Gluten Free Guilt Free Chocolate Banana Pie Recipe
Updated Feb 15, 2021, Published Jan 03, 2012
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Happy New Year!
It seems this is the time of resolutions – everything from “sticking to my gluten free diet 100%” to “becoming organized” to “getting a body like Jennifer Aniston or Ryan Reynolds.”
According to the dictionary “resolution” means a firm decision to do or not to do something. There is nothing wrong with resolutions; they are certainly the start to quitting smoking, losing weight and getting out of debt. But I like to do a little more at the beginning of a new year than just make resolutions; I like to dream my dreams first. I find that resolutions are easier to keep if they have a purpose – if they serve to fulfill a dream.
Every year the hubby and I take a little time away from the house and we look at what we hoped to accomplish the year before. We acknowledge the things we did get done and decide if we still want to do the things that we didn’t. Then we dream our dreams. We don’t worry about whether they seem obtainable or not, we just dream and we dream big! After all, if we shoot for the stars and don’t quite make it, we still end up soaring a lot higher than if we were just aiming for the treetops!
Dreaming is not enough however – it needs to be followed up with action and I think this is where resolutions come in. If we dream of having that perfect body, we have to make some resolutions to get there – go to the gym and work out every day, eat clean; cut back on sugar and fat…whatever it is that you need to do to get where you want to go. And then after we make the resolutions we have to do or not do what we decided. And remember – the definition of resolution contains the word “firm” in there – we need to stick FIRM to those decisions.
Whatever your dreams and resolutions are this year, I hope they include getting or staying healthy. And I hope that I can help you keep them. As is my way, I think getting healthy is a lot easier to do if I can eat chocolate pie while doing it.
This guilt free chocolate banana pie is gluten free, dairy free, and sugar free, low in fat, high in protein and just plain delish! It is also pretty darn easy to make.
This year I am all about getting healthier and simplifying my life. EVERY year I am ALL about eating yummy food – so this recipe fits right into my life – the one I have and the one I want to have.
Oh, and by the way – if you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance and you haven’t done this yet, it IS time to take control of your health and make the resolution to stick to your gluten free diet 100%! It doesn’t have to be a difficult resolution to keep – trust me!
Gluten Free Guilt Free Chocolate Banana Pie Recipe
Ingredients
Crust
- 1½ cups blanched almond flour
- 5 large medjool dates, - finely chopped
- Large pinch kosher or fine sea salt
- 3 tablespoons coconut or grapeseed oil, - (or maybe a bit more)
Filling
- 5 small ripe bananas,, cut into pieces
- 5 large medjool dates, - chopped
- 1 cup light unsweetened coconut milk
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, - measured then sifted
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 2 ounces dark chocolate, - chopped or shaved with a vegetable peeler
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 inch pie plate with gluten-free, non-stick cooking spray.
- Prepare the crust by combining the almond flour, dates and salt in a food processor. Pulse until the dates and almond flour are well combined. Add the oil and process until the mixture starts to come together like a dough. If the mixture is too dry add some more oil, a few drops at a time. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the crust has browned, it may seem soft but it will harden up as it cools. Let cool completely.
- Prepare the filling by combining the bananas, dates, coconut milk, cocoa powder and vanilla in a food processor. Process until smooth. Pour the mixture into the cooled pie crust, top with the sliced almonds and chopped or shaved chocolate, cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 4 hours. Can be made 1-2 days ahead.
- About ½ hour before serving, take the pie from the freezer, remove the plastic wrap and let set at room temperature until it is soft enough to cut. Slice and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I wonder if this could be a raw recipe. Just don’t bake the crust and let it chill firm in the fridge. What do you think? The coconut oil would really firm it up.
I think it would totally work, especially as you say, using coconut oil in the crust. Enjoy!
Hi Carol!
We like your ideas to make firm resolutions and to dream big! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe! We look forward to reading more about your healthy gluten-free year to come!
Thanks!
Tighe, Rudi’s Gluten-free Bakery
Thank you and Happy New Year!
Oh my golly, this looks incredible! I’ve never made, or been interested in making, standard pies wiht normal pastry, but I adore nuts and dates and chocolate so I’m in! :D
Thanks Hannah! Enjoy.
Yummmmmmm! Just let me sit here a moment and soak in the idea of this wonderful invention….. okay, done soaking; time to hit print. ;) Thanks for the recipe, Carol! Can’t wait to try it out.
Haha – thank you! And that soaking in was all guilt free! :)
Most definitely! ;)
I just wanted to say that I made this yesterday and it was beyond delicious! The only thing is that I used olive oil cooking spray and I think that was a bad idea, because it kind of tastes a little olive oil-ish at times, but other than that it is delectable! As a side note, I was looking for a recipe for some kind of pie/cake for my birthday that would be okay with the naturopath elimination diet I’m currently on and this cake basically fit the bill minus the cocoa, so I decided to introduce cocoa first! And I’m SO glad I did! Wonderful recipe :)
Thanks for reporting back Rebecca and yes, I could see how the olive oil spray may not have been the best choice:) I am so happy you enjoyed this!
Oh, and Happy Birthday!
what else can i use instead of dates??i can thave them since its high in fructose.coudl i use apple or pear or it wont work?or walnuts?
Hi Demi – the dates add sweetness which is why you can’t have them I am guessing. If there is a sweetener you can use, you could try adding some of that instead – for instance if you can use a sugar substitute or stevia you can use just a bit of that to taste.
dear carol,
i have been experimenting with chocolate puddings and i am thinking that the ingredients for the pie filling would be a great pudding. do you think it would stay pudding like if i don’t freeze it? thanks for the idea!! lisa
I love chocolate! This is one I’m sure to try! Thanks
Enjoy Mary!
I love this recipe! I substituted almond milk for the coconut milk and it was absolutely divine. Thanks for providing this.
Yay Carol, so happy you liked it!
Hello from Finland! I’m thinking to make this one of the desserts for my son’s 2nd birthday party this weekend. How well does it hold up once it’s out of the freezer? If it sits out with some pieces removed will it become seepy and lose form?
Hello Monique.Hope all is well in Finland! It holds up for about half an hur and then it starts to soften up. Best to take out for a few minutes to make it easier to cut then serve right away. Enjoy and happy birthday to your son!