Indulge Guilt-Free: Healthy Dairy-Free Chocolate Pie with a Wholesome Pecan-Date Crust
Prepare to be enchanted by this truly remarkable healthy chocolate pie, a dessert that masterfully blends rich, decadent flavors with a commitment to wholesome ingredients. Featuring a luxuriously creamy, dairy-free chocolate filling nestled into a naturally sweet, nutty crust, this recipe redefines what a “healthy dessert” can be. It’s so effortlessly delicious, it’s perfect for a special occasion like Passover, or simply to elevate your everyday Tuesday into something extraordinary.

This post was updated from the original that was published in 2015, bringing you even more tips and details for the perfect healthy chocolate pie experience.
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The inspiration for this healthy chocolate pie recipe stems from a cherished childhood memory. My mom used to whip up a chocolate pudding pie, a dessert that, while delicious, came straight from two different packages – a pre-made crust and a box of Jell-O pudding mix that simply required milk. While I fondly remember those sweet treats, my approach to wellness has evolved, leading me to create this healthier rendition. This recipe allows me to savor all the nostalgic flavors without compromising my health and dietary goals. It’s a testament to the fact that you can truly have your pie and eat it too!
Indeed, healthy pies are not just a possibility; they’re a delightful reality that can be incredibly easy to prepare. Beyond this rich yet healthy chocolate pie, my kitchen also yields an amazing vegan no-bake strawberry pie, which shares a similarly wholesome crust and is an absolute must-try. If your heart desires a creamy vegan filling crowned with fresh, vibrant fruit, you’ll absolutely adore my go-to blueberry tart recipe. Each of these creations proves that healthy desserts can be both simple and spectacularly satisfying.
Looking for more Healthy Passover Recipes? Discover new and exciting ways to enjoy Kosher for Passover Recipeswhile maintaining a balanced diet with Vegetarian and Vegan Recipes for Passover.
Why This Healthy Chocolate Pie Will Be Your New Favorite

- Irresistibly Chocolatey: Let’s be honest, the primary reason is simply chocolate. This pie delivers a deep, satisfying chocolate flavor that will curb any craving. It’s a chocolate lover’s dream, elevated to a healthier realm.
- Perfectly Dairy-Free: Whether you have dietary restrictions or simply prefer plant-based options, this dairy-free dessert hits all the right notes. It achieves a luxurious creaminess without a drop of traditional dairy, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience.
- Decadent & Healthy Texture: Imagine the richness of a smooth chocolate pudding, or perhaps even a sophisticated chocolate mousse, perfectly encased in a naturally sweetened, crunchy nutty crust. The crust, made with fiber-rich dates and healthy fats from pecans, provides an incredible textural contrast and keeps your blood sugar stable, allowing you to enjoy this treat guilt-free.
- Incredibly Easy to Make: Don’t let its sophisticated taste fool you; this healthy chocolate pie is surprisingly simple to prepare. You can have it ready for the oven in as little as 10 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy schedules or spontaneous dessert cravings.
- No Refined Sugar: Sweetness comes naturally in this pie! The crust is sweetened exclusively with Medjool dates, which are packed with beneficial fiber. Coupled with the healthy fats and protein from pecans, this helps to prevent blood sugar spikes, making it a truly balanced dessert.
- Wholesome Ingredients for Any Time of Day: With its nutritious profile, you could legitimately consider serving this healthy chocolate pie as an afternoon snack or even a delightful breakfast treat! Just remember to choose high-quality dark chocolate with minimal additives to maximize its health benefits.
- Oil-Free Goodness: You won’t find any added oils here. The healthy fats naturally present in the pecans provide a wonderfully rich and decadent texture to the crust, contributing to the pie’s luxurious mouthfeel without any unhealthy additions.
- A Crowd-Pleaser for Every Palate: If you appreciate a truly decadent chocolate pie, this healthy version will undoubtedly capture your heart. It retains all the indulgence you crave while offering a healthier twist.
- Ideal for Celebrations: Whether you’re celebrating Passover and need a delicious, kosher-for-Passover dessert, or just looking for a special treat, this pie is perfect for marking any occasion. Emphasis on the celebration!
- A Delicious Solution for Dark Chocolate Overstock: Do you ever find yourself with an abundance of dark chocolate? (Is that even possible?) This pie is a wonderful and delicious way to use up those extra bars or chips, transforming them into a spectacular dessert.
Crafting the Perfect Healthy Pie Crust: Pecans & Dates
The foundation of this incredible dessert is its remarkably healthy pie crust, a simple yet flavorful blend of just two wholesome ingredients: pecans and dates. This no-bake crust comes together quickly and easily, offering a perfect counterpoint to the creamy chocolate filling.
- Pecans: These buttery nuts aren’t just for flavor; they’re a powerhouse of nutrition. Pecans are an excellent source of essential minerals like iron and zinc, and they contribute a good amount of dietary fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants. They provide the perfect structure and a rich, satisfying taste to the crust.
- Dates: Medjool dates are the natural sweetener in this recipe, offering a delightful caramel-like flavor without the need for refined sugar. Beyond their sweetness, dates are packed with beneficial dietary fiber, which aids digestion, and potent antioxidants, contributing to overall well-being.
- The Perfect Balance: The combination of pecans and dates creates a crust that is not only delicious and texturally appealing but also incredibly balanced. The fiber and healthy fats from these ingredients work together to help regulate blood sugar levels, making this a truly smart choice for a dessert. Remember, every delicious pie starts with an awesome crust, and this one is exceptional!

