Imagine a popular dessert that combines the lush, juicy sweetness of ripe cherries with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that perfectly mimics the classic buttery taste. This plant-based vegan cherry pie isn’t just a treat—it’s a delicious, guilt-free indulgence that proves you don’t need dairy or eggs to make something extraordinary!
Cherry pie’s evolution from medieval European kitchens to American cultural icon reflects its enduring appeal and adaptability across different culinary traditions. It continues to be a cherished dessert, loved for its simplicity, versatility, and now as a highly recognized, "super fruit."
With cherries in season and my little boy's obsession with them; embodying mini Dracula in the process (see image below), I was inspired to create a vegan cherry pie. It catered to my sweet tooth cravings (don't judge) after a meal like this eggplant dish .
This vegan cherry pie pairs well with another popular fruit drink, Pineapple Coconut Smoothie. How about some vegan ice cream options such as my son's personal favorite, Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream to contrast with this warm pie?
Jump to:
💚 Why you will love this recipe
- Satisfying Texture/Perfect Crust
- Nutritional Benefits/Antioxidants
- Lighter alternative to traditional pies
- Dairy-Free and Egg-Free
- Easy to Make
Source: https://www.medicalmedium.com/blog/cherries-liver-bowel-bladder-support
🧾 Ingredients
The ingredients that make this Vegan Cherry Pie SO good are:
Spotlight
- Sweet Cherries:
- High in vitamins C and A, which support immune function and skin health.
- Provide essential minerals like potassium and manganese, which are important for cardiovascular health and bone maintenance.
- The antioxidants in cherries have been shown to reduce inflammation, which can help with conditions like arthritis and muscle soreness.
- Contains melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep cycles, potentially aiding in better sleep quality.
- Coconut Oil:
- Gives this vegan pie crust a unique flavor and texture
- A good source of healthy fats; to be used in moderation due to its high in saturated fat.
- Tapioca Starch/Flour:
- A great thickening agent for vegan cherry pie giving it a nice, cohesive texture without the need for any animal-derived ingredients.
See recipe card for quantities and complete instructions!
Substitutions
| Original Ingredient | Suggested Substitution |
| Frozen Sweet Cherries | Fresh Cherries |
| Gluten-Free Flour | All-Purpose Flour |
| Baking Powder | ½ teaspoon Cream of Tartar + ¼ teaspoon Baking Soda |
| Coconut Oil | Vegan Butter/ Avocado Oil |
| Almond Milk | Soy Milk/ Oat Milk / Coconut Milk |
| Fine Sea Salt | Himalayan Pink Salt/Kosher Salt |
| Tapioca Starch | Corn Starch/ Arrowroot Powder |
| Brown Sugar | Coconut Sugar/ Maple Sugar/ Agave Nectar |
| Vanilla Essence | Vanilla Bean Paste |
🍽 Equipment
I used a 9" round baking pan, 1.5QT (1.4l) bowl and my trusted balloon whisk. Remember Great Equipment, Better Food: Elevate Every Bite with the Right Tools! So I would only recommend things that work and won't break your bank.
🔪 Instructions
To make this Vegan Cherry Pie, start by preheating your oven to 360°F (180°C).
- Step 1: Grease the bottom of pan with coconut oil. In it, place frozen cherries next to each other in a single layer.
- Step 2: Sieve together gluten-free flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and fine sea salt in a large bowl. Leave it aside.
- Step 3: In a small saucepan, bring tapioca starch and almond milk to a soft boil over medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
- Step 4: Combine mixture from Step 3, melted coconut oil, and vanilla essence together with dry ingredients from Step 2. Process until a silky smooth batter is achieved.
- Step 5: Pour the batter over the cherries in the pie pan, ensuring they are fully covered.
- Step 6: Top it off with more or less cherries according to preference.
- Place the pie pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes or until the corners are golden.
- Remove from oven and let it cool.
- Once cooled, cut the pie into slices and serve. (See How To Serve for suggestions)
💡 Expert Tips
Fresh vs. Frozen: Fresh cherries are great when in season, but frozen cherries can be a convenient option. If using frozen, let them thaw and drain excess moisture to avoid a soggy pie.
Brush with Plant-Based Milk: Before baking, brush the top crust with almond milk or another plant-based milk. This helps achieve a golden-brown color.
Sprinkle with Sugar: Adding a sprinkle of coarse sugar on top of the crust before baking adds a nice crunch and shine.
Don’t Overwork the Batter: Mix until just combined. Overworking the batter can lead to a tough crust.
Use a Pie Shield: To prevent over-browning of the crust edges, use a pie shield or aluminum foil strips around the edges during baking.
Check for Doneness: The pie is done when the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. If the filling is not bubbling, it may need more time in the oven.
📖 Variations
- Add Spices: A pinch of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger powders to the cherry filling enhances the natural sweetness of the cherries giving the pie a cozy, comforting flavor.
