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    Home » Dessert

    Healthy Pie Crust {Just Walnuts, Cocoa Powder, & Dates!}

    June 19, 2017 by Chrissy Carroll 24 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Who here likes pie?  If you’re not raising your hand or nodding your head in agreement, I’m not sure we could be friends 😉  {Kidding, of course we can.}

    I’ve got a family of pie fans in my house.  I’m partial to chocolate or pecan, the hubby loves apple and cherry, and though my son has only had an occasional bite, I think he likes strawberry the best.  (He’s been devouring a strawberry pie we bought over at Nourse Farm the other day). 

    I really enjoy making homemade versions of these for us to eat.  If you like to make these sweet desserts as often as I do, you might want some healthy pie crust options to add to your repertoire. 

    Traditional store-bought pie crust is usually full of white flour, lard or partially hydrogenated oils, and a most likely a few fillers and preservatives.  Of course, there isn’t anything wrong with having that occasionally.  Heck, I like making a lightened up quiche some weekends and I still go for the convenience of store-bought pie crust.

    But for sweet pies, this chocolate walnut healthy pie crust works so well for a better-for-you option.  And honestly this one of the easiest recipes I’ve ever come up with, but I love it so much that I think it deserves its own dedicated post.

    Whip up your next no-bake pie with this healthy pie crust recipe! Made using just 3 ingredients – walnuts, dates, and cocoa powder – so it’s gluten free and vegan too.

    Here are the ingredients:  walnuts, dates, and cocoa powder.  That’s it!  Blend those three things up in a food processor and you’ll get a crumbly texture that sticks together, lending it perfectly to being pressed into a pie dish.

    [Tweet “A healthy pie crust? YES! Try this easy no-bake crust made with just 3 ingredients.”]

    It’s ideal for those with certain dietary limitations, since the crust is vegan, gluten free, and grain free.  And it’s just a nice clean ingredient option for those who like to bake (and eat) desserts often.

    Whip up your next no-bake pie with this healthy pie crust recipe! Made using just 3 ingredients – walnuts, dates, and cocoa powder – so it’s gluten free and vegan too.

    I’ve been using this healthy pie crust like crazy when I make a no-bake chocolate coffee pie (photo above – recipe coming very soon!).  But I also think this crust would work well with your favorite (healthy or not-so-healthy) versions of these pies:

    • Peanut butter pie
    • No-bake pumpkin pie
    • Ice cream pie
    • Banana cream pie

    I haven’t done this with any baked fillings, but I’d imagine it would work just fine.  If you experiment with that, let me know!

    You can also do a non-chocolate version of this healthy pie crust and there are a few different combinations depending on your taste preferences:

    • 1 1/4 cup Walnuts + 1 cup Dates
    • 1 cup Walnuts + ½ cup Dates + ½ cup shredded coconut
    • 1 cup Walnuts + ¾ cup golden raisins
    • 1 1/2 cup walnuts + 2-3 tbsp softened butter + (optional) 2 tbsp sugar

    You can adjust these amounts as needed – for example, if your pie crust isn’t quite holding together, add a little bit more dried fruit or butter to get that stickiness.  

    The non-chocolate versions can work well with any type of sweet pies!  But there’s something about the chocolate one that I just love.

    Give it a try soon and let me know what ya think!

    Chocolate Walnut Healthy Pie Crust

    Snacking in Sneakers
    A delicious 3 ingredient healthy pie crust - that just happens to be vegan, gluten free, and grain free!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Servings 12

    Ingredients
      

    Ingredients:

    • 1 cup shelled walnuts
    • 15 small pitted dates (about 3/4 cup)
    • 1/4 cup cocoa powder

    Instructions
     

    Directions

    • In a food processor, combine walnuts, dates, and cocoa powder. Pulse several times until the mixture is crumbly and starts to stick together.
    • Lightly grease a pie plate with cooking spray or coconut oil. Press the crust mixture down into the pie plate.  Add your fillings and enjoy!
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Share with me:  What’s your favorite kind of pie?  Do you ever make your own pie crust or do you use store bought kinds?  Have you ever tried a nut-based healthy pie crust like this?

