Easy Healthy Pumpkin Custard - low carb, keto, dairy-free, AIP
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.
Pumpkin Pie Flavor Anytime
Pumpkin pie is an all time fave in our house. In fact, my sons pretty much feel that as long as I make our favorite vegan pumpkin pie, they don't care if we have anything else for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Make that FOUR pumpkin pies. At least.
Yes, I really do that.
My family will eat it and well, why clean up more than once?
Bulk baking is totally a thing in my home.
So if you love pumpkin as much as I do, and you especially LOVE pumpkin pie, then here's the answer. You can have pumpkin pie flavor ANYTIME with this super simple recipe.
Anyhow, years ago, I saw this recipe for pumpkin custard and was thrilled that it meets our family’s special diet needs.
It's dairy and egg-free so our son with those life-threatening food allergies could have it. Plus it’s gluten-free (we’ve all been off gluten for awhile now).
I just knew I needed to make it. So I did. And made it better, if I may say so, by mixing up the spices and with and way fewer carbs.
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 won't mess up your low-carb diet.
This custard is perfect for my pumpkin-loving family--and for yours, regardless of your special diet. And even if you aren't on one, you're sure to love it!
Ingredients
Here's what you will need to make this delish and healthy custard.
Pumpkin - the backbone of this recipe and loaded with lots of essential vitamins and minerals.
Gelatin - this creates that custard texture for your pumpkin. If you're vegan, agar agar will work well too.
Coconut Milk - responsible for adding the dairy-free creaminess to this pumpkin custard. I recommend full-fat for the best texture.
Stevia - this and any additional sweeteners give this custard it’s sweet flavor without unnecessary calories.
Salt - balances out the sweetness and brings out the flavor of the custard.
Vanilla - enhances the flavor of the custard
Pumpkin Pie Spice - adds the perfect pie seasoning
Special Diet Substitutions
- 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 are on the Trim Healthy Mama plan.
- AIP: Use coconut sugar, maple syrup or raw honey instead of stevia for an AIP option.
Recipe Notes
Is Plastic Wrap on Top Needed for this Custard?
Sometimes when making custard, it's recommended to chill the custard with plastic wrap on top in order to prevent "custard skin".
I didn’t bother with this since I kind of like the “custard skin”, and I don’t like plastic wrap :). It's completely up to you if you wish to use it, of course.
Dishes to Use
I'm partial to the super cute jars pictured in this post, but you could also of course use traditional ramekins.
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 :).
Tiny food is fun food!
Coconut Milk
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.
Gelatin
For gelatin, I like Great Lakes, Vital Proteins, or Perfect Supplements. (get 10% off at Perfect Supplements with code WNM.)
Toppings
Pumpkin custard tastes fabulous on its own but tastes extra special with dairy-free ice cream, or this dairy-free whipped cream substitute on top. Crushed up Pumpkin Snickerdoodles or Pumpkin Cookies would be fantastic too.
Sweetener
When using alternative sweeteners, using more than one can help with the final flavor. We love Lakanto. (Get 20% off Lakanto with code wholenewmom.)
Erythritol can work also but you will need about 30% more. Xylitol is also great but adds some carbs.
Stevia
Pure Stevia Extract is very sweet. In fact it’s up to 300 times as sweet as sugar, so be very careful when measuring it. This post talks about how to use stevia.
You can also read about stevia safety in case you’re concerned about that. If using another sweetener, substitute about 4 tablespoons for every 1/16 teaspoon of stevia.
Storing
This custard should keep in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days.
More Healthy Pumpkin Recipes
If you love pumpkin (like we do!), then be sure to check out these other healthy pumpkin recipes:
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice - great for all your pumpkin recipes
Dairy-Free Pumpkin Spice Creamer - a dairy-free version that's healthier and tastes better than store-bought.
Healthy Pumpkin Recipes - a collection of delicious pumpkin recipes that you can feel good about eating anytime!
Pumpkin Chia Pudding - a paleo, vegan, and low-carb pumpkin version of chia pudding.
I gotta say, this Healthy Pumpkin Custard Recipe is for sure one of my favorites from this entire list for taste and ease.
Easy Pumpkin Custard - paleo, low carb, vegan option
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
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is merely an approximation. Optional ingredients are not included and when there is an alternative, the primary ingredient is typically used. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts since they have been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
The above nutrition facts are estimates only. Please read my Nutrition Disclaimer here.
Enjoy the easy pumpkin pie goodness anytime! Would love to hear what you think about it!
This looks so delicious and perfect year round if you ask me! I love that it's dairy free too.
We LOVE it year round. Pumpkin all year round in my opinion! Thanks!
I love those Weck jars. 🙂
these look fantastic and THANK YOU for the vegan options.
🙂 - the jars are the big feature for sure!
This was a hit with my family! I served it with a coconut shortbread & coconut whipped topping- YUM!
Oh what a fantastic combo!! YUM! (runs to the kitchen to make the custard.....)
Have you ever posted your pumpkin pie recipe? I need a tried and true vegan pumpkin pie recipe forThanksgiving, and your site is my go-to! Every recipe I have tried from you has worked well and tastes delicious!