- Coconut Cherry Pie: Add shredded coconut to the pie crust or sprinkle it on top before baking. Coconut complements the cherry filling well and adds a nice texture contrast.
- Vegan Cherry Almond Crumble Pie: Top the cherry filling with a crumbly almond topping made from almond flour, coconut oil, and a bit of brown sugar or coconut sugar. This adds a crunchy, sweet layer to your pie.
- Citrus Zest: Adding a bit of lemon or lime zest can brighten up the flavor of the cherries.
🥢 How to serve
Here are some delightful and creative ways to serve your vegan cherry pie.
1. Classic with a Scoop
- How to Serve: Serve slices of the vegan cherry pie warm or at room temperature with a generous scoop of vegan ice cream.
- Why It’s Great: The creamy, cold ice cream pairs beautifully with the warm, sweet cherry filling, offering a comforting and classic dessert experience.
2. With Fresh Mint
- How to Serve: Garnish each slice with a sprig of fresh mint or a sprinkle of finely chopped mint leaves.
- Why It’s Great: Fresh mint adds a refreshing and aromatic touch, brightening up the flavors of the cherry pie.
3. Almond Crumble Topping
- How to Serve: Add a light sprinkle of toasted almond slices or a bit of almond crumble on top of the pie slices.
- Why It’s Great: The nutty crunch complements the soft cherry filling and adds an extra layer of texture.
4. With a Drizzle of Vegan Chocolate
- How to Serve: Drizzle melted vegan chocolate over each slice or create a chocolate sauce to serve alongside the pie.
- Why It’s Great: The rich chocolate adds a decadent touch and pairs wonderfully with the tart cherries.
5. In a Pie Parfait
- How to Serve: Layer crumbled pie, vegan yogurt, and fruit in a glass to create a pie parfait.
- Why It’s Great: This adds a fun twist to serving pie and is great for breakfast or as a dessert with a different presentation.
🥡 Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, you can freeze the pie. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, foil or place it in an airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
❓ FAQ
No, you can mix the ingredients by hand, but a food processor ensures a smoother and more uniform dough.
The tart is ready when the edges are golden, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
You can use an alternative sweetener like maple syrup or coconut sugar, but keep in mind that it may slightly change the texture and flavor.
📚 More Sweet Recipes
join over 1.6k followers
Check out our YouTube!
⭐ If you try this recipe, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!
And for even more recipes, join our Facebook Fan Page for support, inspiration & fun!
📋 Recipe
Vegan Cherry Pie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen sweet cherries 14 oz, or pitted cherries
- 1.5 ounces coconut oil or melted vegan butter
- 1 ¼ cup almond milk or soy milk
- 1 ½ tablespoons tapioca starch/flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Dry ingredients
- 5 ounces gluten-free flour or all-purpose flour
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar divided into 4 and 1
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 pinch fine sea salt
Directions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 360°F (180°C).
- Prepare the Pie Pan: Grease a 9in pie pan with coconut oil.
- Arrange Cherries: Cover the bottom of the greased pie pan with the frozen cherries, placing them next to each other in a single layer.
- Sieve Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sieve together the gluten-free flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and fine sea salt. Set aside.
- Prepare Tapioca Mixture: In a small saucepan, dilute the tapioca starch in the almond milk. Bring to a soft boil over medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
- Combine Ingredients in Food Processor: Add the tapioca mixture, melted coconut oil, and vanilla essence to a food processor. Add the sieved dry ingredients. Process until you achieve a silky smooth batter.
- Pour Batter Over Cherries: Pour the batter over the cherries in the pie pan, ensuring they are fully covered.
- Add Remaining Cherries: Arrange the remaining frozen cherries on top of the batter.
- Bake: Place the pie pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes or until the corners are golden.
- Cool: Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a cooling rack.
- Serve: Once cooled, cut the pie into slices and serve with vegan ice cream.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our full Nutritional Disclosure here.
Affiliate Disclaimer
Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend all of the products listed because they are companies I have found helpful and trustworthy.
As the creative force behind OPBW, Natasha is a dedicated stay-at-home mom and passionate home chef. She infuses every recipe and personal care tip with love and practicality. Balancing family life with culinary adventures, she crafts wholesome, family-friendly dishes and effective, natural beauty solutions that are both approachable and inspiring. Her hands-on experience and personal touch make OPBW a go-to resource for delicious meals and self-care ideas that fit seamlessly into everyday life.
Mitchell Michael
This has been a joy to make, thank you for sharing this recipe. I really enjoyed it as well did my guest.
Gustavo De Obaldia
Thank you, Mitchell! We're so glad to hear that you and your guests enjoyed the vegan cherry pie. It’s always a joy to share recipes that bring people together. If you have any tweaks or tips you tried, we'd love to hear about them!