Classic Paleo Pumpkin Pie {with Crust Recipe!} - (2024)

FAQs

Is pumpkin pie anti-inflammatory? ›

As for pumpkin pie, here we start with a vegetable. The pumpkin is loaded with fiber—7 g in 1 cup, per the USDA. And like all orange foods, pumpkins are packed with carotenoids, which can help tackle free radicals and decrease inflammation.

If you'd rather have flaky layers, par-bake the crust and let it cool before adding the filling. But don't dock it (docking is aerating the crust before baking by poking it with the tines of a fork). This will cause the custard to seep out into the bottom crust, defeating that whole "flaky" thing you were going for.

A pumpkin pie that bakes in the wrong oven rack position—in this case, too close to the oven's top heating element—can result in its filling developing a skin that cracks as it bakes. It also causes the filling to settle while cooling, making it pull away from the crust.

Prebaking — baking the pie crust before adding the filling — is your answer. Bake your crust, add the filling, and bake until the filling is done. I promise you, the crust won't burn on the bottom; the filling will insulate it.

Supports heart health

Pumpkin is recommended as part of a heart-healthy diet that may help lower your risk of heart disease. It offers a long list of nutrients that protect and support the heart, such as vitamins A, B1, B6, and C, copper, fiber, folate, and manganese.

And pumpkins are also great for our gut: They are full of fibre, which helps to form stools, keep us regular and feed our gut bacteria. Potassium supports normal cell function throughout the body and low levels may lead to constipation and fatigue.

You do not need to pre-bake a pie crust for an apple pie or any baked fruit pie really, but we do freeze the dough to help it stay put. Pre-baking the pie crust is only required when making a custard pie OR when making a fresh fruit pie. you should probably get: Pie weights are super helpful to have for pre-baking.

If you're making a pie that doesn't require a baked filling, you still need a baked crust. Or if you're baking a pie with a liquid-y filling that sets quickly in the oven, like pumpkin pie, your crust may need a baking headstart.

Often, blind-baking solves this problem. If you're making a single crust custard-filled pie, like a pumpkin pie, bake the pie dough first before adding filling to allow some of the moisture in the crust to evaporate. You can also totally blind-bake fruit pies.

Bake at the correct temperature.

It's a good idea to use an oven thermometer ($7, Target) to ensure the temperature is accurate. Cooling pumpkin pie too quickly also causes cracks. Once your pie is done (there should be a slight jiggle to the center), allow the pie to fully reach room temperature before serving.

Why won't my pumpkin pie cook in the middle? ›

Why this happens: The pie was underbaked, or the oven temperature wasn't high enough. This is another problem that can occur when you haven't baked a pumpkin pie long enough, or if the oven temperature wasn't high enough.

Use a paper towel to blot off the moisture. This usually happens because the pie was overbaked or put in the fridge before it was fully cooled. Luckily, it's mostly cosmetic. To prevent weeping, cool on the counter 2-4 hours before moving to the fridge.

Pumpkins are considered a major superfood and believe it or not, they're actually an exceptional anti-inflammatory food. They are rich in carotenoids, especially in lutein, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, along with other vitamins and minerals.

Yes, the actual pumpkin in the dish is quite healthy, but the butter and flour in the crust as well as the cream and sugar needed for the filling add a good dose of saturated fat and calories. But a healthy pumpkin pie is possible!

Pumpkin Pie: This one is our winner! When in doubt, choose pumpkin pie. In competition with those mentioned above, it offers the fewest calories, and least fat and added sugar. It's also loaded with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12, thiamin, riboflavin, folate, niacin, phosphorous, calcium, and iron.

A lack of carotenoids in the diet is thought to promote inflammation. Good sources of carotenoids include apricots, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, kale, butternut squash, and collard greens.