Vegan Sweet Potato Pie

This rich and creamy vegan sweet potato pie tastes just like the Southern classic but without dairy, eggs, and optionally gluten – Perfect for your Thanksgiving table!

Creamy and Delicious Vegan Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Our Thanksgiving table wouldn’t be complete without a hefty dish of mashed sweet potatoes or a sweet potato casserole. Still, it’s this simple and super satisfying vegan sweet potato pie that’s become a recent ‘must-have’ at all our fall and winter celebrations.

Like a cousin of well-loved pumpkin pie, mouthwatering sweet potato pie is a Southern classic. It is even sweeter (naturally) and creamier, loaded with your favorite warming spices, within a flaky pie crust. However, unlike traditional recipes loaded with dairy, this version is 100% vegan – not that you can tell.

In fact, the main difference between regular and dairy-free sweet potato pie is a slight difference in texture due to the lack of eggs, making it less pudding-like and more creamy/puree-like. Honestly, we might actually prefer it. You can also adapt the recipe in several ways, including making it gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and more – perfect for accommodating several special diets this holiday season.

Best of all, this sweet potato pie vegan recipe is a cinch to prepare and can be made using a homemade or store-bought pie crust, depending on your time and effort preferences. You can even make it in advance and freeze the leftovers.

This isn’t the first time we’ve snuck sweet potatoes into dessert, either. You might also enjoy our sweet potato chocolate cake and sweet potato brownies recipes.

The Ingredients For Sweet Potato Pie

You’ll need 11 simple, inexpensive pantry staples to prepare this easy sweet potato pie recipe.

• Vegan pie crust: Use store-bought (to save time) or homemade pie crust – regular or gluten-free. A gingersnap or vegan chocolate pie crust also complements sweet potato pie flavors well.

Vegan Sweet Potato Pie Filling:

• Sweet potatoes: We prefer orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (sometimes labeled yams) for the vibrant orange color and sweet-savory flavor. White and purple sweet potatoes are starchier and less sweet but are technically usable, too.
• Canned coconut milk: This is thicker and richer than cartons of plant-based milk for a truly decadent dairy-free sweet potato pie. Vegan evaporated milk would also work.
• Brown sugar: The molasses in brown sugar adds a delicious caramel-like flavor that compliments the sweet potato well. For an unrefined sugar option, try coconut sugar or date sugar. You could also try a sugar-free brown sugar substitute.
• Vegan butter: Use unsalted vegan butter (like Miyoko’s or Earth Balance) for richness.
• Vanilla extract: Use natural vanilla to avoid artificial flavor in this recipe for vegan sweet potato pie.
• Spices: A simple selection of warming spices helps produce our favorite flavor.
  • Pumpkin pie spice (or replace that with just cinnamon if preferred)
• • Ground ginger
• • Ground nutmeg
  • Ground cloves
• Sea salt: Just a small amount will balance and enhance the flavors in the pie.
• Cornstarch: This thickening ingredient is important for the pie filling to set correctly. Arrowroot flour should also work.

What could I add To Vegan Sweet Potato Pie?

• Citrus zest: A small amount of lemon or orange zest subtly brightens the flavor.
• Vegan chocolate: Either fold your favorite vegan chocolate chips/chunks into the filling or swirl a (warmed) vegan chocolate spread into the top before baking.
• Chai spice: Replace the spices in the recipe with chai spice.
• Toppings: Experiment with different toppings for different textures and flavors.
  • Cinnamon streusel topping (for sweet, cinnamony crunch)
• • Pecans (for nutty crunch)
• • Mini vegan marshmallows (like a sweet potato casserole)
  • Coconut flakes or shreds (not toasted, or they’ll burn in the oven)

How to Make Vegan Sweet Potato Pie?

• 1) First, peel and chop the sweet potatoes, transferring them to a large pan and submerging them with water.

• 2) Bring it to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes, or until fork-tender.

• 3) Then, drain the potatoes and add them to a large bowl using a mixer/food processor/blender to puree them until super smooth.

• 4) Preheat the oven to 350F/175C, add the remaining filling ingredients to the mashed potatoes, and mix until fully combined (about 2 minutes).

• 5) Carefully transfer the filling to the prepared pie crust using a spatula to smooth over the top, if needed, and transfer it to the center of the oven for 50-60 minutes.

When ready, the baked sweet potato pie should appear set on the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center (it will thicken and set further as it cools).

• 6) Remove the baked sweet potato pie from the oven and let it cool for at least two hours to set (or, even better, overnight for the best set and flavor) before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

FAQs

Top Recipe Tips and Notes

• Don’t overboil the potatoes: Otherwise, they can absorb too much water, become mushy, and affect the filling texture and set.
• For the sweetest natural flavor: Bake the sweet potatoes (whole at 375F/190C until tender) instead of boiling them to caramelize and concentrate their flavor.
• Properly puree the potato: You don’t want lumps in the mash – it should have a creamy, velvety texture.
• Taste and adjust the filling: This includes the spice levels and the sweetness – ensuring it matches your palate.
• Leave it to cool: This is crucial for the pie to fully set so it’s ready to slice and serve.
• If the crust browns too quickly: Tent it in foil to protect it while it bakes from burning.
• Bake the pie properly: If it’s under-baked, it will be loose and not set. If it’s over-baked, it can become dense and taste burned. For perfectly cooked sweet potato pie, it should look set around the edges but jiggle slightly in the middle when nudged. A thermometer inserted into the center should read 175F/79.4C.

What to Serve with Sweet Potato Pie?

Enjoy a slice of this vegan sweet potato pie at room temperature or chilled with:

• Coconut whipped cream
• Dairy-free vanilla ice cream, pecan, chocolate, or cinnamon ice cream
• A drizzle of caramel sauce
• Toasted and/or candied pecans (for nutty crunch)
• A steaming mug of hot cocoa, apple cider, tea, or coffee (like a pumpkin spice latte)

Storage Instructions

If you have the time, we recommend preparing this vegan sweet potato pie recipe a day before, allowing it to fully chill overnight. Once cooled, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Can You Freeze Sweet Potato Pie?

Wrap it in plastic wrap (to avoid freezer burn) and freeze it for up to 3 months, either whole or sliced with parchment paper between the slices to avoid sticking.

Allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for several hours to serve.

More Vegan Pie Recipes

• Easy apple pear pie
• Zucchini mock apple pie
• Chocolate pumpkin pie
• Mixed berry crumb pie
• Banana cream pie
• Vegan Silken tofu chocolate peppermint pie
• 4-ingredient chocolate pie

Photos by Alfonso Revilla