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.
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.
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.
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!
A delicious 3 ingredient healthy pie crust - that just happens to be vegan, gluten free, and grain free!
- 1 cup shelled walnuts
- 15 small pitted dates (about 3/4 cup)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
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!
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?
Chrissy Carroll
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Abbey Sharp says
June 19, 2017 at 7:35 pmLove 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!
Chrissy Carroll says
June 26, 2017 at 2:45 pmSo many pie possibilities! 🙂
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
June 19, 2017 at 9:12 pmWow that looks so easy! And no bake too
Chrissy Carroll says
June 26, 2017 at 2:46 pmNo bake things are the best, especially in the summer!
Tasting Page says
June 19, 2017 at 9:49 pmNow this is simplicity at its finest. Love it!
Chrissy Carroll says
June 26, 2017 at 2:46 pmI know – I almost felt silly posting it because it’s SO simple, but those are the best kind of recipes.
Emily | EmPowered Nutrition says
June 20, 2017 at 8:40 amWhat a great idea! This would totally be great for my favorite, chocolate pudding pie! Yum!
Chrissy Carroll says
June 26, 2017 at 2:46 pmYesss, this would be perfect with chocolate pudding pie!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
June 20, 2017 at 10:47 amYum!!! This sounds so delicious! I’d totally fill this with something chocolate!
Chrissy Carroll says
June 26, 2017 at 2:46 pmChocolate on chocolate = amazing 🙂
Carmy @ carmyy.com says
June 20, 2017 at 2:13 pmLove a healthy crust! Usually it’s just sugar and butter and it always makes me feel a little guilty!
Chrissy Carroll says
June 26, 2017 at 2:47 pmAin’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!!
Natalie says
June 20, 2017 at 2:18 pmSo easy and so healthy too. Love to fill this pie crust with some chocolate pie filling… yum!
Chrissy Carroll says
June 26, 2017 at 2:47 pmThanks Natalie! Isn’t it the best when something is healthy AND easy to make?!
Mindlyly says
April 15, 2018 at 1:20 pmThis is a great recipe. A vegan bakery I shop at uses this receipe all the time.
Chrissy Carroll says
April 23, 2018 at 8:28 pmThanks so much! Glad to hear I’m on par with the bakery 🙂
Janie says
August 26, 2018 at 8:25 amHi! 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!
Chrissy Carroll says
August 26, 2018 at 2:49 pmHi 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/