Keto Pumpkin Custard Recipe - Crustless Pumpkin Pie (2024)

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If you love pumpkin, you’ll love this healthy and delicious keto pumpkin custard recipe. It’s like a crustless pumpkin pie, but so much easier! Keto pumpkin pie custard is simple to make, but fancy enough for special occasions, like Thanksgiving!

Keto Pumpkin Custard Recipe - Crustless Pumpkin Pie (1)

Keto Pumpkin Pie Custard

With fall just around the corner, I’ve noticed that more and more people are looking for keto pumpkin recipes. And I’m happy to oblige! So today, I’m bringing you a brand new recipe for keto pumpkin pie custard cups. They taste creamy and smooth, with the sweet taste of pumpkin and a hint of spice. With this recipe, you can enjoy the best parts of pumpkin pie, without all the carbs. It’s gluten-free and sugar-free, like all of my keto pumpkin recipes.

If you want more keto pumpkin recipes, be sure to check out this quick and easy Keto Pumpkin Mug Cake, this super popularKeto Pumpkin Bread, or these creamy and delicious Keto Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins.

Keto Pumpkin Custard Recipe - Crustless Pumpkin Pie (2)

Ingredients in Keto Pumpkin Pie Custard

One of the great things about this recipe is that it requires only 5 common keto ingredients, plus the pumpkin pie spice mix. Along with heavy cream and two eggs, you’ll also need the following ingredients:

Pumpkin Puree

What would a pumpkin custard cup be without real pumpkin puree? The recipe uses one standard can of pumpkin puree, which is 15oz.

You can use either canned pumpkin puree or homemade pumpkin puree in this recipe. Just make sure you’re not using pumpkin pie filling, which can be easy to grab by accident at the grocery store.

If you want to learn more about pumpkin on the keto diet, includinghow many carbs in pumpkin, check out this guide:Is Pumpkin Keto Diet Friendly?

The Spice Mixture

You can use a pre-made pumpkin pie spice mixture, but it’s just as easy to make your own spice blend at home. You’ll likely have all the spices you need in your cupboard already. To make homemade pumpkin pie spice, combine:

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated is even better!)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

You can keep this mixture in a small airtight container, and store it in your pantry.It’s also great to make a big batch and keep it on hand for any of the other keto pumpkin recipes I have posted on this site.

Sweetener

In addition to pureed pumpkin and spices, you’ll need a low-carb sweetener like erythritol, monk fruit extract or stevia extract. My preference is to use Swerve granulated sweetener in this recipe. Although, I bet that the brown sugar version of Swerve would be nice as well!

Keto Pumpkin Custard Recipe - Crustless Pumpkin Pie (3)

How to Make Low-Carb Pumpkin Custard

The method for making these little keto pumpkin custards couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is whisk up all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl, divide them among several individually sized ramekins, and bake them in a water bath. Simple as pie!

The Right Size Ramekins for Custard

I like to use small 8oz ceramic ramekins to bake my custards. You can use smaller or larger cups if you like, but the cooking time may be a bit different than described in this recipe. For reference, I used 5 ramekins for this recipe, and each ramekin held about a cup of custard at a depth of about 1 1/4 inches.

These are similar to the ramekins I have at home, and they come in all sorts of colors.

Keto Pumpkin Custard Recipe - Crustless Pumpkin Pie (4)

How to Tell When Custard is Done

Sometimes it’s hard to tell when the custard is done. Underdone custard can be runny, but overcooked custard can crack or curdle. To help you out, here are a few ways to test.

The knife test: You can test for doneness with a thin-bladed knife. Insert knife midway between center and edge of cups. If the knife is mostly clean when you pull it out, the custard is done.

The jiggle test: Baked custards like this pumpkin custard should jiggle (but not slosh around) when gently tapped. You can tell these custards are done when they are barely jiggly in the center.

Of either test, I find the jiggle test is more accurate for this particular recipe (and most pumpkin pie recipes, in general).

How to Use a Water Bath

In general, I recommend using a water bath to help these custards bake evenly. A water bath insulates custards from the direct heat of the oven, reducing the chances of overbaking or cracking.

To bake these custards using a water bath, you’ll need a baking pan that can fit all of your ramekins. For me, I could fit all of my ramekins in a regular 9×13 metal pan that has 2″ tall sides.

First, use a tea kettle to preheat your water. Then, place all the custards in a dry 9×13 pan, and put the whole thing in your preheated oven, but leave the oven door open. Then, use the kettle to pour the water carefully into the 9×13 pan around your ramekins, taking care not to splash.

Tip: the water just needs to come halfway—not all the way—up the sides of the ramekins.

When the pumpkin custard is done, you’ll want to remove the ramekins from the water bath and cool on a wire rack before chilling them in the refrigerator. Although you can eat these keto pumpkin custards warm, I prefer them served chilled with whipped cream.

Tip: The smaller dish you use for the custards, the faster your custard will cook.

Keto Pumpkin Custard Recipe - Crustless Pumpkin Pie (5)

How to Store Keto Pumpkin Custards

One of the great things about this recipe is that you can make it ahead of time. You can safely store these pumpkin custards for about 3 days in the refrigerator. Make sure to cover them tightly with plastic wrap.

I do not recommend freezing pumpkin custard.

Other Healthy Low-Carb Pumpkin Recipes

If you love pumpkin, then you should check out these other healthy pumpkin recipes on the blog:

Keto Pumpkin Mug Cake – Quick and Easy!