To begin your healthy pie crust, place the raw pecans into your food processor. Pulse them until they are ground into a coarse meal. Next, ensure your Medjool dates are pitted (I recommend buying them with pits and removing them yourself for maximum moisture and freshness), then add them directly to the ground pecans. This simple step sets the stage for a naturally sweet and satisfying crust.

Continue to pulse the pecan and date mixture in your food processor. You’ll need to stop occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is thoroughly combined. Keep pulsing until you achieve a crumbly texture that, when pinched between your fingers, holds together firmly. The goal is not a completely smooth puree, but rather a cohesive, slightly textured mixture that will form a wonderful crust.

Once your date and nut mixture reaches the desired consistency, carefully turn it out into a pie plate. A ceramic pie plate works beautifully for this, but any standard 9-inch pie dish will do.

Now, it’s time to shape your healthy pie crust. Use your hands to firmly press the mixture into the bottom of the pie dish, working your way up the sides. For a truly even and compact base, use the bottom of a flat-bottomed glass to press down on the crust, especially the bottom, ensuring it’s uniform throughout. This helps create a sturdy foundation that won’t crumble when sliced.
Essential Ingredients for the Creamy Chocolate Filling
The heart of this healthy chocolate pie is its incredibly rich and creamy filling, which is surprisingly simple to make with just a few key ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this dairy-free indulgence:
- Plant Milk: The base of our creamy filling comes from plant milk. Options like soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, or cashew milk – or even a combination – will all work wonderfully. Each offers a slightly different nuance in flavor, but all contribute to the desired creamy texture. It’s crucial to select a brand of non-dairy milk that is free from excessive additives and added sugars. Alternatively, for the freshest taste and full control over ingredients, you can always make your own almond milk.
- Chocolate: The star of the show! For the best results, use high-quality dark chocolate. You can opt for chocolate chips, which are convenient, or roughly chop chocolate bars. Chocolate bars often offer superior quality and allow you to select a higher cacao content with less added sugar, which is ideal for a healthy dessert. The darker the chocolate (70% cacao or higher is recommended), the richer and more complex the flavor profile will be.
- Eggs: This particular recipe uses eggs to achieve its specific creamy, custard-like texture and stability. However, if you’re aiming for a completely vegan version, you can adapt this by using my separate vegan chocolate pudding recipe, which skillfully uses silken tofu to create a similarly luxurious, dairy-free, and egg-free filling. Please note that flax eggs are not suitable as a substitute in this specific recipe, as they won’t provide the necessary structure and richness.
Assembling Your Healthy Chocolate Pie: Step-by-Step
Creating this healthy chocolate pie is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to bring your decadent dessert to life.

- Start by gently heating your chosen plant milk (such as almond milk) in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Be careful not to let it boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately. Add your chocolate (chips or chopped bars) and a pinch of sea salt to the hot milk. Whisk continuously as the chocolate slowly melts and fully incorporates into the warm milk, creating a smooth, glossy mixture. Allow this rich chocolate mixture to cool for approximately 5 minutes. This cooling step is crucial to prevent the eggs from cooking prematurely.
- While the chocolate mixture is cooling, whisk the eggs vigorously in a separate small bowl until they are light and slightly frothy. Now for the tempering: gradually pour the slightly cooled chocolate mixture into the whisked eggs, a small amount at a time, whisking constantly and thoroughly between each addition. This slow introduction of the warm chocolate to the eggs ensures a smooth, lump-free, and perfectly creamy filling.

With your tempered chocolate and egg mixture ready, carefully pour the luscious filling into your meticulously prepared nutty pie crust. Ensure the crust rises approximately ½ inch above the filling to contain it as it bakes and rises slightly. This simple step brings together the two delicious components of your healthy chocolate pie, preparing it for the final baking stage.

Place your assembled pie into a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for approximately 35 minutes. As the pie cooks, you will notice the filling rise slightly, creating a beautiful, puffed surface. The crust should extend about ½ inch above the filling to perfectly contain this rise and prevent any spillage. The edges of the pie filling should appear set, indicating it’s nearly done.

