This Paleo Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake is super creamy with a graham cracker-like crust and a filling made with cashews. It is gluten free, dairy free, vegan, naturally sweetened and almost completely no-bake. A dessert everyone will love.
Hello September! I am so happy fall is here (unofficially), even if it does stay hot for another month. I am ready for all things pumpkin and apples. Starting with this tasty dessert.
Cheesecake Crust
This pumpkin cheesecake is amazing and you will absolutely love it! Let's talk about the super easy layers. First the crust. I decided on a graham cracker-like crust because pumpkin and graham cracker just go together. You do have to bake it for 7 minutes though so if you're wanting this to be completely no-bake then you can use the crust from my paleo lemon cheesecake. It's a combination of nuts and dates blended up.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling
Next is the super creamy cheesecake layer. I am sure you are no stranger to cashew-based cheesecake and that is exactly what this is. Soak some cashews over night and then blend with the pumpkin, maple syrup, and spices and you have a thick, creamy filling that is so perfect. It reminds me a lot of pumpkin pie- in taste and texture, but there is no baking involved which is so nice.
A little note about the vinegar which may seem like a weird ingredient. I tried the mixture before adding it and it was missing that classic tang like cream cheese gives, so a little vinegar gives the filling just the slightest tang making it taste more like cheesecake.
Vegan, Dairy Free, Egg Free and Naturally Sweetened
This cheesecake is vegan since there are no dairy or eggs used. The crust does call for coconut oil or ghee, so use coconut oil to keep it vegan. I tried it both ways and they're both good. It's dairy free by using soaked cashews instead of cream cheese for the cheesecake part. You will not miss the dairy- I promise! It's naturally sweetened with just maple syrup which is my favorite sweetener to use with pumpkin.
You can see that the crust separated from the filling a little and that was completely my fault. You'll want to cut it when it's cold- straight from the fridge. I had it sitting out for a little while setting up for the pictures and it got a little too soft. The pieces I cut cold, held together perfectly.
You will love this pumpkin cheesecake because it is easy to make, perfectly sweetened and spiced, and incredibly delicious! Everyone will love it- paleo or not!
A couple tools needed: a 7-inch springform pan and a high powered blender or food processor, I have a Ninja and use the blender attachment.
Looking for more pumpkin recipes? Try my Paleo Pumpkin Coffee Cake, Paleo Pumpkin Muffins, Paleo Pumpkin Pie Bars, and Paleo Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Blondies.
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Paleo Pumpkin Cheesecake
Ingredients
crust
- ¾ cup almond flour
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 ½ tablespoons ghee or coconut oil, room temperature
filling
- 2 cups raw cashews, soaked overnight
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon coconut vinegar or other vinegar
Instructions
- *Before beginning, make sure you have soaked the cashews 8 hours in cool water or 3-4 hours in warm water. This will ensure a creamy cheesecake.
- Preheat oven to 325°
- In a small bowl, combine almond flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, salt, and coconut oil (or ghee). Mix well until mixture holds together when squeezed. Press into the bottom of a 7-inch springform pan. Bake for 7-8 minutes.
- While the crust is baking, make the filling. Drain the cashews and place them in the blender. Add the maple syrup, pumpkin, coconut oil, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and vinegar. Blend until completely smooth, stopping and scrapping down the sides as necessary. The timing of this will be different depending on what blender you are using, but it took me 1-2 minutes.
- Let crust cool 5-10 minutes after coming out of the oven. Then pour pumpkin mixture into the pan and spread it out evenly. Place in the fridge 6-8 hours before serving.
- Store covered in the fridge up to a week.
Nutrition Information
Tatum says
Hi! Can I omit coconut sugar or would it mess up the texture?
Jessica DeMay says
In the crust? That may work, just make sure it holds together still
Megan says
Does this freeze well?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Megan- yes, it does! Enjoy!
Angie says
Hi, I don't have a oven. Is there any way to make the crust without using oven?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Angie- I think it would set up fine in the fridge. Hope you love it!
Sarah says
I made this and it was incredible! Added some pecans to the crust to give it some more crunch and doubled the bake time for the crust. Such a great recipe!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks for trying it, Sarah and so glad you like it!
Camilla says
Great recipe, easy to make and delicious. I used honey and took a little less then asked for. Homemade pumpkin puree and, as always, dubbled the amount of cinnamon.
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks for trying it, Camilla! I'm so glad you like it!
Jennifer says
Your recipes look delicious and can’t wait to make some of these ! I was wondering if apple cider vinegar would work in place of the coconut they are vinegar ? Just want to make sure!
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Jennifer- yes, that will work just fine. Enjoy!
Michelle B says
Any suggestions to replace almond flour? Hazelnut meal?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Michelle- hazelnut meal would work great. Enjoy!
Sierra says
What did you use for the whipped cream on top? Thanks!
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Sierra- that's a dairy free whipped cream. You can google it for a recipe.
Dana says
Can I sub maple syrup for coconut sugar?
Jessica DeMay says
In the crust? That should work, just reduce the ghee a little. Hope you enjoy!
Nani says
Looks delish! Question: can I use avocado oil and ghee in place of the coconut oil? I can't eat coconut oil 🙁
Please and thank you!
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Nani- yes, I think that will work since it's only 1/4 cup. I hope you love it!
Rachel says
I also cannot have coconut oil! (Glad to know I’m not alone.) Can I use vegan butter instead of ghee?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Rachel- you can try, but I'm not familiar with vegan butter so I can't say for sure. I know a lot of times it's mainly water and fillers.