Creamy Keto Pumpkin Soup

Keto Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Keto Pumpkin Bread

Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake

Pumpkin Pie Fat Bombs

Keto Pumpkin Custard Recipe - Crustless Pumpkin Pie (6)

Yield: 5

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Creamy pumpkin custards that are low-carb and keto-friendly. Like pumpkin pie, without the crust.

Ingredients

  • 15 oz pumpkin puree
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2/3 cup granulated erythritol sweetener
  • 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (see notes)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare ramekins in a larger pan for a water bath. Fill a kettle with water, and set to boil

  2. Combine pumpkin puree, eggs, cream, sweetener, spices, salt, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together until smooth.

  3. Divide the mixture into individual ramekins. Place the whole pan of ramekins into the oven, and carefully fill the outside pan with hot water until the water reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins.

  4. Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes or until set. Remove the ramekins from the water bath, and allow to cool on a wire rack. Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Instead of 1 1/2 teaspoons of pre-made pumpkin pie spice, you can use the following homemade spice mix.

  • 3/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp allspice
  • 1/8 tsp cloves

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 5Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 235Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 128mgSodium: 296mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 4g

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Carb count will vary with different ingredients and brands. It should not be considered as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Read this next:

  • Is Pumpkin Keto Diet Friendly?

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  • Pumpkin Pie Fat Bombs

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  • Keto Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

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Keto Pumpkin Custard Recipe - Crustless Pumpkin Pie (2024)

FAQs

What is a substitute for 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice? ›

To get 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, use ¾ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon ginger, allspice, cloves or nutmeg, whatever you have! If you have two of the above spices, use ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon of whichever two spices you do have.

Why is my pumpkin custard watery? ›

If you notice liquid on the top of your pie while it's still in the oven or still hot, then it has been overbaked. Just as above, the proteins in the custard have toughened too much, squeezing out the liquid from the filling.

How do you thicken pumpkin pie filling without cornstarch? ›

When using tapioca as a thickener, allow the pie filling to sit for at least 15 minutes to absorb the juices before spooning it into the crust. Tapioca can be substituted in a one-to-one ratio for cornstarch.

Why won't my pumpkin pie set in the middle? ›

practice learning the signs of when baked goods are done. for pumpkin pie when the filling still ripples in the center. the pie is underbaked and the filling won't completely set up. when the center of the pie wobble slightly it will continue to bake.

How do you keep the bottom crust of pumpkin pie from getting soggy? ›

Often, blind-baking solves this problem. If you're making a single crust custard-filled pie, like a pumpkin pie, bake the pie dough first before adding filling to allow some of the moisture in the crust to evaporate. You can also totally blind-bake fruit pies.

Can I just use cinnamon instead of pumpkin spice? ›

No, typically pumpkin spice blends are made from cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and sometimes cloves. Every spice company has their own recipe, but those are the most commonly found ingredients. Just cinnamon and nutmeg will still be delicious, but there's usually a couple of other ingredients.

Can I use allspice instead of nutmeg in pumpkin pie? ›

You can replace nutmeg with an equal amount of allspice in your recipes. Allspice is made of ground berries from the Pimenta dioica tree. Its flavor is similar to that of nutmeg and can be replaced at a 1:1 ratio.

Can I substitute allspice for cloves in pumpkin pie? ›

Allspice is a common ingredient in fall baked dishes, especially those involving apples, like pies, cakes or tarts. Use in a 1:1 ratio as a substitute for ground cloves.

Why does my pumpkin pie have a film on top? ›

Sweetened condensed milk formed a thick, plastic-like layer on top of the pie. It's easy to mistake a can of sweetened condensed milk for a can of evaporated milk at the grocery store. Rest assured that although making this mistake will create a thick top layer on your pie, it won't ruin the flavor or interior texture.

Should pumpkin custard be refrigerated? ›

You should refrigerate homemade pies that contain fillings with eggs, such as pumpkin, custard or cream pies.

How do I stop my custard from weeping? ›

Cooling the custard too quickly can cause it to weep or separate. To prevent this, place the custard in a shallow dish and cover it with plastic wrap, making sure the plastic wrap is in contact with the surface of the custard. This will prevent a skin from forming on top of the custard.

How do you fix a runny pumpkin pie? ›

The most common cause of a watery pumpkin pie is over baking. Take it out of the oven while the centre of it is still soft and jiggly. It'll finish setting as it cools. But there are other possible reasons, such as, using fresh instead of canned pumpkin.

What is a natural thickening agent for pie filling? ›

Cornstarch makes for a shiny, glossy filling. A little goes a long way because it has twice the gelling power of flour. Flour thickens nicely but leaves more of a matte finish. You'll need to use twice as much as you would with cornstarch.

How can I thicken a pie filling without flour or cornstarch? ›

Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency. Tapioca starch is preferable for products that will be frozen because it will not break down when thawed. We like tapioca in blueberry, cherry or peach pies.

Why does pumpkin pie crack after baking? ›

The reason pies crack is often due to the eggs in the pumpkin pie recipe - if they get over baked, the protein in them tightens up, and as it cools, it causes cracks in the pumpkin pie.

How do you stop pies from bursting? ›

Vent the top crust well, not just a few pokes with a fork, but actual slashes in the top crust. I cut out simple shapes like leaves with a paring knife, or use seasonal themed cookie cutters to make cutouts. Crimp the crust to have a high rim that will act like a dam to stop overflowing filling.

How do you keep pie dough from cracking? ›

Here then, in brief, are the 5 things you can do to help prevent your pie dough from cracking.
  1. Make sure you cut the fat in enough. ...
  2. Add the water all at once. ...
  3. Knead the dough once. ...
  4. Put the dough in a plastic freezer bag and roll it out to about 8 inches in diameter.
Nov 8, 2013

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