Easy No-Bake Gluten & Dairy-Free Triple Chocolate Pie: The Ultimate Allergy-Friendly Dessert
A symphony of chocolate awaits in this incredibly easy, no-bake pie, featuring a crunchy chocolate cookie crust, a rich, thick chocolate pudding layer, and a delicate, airy chocolate mousse topping. This decadent dessert is not only a dream for chocolate lovers but also a perfect solution for those navigating food allergies, being completely free of gluten, dairy, egg, peanuts, and tree nuts. It’s also entirely vegan! Whether you’re looking for a refreshing treat on a warm summer afternoon or a standout non-traditional dessert for your Thanksgiving feast, this Triple Chocolate Pie is always the right choice. Despite its impressive layered appearance, preparing it is surprisingly simple—if you can stir and pour, you can master this pie, especially since all the ingredients are conveniently store-bought.
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Confession time, and please, don’t hate me for it: I’ve never been a huge fan of traditional pies. As Thanksgiving approached each year, while everyone else eagerly anticipated the dessert course, I often found myself less than thrilled. The thought of baked fruit—mushy and, to me, unappealing—just didn’t spark joy. This sentiment persisted until I reached adulthood and had the delightful realization that the world of pies extends far beyond the classic apple, cherry, and pumpkin varieties. Hooray for adulting and the freedom to choose what delicious pies grace my holiday table! (Boo to the mountain of dishes that inevitably follows, but that’s a story for another time).
This personal preference is precisely why you won’t find an abundance of traditional fruit pies on my site. My heart, however, sings for anything resembling candy or rich, creamy delights. So, when it comes to cream pies or any pie that doesn’t solely rely on baked fruit, consider me utterly captivated. The idea of a luscious, multi-layered chocolate pie has been a recurring dream for a full year, specifically envisioned as a spectacular non-traditional option for Thanksgiving.
I originally planned to unveil this recipe closer to November, ensuring everyone had ample time to prepare it for their holiday celebrations. However, I made it to October 30th—does that count? More importantly, my middle child certainly couldn’t wait! That tempting pie, patiently chilling in the fridge, destined for a photoshoot, simply *had* to be taste-tested. I momentarily considered editing out his tell-tale little finger smudge on top, but then I thought, “Isn’t that just real life?” So, enjoy the authentic touch, just as he thoroughly enjoyed his early sample!
One of the primary reasons I adore this pie is its incredible simplicity. Another common grievance I’ve always had with pies is the sheer amount of effort they often demand: a homemade crust, a complex filling, an extended baking time in the oven, and then the agonizing wait for it to cool. Phew!
This recipe, thankfully, largely relies on readily available, store-bought ingredients. If you possess the basic skills of heating, stirring, and pouring, you are absolutely good to go! And let’s be honest, those little whipped cream swirls on top? While pretty, they can easily be skipped if you’re pressed for time. Thanksgiving preparations are already demanding enough, aren’t they? With a multitude of side dishes consuming my time and energy, by the time I even consider dessert, I’m often completely exhausted.
I had a strong feeling this pie would be exceptional because it draws inspiration from two of my absolute favorite recipes. The delicious chocolate cookie crust is borrowed from this frozen raspberry pie, and the delectable dairy-free chocolate pudding layer is adapted from this trusty dairy-free chocolate pudding recipe. Combining these elements creates a truly magnificent dessert with minimal fuss.
This pie offers delightful versatility in its serving temperature. You can opt to fully freeze it, transforming it into an indulgent ice cream-like pie, perfect for a firmer, colder treat. Alternatively, keep it well-chilled in the refrigerator for a beautifully cool, softly set pie. Either way, you simply cannot go wrong, and I highly doubt any guest will have reason to complain. And if they do, well, perhaps they need a gentle reminder that negativity has no place at your festive table! (Just kidding… mostly.)
I’m thrilled to be hosting Thanksgiving at my home this year, and I’m already looking forward to making this incredible allergy-friendly pie again. Even though my sister and brother-in-law don’t have any specific food allergies, Celiac disease, or dietary restrictions, I know they’ll absolutely adore this gluten & dairy-free triple chocolate pie. I sincerely hope you do too! Below, I’ve also shared some of my other favorite non-traditional pie options. So, forget the usual pumpkin and apple, and truly impress your guests with these fun, inclusive dessert choices!
Customizing Your Triple Chocolate Pie: FAQ & Ingredient Swaps
What if I don’t need this triple chocolate pie to be gluten-free?
If you or your guests do not require a gluten-free dessert and can consume wheat and gluten, you can easily adapt the crust. Simply use regular Oreo cookies instead of the allergy-friendly ones. The classic chocolate sandwich cookies will provide the same crunchy texture and rich flavor for the crust, making the preparation even more straightforward.
What if I don’t need this triple chocolate pie to be dairy-free?
