For those following a ketogenic lifestyle, the craving for a comforting slice of pie can be a challenge. Traditional pies are often loaded with sugar and carbohydrates, making them unsuitable for a keto diet. However, with a few clever ingredient swaps and innovative recipes, you can enjoy delicious, keto-friendly pies that satisfy your sweet or savory cravings without derailing your dietary goals.
The Magic of Keto Pie Crusts
The foundation of any great pie is the crust, and keto pies are no exception. Traditional pie crusts rely on wheat flour, but keto versions utilize low-carb alternatives like almond flour, coconut flour, and even cheese to create flaky, flavorful bases.
Almond Flour Crusts
Almond flour provides a slightly nutty flavor and a tender crumb. It's a popular choice for keto pie crusts due to its ease of use and readily available nature.
Coconut Flour Crusts
Coconut flour offers a unique texture and subtle sweetness. It's highly absorbent, so it's often combined with eggs and coconut oil to create a cohesive dough. A nut-free keto pie crust can be made with just four simple ingredients: coconut flour, eggs, coconut oil, and salt.
Chocolate Crusts
For chocolate lovers, a chocolate crust made with nut flour, cocoa powder, butter, sweetener, and salt provides a rich, decadent base for your favorite pie fillings.
Read also: Eating Keto at Taco Bell
Cheese Crusts
Mozzarella cheese, almond flour, and cream cheese can be combined to create a savory crust that's perfect for quiches and other savory pies.
Unconventional Crusts
Some recipes use shredded coconut and coconut oil for a sweet and simple crust, or even toasted almond flour with butter, cinnamon, salt, and erythritol for a nutty, aromatic base.
Sweet Keto Pie Recipes to Satisfy Your Cravings
From classic fruit pies to creamy delights, these keto-friendly sweet pie recipes will have you questioning whether they're really low carb.
Pecan Pie
This keto pecan pie takes only 5 minutes to make and requires no oven time. Using common keto baking ingredients, it tastes almost exactly like regular high-sugar, high-carb pecan pie. The recipe uses Confectioners Swerve for the crust and Brown Swerve for the filling, but Lakanto's Powdered Monk Fruit Sweetener and Golden Monk Fruit Sweetener can also be used. Almond flour can be substituted with walnut flour or sunflower seed flour, but coconut flour should be avoided.
Pumpkin Pie
Enjoy the flavors of fall year-round with a keto pumpkin pie. Traditional pumpkin pie is loaded with sugar, but this keto version uses sugar-free sweeteners and a homemade crust made from coconut flour, coconut oil, and sugar-free powdered sweetener.
Read also: The Keto Peanut Guide
Apple Pie
While apples aren't typically keto-friendly, this keto apple pie recipe uses a small amount of apples combined with keto sweeteners to create a comforting and delicious dessert. Chayote squash can also be used as a low-carb substitute for apples in apple pie trifles.
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Pie
Indulge in the ultimate dessert with a keto peanut butter and chocolate pie. This recipe uses almond flour, cocoa powder, mascarpone cheese, peanut butter, heavy whipping cream, and monk fruit sweetener to create a rich and satisfying treat.
Coconut Cream Pie
From the flaky crust to the silky coconut filling, this keto coconut cream pie is unbelievably good. The crust is made with almond flour, coconut flour, xanthan gum, butter, cream cheese, egg, and vinegar. The custard filling is thickened with arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch or all-purpose flour and includes coconut and vanilla extracts, and coconut cream.
Cherry Pie
A keto cherry pie recipe combines juicy cherries and cranberries on a buttery low-carb pie crust. The crust is made with almond flour, coconut flour, granulated sweetener, baking powder, salt, xanthan gum, apple cider vinegar, butter, and egg. Cornstarch thickens the filling without making it gooey.
Lemon Pie
Lemony, tart, and sweet, this refreshing keto lemon pie recipe is easy to make and perfect for any party. The crust is a combination of coconut crust and almond shortbread cookie recipe. The filling is intensely lemon flavored and uses sweetener, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
Read also: Your Guide to Cranberry Juice on a Ketogenic Diet
Other Sweet Pie Ideas
- Banana Cream Pie: Yes, you can enjoy banana cream pie on keto!
- Pumpkin Spice Tart: Embrace the flavors of fall with this keto-friendly pumpkin spice tart.
- Boston Cream Pie: Indulge in a classic with this keto-friendly Boston cream pie.
- No-Bake Strawberry Pie: This easy no-bake strawberry pie is perfect for summer.
- Eggnog Cream Pie: Celebrate the holidays with this festive eggnog cream pie.
- Key Lime Pie: Transport yourself to the tropics with this zesty keto key lime pie.
- Chocolate Pudding Pie: Enjoy the classic comfort of chocolate pudding pie without the guilt.
- Strawberry Hand Pies: These adorable keto strawberry hand pies are perfect for snacking or packing in lunchboxes.
- Mint Chocolate Mousse Pie: Treat yourself to a luxurious mint chocolate mousse pie.
- Coffee Pie: Coffee lovers, rejoice!
Savory Keto Pie Recipes for Lunch and Dinner
Pies don't have to be sweet. Warm, filling pies make a special lunch or dinner, especially during the cooler months.
Shepherd's Pie
This keto shepherd's pie is a low-carb twist on a traditional British dish. Cauliflower acts as a keto replacement for carb-heavy mashed potatoes. Other ingredients, such as almonds, smoked Gouda, and basil leaves, add flavor. British banger sausages are paired with the lamb for extra meatiness.
Taco Pie
This unique low-carb pie dish is inspired by tacos. The dough is made of mozzarella cheese, almond flour, cream cheese, and a large egg. The filling has ground beef, taco seasoning, and other seasonings. Top your taco pie with sour cream, avocado, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Chicken Pot Pie
This keto chicken pot pie recipe is the perfect low-carb replacement for a traditional carb-heavy chicken pot pie. The keto crust is comprised of mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, almond flour, one large egg, chopped basil, baking powder, and garlic powder. For the filling, you’ll need butter, chicken breast, onion, garlic powder, onion powder, heavy cream, chicken broth, green beans, and broccoli.
Vegetarian Vegetable Pie
This keto vegetarian-friendly vegetable pie is one way to level up your veggie game and keep things interesting. The crust is a blend of almond flour, chia seeds, xanthan gum, butter, egg, and salt. For the filling, you’ll need more eggs, cream cheese, shredded cheese, broccoli, garlic, and your choice of leafy greens.
Other Savory Pie Ideas
- Taco Tamale Pie: Spice up your keto dinner routine with this flavorful taco tamale pie.
Tips for Baking Keto Pies
- Use low-glycemic sweeteners: Choose sweeteners like Swerve, Lakanto Monkfruit, erythritol, or allulose to keep your pies sugar-free and keto-friendly.
- Don't overbeat: Overbeating introduces air bubbles that could later burst and cause cracking.
- Blind bake the crust: Blind baking the crust ensures it's fully cooked and prevents a soggy bottom.
- Chill the cheesecake: Chill the cheesecake at least 8 hours, during which time it will firm up considerably!
- Get creative with toppings: Drizzle sugar-free chocolate syrup, top with whipped cream, or sprinkle with chopped sugar-free peanut butter cups.