24 Amazing Gluten-free Dairy-Free Thanksgiving Desserts

Just because you’re avoiding gluten and dairy doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some bomb Thanksgiving desserts. I have a list of 24 delicious gluten and dairy free Thanksgiving desserts all sure to please! In fact, you could probably pass these off to even the regular eaters and they wouldn’t know. Gluten and dairy ingredients are prime staples when it comes to baking desserts, but thankfully we’ve found ways and ingredients to substitute to still give you a satisfactory holiday experience–something to truly be thankful for this Thanksgiving!

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GLUTEN FREE DAIRY FREE DESSERTS FAQS

Before we get to the recipes, let’s go over some basics to make sure you’re set up for success. Especially if you’re new to baking without gluten and dairy, this should give you some foundation to work on. 

Plan ahead!

Some specialty ingredients for these dairy free gluten free recipes can be hard to find or become sparse as it gets closer to big holidays, so be sure your pantry, fridge and freezer are stocked pre-holiday season so that you can make your desired dessert without any problems. Here are some baking staples I like to keep on hand for my gluten-free options and dairy-free option:

• All purpose gluten-free flour (that includes xanthan gum)
• Coconut oil
• Butter flavored crisco
• Dairy free-butter (I like Earth Balance Buttery Sticks and Country Crock Plant Butter in Olive Oil)
• White sugar
• Brown sugar
• Eggs
• Country crock plant cream
• Coco Whip
• Can of coconut cream
• Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, pumpkin pie spice and all spice
• Gluten-free graham crackers of choice (we like Schar)
• Gluten-free oats
• Baking soda and baking powder
• Cocoa powder
• Can of pumpkin puree (or two!)
• Maple syrup
• Nonstick cooking spray
• Dairy-free chocolate chips
• Oat flour (you can make your own using a blender or food processor too)
• Frozen berries
• And don’t forget some dairy-free vanilla ice cream to top the pie with. There’s So Delicious, Oatly, Nada Moo and Frönen

Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts

Because many of these are dairy free, they’re naturally a vegan option too. Be sure to read through each recipe to determine if they’ll work for both your dairy-free and vegan audience if needed.

WHAT GLUTEN-FREE FLOUR SHOULD I USE?

I find that an all purpose gluten-free flour is easier than making your own blend. But, always follow the directions of the written recipe for best results–you don’t want to sub things in and end up with a non perfect pie to show off on Thanksgiving day. Please note you cannot sub in a single flour for a blend. I get asked this all of the time. No, you cannot sub almond flour for an all purpose gluten-free flour blend. Unfortunately, it usually takes multiple gluten-free grains to mimic regular wheat flour. I’m not biased to any certain brand, and even often use the Walmart brand. As long as the base is mostly rice, potato and tapioca (some sorghum is OK too) I find it works well.

DAIRY-FREE SWAPS

For dairy-free, there are some decent swaps you can *usually* use straight across the board. Note again, to follow a recipe written as it and use the specifics it calls for to have best results.

• ​Earth Balance Buttery Sticks can usually swap 1:1 for regular butter
• Coco Whip is a great store bought alternative to frozen whipped topping
• Country Crock Plant Cream works great for heavy whipping cream
• Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese is a bit waterier than regular cream cheese; and the same goes for their sour cream…but both taste pretty close and most good dairy-free recipes will help you work around the texture (like my chocolate cheesecake!)
• Dairy-free milk–this one is a landmine. Everyone has their favorite based on sugar amounts, taste, after taste, allergies and so forth. Usually, most milks can be subbed in and out without problems. I’ll always say my favorite is rice milk. Though it’s thin, it doesn’t give an after taste or compete with other flavors. To each their own.
• Dairy-free ice cream will be a bit more icy and not as creamy, and a lot of them are made with coconut milk or almond milk, so they’ll have a slight after taste but can still hit the spot when you want something cool and melty over a warm dessert. 

HAVE YOUR TOOLS!

​To conquer any dairy-free gluten-free dessert recipes make sure you have the tools it will take. I recommend having at least these basics:

• Large mixing bowl
• Hand held electric beaters (even better if you have a stand mixer)
• Spatula
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Baking containers like: muffin tins, pie tin, 13×9 pan, square baking pan
• Plastic wrap, aluminum foil, parchment paper

LIST OF DAIRY-FREE GLUTEN-FREE HOLIDAY DESSERRTS:

And now, what you’ve been waiting for! The list of dairy-free gluten-free Thanksgiving desserts. You can either click on the title below the picture, or on the actual picture to be taken to the gluten-free dairy-free Thanksgiving recipes.  Just think, last year was the last time you’ll have a boring Thanksgiving. Branch out and try some new recipes, I’m sure you’ll be glad you did. Please note that the majority of the recipes are mine, so I can speak for them, but the last 10 are from blogging friends that I know put out delicious desserts. I’ll put their name by it, so you can know it’s coming from another site.

Gluten and Dairy Free Triple Chocolate Pie

Gluten Free Vegan Pumpkin Crumble (I like this better than the classic pumpkin pie! Ginger snap crust is BOMB.)

Gluten Free Dairy Free Frozen Raspberry Pie

Ina Garten Apple Tart

Strawberry Chocolate Galette

Strawberry Jello Pie

Peach Pie

Lemon Cream Pie Bars

Pumpkin Mousse Pie (a fun twist on the traditional pumpkin pie)

Black Bottom Oatmeal Pie

Chocolate Cheesecake

Peppermint Pie

Pumpkin Cake with Dairy Free Cream Cheese Frosting

Cherry Cobbler

Gluten Free Pecan Pie by Allergy Free Alaska

Gluten-Free Apple Pie (complete with flaky crust!) by Allergy Free Alaska

Gluten Free Apple Cobbler by The Roasted Root

Gluten Free Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake by Vegetarian Mama

Vegan Gluten-Free Pecan Pie by Vegetarian Mama

Vegan Caramel Pecan Cheesecake by Texan Erin

Gluten Free Vegan Mini Apple Pies with Caramel by Texan Erin

Easy Dairy-free Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie by Mama Knows Gluten Free

Gluten-free Crustless Pumpkin Pie by Meaningful Eats

Gluten-free Dairy Free Coconut Cream Pie by Meaningful Eats

**I hope that no matter what dessert you pick that you have a wonderful, tasty and happy Thanksgiving with your whole family!**

Do you need to know what to serve for the actual Thanksgiving meal portion, and not just dessert? Check out my super popular THANKSGIVING MEAL PLAN FOR FOOD ALLERGIES and you’ll have the entire feast with lots of options!

DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT, SO YOU DON’T LOSE IT. WHILE YOU’RE THERE–BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MY OTHER DIETARY SPECIFIC PINS AND BOARDS.