For those without a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance, adapting this recipe to include dairy is also very simple. For the chocolate pudding layer, you can use regular milk instead of rice milk. Follow the directions on the Jell-O pudding box mix precisely for the amount of milk needed (this will differ from my dairy-free instructions, which call for less milk when using substitutes). For the crust, use the same amount of regular butter instead of coconut oil. Finally, for the chocolate mousse layer, simply use regular Cool Whip instead of Coco Whip. These easy substitutions ensure everyone can enjoy a version of this delightful pie!
What is Coco Whip?
While this post is not sponsored, I must express my gratitude for discovering Coco Whip; it has genuinely revolutionized my ability to create delicious dairy-free desserts. This fantastic product by So Delicious is a perfect dairy-free alternative to traditional Cool Whip. It comes in a convenient tub, just like its dairy counterpart, and is essentially whipped coconut cream. It boasts a light, frothy, and wonderfully delicious texture, making it ideal for both incorporating into recipes and using as a decorative garnish. To ensure it’s ready for use, remember to thaw Coco Whip in the refrigerator a day or several hours before you plan to bake, as it’s too frozen to work with straight from the freezer.
A quick note for those with coconut allergies: unfortunately, Coco Whip is made from coconuts. I have yet to find another dairy-free whipped topping that yields such similar and consistent results. However, for vegans and individuals with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance, Coco Whip remains an absolutely fabulous and reliable replacement.
Where can I find Coco Whip?
Coco Whip is becoming increasingly popular and is generally easy to locate in most well-stocked grocery stores. I’ve consistently found it at health food stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Good Earth. Occasionally, it can also be found on Amazon, though it’s a bit harder to find online due to its refrigeration requirements. When searching for it in physical stores, head straight to the freezer section, typically near other frozen desserts or dairy-free products.
Explore More Allergy-Friendly Desserts: Pies & Thanksgiving Recipes
Yes, every single recipe on my website is completely dairy-free, a necessity due to my son’s dairy allergy. Most of my pies are also gluten-free. However, if you don’t require them to be gluten-free, you can often simply swap out the gluten-free flour for regular flour in recipes that call for it. Here are some of our most cherished allergy-friendly pies and other holiday delights:
Looking for more delicious dairy-free pies?
- No Bake Strawberry Jello Pie (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Soy, Peanut & Tree Nut Free; Top-8-Free)
- Pumpkin Mousse Pie (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Peanut & Tree Nut Free; Vegan)
- Frozen Raspberry Pie (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Peanut & Tree Nut Free; Vegan)
- Lemon Cream Pie Bars (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Peanut & Tree Nut Free; Vegan)
- Peach Pie (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Soy, Peanut & Tree Nut Free; Top-8-Free)
- Pumpkin Crumble Pie (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Peanut & Tree Nut Free; Vegan)
- Cherry Cobbler (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Soy, Peanut & Tree Nut Free; Top-8-Free; Vegan)
- Strawberry Chocolate Galette (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Soy, Peanut & Tree Nut Free; Top-8-Free; Vegan)
- Black Bottom Oatmeal Pie (Nut-Free Pecan Pie Alternative)
- Peppermint Pie (Gluten & Dairy-Free)
Do I have any more Thanksgiving recipes?
Absolutely, I do! I am a firm believer that food is a central part of any holiday, and everyone, regardless of their dietary restrictions, should be able to enjoy a delicious and worry-free feast. That’s why I’ve created an ENTIRE ALLERGY-FRIENDLY THANKSGIVING MENU. This comprehensive guide covers everything from a perfectly roasted turkey and creamy mashed potatoes to delectable sweet potato dishes, an array of sides, and, of course, a selection of fabulous pies. I sincerely hope this resource helps you plan your holiday meal with confidence and ensures you have a truly lovely and inclusive celebration.
ALLERGY-FRIENDLY COOKIE CRUST TIPS: Navigating Options and Labels
A crucial component of this pie is its delicious chocolate cookie crust. For an allergy-friendly version, I’ve had success with two main types of gluten-free “Oreo-style” cookies: Glutino and Kinnikinick. It’s important to note that our family is able to consume soy, which is why this specific recipe, as written, isn’t necessarily “Top-8-free.” Regrettably, I have yet to find an Oreo-type cookie that is certified free of all Top 8 allergens. If you need to avoid soy, I would highly recommend exploring other crunchy, chocolate-based cookies, such as the Crunchy Double Chocolate Cookies by Enjoy Life, which are known for their allergy-friendly profile.
A critical point regarding Glutino cookies: please be aware that they carry a “may contain” statement which reads: “May contain milk, eggs, peanut and tree nuts.” I personally contacted their customer service, and according to the representative I spoke with, this statement is present because their facility processes these ingredients. However, they assured me that the production line used for these specific cookies adheres to extremely rigorous protocols. This includes completely halting production, thoroughly cleaning the machines for several hours, and then conducting extensive testing before initiating a new production run. Based on this detailed explanation, I felt comfortable consuming their cookies for my family’s needs. I strongly encourage you, however, to call them yourself, verify this information, and always make decisions based on your own comfort level and the severity of your specific food allergies. Please also note that I have only personally tested this recipe with Glutino cookies, primarily because they are the most accessible brand in my local stores. If you decide to try another brand, I would greatly appreciate it if you could share your experience in the comments section below to help future readers!
