Sugar Free Cherry Pie – The Best Homemade No-Sugar Dessert Guide

There’s nothing quite like a slice of warm cherry pie—sweet, juicy, and nostalgic. But what if you could enjoy all that fruity goodness without the added sugar? That’s exactly what a sugar free cherry pie delivers. This article is your go-to guide to crafting a naturally sweetened, guilt-free dessert that doesn’t compromise on flavor.

Whether you’re cutting back on sugar for health reasons, following a keto or diabetic-friendly diet, or just want a cleaner alternative, this recipe guide has you covered. We’ll walk you through everything from the best sweetener substitutes to pie crust techniques, storage tips, and delicious variations. Plus, we’ll answer common questions like Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh cherries? and How long can I store this cherry pie filling in the freezer?

Looking for more healthy indulgences? Check out our Tempura Green Tea Ice Cream – The Ultimate Crispy & Creamy Dessert Guide. Now let’s dive into the world of no-sugar cherry goodness.

Why Choose a Sugar Free Cherry Pie?

Health benefits of sugar free desserts

The biggest reason to choose a sugar free cherry pie is your health. Refined sugar can spike blood glucose levels, contribute to weight gain, and lead to chronic issues like diabetes or inflammation. A no sugar cherry pie offers the same delicious experience without the health downsides. It’s ideal for people managing diabetes or anyone seeking a healthier lifestyle.

Additionally, using low-glycemic sweeteners like monk fruit or erythritol keeps the dessert satisfying without triggering sugar cravings. You’ll still enjoy the natural sweetness of cherries without loading up on empty calories.

Comparing sugar free vs. traditional cherry pies

Let’s break it down:

Feature	Traditional Cherry Pie	Sugar Free Cherry Pie
Sweetener	White sugar or corn syrup	Stevia, monk fruit, erythritol
Calories per slice	350–450 kcal	180–250 kcal
Glycemic Index	High	Low
Suitable for diabetics?	No	Yes
Preservatives	Often present	Homemade, no preservatives

A cherry pie without added sugar gives you better control over ingredients, offers fewer carbs, and still satisfies that sweet tooth.

Discover great ideas like our Nutrition Facts for Biscuits and Gravy – The Best 2025 Health Breakdown to keep your meals balanced and smart.

Print

Key Ingredients for a Sugar Free Cherry Pie Recipe

Best natural sweeteners for cherry pie (stevia, monk fruit, erythritol)

When baking a sugar free cherry pie, your sweetener makes or breaks the flavor. Thankfully, modern sugar substitutes have come a long way. Here are the top natural options:

• Stevia – Extracted from the stevia plant, it’s 200 times sweeter than sugar. Ideal for those who want zero calories but maximum sweetness. Use sparingly to avoid bitterness.
• Monk Fruit Sweetener – A zero-calorie sweetener that doesn’t raise blood sugar, monk fruit blends especially well with fruit-based recipes. It has a clean, sweet taste that enhances cherry flavor naturally.
• Erythritol – A sugar alcohol with only 0.24 calories per gram, erythritol browns well in baked goods and adds bulk to fillings, making it a great choice for pie consistency.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Sweetener	Sweetness Level (vs. sugar)	Calories	Best For
Stevia	200x	0	Toppings, fillings
Monk Fruit	150–200x	0	Full pies, fillings
Erythritol	70%	Very low	Crusts, baking

Many bakers combine these for taste and texture balance. For a low carb cherry pie, a blend of erythritol and monk fruit often hits the sweet spot.

Don’t miss our guide on Homemade Biscuit Nutrition – The Complete Guide to Healthier Comfort Food for more low-sugar baking inspiration.

Fresh vs. frozen cherries: what works best?

A top FAQ is: Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh cherries for this recipe?
Yes! Frozen cherries are not only convenient but often picked at peak ripeness, locking in nutrients and flavor.

However, here’s what you need to do:

• Thaw completely before cooking.
• Drain excess liquid to avoid a watery filling.
• Taste test: Frozen cherries can be slightly more tart—adjust sweetener as needed.

Fresh cherries work great too but require pitting and may have seasonal availability. Either way, your sugar free cherry pie filling will shine with juicy cherry flavor, minus the sugar crash.

Making the Perfect Sugar Free Cherry Pie Filling

Cooking techniques for thick, luscious cherry pie filling

A standout sugar free cherry pie starts with its filling—sweet, tart, and perfectly thick. But when you’re skipping added sugar, nailing the consistency and flavor becomes even more important.

