This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclaimer.Â
Finally, a dessert to make everyone happy! This Paleo Pumpkin Pie is grain free, dairy free, and refined sugar free. Every bite is luscious, lightly spiced, and layered with rich dark chocolate.

Yes, you can make a pie recipe without grains, dairy or refined sugar!
This Paleo Chocolate Pumpkin Pie is incredibly smooth, luscious, and full of the fall flavors you love around the holidays. It tastes just as delicious as your everyday pumpkin pies but is lightly sweetened with maple syrup, coconut sugar, and layered with ribbons of rich dark chocolate. In case you didn’t know it already, chocolate just happens to be the best way to dress up a pumpkin pie recipe.
You can bring this chocolate pumpkin pie to Thanksgiving, Christmas, or wherever you need a healthy pumpkin dessert. Your guests don’t need to be following a paleo or keto diet, are gluten free, or vegetarian to enjoy it either! There’s plenty of depth, rich flavors, and warming spices to make everyone happy.
Recipe features
- The paleo pie crust is made with a base of coconut flour and sweetened with coconut sugar.
- The ribbons of dark chocolate and coconut oil ganache throughout the filling dress up the pie for the holidays.
- It’s still sweet, rich, comforting, and delicious even without the gluten, dairy, and refined sugar.
Ingredient notes:
- Coconut flour - While I haven’t tested this recipe with another flour, almond flour or gluten free oat flour should work instead; however, you may need to slightly alter the amount you use.
- Coconut sugar - You can leave this out if you want to avoid sugar at all costs, but the crust won’t be as sweet.
- Ghee - Or swap it for softened coconut oil.
- Pumpkin puree - Not pumpkin pie filling. Organic is best but you can use the regular stuff instead with a few adjustments (see my notes below).
- Maple syrup - To naturally sweeten the pumpkin pie filling. Honey should work as well!
- Coconut milk - This will make the pumpkin pie filling super smooth and creamy without needing dairy.
- Pumpkin pie spice - Buy it pre-made at the grocery store or make it yourself by mixing cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and cloves together.
- Arrowroot - Tapioca starch should work just as well.
- Dark chocolate - Mixed with coconut oil to create a luscious ganache.
Step-​​by-step instructions
Step 1: Make the crust. Pulse the coconut flour, coconut sugar, ghee/coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla together in a food processor. With the motor still running, add the ice water a tablespoon at a time until a large ball of dough forms.
Step 2: Form the dough. Transfer the dough to your greased pie dish. Press it out to the edges and up the sides using your hands. Use a fork to poke several holes into the crust.
Step 3: Make the pumpkin pie filling. Add the pumpkin puree, coconut sugar, maple syrup, coconut milk, pumpkin pie spice, arrowroot, and salt to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour it into the pie crust.
Step 4: Make the chocolate sauce. Place the chocolate and coconut oil in a small saucepan. Heat over medium low heat and stir until the chocolate has melted.
Step 5: Add the chocolate swirls. Add dollops of chocolate sauce on top of the pie filling. Run a knife or toothpick through the dollops to make swirls.
Step 6: Bake, cool, and enjoy. Bake the cake for about 45 to 50 minutes. Take it out of the oven and let it cool on a rack for at least 1 hour. Transfer it to the fridge to fully set, then enjoy!
Expert tips and FAQs
- I don’t recommend rolling the pie crust. This gluten free pie crust will be more fragile than traditional pie crust and rolling it could cause it to crack or crumble. Instead, press it into the bottom and up the sides of the pie pan using your hands.
- You must use ICE water when making the dough! It’ll keep your coconut oil cold, helping your pie crust turn out flakey and tender in the oven.
- Make this with my gluten free pie crust instead. The pie will no longer be paleo-friendly, but will still be delicious!
- Looking for a plain paleo pumpkin pie recipe? Simply omit the melted chocolate swirls and you’ll be good to go!
- Serve each slice with a big ‘ol dollop of coconut whipping cream.
What kind of pumpkin should you use?
Organic pumpkin puree has a different texture than the regular stuff (like Libby’s, which tends to be thicker). If you’re using organic, following the instructions in the recipe card, but if you’re using Libby’s or a thicker pumpkin puree, use ¾ cup coconut milk, and check the pie after 40 minutes.
Can you make it ahead of time?
Absolutely! The chocolate pumpkin pie needs a few hours in the fridge to set, so bake it up to 1 day ahead of time and serve the next day.
How should you store this?
Leftover pumpkin pie will store nicely in the fridge for up to 4 days.
More paleo desserts for the holidays
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
Ingredients
for the crust
- 1 cup coconut flour
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- ½ cup ghee softened
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoon ice water or more as needed
for the filling:
- 2 ½ cups pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 1 ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 3 tablespoon arrowroot
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chopped
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Instructions
- First, make the crust: Add the coconut flour, coconut sugar, ghee, eggs, and salt to your food processor and pulse for 20 seconds. With the motor still running, add the ice water in through the top 1 tablespoon at a time until a large ball of dough forms (you will probably need 8-10 tablespoons of water total).
- Grease a 9" pie pan with coconut oil, then transfer the pie dough to the pan. Use your hands to form the dough into crust. NOTE: since this is a gluten free crust, it'll be more fragile than traditional pie crust. I don't recommend rolling it; instead, just press the dough into the pan and up the sides to form the crust. Then, use a fork to poke several holes into it.
