This keto mincemeat pie recipe started as a Christmas challenge from one of my beloved readers. A quick look at a traditional mincemeat recipe told me it’s not even remotely keto-friendly with the ridiculous amounts of sugar and carbs. And so, I took it upon myself to put a healthy spin on this much-loved holiday dessert by replacing refined sugar with natural sweeteners and substituting sugar-laden dried fruits and wheat flour with low-carb ingredients and spices, all without compromising on flavor and texture.
With only 45 minutes of prep time, this pastry is unbelievably easy to make and so delicious it even got a stamp of approval from my kids, which is high praise indeed. The delectable combination of sticky fruits, nuts, and holiday spices in the mincemeat filling and the flaky, buttery crust tastes every bit as good as the original and is full of classic Christmas flavors. The pie is a popular British delicacy that’s left out for Santa, enjoyed throughout the holiday season, and occasionally at other festive times of the year.
Serve it warm or cold when you’re hosting a dinner party or planning a picnic, or pair it with your morning coffee or tea. Keep reading for the full recipe details, and don’t forget to browse our collection of keto holiday desserts for more guilt-free treats you can enjoy on any occasion.
Table of Contents (click to view)
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
In the late 19th century, mincemeat pies did contain animal products cooked in wine or brandy to preserve them. But over the centuries, what was once a savory meat pie became sweeter and less meaty. Mutton and ground beef are replaced with dried fruits and nuts, and the pie is now served as a dessert rather than dinner. Here’s what makes keto mincemeat pie a beloved holiday treat (even if you’re not on a diet!):
- Budget-friendly
- Family-friendly and kid-approved
- Simple ingredients: Uses easy-to-find pantry goods like coconut flour, sugar substitute, and common spices.
- Short prep and cooking time: Quick to prepare in less than an hour.
- Amazing flavors: Slightly nutty with a crumbly texture; has a sweet and caramelly filling that’s bursting with warm and spicy flavors.
- Basic kitchen equipment: Requires basic kitchen tools like mixing bowls, whisk, saucepan, food processor, and oven for baking.
- Easy-to-follow directions: Comes with clear and concise instructions that are easy to follow even if you’re new to baking.
How to Make Keto Mincemeat Pie
The good news is that this recipe is simple and easy to make using budget-friendly ingredients that are easy to source. In just 45 minutes, you can indulge in this decadent dessert in no time. The bad news is, how can you stop from eating just one slice?
To make keto mincemeat pie, make the crust using coconut flour, natural sweetener, eggs, and spices. Bake the dough until lightly brown, then let cool before adding the filling.
For the mincemeat filling, simmer shredded apples and the rest of the ingredients, then add crushed walnuts as it finishes simmering. Add a splash of brandy before filling the crust, then press flat using the back of a spoon.
I love my coconut flour crust recipe. The original base is the Savory Coconut Flour Crust from The Ultimate Guide to Low-Carb Baking.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions to make this delightfully indulgent keto mincemeat pie recipe.
Ingredients You Need
You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty keto mincemeat pie. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need:
For the shortcrust pastry:
- Orange juice
- Lemon juice
- Orange and lemon zest
- Ginger powder
- Clove powder
- Cardamom powder
- Ground nutmeg
- Butter
- Apple: Shredded and squeezed to remove excess moisture.
- Brown sugar substitute: Replace regular brown sugar with Lakanto’s Brown Monkfruit Sweetener.
- Star anise seed: Has a spicy, aromatic flavor reminiscent of licorice; adds warm and festive character to the pie.
- Walnuts: Pulse until finely crumbled.
- Brandy: To taste.
- Heavy cream: Optional, for whipping.
For the filling:
- Eggs
- Butter
- Salt
- Brown sugar substitute
- Ground cinnamon: Lends an authentic taste to the mincemeat while balancing the tartness of apples.
- Coconut flour: Absorbs moisture, creating a tender and flavorful crust that holds together well without becoming too dry or crumbly.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Despite the long list of ingredients, this is an easy keto mincemeat pie recipe and takes less than an hour to make. Since it’s a holiday dessert that’s often associated with festive occasions and special gatherings, it’s best to prepare a batch a day or two before an event to allow the flavors to meld and the pie to set properly. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty details:
Crust:
- Mix the wet ingredients. While preheating the oven, mix the eggs and butter in a mixing bowl, until thoroughly combined.
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix the powders, sweetener, and spices, then add the egg mixture until a dough forms.
- Bake the shortcrust dough. Roll the dough into a ball then press into a greased baking pan. Bake until lightly brown and let cool before adding the filling.
Filling:
- Mix mincemeat ingredients. In a small saucepan, place shredded apples and melted butter and simmer for 5 minutes. Then, add the remaining ingredients except for the walnuts and brandy. While simmering for 5 more minutes, chop the nuts manually or in a food processor until finely crumbled.
- Add in walnuts and brandy. As the mixture finishes simmering, add the walnut crumbles and finish off with a splash of brandy. Allow the mincemeat filling to cool before filling the pie crust. Optionally, garnish with whipped cream.