    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll is a Registered Dietitian and USAT Level I Triathlon Coach. She specializes in sharing nutrition and fitness tips, as well as recipes, for runners, triathletes, and active women.Chrissy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, a Masters Degree in Public Health, and is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.
    Chrissy Carroll
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    Comments

    1. Abbey Sharp

      June 19, 2017 at 7:35 pm

      Love how easy this is! I can already picture all the things I want to fill this pie crust with mmmm. Thanks for the recipe Chrissy!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        June 26, 2017 at 2:45 pm

        So many pie possibilities! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner

      June 19, 2017 at 9:12 pm

      Wow that looks so easy! And no bake too

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        June 26, 2017 at 2:46 pm

        No bake things are the best, especially in the summer!

        Reply
    3. Tasting Page

      June 19, 2017 at 9:49 pm

      Now this is simplicity at its finest. Love it!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        June 26, 2017 at 2:46 pm

        I know – I almost felt silly posting it because it’s SO simple, but those are the best kind of recipes.

        Reply
    4. Emily | EmPowered Nutrition

      June 20, 2017 at 8:40 am

      5 stars
      What a great idea! This would totally be great for my favorite, chocolate pudding pie! Yum!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        June 26, 2017 at 2:46 pm

        Yesss, this would be perfect with chocolate pudding pie!

        Reply
    5. Liz @ I Heart Vegetables

      June 20, 2017 at 10:47 am

      5 stars
      Yum!!! This sounds so delicious! I’d totally fill this with something chocolate!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        June 26, 2017 at 2:46 pm

        Chocolate on chocolate = amazing 🙂

        Reply
    6. Carmy @ carmyy.com

      June 20, 2017 at 2:13 pm

      Love a healthy crust! Usually it’s just sugar and butter and it always makes me feel a little guilty!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        June 26, 2017 at 2:47 pm

        Ain’t nothing wrong with that sugar and butter sometimes though, haha – I fully admit enjoying it from time to time. But I like this for a more regular option!!

        Reply
    7. Natalie

      June 20, 2017 at 2:18 pm

      5 stars
      So easy and so healthy too. Love to fill this pie crust with some chocolate pie filling… yum!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        June 26, 2017 at 2:47 pm

        Thanks Natalie! Isn’t it the best when something is healthy AND easy to make?!

        Reply
    8. Mindlyly

      April 15, 2018 at 1:20 pm

      5 stars
      This is a great recipe. A vegan bakery I shop at uses this receipe all the time.

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        April 23, 2018 at 8:28 pm

        Thanks so much! Glad to hear I’m on par with the bakery 🙂

        Reply
      • Susanna

        November 23, 2022 at 9:08 am

        Can this be filled and baked? I’ve used it raw with no-bake fillings with great success, of course, but will it survive oven time? Anyone know? Thanks.

        Reply
        • Chrissy Carroll

          November 23, 2022 at 10:19 am

          Great question! I don’t believe it would bake well – I’m not sure the nuts/dates would survive prolonged heat without getting a little charred. I’ve only used it with no-bake fillings.

          Reply
    9. Janie

      August 26, 2018 at 8:25 am

      Hi! I just tried this today, but the crust seems too sticky to be removed from the pan/ring, and doesn’t harden much in the fridge. What do you suggest? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 26, 2018 at 2:49 pm

        Hi Janie! Try popping it in the freezer for a half hour or so – I think that would do the trick. Also, did you grease the pan a little bit before smushing it in there? That helps too.

        This recipe will be stickier and won’t hold together exactly the same as a normal pie crust, but it should still hold form fairly decently – for ex, if you see the photo in this vegan chocolate pie recipe, it uses this crust and sticks on pretty well. 🙂 https://www.snackinginsneakers.com/easy-vegan-chocolate-pie/

        Reply
    10. Morgan

      March 16, 2024 at 9:23 am

      5 stars
      So good thanks for this healthy recipe used it for pi day!! Will be making again

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        March 20, 2024 at 10:52 am

        Glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    11. Georgene Barnes

      March 29, 2024 at 12:18 pm

      can you bake this crust? I have a recipe for ricotta/limoncello cake and it bakes for 30 min can I use this crust at the bottom?

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        April 15, 2024 at 11:17 am

        Hi there! I do not recommend baking this recipe, as I’d worry about the nuts toasting too much and giving a slightly burnt taste. But I also haven’t personally tried it, so you can let me know if you try it and I’m wrong 😉

        Reply

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