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Next, make the filling: Add the pumpkin, coconut sugar, maple syrup, coconut milk, pumpkin pie spice, arrowroot, and salt to a high powder blender and blend for 1 minute. Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan.
- Add the chocolate and coconut oil to a small saucepan, then heat over medium-low, stirring frequently until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Use a spoon to dollop the chocolate on top of the pie, then use a knife or toothpick to swirl it.
- Place the pie into the oven and bake it for 45-50 minutes. Place the pie on a cooling rack for at least 1 hour, then transfer it to the refrigerator, which will allow it to fully set. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
UPDATE NOTE: This post was originally published in September 2015. It was updated with new photos in November 2021.
Bethany Patterson says
It will be my first time making this recipe.
I wanted to ask about the 1/4 cup of syrup and then the 2 tablespoons of syrup. Is that a typo? Or is one supposed to be for the crust?
Thank you 🙂
Erin says
Whoops! Sorry about that -- it's just 1/4 cup maple syrup total 🙂
Hannah says
I have been making this pie since 2015 and loved it!!! Today I was so confused to see different ingredients 🤯 I'm making this for our family Thanksgiving celebration this weekend and I'm hoping the new recipe is just as good!
Erin says
Hi Hannah -- I'm so happy you like the recipe! This is the new and improved version, but I have the old version saved (just shoot me an email if you want the recipe).
Jennifer Lynn Hirshhorn says
Hi Erin
This looks amazing. Is there a flour I can use instead of coconut, something else that is gluten free? Almond flour, oat flour...or anything else you think you would work well?
Thanks so much.
Jennifer
Erin says
Hi Jennifer--I've never tried anything other than coconut flour, but you could give gluten free oat flour a shot. If you do, let me know how it turns out!
Kate says
Just bought a pumpkin, can't wait to try myself!
Jessie says
I need this in my life... more so my mouth right about now. I'm pretty sure I've found our pumpkin pie recipe for Thanksgiving! Thanks 🙂 🙂
Erin says
Yayyy I hope you love it!
Cassie @ Almost Getting it Together says
My weekend was epically lame - recipe creation, running, blogging, writing... why didn't we Skype?
PS I think this may be my friendsgiving cake!
Erin says
MAKE IT. People will love it. Oh and yeah... next time I'm doing nothing (every other weekend....) we should probably Skype.
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
Yes yes yes, why not chocolate pumpkin pie! Oh now I want pie!! Great way to end pumpkin week for sure! Pinning for my Thanksgiving recipe ideas!
Dani @ Dani California Cooks says
i was just thinking the other day that I need to start looking for gluten free/dairy free pumpkin pie recipes. I'm going to Nate's family's place for Thanksgiving and I know that unless I bake something, I won't be able to have dessert!!
Erin says
Make it!! I promise everyone will love it 🙂
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food says
Pumpkin in the summer is definitely a no-no! That would spoil all the fun and excitement when fall comes around! Chocolate pumpkin pie......sounds amazing. I would totally eat that. Pumpkin pie is usually the only kind I eat on Thanksgiving.
Your low-key weekend sounds awesome. I'll be busy packing and cleaning before my trip to CA on Sunday, so not a lot of lounge time for me!
Erin says
Ahhh enjoy Cali though! And yeah... summer pumpkin pie just doesn't sound as appealing.
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
The photos you posted yesterday are so beautiful! And this pie is incredible. I love the combination of chocolate and pumpkin and can imagine how good this must taste with the other seasonal spices. I wish I had a slice of this for dessert today!
Erin says
Thank you Ashley!
Kat says
Im actually not too big of a pumpkin pie fan, which is weird since I love all things pumpkin flavored, but this pie just looks too fantastic NOT to try! I love the addition of the chocolate. Consider me sold!
Erin says
Yeah! Chocolate makes everything better 😀
lori says
Can I leave out the crushed nuts??? Daughter allergic... Thanks!
Erin says
Hmm... the nuts help to thicken it up. You could try omitting them all together and it may still work, you'd probably just have to bake it for longer. Let me know if you try it!
lindsay says
paleo pie is hard to make to begin with... then you go make this and SHOCK the world. I love it!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
WHOA NOW. HOLDUP. CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN PIE? I seriously have NO WORDS for this goodness. other than: Please put this in my face RIGHT NOW.
Pinning!
ALSO, OMG your photos are SO adorbs! LOVELOVELOVE them!
Erin says
Thank you Taylor 😀
Fiona Walker says
When making the crust, how much vanilla is used? And I’m assuming the salt is added at the same time as all ingredients before pulsing in food processor?
Erin says
Whoops! That was a typo -- apologies. There isn't any vanilla in the crust (I meant to say salt) and yes you'll just add the salt in with the rest of the ingredients.
Alicia says
The only two pies I really like are pumpkin and apple and I'd have to say I think I like pumpkin more. It is nice to have that pie once a year (usually at Thanksgiving). I love your idea of the chocolate drizzle too! Sounds like a great weekend ahead. I am trying to figure out if I can go apple picking tomorrow, but the Pope is in town so there are a lot of road closures and such, but it seems many people have fled the city. I even get to work from home today and Monday because I work in the city and the trains are on special schedules so it's difficult to get down there, but that meant I got some extra gym time this morning, so I was happy about that 🙂 Enjoy your weekend.
Erin says
Ahh I hope you enjoyed your work from home day! And yes, pumpkin pie ftw!