Exploring the world of dairy free pie recipes opens up a universe of delicious possibilities that cater to those with lactose intolerance, dairy allergies, or simply those who prefer plant-based eating.
Whether you’re craving a classic fruit pie, a creamy custard alternative, or a savory vegetable-filled pie, these recipes prove that you don’t need dairy to create rich, satisfying, and flavorful pies.
By using clever substitutes like coconut milk, nut-based creams, or dairy-free margarine, you can enjoy all the comfort of pie without any of the dairy. Plus, these recipes are perfect for sharing with friends and family who have dietary restrictions.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through some of the best dairy free pie recipes, complete with step-by-step instructions, handy tips, and serving suggestions. You’ll also find inspiration to experiment with flavors and textures to create pies that everyone will love—all without compromising on taste or creaminess.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Our dairy free pies are designed to be accessible, flavorful, and adaptable. Using quality dairy alternatives not only keeps these pies safe for those with allergies but also enhances the natural flavors of the fillings.
You’ll appreciate how easy it is to make a flaky, tender crust without butter or cream, and how versatile these recipes can be to suit any occasion, from a casual weeknight dessert to a festive holiday centerpiece.
Health-conscious bakers will enjoy the reduced saturated fat content, while those who follow vegan or plant-based diets will find these recipes fit perfectly into their lifestyle. Plus, you can customize fillings with seasonal fruits or savory vegetables, making these pies a year-round favorite.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour – 2 ½ cups (for crust)
- Granulated sugar – ½ cup (adjust for sweetness)
- Dairy-free margarine or coconut oil – ¾ cup, chilled
- Cold water – 4 to 6 tablespoons
- Salt – ½ teaspoon
- Fresh or frozen fruit – 4 cups (apples, berries, peaches, or mixed fruit)
- Dairy-free milk (coconut milk or almond milk) – 1 cup (for custard or creamy fillings)
- Arrowroot or cornstarch – 2 tablespoons (for thickening)
- Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon (to brighten fruit flavors)
- Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon (for flavor depth)
- Ground cinnamon or nutmeg – 1 teaspoon (optional, for warm spice)
- Chopped nuts – ½ cup (optional, for texture)
- Vegetables – 3 cups (for savory pies such as mushrooms, spinach, or potatoes)
- Dairy-free cheese substitute – 1 cup (optional, for savory pies)
- Herbs and spices – to taste (rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, etc.)
Equipment
- Pie dish – 9-inch recommended
- Mixing bowls – medium and large sizes
- Pastry blender or food processor – for making crust
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling pin
- Whisk – for mixing custard or filling
- Knife and cutting board
- Oven – preheated to 375°F (190°C)
- Baking sheet – to catch drips
- Cooling rack
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the chilled dairy-free margarine or coconut oil in small cubes. Using a pastry blender or food processor, cut the fat into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add cold water: Gradually add 4 tablespoons of cold water, mixing gently with a fork until the dough begins to come together. Add more water, one tablespoon at a time, if needed. Avoid overworking the dough to keep it tender.
- Form and chill the dough: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Prepare the filling: For fruit pies, toss your prepared fruit with sugar, arrowroot or cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, and spices. For savory pies, sauté your vegetables and season with herbs and spices. If using dairy-free cheese, incorporate it now.
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer it to your pie dish, pressing gently to fit. Trim any excess dough hanging over the edges.
- Add the filling: Pour the filling into the prepared crust, spreading evenly. If making a double crust pie, roll out the second disk and cover the filling, sealing edges and cutting slits for steam to escape.
- Bake the pie: Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly. For savory pies, bake until vegetables are tender and crust is crisp.
- Cool and serve: Allow the pie to cool on a rack for at least 2 hours before slicing. This helps the filling set and makes serving easier.
Tips & Variations
“For a flakier crust, keep all ingredients cold and avoid overmixing the dough. Using coconut oil gives a subtle sweetness, while dairy-free margarine offers a more neutral flavor.”
Try experimenting with different fruit combinations like apple-pear, peach-blueberry, or mixed berries to find your favorite. You can also add a crumb topping made from oats, brown sugar, and coconut oil for extra texture.
For savory pies, consider adding lentils or tofu for protein, and swap herbs to match the season.
