What pies are egg free? A guide to delicious eggless baking

January 6, 2026 •

3 min read

While many classic pies, such as custard and meringue, traditionally rely on eggs for structure, a wide variety of equally delicious pies are either naturally egg free or can be easily adapted. This opens up a world of dessert possibilities for those with egg allergies or who prefer a vegan lifestyle, proving that you can still enjoy a fantastic pie without a single egg.

Quick Summary

Many fruit, cream, and pudding pies can be made completely without eggs by using alternative binders and crusts. Naturally eggless options like key lime, apple, and various chocolate pies are easy to find and prepare with simple substitutions for any required components.

Key Points

Fruit Pies Are Safe: Most fruit pies, such as apple and blueberry, use starch for thickening and are naturally egg-free.
Pudding Mixes are Eggless: Many quick and easy no-bake pies use store-bought pudding mixes, which are typically egg-free.
Sweetened Condensed Milk is a Staple: This ingredient is a key base for many no-bake cream pies, including key lime pie, and contains no eggs.
Flax Eggs Provide Binding: For baked pies like pumpkin, a flaxseed and water mixture is an effective vegan binder that replaces eggs.
Aquafaba Creates Meringue: The brine from chickpeas can be whipped into a stable foam, perfect for egg-free meringue toppings.
Vegan Crusts are Easy to Find: Many pre-made or simple homemade pie crusts use vegetable shortening, vegan butter, or oil, making them egg-free.

Naturally Egg-Free Pies

Many pies are naturally egg free, making them a safe and easy choice for anyone avoiding eggs. The filling and crust of these pies rely on ingredients other than eggs for texture and binding. This includes a wide array of options from fruity delights to rich, creamy desserts.

Fruit Pies

Most traditional fruit pies are naturally free of eggs, relying on starches like cornstarch or flour to thicken the filling. The flaky, buttery crust typically consists of flour, butter (or a vegan alternative), and water, which also contains no egg. Popular choices include:

Apple Pie: Classic and simple, with a filling of cinnamon-spiced apples thickened with cornstarch or flour.
Blueberry Pie: Bursting with berry flavor, the filling often uses cornstarch to set nicely.
Cherry Pie: A vibrant and tangy option, thickened with a starch to prevent it from becoming too runny.
Rhubarb Pie: Often combined with strawberries, the starch-thickened filling is a seasonal favorite.

Cream and Pudding Pies

While classic custards rely on eggs, many cream and pudding pies can be made eggless by using a pre-made pudding mix or thickening agents like cornstarch. Sweetened condensed milk is also a common base for egg-free cream fillings.

Key Lime Pie: Traditionally a custard, this pie is easily made without eggs using a no-bake method with sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, and a graham cracker crust.
Chocolate Pudding Pie: A classic no-bake dessert using a store-bought or homemade egg-free chocolate pudding mix poured into a prepared crust.
Banana Cream Pie: The filling is often a simple, egg-free vanilla pudding layered with fresh bananas and topped with whipped cream.
French Silk Pie (Egg-Free): Variants exist that create a rich, silky chocolate filling using chocolate chips, milk, and cornstarch, rather than raw eggs.

Substituting Eggs in Classic Pies

For pies that traditionally use eggs, simple substitutions can make them completely egg-free without sacrificing taste or texture. The purpose of the egg dictates the best alternative to use.

Egg Replacements

Flax Egg: For binding in baked goods like pumpkin pie, a 'flax egg' made by mixing ground flaxseed with water works well.
Silken Tofu: Pureed silken tofu can replicate the creamy texture of a custard pie.
Aquafaba: The liquid from a can of chickpeas can be whipped to create a meringue-like topping for pies, serving as an excellent egg white substitute.
Cornstarch/Starch: For thickening fillings, cornstarch or arrowroot powder are reliable choices, especially when cooked with liquid until thickened.

Eggless Pumpkin Pie

To make a classic pumpkin pie without eggs, you can use a combination of these substitutes. Some recipes use silken tofu for a smooth consistency, while others use cornstarch and a flax egg to create a firm, sliceable filling. Using a store-bought vegan pie crust or a simple butter-based crust ensures the entire dessert is egg-free. The distinct spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger remain the star of the show.

Comparison of Egg-Free Pie Types


Pie Type	Egg-Free Status	Common Crusts	Key Thickening/Binding Agents	Notes
Fruit Pies	Naturally Egg-Free	Flour-based crusts (butter, shortening, or oil)	Cornstarch, Flour	Often baked; fresh flavors shine.
Pudding Pies	Naturally Egg-Free	Graham cracker, Oreo, or flour crust	Pudding mix, cornstarch	Typically no-bake; quick and easy.
Cream Pies	Easily Adapted	Graham cracker, Oreo, or flour crust	Sweetened condensed milk, silken tofu, cornstarch	Can be no-bake; great for quick assembly.
Pecan Pie	Easily Adapted	Flour-based crust	Cornstarch, maple syrup, brown sugar	Requires substituting the traditional eggy filling.
Pumpkin Pie	Easily Adapted	Flour-based crust	Silken tofu, flaxseed, cornstarch	Classic holiday flavor, with simple modifications.

Conclusion

From straightforward fruit pies to luscious cream and pudding-based options, the world of egg-free pies is extensive and delicious. By understanding which pies are naturally egg free and how to use effective substitutes for those that are not, you can confidently create a variety of show-stopping desserts. Whether you are avoiding eggs for dietary reasons or simply exploring new recipes, a flaky, flavorful, and completely eggless pie is always within reach. The key is to embrace the many available alternatives that deliver on both taste and texture.

For more detailed information on common egg replacements and their uses, a resource like Nature's Path offers a helpful overview: 7 Egg Substitutes in Recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most fruit pies are egg-free, using starches like cornstarch or flour to thicken the filling. However, always check the recipe for a glaze or binding agent, as some crusts might be brushed with an egg wash for browning, which is easy to substitute.

An eggless pie crust can be made using a simple combination of flour, butter or vegan shortening, and ice water. For a no-bake crust, crushed cookies or graham crackers mixed with melted vegan butter or coconut oil is a common method.

For eggless pumpkin pie, pureed silken tofu can replicate the custard's texture, while a mixture of ground flaxseed and water can act as an excellent binder. Cornstarch is also crucial for thickening the filling.

Yes, many cream pies are naturally eggless. Recipes for key lime pie often use sweetened condensed milk and lime juice, while chocolate or banana cream pies can be made using instant pudding mixes.

An eggless pecan pie filling can be bound using a mixture of cornstarch, maple syrup, and brown sugar. The combination creates a rich, sweet, caramel-like filling that holds the pecans together as it bakes.

Aquafaba is the liquid from a can of chickpeas. When whipped, it can be used as an excellent egg white substitute for making meringue toppings, adding a fluffy, light texture to pies.

Yes, there are great recipes for egg-free French silk pie. Instead of raw eggs, a thickened chocolate pudding mixture made with milk, cornstarch, and chocolate chips is used to create a rich and glossy filling.