Easy Healthy Pumpkin Custard (Dairy-Free and Low-Carb)

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This healthy and delicious keto pumpkin custard recipe is like a crustless pumpkin pie, but so much easier! This sugar-free pumpkin pie custard is so simple to make, you can enjoy it any day, but it's fancy enough for special occasions.

healthy pumpkin custard in glass jars with spoons.

Pumpkin Pie Flavor Anytime

My boys love pumpkin pie so much that every Thanksgiving and Christmas I literally make four healthy pumpkin pies, but this custard makes it easier to make them happy any time of year.

Years ago, I saw a recipe for pumpkin custard and was thrilled that it meets our family’s special diet needs.

It was dairy and egg-free so our son with those life-threatening food allergies could have it. I just knew I needed to make it, so I did. And made it better, if I may say so.

In fact, the family loved this Paleo Pumpkin Custard so much that I made 4 batches and watched in completely disappear in 2 days.

It seriously tastes like a pumpkin pie and is great for special diets including for those watching their carbs.

ingredients for pumpkin custard in blue pot.

Ingredients

Here's what you will need to make this delish and healthy custard.

  • Pumpkin: The star of the show.
  • Gelatin – Creates that custard texture for your pumpkin. If you're vegan, agar agar will work well too. I like Great Lakes or Perfect Supplements. Get 10% off at Perfect Supplements with code WNM.
  • Coconut Milk: Adds the dairy-free creaminess to this pumpkin custard. I recommend full-fat for the best texture. You can also use any other dairy-free milk (like my Easiest Almond Milk) or regular milk. Coconut and cashew milk will give the creamiest results.
  • Stevia: Use whatever sweeteners you like; any should work. See Recipe Notes for more information.
  • Salt : Balances out the sweetness and brings out the flavor of the custard.
  • Vanilla: Enhances the flavor of the custard.
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice: The components in this spice blend could be used as well.
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Special Diet Substitutions

Where to Buy the Jars In This Post

Several readers have asked about them, so here's a link to the super cute jars pictured in this post. You can of course use traditional ramekins or any other small (or large) container for serving this custard.

Recipe Notes

  • Plastic Wrap for Chilling: Sometimes when making custard, it's recommended to chill the custard with plastic wrap on top in order to prevent “custard skin”. I don't do this because I kind of like the “custard skin”, and I don’t like plastic wrap. It's your call if you want to use it or not.
  • Time-Saving Tip: The smaller dish you use, the faster your custard will firm up. So if your kiddos (or you) are hankering for a treat asap, then use very small ramekins, like these.
  • Sweetener Types: When using sugar alternatives, using more than one can help with the flavor. One great option is a monk/erythritol blend. Erythritol can work also but you'll need about 30% more. Xylitol works but it does increase the carb count some and is lethal to dogs.
  • Sweetener Amounts: If using honey or maple syrup as your sweetener, decrease the amount by about 25% since they're about that much sweeter than sugar. For the “other sweetener” part, if using honey or maple syrup, you'll use 3 tablespoons. If substituting for the stevia, use 9/16 cup.
  • Stevia Tips: Pure Stevia Extract is up to 300 times as sweet as sugar, so be very careful when measuring it. This post talks about how to use stevia. If using another sweetener, substitute about 4 tablespoons for every 1/16 teaspoon of stevia.

Storage

You can store this custard in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days.

Topping Options

Pumpkin custard tastes fabulous on its own but tastes extra special with

healthy pumpkin custard in glass jar.

More Healthy Pumpkin Recipes

If you love pumpkin (like we do!), then be sure to check out these other healthy pumpkin recipes:

pumpkin custard in glass jars.

Easy Pumpkin Custard – paleo, low carb, vegan option

This Easy Pumpkin Custard tasted like pumpkin pie and it's healthy enough to eat all year round. Great as a dessert, snack, or even breakfast!
4.93 from 13 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Chill: 4 hours
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 144.4kcal
Author: Adrienne

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup lukewarm water
  • 1 tablespoon gelatin (or agar powder for vegan option–See Recipe Notes)
  • 1 14 ounce can canned pumpkin (about 1 3/4 cups – fresh will work too)
  • 1 14 ounce can full-fat coconut milk (about 1 3/4 cups. Or other dairy-free or regular milk as desired. See notes.)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/8 teaspoon pure stevia extract (or 3/4 cup sugar equivalent of another sweetener. See alternatives in Recipe Notes)
  • 1/8 cup additional other sweetener (low-carb preferred) (optional–see Recipe Notes)
  • 1 3/8 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (see Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice; here is an AIP option)