No matter your dietary needs, I wish everyone a safe, delicious, and wonderfully inclusive Thanksgiving!
Gluten & Dairy-free Triple Chocolate Pie (Gluten, dairy, egg, peanut & tree nut free; vegan)
8 slices
30 minutes
1 hour
1 hour 30 minutes
A crunchy, chocolate cookie crust, thick chocolate pudding, and a light chocolate mousse is an easy, no-bake pie that is as perfect for a summer afternoon, as it is for a non-traditional Thanksgiving dessert. Really, any time is the right time to enjoy this extra chocolaty treat. While impressive with multiple layers, the only thing you have to be able to do is stir and pour–with all of the ingredients being store bought! Plus, this Gluten & Dairy-free Triple Chocolate Pie is free of: gluten, dairy, egg, peanut & tree nuts. It’s also vegan too!)
Ingredients
- CHOCOLATE COOKIE CRUST:
- 1 package allergy appropriate chocolate cookies (approx 21 cookies) *see the post above for options
- 4 Tablespoons softened coconut oil (or vegan butter)
- CHOCOLATE PUDDING LAYER:
- Two 3.4-oz chocolate cook and serve Jello pudding
- 2 cups rice milk
- CHOCOLATE MOUSSE LAYER:
- 2 packages of Coco Whip (1 for the recipe, one for decorative swirls)
- 3-4 Tablespoons of Hershey’s chocolate syrup
- Toppings: allergy-friendly chocolate
- KITCHEN TOOLS NEEDED:
- 9 inch spring form pan
Instructions
*IMPORTANT: You’ll want to move your Coco Whip from the freezer to the fridge either a day or several hours before starting. It will need to be soft enough to stir into the recipe.*
When ready to begin, using a food processor, crush the cookies and coconut oil until they form a wet sand texture. Press that into a greased springform pan covering the bottom and up the sides slightly. Place this in the freezer to harden.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, add your two boxes of jello pudding and your rice milk. Whisk that as it comes to a boil. Once it’s boiling take it off the heat to cool. It should thicken considerably. If it’s too thick, you can thin it out with additional rice milk. Remember though–you want it to be nice and sturdy so it doesn’t spill out when you cut the pie.
In a separate bowl, place one package of Coco Whip. Add the Hershey’s syrup (which is surprisingly dairy-free!) and fold them to combine. Don’t beat or stir it too vigorously as you want the coco whip to retain some of it’s airiness. Add as much syrup as you like. I only did 3 Tablespoons, as this dessert is already quite chocolaty, but I still wanted some color and slight flavor to it.
Once the pudding has cooled, pour it onto the pie crust. Allow this to chill in the fridge until it feels set.
Once it is set, add the chocolate coco whip on top. Smooth the top with a spatula.
Place in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to serve.
Garnish with additional coco whip (either as it’s own layer or with swirls on the edges.)
If you wish, take some allergy-friendly chocolate, and using a fine grater, grate over the edges of the pie for a fun look.
Keep pie refrigerated or frozen (depending on how cold and firm you want it) whenever you’re not serving it.
ENJOY!
Alternatively, you could use homemade whipped vegan cream. I would recommend something like Silk’s or Country Crock and use two of them.
Notes
Lookin for more pies, sides or even a turkey recipe to complete your holiday? Check out my ENTIRE Thanksgiving menu!
*Our allergies, while severe and that get re-tested frequently, are such that we can go strictly by what’s on the label. I do not call companies to see what things are derived from, or call manufacturers to see about potential cross contact. If your allergies require you to do so, please do your own homework. I cannot assure you of any ingredient’s safety, only you can do that. I simply share what works for our family
**If you are going to feed this to someone with food allergies, and you yourself do not have food allergies, I HIGHLY recommend having them check every single brand and ingredient you are using, to ensure they’re OK with each part of the recipe. And, to make sure you’ve talked to them about how to avoid cross contamination in your kitchen.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 359Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 124mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 2gSugar: 30gProtein: 4g
DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT, SO YOU DON’T LOSE IT! ALSO, CHECK OUT MY OTHER ALLERGY-FRIENDLY PINTEREST BOARDS!
Discover More Non-Traditional & Allergy-Friendly Thanksgiving Pies!
Looking for other fun, non-traditional (yet allergy-friendly!) pies to serve at Thanksgiving? Here are my other favorites:
Frozen Raspberry Pie (Gluten, dairy, egg, peanut & tree nut free; vegan)
Strawberry Chocolate Galette (Gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut & tree nut free; top-8-free; vegan)
Allergy-friendly No Bake Strawberry Jello Pie (Gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut & tree nut free; top-8-free)
Allergy-friendly Peach Pie (Gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut & tree nut free; top-8-free)
Gluten-free Vegan Lemon Pie Bars (Gluten, dairy, egg, peanut & tree nut free)