Irresistible Keto Walnut Pie Crust Recipe: Healthy, Easy & Delicious!

If you're on a keto, paleo, sugar-free, or gluten-free diet and craving a delicious pie, look no further! This keto walnut pie crust is a healthy and flavorful alternative to traditional graham cracker crusts. It's surprisingly easy to make and can be used for both sweet and savory pies.

Why Choose a Walnut Pie Crust?

Many times, healthy alternatives don't quite measure up to the original. However, this walnut pie crust is an exception. It's so good that you might even prefer it to the real thing! Besides being delicious, it offers several benefits:

Low-Carb and Keto-Friendly: Perfect for those following a ketogenic diet.
Gluten-Free: A great option for individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
Sugar-Free: Allows you to enjoy a sweet treat without the added sugar.
Paleo-Friendly: Aligned with the principles of the paleo diet.
Healthy: A genuinely healthy alternative to traditional pie crusts.
Flavorful: Walnuts add a rich, nutty flavor that complements a variety of fillings.

Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Keto Walnut Pie Crust

This recipe uses a few simple ingredients to create a delicious and healthy crust:

Walnuts: The star of the show! Ground walnuts provide a rich, nutty base with a slightly crunchy texture. Use cold butter. Don’t take the butter out until you are about to put it in the food processor. Use halved or whole walnuts. Do not use already chopped walnuts that are in tiny pieces.
Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the crust together. If you want to make this pumpkin pie dairy free, swap the butter in the crust with coconut oil. You may need an extra tablespoon to bind the mixture.
Coconut (Optional): Adds a hint of sweetness and enhances the texture.
Erythritol (or sugar substitute): To add sweetness without the carbs and sugar.

Step-by-Step Instructions for a Foolproof Crust

This keto walnut pie crust is incredibly easy to make, even for novice bakers. Here's how:

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180C).
Combine ingredients: Place the walnuts and butter in your food processor or blender.
Process: Place the walnuts and butter in your food processor or blender. Blend/whisk thoroughly. Add the spices, vanilla, eggs, salt and erythritol.
Press into pie pan: Place the mixture into a 9 inch pie pan and press it around the whole pan until it spread evenly. Smooth pie crust and even it well. You do not want an uneven pie crust or it will not bake evenly.
Bake: Bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove and set aside. Keep an eye on the oven when you are baking the keto pie crust. Do not over bake.
Cool: Remove from oven and let cool completely before adding filling.

Important Tips for Success

Use Cold Butter: It's crucial to use cold butter for the best texture. Don't take the butter out until you are about to put it in the food processor.
Don't Over Bake: Keep a close eye on the crust while it's baking to prevent it from burning.
Smooth the Crust: Ensure the pie crust is smooth and even for uniform baking.
Consider blind baking: To bake unfilled, preheat oven to 325F. Bake until edges are golden brown, about 20 minutes.To bake a filled pie, pre bake 10-12 minutes before adding fillings. You may need to cover the edges in foil to avoid over-browning. Let the pie crust cool before adding fillings and baking again.

Variations and Adaptations

Dairy-Free Option: If you want to make this pumpkin pie dairy free, swap the butter in the crust with coconut oil. You may need an extra tablespoon to bind the mixture.
Add Spices: Enhance the flavor by adding a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the crust mixture.
Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of sweetener to your liking.

Ideas for Delicious Keto Pie Fillings

The possibilities are endless! Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Pumpkin Pie: Combine the walnut crust with a classic pumpkin pie filling for a festive treat.
Pecan Pie: A match made in heaven! The nutty crust complements the rich pecan filling perfectly.
Chocolate Pie: Indulge in a decadent chocolate pie with a walnut crust.
Lemon Pie: The tangy lemon filling pairs beautifully with the nutty crust.
Savory Pies: Use the crust for quiches, pot pies, or other savory dishes.

Nut-Free Pie Crust Option

Can't eat nuts? This is a great keto pie crust for those of you who are nut-free. Here's how:

Nut-Free Pie Crust Step by Step## Ingredients

3/4 cup coconut flour (90 g/ 3.2 oz)
1/2 packed cup flax meal (75 g/ 2.7 oz)
pinch of sea salt
1/2 stick unsalted butter, ghee or coconut oil (60 ml)
2 large eggs

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 160 °C/ 320 °F (fan assisted), or 180 °C/ 355 °F (conventional).
Transfer into a greased 9-inch (23 cm) tart pan, or into 8 individual 4-inch (10 cm) pans, or into 4 individual 5-inch pans. (Tip: It's best if you use non stick pie pans with removable bottoms. If using a large pie pan, line the bottom with a piece of 9-inch (23 cm) round parchment paper.)
Using your hand or a small roller, press the dough down the bottom and up the sides to create an edge. If you're using a large pie crust, it's better to use baking beans to weigh the dough down and prevent air bubbles from forming.
Place in a baking tray and transfer into the oven.
Remove the tray from the oven and place on a cooling rack.
When cool, remove from the pie pans.

Other Keto Recipes to Explore

Best Ever Keto Bread: If you want bread check this recipe out.
Keto Yogurt Breakfast: tired of eggs for breakfast?
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus: perfect easy keto appetizer for parties!

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in the fridge either with the pie dish covered with cling wrap or place the slices in an airtight container.

A Note on Nutritional Information

I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program.

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

tags: #keto #walnut #pie #crust #recipe