Don’t hesitate to check out other fantastic recipes for plant-based meals such as Backpacking Dehydrated Vegan Meal Recipes for Easy Camping or Chinese Vegetarian Nasi Lemak Recipe Made Easy and Delicious to complement your pie dishes.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Amount per Serving (1/8 pie) |
---|---|
Calories | 280-320 kcal (varies by filling) |
Carbohydrates | 45g |
Fat | 8g (mostly from dairy-free margarine or coconut oil) |
Protein | 2-4g (higher in savory pies with legumes or tofu) |
Fiber | 3-5g |
Sugar | 15-20g (natural fruit sugars) |
Sodium | 150mg |
Serving Suggestions
Dairy free pies are incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. For sweet pies, pair them with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of coconut whipped cream.
Fresh berries or a sprinkle of powdered sugar can add a lovely finishing touch.
Savory pies go wonderfully alongside a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables for a balanced meal. They also pair well with dairy-free sauces such as vegan gravy or chutney.
For cozy comfort food, serve your savory pie with a warm cup of soup.
For more ideas on dairy-free and vegan meals, be sure to explore Veg Grilled Sandwich Recipes That Are Quick and Delicious, a perfect light accompaniment to your pie creations.
Conclusion
Making delicious, satisfying pies without any dairy is easier than you might think. With these dairy free pie recipes, you can enjoy flaky crusts, flavorful fillings, and all the comfort of traditional pies without the dairy.
Whether you choose a sweet fruit-filled dessert or a hearty savory pie, these recipes offer flexibility and health-conscious benefits that everyone can appreciate.
By incorporating simple plant-based substitutes and following easy steps, you’ll create pies that impress family and friends alike. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different fillings and crust options to find your perfect pie.
For more inspiring plant-based recipes, check out our collection of Best Vegan Pepper Jack Cheese Slice Recipe for Melty Flavor to add a cheesy touch to your meals.
Happy baking — your next favorite dairy free pie awaits!
📖 Recipe Card: Dairy Free Apple Pie
Description: A classic apple pie made without any dairy products, perfect for those with lactose intolerance. This recipe uses coconut oil and almond milk for a rich, flaky crust and a sweet, spiced filling.
Prep Time: PT30M
Cook Time: PT50M
Total Time: PT1H20M
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, solid
- 1/4 cup almond milk, cold
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 6 cups peeled and sliced apples (Granny Smith or Fuji)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour and salt.
- Cut in coconut oil until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add almond milk and ice water; mix until dough forms.
- Divide dough in half; roll out one half for bottom crust.
- Place crust in pie dish; set aside.
- In a bowl, combine apples, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla.
- Pour apple mixture into crust.
- Roll out second half of dough for top crust; place over filling.
- Seal edges and cut slits for steam release.
- Bake for 50 minutes or until crust is golden and filling is bubbly.
- Let cool before serving.
Nutrition: Calories: 320 | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Carbs: 48g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Dairy Free Apple Pie”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A classic apple pie made without any dairy products, perfect for those with lactose intolerance. This recipe uses coconut oil and almond milk for a rich, flaky crust and a sweet, spiced filling.”, “prepTime”: “PT30M”, “cookTime”: “PT50M”, “totalTime”: “PT1H20M”, “recipeYield”: “8 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour”, “1/2 cup coconut oil, solid”, “1/4 cup almond milk, cold”, “1/4 cup ice water”, “6 cups peeled and sliced apples (Granny Smith or Fuji)”, “3/4 cup brown sugar”, “2 tablespoons cornstarch”, “1 teaspoon ground cinnamon”, “1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg”, “1 tablespoon lemon juice”, “1 teaspoon vanilla extract”, “1/4 teaspoon salt”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 375\u00b0F (190\u00b0C).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, mix flour and salt.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cut in coconut oil until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add almond milk and ice water; mix until dough forms.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Divide dough in half; roll out one half for bottom crust.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Place crust in pie dish; set aside.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, combine apples, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour apple mixture into crust.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Roll out second half of dough for top crust; place over filling.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Seal edges and cut slits for steam release.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bake for 50 minutes or until crust is golden and filling is bubbly.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Let cool before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “320”, “proteinContent”: “2g”, “fatContent”: “12g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “48g”}}