Variations
Mincemeat pie is incredibly versatile, the only limit is your imagination. Below are some tried-and-tested variations and alternative ingredients that you can try with your keto mincemeat pie:
- Instead of brandy, use rum, bourbon, or whiskey. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute with a little bit of water and vanilla extract, unsweetened apple juice, or apple cider.
- If Lakanto’s monkfruit sweetener isn’t your thing, use other sugar substitutes like stevia extract or erythritol to balance the brandy (I suggest a 1:1 or 1:1/2 brandy:erythritol ratio to give a nice balance to the flavor).
- Omit the apple or replace it with green or yellow zucchini.
- Replace walnuts with toasted chopped nuts or seeds like pecans or almonds.
- Make it dairy-free by replacing butter with coconut oil or ghee.
- Add low-carb fruits like homemade or store-bought unsweetened dried cranberries, raisins, currants, or sultanas.
- Infuse with fresh herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary.
- Add warm spices like allspice, garlic, cloves, or a pinch of black pepper for a unique twist.
Love the coconut flour crust? Try my Cheesy Keto Meat Pie with Coconut Flour Crust recipe too.
Expert Tips
- Let it cool. Don’t attempt to remove the pie from the pan until they’re completely cooled! Keto mincemeat pie can be a bit fragile while still hot but will firm up as it cools. You can also chill the crust in the fridge or freezer before baking to help hold its shape and prevent it from shrinking once baked.
- Simmer the filling properly. Follow the instructions closely and take your time to simmer the mincemeat until you achieve a thick consistency so the flavors will meld together perfectly.
- Use coconut flour wisely. It can be quite absorbent, so follow the exact measurements or you’ll end up with a dry or crumbly pie crust. Add a dollop of whipped cream for extra moisture, and be sure not to overcook it.
How to Store This Recipe
I usually store my keto mincemeat pie in tightly sealed glass jars in the fridge, which will last for at least 5 days, if not more. Brandy makes an excellent preservative but if you skip the alcohol, the pie will keep for less than a week.
The pie can also be stored at room temperature and should be fine for 1 to 2 days. I haven’t tried freezing them, but it should work for up to 3 months.
Store in individual slices or as the entire pie and wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place in a freezer-safe container.
When ready to enjoy, transfer to the fridge and thaw overnight. You can serve the pie cold or if you prefer it warm, simply reheat it in the oven at a low temperature to ensure that the crust stays nice and crisp.
What to Serve with Keto Mince Pie
A keto mincemeat pie is perfect on its own but makes an excellent addition to holiday spreads. Serve this dessert at the end of a meal after these delicious entrees and sides:
- Cauliflower mash
- Roasted chicken or turkey
- Quiche or keto frittata
- Lamb or beef stew
- Sugar-free custard or vanilla ice cream
- Cheese platter with some nuts and olives
- Veggie sticks with hummus
More Keto Holiday Desserts to Try
- Mini Strawberry Shortcake
- Coconut Flour Vanilla Cupcakes
- Coffee Cake with Macadamia Nuts
- Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
If you make this keto mincemeat pie, please leave a review. I appreciate each and every 5-star rating and comment!
Ketogenic Mince Meat Pie
Ingredients
Filling
- 150 grams shredded apple 1 large
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 ½ tablespoons Keto brown sugar substitute or erythritol (use to balance brandy)
- 2 tablespoons orange juice (1/2 orange)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (1/2 lemon)
- 1 teaspoon star anise seed
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- ½ teaspoon clove powder
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
- lemon and orange zest
- 1 cup walnuts
- Brady to taste suggested 3 tablespoons
- Heavy cream for whipping
Crust
- 2 whole eggs
- ½ cup butter melted
- ¾ cup coconut flour
- 2 tablespoons Keto brown sugar substitute or erythritol
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Crust
- Preheat the oven to 400 °F.
- Whisk eggs in a small mixing bowl. Add the butter.¼ cup butter, 2 whole eggs
- Mix the coconut four, Lakanto, cinnamon and salt in a second bow. Add to eggs, mix until dough forms.¾ cup coconut flour, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons Keto brown sugar substitute
- Roll the dough into a ball and press into a greased 8 or 9-inch pie pan. Prick the dough multiple times with a fork.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until lightly brown. Add the filling and chill or serve warm.
Filling
- Simmer apples and butter in a small saucepan over low heat for 5 minutes.150 grams shredded apple, ½ cup butter
- Add all the remaining ingredients except the walnuts and brandy. Simmer for 5 more minutes while you chop the nuts in a food processor or by hand. Pulse them to a fine crumble and add to the saucepan while it finishes simmering.1 ½ tablespoons Keto brown sugar substitute, 2 tablespoons orange juice, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon star anise seed, 1 teaspoon ginger powder, ½ teaspoon clove powder, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon cardamom powder, lemon and orange zest, Brady to taste, 1 cup walnuts
- Remove from heat, add brandy. Cool and fill the crust. Spread flat with the back of a spoon.
- Serve warm or chilled. Best with whipped cream.Heavy cream for whipping
Nutrition & Macros
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circumstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information.