Instructions

  • Sprinkle the gelatin over water and stir thoroughly to avoid clumping. Let it sit until it gels up.
  • While it's gelling, combine pumpkin, coconut milk, spices, and sweeteners in a pot until quite warm but not simmering.
  • Remove pan from heat.
  • Once the gelatin is somewhat solidified, whisk it throughly into the heated pumpkin mixture.
  • Pour the blended pumpkin mixture into desired serving dish.
  • If you would prefer to avoid "custard skin" on the top of your custard, put plastic wrap on top so that it directly touches the custard.
  • Refrigerate until firm and enjoy.

Notes

    • Plastic Wrap for Chilling: Sometimes when making custard, it's recommended to chill the custard with plastic wrap on top in order to prevent “custard skin”. I don't do this because I kind of like the “custard skin”, and I don’t like plastic wrap. It's your call if you want to use it or not.
    • Time-Saving Tip: The smaller dish you use, the faster your custard will firm up. So if your kiddos (or you) are hankering for a treat asap, then use very small ramekins, like these.
    • Sweetener Types: When using sugar alternatives, using more than one can help with the flavor. An erythritol/monk blend works well. Erythritol can work also but you'll need about 30% more. Xylitol works but adds some carbs.
    • Sweetener Amounts: If using honey or maple syrup as your sweetener, decrease the amount by about 25% since they're about that much sweeter than sugar. For the “other sweetener” part, if using honey / maple syrup, you'll use 3 tablespoons. If substituting for the stevia, use 9/16 cup.
    • Stevia Tips: Pure Stevia Extract is up to 300 times as sweet as sugar, so be very careful when measuring it. This post talks about how to use stevia. If using another sweetener, substitute about 4 tablespoons for every 1/16 teaspoon of stevia.
    • Vegan Option: If you'd like a vegan pumpkin custard, use the same amount of agar powder instead of gelatin.
    • THM: This recipe is an “S” if you're on the Trim Healthy Mama plan.
    • AIP: Use coconut sugar, maple syrup or raw honey instead of stevia and the low-carb sweeteners for an AIP option.
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Nutrition

Calories: 144.4kcal | Carbohydrates: 9.1g | Protein: 2.7g | Fat: 11.8g | Saturated Fat: 10.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.52g | Sodium: 100.9mg | Potassium: 139mg | Fiber: 2.7g | Sugar: 4.8g | Vitamin A: 10300IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1.4mg | Net Carbs: 6g

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and preparation methods. Optional ingredients are not included. Net carbs are typically calculated by subtracting fiber and sugar alcohols (such as erythritol) from total carbohydrates. This information should not be relied upon for medical or nutritional purposes.

Enjoy the easy pumpkin pie goodness anytime!
Would love to hear what you think about it!

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156 Comments

  1. Im not seeing in the directions where the coconut milk comes into play. When and where does it get mixed in to the recipe? Thanks.

  2. What smart little munchkins you have!! Your pumpkin custard recipe looks awesome. I love anything pumpkin, too 🙂 Just pinned!

    1. Thanks so much, Kelly! So sorry I missed this. A bunch of comments ended up in spam and I am just catching up.

  3. My favourite pumpkin treat is pumpkin punch and here is the recipe.
    1 cup cooked pumpkin
    1/2 cup full cream cow’s milk or coconut milk
    Sweetener to taste
    a dash of cinnamon, ground ginger, and clove. Put all in the blender and blend with a few cubes of ice. Top your glass with whipped cream and enjoy.

  4. You already said that fresh pumpkin could be used instead of canned. Thank you Adrienne this looks good. I am making some soon because we love pumpkin at my house too.

    1. Hey there. I added it to the post after the fact :). Unless I am really losing my mind – which is sorta possible :). Thanks!!! Hope you like it!

    1. Yikes. I needed to put that in – and now I need to change the image. Use agar powder 1:1 sub – thanks and good call!

        1. You’re welcome. I just have way too much going on and my allergies are flaring so I missed it – new photos going in soon – thanks again!

            1. Thanks! You too. Fall wasn’t great but we need our ducts cleaned – at least I think that’s what it is.