Here’s how to master the filling:

1. Cook the cherries first
   Whether you use fresh or frozen, simmering the cherries helps break them down and release their natural juices. This enhances both color and flavor.
2. Add a thickener
   Since you’re not using sugar (which thickens when boiled), a low-carb thickener like:
   • Arrowroot starch
   • Xanthan gum
   • Cornstarch (in minimal amounts for non-keto versions)
     …will help create that classic glossy texture.
3. Balance tartness with sweeteners
   Cherries are naturally sweet, but to round out their tang, use a blend of monk fruit and erythritol. Start with small amounts—then taste and tweak.
4. Add lemon juice and vanilla
   A splash of lemon enhances the cherry flavor, while vanilla brings depth.

Here’s a basic stovetop filling method:

plaintextCopyEdit- In a saucepan, combine 4 cups pitted cherries, 1/4 cup water, and 2 tbsp lemon juice.
- Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes.
- Stir in 1/3 cup erythritol + 1 tsp monk fruit powder.
- Whisk in thickener (1 tbsp arrowroot) and cook until thickened.
- Finish with 1 tsp vanilla extract.

This mixture can be cooled and added directly to a pie shell or stored for later.

Storing and freezing pie filling

A common question is: How long can I store this cherry pie filling in the freezer?
Answer: Up to 6 months—if stored properly.

Here’s how to store it:

Storage Method	Shelf Life	Notes
Refrigerator	4–5 days	Use an airtight jar or container
Freezer	4–6 months	Freeze in flat freezer bags for easy stacking

Pro Tip: Label your container with the date. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.

Crafting the Ultimate Pie Crust Without Sugar

Low-carb, gluten-free crust options

Creating a pie crust for your sugar free cherry pie doesn’t have to be complicated. The goal is to keep it light, flaky, and free from refined carbs. Here are some top options:

• Almond flour crust – A popular gluten-free choice, rich in healthy fats and low in carbs. Mix with a bit of coconut flour for structure.
• Coconut flour crust – Absorbs a lot of liquid, so you’ll need more eggs or butter, but it adds a subtle sweetness.
• Oat flour – Not keto, but excellent for those seeking a wholesome, sugar-free, and wheat-free option.

Crusts without sugar hold up just as well and can even crisp better during baking.

Tips for flaky, golden-brown pie crusts

• Chill the dough: Letting it rest in the fridge for 30–60 minutes helps reduce shrinkage and tough texture.
• Use cold butter: It helps create small air pockets for a flakier finish.
• Blind bake if needed: For extra crispiness, partially bake the crust before adding the filling.

And remember, you don’t need sugar for a golden crust. Just a touch of egg wash does the trick!

Check out our guide to Homemade Biscuit Nutrition to explore similar healthy baking tips.

Step-by-Step Sugar Free Cherry Pie Recipe

Ingredients list and prep time breakdown

Here’s your full ingredient breakdown for a classic 9-inch sugar free cherry pie:

Ingredient	Amount
Pitted cherries (fresh or frozen)	4 cups
Erythritol	1/3 cup
Monk fruit powder	1 tsp
Lemon juice	2 tbsp
Arrowroot starch	1 tbsp
Vanilla extract	1 tsp
Almond flour	1 ½ cups
Coconut flour	¼ cup
Butter (cold)	½ cup
Egg	1 (for crust)
Salt	¼ tsp

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Bake Time: 40–45 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: ~2 hours

Baking instructions and cooling tips

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare crust: Mix almond and coconut flour, butter, salt, and egg. Press into a 9″ pie pan.
3. Cook filling: In a saucepan, simmer cherries, lemon juice, and water. Add erythritol, monk fruit, arrowroot, and stir until thick.
4. Assemble: Pour filling into the crust. Top with a lattice crust or crumble topping if desired.
5. Bake for 40–45 minutes until golden.
6. Cool for 1 hour before slicing.

Pro Tip: Cooling the pie allows the filling to set fully, making cleaner cuts and deeper flavor.

Storage, Serving, and Make-Ahead Tips

Refrigeration vs. freezer storage

Once your sugar free cherry pie is baked, storage becomes key:

• Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 5 days.
• Freeze slices individually wrapped in plastic and stored in freezer bags. They’ll keep for 3–4 months.

To reheat, microwave slices for 30 seconds or warm in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes.

Can you can sugar free cherry pie filling?

Here’s another big FAQ: Can I can this cherry pie filling for longer storage?

Absolutely, yes. Follow standard canning practices:

• Use sterilized jars.
• Leave ½ inch headspace.
• Process in a water bath canner for 30 minutes.
• Label and store in a cool, dark place.

