Pumpkin pie is easily Thanksgiving’s most popular dessert. It’s warm, creamy, and full of those familiar fall spices that make the whole house smell like comfort. Most recipes are full of gluten and refined sugar, two components we don’t use in our cooking. If you’re like us, here’s the good news: you don’t have to sacrifice health for flavor. This Easy Pumpkin Pie is completely free of gluten and dairy, yet it tastes even better than the traditional version. It’s also incredibly easy to make and can even be made in advance.
We’ve been making this recipe every Thanksgiving for years, and it never fails to wow our guests. The secret? Whole, clean ingredients and a boost of therapeutic-grade essential oils for that rich, spicy pumpkin flavor. With just a few steps and simple ingredients, you’ll have a pie that looks beautiful, tastes indulgent, and nourishes your body at the same time.
Table of Contents
The Story Behind the Pie
Every family has that one dessert that they’re known for bringing to holiday events, and for most people, it’s pumpkin pie. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve volunteered to bring the pie! But as our family’s approach to food changed, so did the way I baked. I wanted that same nostalgic flavor, a golden crust with the creamy, spiced filling we all loved… but made with ingredients that actually support the body instead of burdening it.
That’s how this version was born. One Thanksgiving years ago, I decided to see if I could make a pie that was both delicious and clean. I swapped the condensed milk and white sugar for my famous Vegan Pumpkin Dip, natural sweeteners, and a touch of essential oils for real, therapeutic spice. When it came out of the oven, I knew it was something special, the kind of dessert that combines old techniques with new healthy eating approaches.
Now, it’s become part of our family tradition. We bake it together, often a few weeks before Thanksgiving, with music playing and kids taking turns stirring the filling. Recipes like this remind me that you never have to compromise on your healthy eating convictions…even during the holiday season.
Every bite carries a balance: nourishing and nostalgic, simple and celebratory. Whether you serve it as the grand finale of your holiday meal or sneak a slice for breakfast the next day (no judgment here!), this pie captures everything we love about fall.
The Benefits of Fall Spice Essential Oils
Essential oils don’t just make your home smell like autumn — they offer incredible health benefits when used properly in recipes. When diluted and dispersed safely (as in this pie), they enhance both flavor and wellness.
Cinnamon Essential Oil: Supports balanced blood sugar, promotes digestion, and gives that classic “pumpkin spice” aroma. Studies show it can help protect the stomach lining and combat harmful bacteria naturally.
Clove Essential Oil: This warm, spicy oil contains eugenol, a compound with strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It’s wonderful for immune support during the colder months — just remember, clove is a “hot” oil, so a little goes a long way.
Ginger Essential Oil: Ginger helps soothe the digestive system and reduce inflammation. It pairs beautifully with pumpkin, adding that cozy zing that makes each bite special.
Safety Note: When using essential oils in cooking, always include a dispersant such as your sweetener (in this case, the Christmas Cookie Blend). This ensures the oils are evenly distributed and safe for consumption. Never ingest essential oils directly or “neat.”
If you love the warm, inviting aroma of this pumpkin pie, you’ll definitely want to explore more of our seasonal essential oil blends! Our Signature Essential Oil Blends collection features recipes to naturally scent your entire home like fall.
These blends are perfect for diffusing during family gatherings, baking days, or quiet evenings with a cup of tea. Each one is crafted to uplift your mood, purify the air, and bring that same comforting feeling you get from a freshly baked pie.
👉 Check out all of our fall diffuser recipes here.
Healthy Ingredient Swaps
Organic Pumpkin Purée: Rich in fiber, beta-carotene, and antioxidants, pumpkin supports eye and skin health while keeping you full and satisfied. Choose pure pumpkin purée — not pie filling, which contains added sugar and spices.
Dairy-Free Vegan Cream Cheese: Brands like Daiya, Kite Hill, and Miyokos make excellent options that add creaminess and structure to the filling without dairy. Combined with pumpkin and essential oils, it creates a perfectly silky texture.
Christmas Cookie Blend (or Organic Coconut Sugar): A natural sweetener made from coconut, date, and maple sugars that provides sweetness without the crash of refined sugar. It also doubles as a dispersant for essential oils.
Cookie Crumb Crust: Instead of traditional pie crust, this version uses gluten-free cookie crumbs from Simple Mills…we love the Crunchy Cinnamon or Toasted Pecan varieties. It’s easy, flavorful, and adds the perfect crispness to balance the smooth filling.
Pink Himalayan Salt or Sea Salt: A touch of pink Himalayan salt or sea salt enhances the sweetness and brings out the flavor of the pumpkin. Natural sea salts also provide trace minerals that support hydration and muscle health.
Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Servings
Ingredients
- 1 Cookie Crumb Crust, cooled
- 1 batch of Vegan Pumpkin Dip
- 2 pasture-raised organic eggs OR 1 tablespoon egg replacer PLUS 4 tablespoons purified OR distilled water
- Additional organic pumpkin pie spice powder and/or Ceylon cinnamon, to garnish (optional)
Supplies
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Add the eggs to the pumpkin dip and whisk well to combine.
- Pour the entire cold dip into the cooled pie crust.
- If desired, add additional pumpkin pie spice powder and/or cinnamon.
- Bake on the center rack of the oven for 30 minutes, or until the pie is set.
- Let cool before slicing.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This Easy Pumpkin Pie is a must-have for any holiday. If you make a double batch of my Vegan Pumpkin Dip, you can have an appetizer and dessert!
Step One: Prepare the Filling and Pie Crust
Prepare the pumpkin dip (filling) and Cookie Crumb Crust. Be sure to let your filling chill in the fridge! I recommend letting it set for at least 6 hours or overnight. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can also prepare your crust the night before.
Step Two: Assemble Your Pumpkin Pie
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Add the eggs to the pumpkin dip and whisk well to combine. Pour the entire cold dip into the pie crust and spread evenly. Sprinkle pumpkin pie spice over the top.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until the pie is set.
Simple steps, like swapping your old sugar-laden desserts for healthy ones, are how you achieve optimal health. Healthy living doesn’t have to be painful, and it doesn’t mean living a joyless life!
How to Serve and Store
This pie tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Once cooled, cover loosely and refrigerate for up to five days. Serve it chilled or at room temperature with a dollop of Coconut Milk Whipped Cream or a drizzle of maple syrup.
If you’re preparing for the holidays, this pie can be made up to two days in advance; just keep it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. You can also freeze leftovers by wrapping slices individually and storing them for up to two months. To enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
For a festive touch, sprinkle crushed pecans or a dusting of pumpkin spice on top right before serving. It’s simple, beautiful, and sure to make your table feel like fall.
A Season to Savor
Baking slows us down in a world that glorifies rushing. When your hands are dusted with flour and the scent of cinnamon fills the kitchen, suddenly life feels simpler, quieter, and more grounded.
Healthy food serves as a gentle reminder that wholeness is part of God’s design for us…body, mind, and spirit working together in harmony. Choosing ingredients that bring life, creating something from scratch, and sharing it with others is a small act of worship. It’s saying, “Thank
You, Lord, for giving me hands that can create and hearts that can share.”
As Philippians 4:11-12 reminds us, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances… I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” Baking teaches that same contentment; to find joy in the process, not just the finished product.
So this Thanksgiving, or anytime your heart needs a moment of comfort, make this pie. Let the process be your pause. Feel the warmth of the oven, breathe in the sweetness, and remember that gratitude isn’t about grand gestures; it’s found in small, faithful ones.
“You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.” – Psalm 65:11
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10
“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” – Psalm 34:8
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- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7914307/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7914307/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11395535/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11395535/
