. With its flaky crust, gooey filling, and burst of fresh blueberry flavor, it's sure to become a new favorite dessert. Whether you're serving it to guests or enjoying a slice on your own, this pie is a guilt-free indulgence that will satisfy your sweet tooth without derailing your diet.
Read also: Baking Keto Blueberry Bread
Read also: Fluffy Keto Pancakes
Read also: Blueberry Scones Recipe