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Gluten-free mini cherry pies have an oatmeal cookie-like crust and are ideal for picnics and parties!
When I started planning these mini cherry pies, I immediately thought of mini lattice-topped pies. I marvel at how cute they are and despite wanting to try myself, I’ve always hesitated, knowing that there’s no way my pies would come out looking as picture perfect as I’d like. So the lattice tops were out! I was also thinking gluten-free buttery and flaky pie dough may be a bit more finicky than I was in the mood for. I’m all about making things as fuss-free as possible so I just bypassed all of that with a streusel-like crust and topping very similar to the one I used in these gluten-free pumpkin pie streusel bars.
It seems like fresh sour cherries are hard to come by in my area and I’ve never been one for canned cherry pie filling, so I used fresh sweet cherries in these mini pies. The filling is only baked for 16 minutes, so while the cherries are quite tender, they don’t break down into a jammy type of filling. I was pretty disappointed when I saw that after taking the first batch out of the oven but after eating my first (and second and third) pie, I didn’t care!
Often when I post a gluten-free recipe, people ask for a dairy-free alternative. So I made these gluten-free mini cherry pies dairy-free right off the bat! Instead of butter, I used coconut oil and because of that one simple change, they’re also naturally vegan.
And since I knew people would ask, I also tried these with butter. Butter usually contains around 80% fat, whereas coconut oil is 100% fat. I frequently use them interchangeably but in crusts and streusel-like goodies, some experimenting is usually required to figure out the correct amount to sub for one another. At first, I added an additional tablespoon of butter to compensate for the lower fat content. That didn’t work. Then I added another tablespoon which didn’t work, either! The pies kept sticking to the liners. After several more attempts at a butter version, I decided that you all will just have to get some coconut oil if you don’t already have some. ;)
I brought these mini pies to a picnic and was worried that they may not hold up well, but they did so wonderfully and even made a 20-minute bumpy bike ride without issue! I refrigerated them for a few hours before the picnic, which helped firm them up even more and made them less prone to crumbling.
I’ve already tried a blueberry version and they were so good that I’m convinced I need to try more! What’s your favorite type of pie?
Gluten-Free Mini Cherry Pies
Ingredients:
For the crust and topping:
1 1/4 cups gluten-free oat flour*
2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup refined coconut oil, melted**
For the filling:
2 cups pitted sweet cherries, quartered
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon almond extract
pinch of salt
Note: If you need these to be gluten-free, make sure all your products are certified gluten-free.
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with 12 muffin liners. I recommend using foil or regular paper liners. These pies stuck to the bottom of my glassine baking cups.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the oat flour, oats, cinnamon, brown sugar and salt. Stir in the melted coconut oil until well combined.
3. Pat about 3 tablespoons (40 grams) of the crust mixture up the sides and on the bottom of each muffin liner.
4. Bake for 8-10 minutes or just until they start browning.
5. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes while preparing the filling.
6. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together all the filling ingredients. Spoon a little over 2 tablespoons of mixture over each pre-baked crust and top with the remaining oat mixture (about 1 tablespoon per pie).
7. Bake for another 14-16 minutes or until the topping has lightly browned.
8. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10-15 minutes or until cool enough to handle. Use a knife to carefully remove the pies from the molds and then remove the paper wrappers. If you have difficulties getting them out of their wrappers because the pies are too soft, let them cool slightly and then place in the refrigerator for about 10-20 minutes. If you don't remove the wrappers now, the pies may or may not stick to them once cool (it depends on the wrappers you use).
9. Serve warm, room temperature or cold.
Store at room temperature for up to 1 day. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. These hold their shape well at room temperature but if transporting or they'll be sitting in the heat, chilling the pies first for a few hours is recommended.
Notes:
* To make oat flour, grind rolled or quick oats in a coffee grinder or a small food processor until powdery.
** If you use unrefined rather than refined coconut oil, these pies may have some coconut taste to them.
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I am allergic to coconut. Coukt I sub dairy free butter for the coconut oil?
Hello! I haven’t attempted this recipe with this substitution, so I am not sure of the result. If you happen to give it a try, I’d love to know how they turned out. Thanks so much for stopping by.
-Jamie
Hi Erin
I tried to reply to your comment a few days ago but I’m sorry to say that the internet isn’t as reliable as my 50 year old gas oven!
These recipes look delicious and many thanks for sending them: We run four horticultural therapy group sessions, Monday to Thursday, every week; so in total four communal meals each week (all cooked on camping stoves/open fire) which I’m trying to improve by encouraging volunteers and staff bring in cake and pie….
Each of the groups have different dietary requirements so the vegetarian/gluten free recipes should suite most groups: I’ll let you know how well they’re received (the Cherry pies went down very well)!
I apologise for assuming that you lived in America. The weather in the UK is, yes you guessed it; wet :(
I would have preferred a cold and sunny Winter :)
Regards
Spike
Hi Spike! No apologies needed. This is an American blog, after all. :) I hope your colleagues will enjoy the recipes! And I’m right there with you on preferring a cold and sunny winter. :)
Hi Erin
Many thanks for your kind comments – please come and join us for a meal if you have the opportunity of visiting England!
These recipes look great and I’m sure my oven will be busy over the next few weeks! I’m assuming that I can substitute coconut oil for butter? Can you suggest how can I replace the eggs (the cakes/pies need to be vegan) please?
P.S. I hope you’re ok? The weather forecast for parts of America didn’t look great!
Spike
Thanks for your kind offer! :) Coconut oil isn’t always interchangeable with butter but I’ve tested it in the recipes I listed and it works fine. But I didn’t realize the recipes needed to be vegan, too! So only the crumble would work in that case. Actually, you can use brown rice syrup instead of honey in the granola to make it vegan. You could also take a look at my vegan recipes here (My Baking Addiction isn’t my blog – I’m just the gluten-free contributor here). A bunch of those recipes fit your needs, I think! I’m from the US but currently live in Germany and weather-wise, things are okay here. I could do with some more sun, though. ;)