After baking, the pie’s edges should be visibly set, though the center might still have a slight jiggle. This is perfectly normal! The pie will continue to set and firm up completely as it cools. Remove it from the oven and let it cool thoroughly in its pie dish on a wire rack for about 2 hours at room temperature. Once cooled, transfer the pie to the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow it to reach its optimal creamy consistency and for the flavors to meld beautifully. This patience is key to achieving the perfect slice of healthy chocolate pie.
Debra’s Pro Tips for the Best Healthy Chocolate Pie

- Tempering is Key: The chocolate mixture must be cooled sufficiently (but still remain pourable) before you gradually add it to the whisked eggs. If the chocolate is too hot, it will scramble the eggs, leading to an uneven and unappetizing texture. Go very slowly with this tempering step, whisking constantly, to ensure a flawlessly creamy and smooth pudding filling. Patience here pays off immensely.
- Garnish for Flavor and Beauty: Enhance both the visual appeal and the nutritional value of your healthy chocolate pie by serving it with fresh berries. Strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries add a vibrant splash of color, a delightful burst of tartness that beautifully complements the rich chocolate, and a boost of extra antioxidants.
- Choose Quality Chocolate: The flavor of your pie is highly dependent on the quality of your chocolate. Always read the ingredient labels of your chocolate bars or chips. Opt for dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage (70% or higher is ideal) to ensure a deeper, richer, and more complex chocolatey flavor with less added sugar. This choice significantly contributes to the “healthy” aspect of the pie.
- Storage and Shelf Life: Your delicious chocolate pudding pie will remain fresh and wonderful when stored properly in the refrigerator. Make sure it’s covered tightly to prevent it from drying out or absorbing other odors. It will stay good for up to 5 days. However, for the best texture, especially the crust, aim to enjoy it within 3-4 days, as the nutty crust can start to soften and become slightly soggy over a longer period.
- Perfect Dates for the Crust: For the most pliable and easily processed crust, I highly recommend using Medjool dates that are still soft and moist. If your dates feel a bit dry, you can soak them in warm water for about 10-15 minutes before pitting and using them. This will make them easier to blend and ensure your crust holds together perfectly.
- Serving Temperature: While delicious straight from the fridge, allowing the pie to sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving can enhance its flavor and creamy texture, making the chocolate notes even more pronounced.
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📖 Recipe

Healthy Chocolate Pie
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Equipment
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Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids
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Sauce Pan
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Balloon whisk
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9 Inches Pie Plate
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 cups raw pecans
- 8 medjool dates*
Filling
- 1 ½ cups nut milk
- 9 oz. dark chocolate approx 1 ½ cups chips, or 3 bars
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 eggs
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Ensure your oven rack is in the center position for even baking.
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Prepare the Crust: In a food processor, pulse the raw pecans until they form a coarse meal. Remove the pits from the Medjool dates, ensuring they are soft and pliable. Add the pitted dates to the food processor with the crumbled pecans. Continue processing until the mixture is thoroughly combined and, when pinched, holds together without being completely smooth. Transfer this mixture to a 9-inch pie plate and firmly press it into the bottom and up the sides of the dish using your hands and the bottom of a glass to create an even, compact crust.
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Prepare the Filling: If using chocolate bars, coarsely chop them. (For homemade nut milk, refer to this almond milk recipe.) In a small saucepan, heat the plant milk over medium heat until it just begins to simmer; do not boil. Remove from heat, add the dark chocolate and sea salt, and whisk until the chocolate is fully melted and smoothly combined with the milk. Let this rich chocolate mixture cool for about 5 minutes to prevent scrambling the eggs.
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In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the two eggs until light and frothy. Gradually, and very slowly, pour the slightly cooled chocolate mixture into the whisked eggs, whisking constantly and vigorously between each small addition. This tempering process is crucial for a smooth, creamy filling.
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Carefully pour the finished chocolate and egg mixture into the prepared nutty pie crust. Ensure there is approximately ½ inch of crust above the filling to accommodate any slight rise during baking.
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Bake the pie on the center rack of your preheated oven for 35 minutes. The pie should appear set at the edges; the center may still have a slight wobble, which is normal.
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Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack at room temperature for about 2 hours. After cooling, refrigerate the pie for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight, to allow the filling to fully set and chill.
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Serve your healthy chocolate pie cold or at room temperature, garnished with fresh berries if desired. Enjoy this guilt-free indulgence!
Notes
For a detailed guide on how to make your own healthy and fresh almond milk, a perfect component for this dairy-free pie, please find the almond milk recipe here.
This recipe is designed to serve 8-10 people, making it perfect for family gatherings or sharing with friends.
Nutrition
Note
The nutrition calculations were done using online tools. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients you used. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information is accurate, complete and useful.