Properly canned, your sugar free cherry pie filling can last up to 12 months on the shelf.

Delicious Sugar Free Cherry Pie Variations

Keto cherry pie version

If you’re following a ketogenic diet, you don’t have to miss out on sugar free cherry pie. With a few ingredient swaps, you can keep your carbs in check without compromising on flavor:

• Use almond and coconut flour exclusively for the crust. Avoid oat or wheat-based flours.
• Stick to low-carb sweeteners like monk fruit and erythritol (never honey or dates).
• Use tart cherries in moderation, as they have slightly fewer natural sugars than sweet cherries.

To further reduce carbs:

• Thicken your pie filling with xanthan gum instead of arrowroot or cornstarch.
• Opt for whipped cream or full-fat Greek yogurt as keto-friendly toppings.

This version of low carb cherry pie fits beautifully into a ketogenic lifestyle while still delivering that iconic tart-sweet cherry bite.

Vegan and gluten-free variations

You can easily transform your sugar free cherry pie into a vegan-friendly dessert:

• Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter in the crust.
• Skip eggs by using ground flaxseed + water as a binder (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water = 1 egg).
• For gluten-free needs, stick with almond flour, oat flour, or certified gluten-free all-purpose flour.

Want a healthier topping? Try a crumble made from nuts and oats, lightly sweetened with monk fruit. It’s crunchy, wholesome, and 100% plant-based.

Mistakes to Avoid with Sugar Free Cherry Pies

Over-sweetening with artificial substitutes

One of the most common mistakes people make when baking a sugar free cherry pie is overdoing the sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners can quickly overpower the natural tartness of cherries, leaving your pie tasting bitter or metallic.

Here’s what to avoid:

• Don’t use too much stevia or sucralose, especially in concentrated liquid form.
• Always taste-test your filling before baking. You can adjust the sweetness level better when the mixture is still warm.

The goal is to enhance the fruit’s flavor, not mask it.

Common baking errors and how to fix them

Even seasoned bakers can run into trouble. Here are a few frequent errors—and how to avoid them:

Mistake	Fix
Filling too runny	Add more thickener and cook longer
Soggy bottom crust	Blind bake crust before adding filling
Crust too hard	Use cold butter and don’t overmix dough
Burnt crust edges	Cover edges with foil during baking

Paying attention to these details ensures your sugar free cherry pie comes out perfect every time.

Don’t miss our Nutrition Facts for Biscuits and Gravy – The Best 2025 Health Breakdown to learn how to balance taste and nutrition in classic comfort foods.

Serving Ideas & Pairings for Sugar Free Cherry Pie

Healthy toppings and serving suggestions

Your freshly baked sugar free cherry pie deserves to be served in style. While it’s amazing on its own, these healthy topping ideas take it to the next level:

• Whipped coconut cream – Dairy-free, subtly sweet, and a great vegan pairing.
• Plain Greek yogurt – Adds tang and creaminess without overpowering the cherries.
• Chopped almonds or walnuts – Sprinkle over the top for crunch and heart-healthy fats.
• Low-carb vanilla ice cream – A keto-friendly option to cool down that warm slice.

For presentation, serve slices with a fresh cherry or mint leaf garnish.

Looking to impress at a dinner party? Try baking mini individual pies in ramekins—they’re easy to serve and look elegant on the plate.

Beverages and sides that pair perfectly

Pair your sugar free cherry pie with beverages and side treats that complement its fruity profile:

Beverage	Why It Works
Herbal iced tea (like hibiscus or mint)	Bright, light, and sugar-free
Cold brew coffee	Deep flavor that balances tart cherry
Unsweetened almond milk latte	Creamy and low carb
Sparkling water with lemon	Refreshing and palate-cleansing

For sides, consider light, fresh foods like:

• Cucumber salad – as a cooling pre-dessert course
• Fruit skewers – if you’re building a dessert platter
• Dark chocolate shards – just a few for texture and richness

Don’t miss our Tempura Green Tea Ice Cream – The Ultimate Crispy & Creamy Dessert Guide for another beautiful pairing idea that contrasts hot pie with cold indulgence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

There you have it—your complete guide to baking the perfect sugar free cherry pie from scratch. With the right ingredients, a little technique, and some creativity, you can enjoy this timeless dessert without the sugar overload. Whether you’re keto, diabetic, or just eating cleaner, this recipe brings the flavor and satisfaction of cherry pie—minus the guilt.

Don’t miss our full guide on Homemade Biscuit Nutrition – The Complete Guide to Healthier Comfort Food to keep the healthy baking vibes going!