Keto Apple Pie without the apples! Tender and juicy chayote takes the place of apples giving America's favorite dessert a low carb makeover-Dutch style!
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Dutch apple pie is just one of those desserts everyone loves. Apples cooked with butter and cinnamon baked in a delicate crust with a crumble topping is simply drool- worthy. The sweet and familiar aroma alone, as it bakes, has everyone heading to the kitchen waiting for it to be ready to slice.
But wait! Apples are loaded with carbs so how can this be a Keto Apple Pie? You won't believe it until you try it! Low carb chayote squash steps in as an amazing substitute for sugary apples! And trust me when I tell you, you won't miss the apples one bit!
A gluten-free pie crust and sugar free streusel topping top off the carb saving substitutions in this recipe! If you're on Keto or a low carb diet, you're going to want to try this one. Even your non-Keto friends and family will love it!
What's in Keto Mock Dutch Apple Pie
- Chayote Squash
- Butter
- Egg
- Brown Swerve
- Swerve Confectioners
- Lemon
- Pecans
- Apple pie spice
- Natural Apple Flavoring
- Vanilla extract
- Xanthan Gum
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
How to Make Mock Apple Pie
To Make the Mock Apple Filling
Wash, peel, core and dice the chayote squash.
Heat a pot or large skillet to low and melt the butter. Add in the squash and toss to coat. Cover with a lid and cook for 10 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350F. Add in the rest of the filling ingredients and stir to combine. I prefer using this silicone spoon, so nothing sticks to it! Continue cooking for 10 more minutes, covered or until fork tender.
You'll notice this recipe uses homemade Apple Pie Spice. Though you can use store bought, I highly recommend you give this recipe a try. It's so incredibly quick and easy and it truly has a much more intense flavor.
Okay, back to making the filling. Before moving onto the next step, taste the filling mixture for sweetness. If you want it sweeter, add in more Swerve confectioners at this time.
How to Make the Gluten Free Crust
Add the almond flour, butter, egg, swerve confectioners and vanilla extract to the bowl of a food processor and mix until a dough is formed.
Place the dough in a pie dish and press out, going up the sides. I greased mine with some butter, but this step is optional, depending on your dish.
Prick the dough with a fork and bake for 10 minutes, then remove and set aside while you make the topping.
How to Make the Sugar Free Streusel Topping
Add the almond flour, pecans, apple pie spice and Swerve into a mixing bowl and mix them together.
Then pour the melted butter over the top and mix until well combined. Once you add the butter, you’ll see the crumbles will start to form.
Pour the mock apple filling into the pie crust.
Add the streusel crumble over the top and gently press down.
Place on the lower ⅓ rack of your oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the topping is slightly golden. If the crumble topping starts getting too dark, tent it with foil and continue baking.
Store leftovers in the fridge for several days or freeze.
Why is it Called Dutch Apple Pie?
Dutch apple pie has a crumble topping made with nuts, flour and brown sugar, or almond flour and Swerve brown in this case. Traditional apple pie has a pastry lattice or second pie crust baked on top.
Can I Eat Apples on Keto?
I am always hesitant to label a fruit or vegetable Keto or non-Keto; however, because apples contain so much sugar, even though it's all natural sugar, it's hard to keep within in your carb macros by eating apples. That's why chayote squash works so great for all us low-carbers!
What is Chayote? What are the Carbs in Chayote?
Chayote is a little strange looking type of squash that's part of the gourd family, similar in shape to a pear. They are considered a fruit, sort of how a tomato falls into the fruit family.
You can season them and use them in savory dishes or sweeten them up and cook them in many low carb apple or pear desserts.
Chayote originates from Mexico but because of it's ever growing popularity, it's now grown in warmer climates all over the world. Part of the reason they have grown in popularity is because with less than 4 net carbs per squash, more and more recipes are using them from low carb substitutions.
What Does Chayote Taste Like?
Chayote squash has a very mild flavor. Raw chayote shares some of the same characteristics as jicama. Best described, it would be a cross between a very lightly sweet apple and and cucumber. But it's also like a sponge when it's cooked. It adopts the flavors of the seasonings and or spices it's cooked with making it a super versatile ingredient.
Can I Freeze Dutch Keto Apple Pie?
There are two ways to freeze this Keto apple pie.
First way is to freeze the pie once it has baked. To do so, let the pie cool and then wrap it with a double layer of plastic wrap. Place it in the freezer for up to a couple of months.
To reheat, unwrap the pie and allow it to set out for about an hour. Preheat the oven to 400F. Place a piece of aluminum foil over the top and heat the pie 25-30 minutes. Remove the pie from the oven, let it cool slightly and serve.
The second way is the pre-baked method. If you know you'll need this Keto Dutch Apple Pie in advance, then it is best to wait and make the streusel topping until the day you plan on serving it.
Prepare the rest of of the pie according to the recipe but hold off on the topping. When you're ready to serve it, take it out of the freezer an hour in advance.
Preheat the oven to 350F. Top the pie with the streusel topping but line the edges of the crust with a some aluminum foil after 15 minutes to prevent it from burning while the pie bakes. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, but start watching it around 40 minutes, depending on how your oven cooks.
More Mock Apple Recipes Using Chayote Squash
Now that you're familiar with just how versatile and delicious chayote squash is, you'll definitely want to try them in other Keto recipes. Here are a just a few to give you inspiration:
More Keto Tart Recipes
If you love pie as much as I do, these tart recipes are sure to please:
Shop my favorite products on Amazon and check out my Keto Pantry List!
Keto Mock Dutch Apple Pie – Gluten-Free
INGREDIENTS
For the Filling
- 4 Chayote Squash
- ½ cup butter
- ¼ cup Brown Swerve
- ⅓ cup Swerve Confectioners
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon apple pie spice
- 2 teaspoons Natural Apple Flavoring
- ¼ teaspoon Xanthan Gum
FOR THE CRUST
- 2 cups super fine almond flour
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 whole egg
- ⅓ cup Swerve confectioners
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
FOR THE STREUSEL TOPPING
- 1 cup super fine almond flour
- ⅓ cup Brown Swerve
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup pecans, chopped
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
INSTRUCTIONS
TO MAKE THE FILLING
- Wash, peel, core and dice the chayote squash into small pieces. Heat a pot or large skillet to low and melt the butter. Add in the squash and toss to coat. Cover with a lid and cook for 10 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350F. Add in the rest of the filling ingredients and stir to combine. I prefer using this silicone spoon, so nothing sticks to it! Continue cooking for 10 more minutes, covered or until fork tender. Before moving onto the next step, taste the filling mixture for sweetness. If you want it sweeter, add in more Swerve confectioners at this time.
TO MAKE THE CRUST
- Add the almond flour, butter, egg, Swerve confectioners and vanilla extract to the bowl of a food processor and mix until a dough is formed. Place the dough in a pie dish and press out, going up the sides. I greased mine with some butter, but this step is optional, depending on your dish.
- Prick the dough with a fork and bake for 10 minutes, then remove and set aside while you make the topping.
TO MAKE THE STREUSEL TOPPING
- Add the almond flour, pecans, apple pie spice and Swerve into a mixing bowl and mix them together. Then pour the melted butter over the top and mix until well combined. Once you add the butter, you’ll see the crumbles will start to form.
- Pour the mock apple filling into the pie crust. Add the streusel crumble over the top and gently press down. Place on the lower ⅓ rack of your oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the topping is slightly golden. If the crumble topping starts getting too dark, text it with foil and continue baking.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for several days or freeze.