I haven't! I have to figure it out. Working on it!! I'll see if we can get it done before Christmas!
Adrienne, I have great news for you! I found a recipe that uses silken tofu and it turned out great! My son and daughter in law both liked it, so my goal was met. I love traditional pumpkin pie and this was every bit as yummy, so I will be making it for Christmas as well. I used your crust. And that was a win as well!! Thanks!
That is so great! Hopefully I'll have that up soon. It's a little complicated but I'll get it done! Making some paleo brownies right now that I hope turn out well :).
Can I use cows milk or other milks instead of the coconut milk?
Yes, you sure can. I will update the post to state that that's an option. Thanks for reading and I hope you like it!
Yum ,trying this!
Hope you like it!
Which spices in pumpkin pie spice are not AIP friendly? I thought cloves weren’t.
Nutmeg and allspice are not - the information is in this post: https://wholenewmom.com/recipes/aip-pumpkin-pie-spice-blend/ - cloves aren't a berry or a seed so they are OK :).
Hello,... Just came across this pumpkin custard recipe, and it looks good. What is the calorie and carbs breakdown ?? I am trying to go as much carb and dairy free as possible. Thanks for your website.
Hi there! Thanks for reading! We are working on getting that functionality going -- sorry it's taking awhile. We had a big tech mess to deal with and are trying to clean that up first - thanks for your patience!
1/3+1/2 of 1/3 equals 1/2? Hmmm.
I am excited to try the recipe!
I know, right :)? Math and healthy recipes. Maybe I need a new tagline.....
Sorry, I see someone else already commented about the gelatin. I will look again for the Vegan option! Thanks!
Gelatin is not Vegan, it is an animal byproduct. What do you suggest to use in place of it?
Just made it a bit more clear in the recipe - thanks!
Gelatin is not vegan. It’s made from bones.
Hello Linda. Thanks for reading and for commenting. There is vegan sub in the recipe -- perhaps you missed it. Hope you try it and it works for you!
Taste needs something; I added more salt, but lemon juice hit the spot. Will that affect its setting?
(I used 3/4 C honey, and 1T brown sugar since it is what I had... more salt helped, but thought of sauces with coconut milk and lime juice, so tired the lemon juice.)
I don't think it should affect it!
This recipe was very good. I used only 1/2 the sweetener one time and the regular amount another time. Both were delicious! I highly recommend. Thanks for posting!
If you were to add protein powder to this recipe, how would you go about it?
I would use vanilla only and go slowly so as not to overpower it.
If I increased the water and/or milk for the protein powder, do you think I would need to add more geletine? Thanks!
If you add more liquid and you add more powder I don't see why you would but it depends on how much you add.
Hi!
How much stevia should I use?
should I use liquid Stevia or the packets?
If you want to use only stevia extract, use 3/8 tsp + 1/32 tsp. I don't use packets so please check a conversion chart if you wish to do that. The flavor will be better if you do that. Hope you like it!
I am also very confused about the sweeteners. I like to use a few dif kinds, by it would be helpful if you listed what you use and then in parenthesis put your other option. For example..
1/8 tsp stevia
1/2 c honey (or maple syrup)
1/4 tsp erithrytol (or other low carb sugar like xylitol)
I can’t figure out if the honey you listed is meant to be in addition to the stevia and also if the xylitol is in addition to those or another option.
And instead of putting substitutes in parnethesis, you could just have a note at the end explaining potential substitutes. That way, we can get an idea of exactly how much sugar or substitute sugar you’re using. Thanks! And hope to try this recipe tomorrow 🙂
I just updated the recipe - does that help? There are 2 sep sweetener entries. 3/8 tsp stevia and 1/8 cup another sweetener. Please let me know if that helps and I can adjust more later. Thanks!
Hello, how much does one batch make approximately, in cups? Trying to figure out how many batches to make for a crowd 🙂 Can I just multiply the ingredients, or will I have to make each batch separately?
Thank you!
Hello there. If you add up the liquid ingredients you will get approx the amt that it makes. The sweetener will add some bulk. Yes, you can just multiply. enjoy!
I just tried this recipe, using 1 T. agar and 3 Tbsp erythritol. It was super easy and set up perfectly, but I will use more spices next time :). And there will be a next time! I wonder if one can use almond milk instead of coconut milk?
Yes, it just won't be as creamy. Glad it worked well!
I'm not sure about the sweeteners. Are all the sweeteners listed as an option? Stevia, 3/4 cup of honey, maple syrup, coconut or 1/8 cup other sweetners? Sorry just confused. Also will it matter if I just use like Knox gelatin? Will use your suggested gelatin next batch.
I just adjusted the recipe to make it easier to read. Let me know if that helps. You can use any gelatin. I just choose healthier options made from animals that are raised in a healthier manner.
Which sweetener do I use? Do I just select one, whichever one I choose to use? Say 3/4 cup of honey or maple syrup or coconut sugar?
Sorry I guess my brain isn’t working today! 🙂
Hi there. No problem. I like mixing sweeteners. I think it works out better that way.