Easy Vegan Cherry Pie

This vegan cherry pie is as easy to make as it is delicious. It’s perfect for everything from a grand table at the holidays to a simple dessert at dinnertime. Serve it as is or a la mode with a big scoop of vegan ice cream and a hefty dollop of dairy free whipped cream. 

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Cherry pie is probably my absolute favorite of the fruit pies. Any time I see it offered, I can barely resist. And you won’t be able to resist this super easy and delicious cherry pie recipe. 

Our simple vegan cherry pie is definitely among the easiest things I’ve ever made. And it’s possibly the easiest pie recipe you’ll ever make!

It’s only 3 ingredients. And 2 of those are canned cherry pie filling and frozen pie crusts!

Serve this delicious vegan pie as is or with a hefty dollop of vegan whipped cream and a scoop or two of dairy-free chocolate or vanilla ice cream. Or both.

Why You’ll Love This Vegan Cherry Pie Recipe

We think this is the best vegan cherry pie, and here’s why:

• Easy to make with canned cherry pie filling and store-bought pie crust (It’s easier to find store-bought vegan pie crust than you think. More on that below.)
• It’s a delicious vegan version of the classic cherry pie you know and love.
• The best of both worlds: fresh homemade pie but using a few easy shortcuts to take some stress off your holiday plate
• No one will know it’s made without animal products! Perfect for big family holiday dinners and special occasions.

Ingredients for Easy Vegan Cherry Pie

You only need 3 simple ingredients to make this vegan cherry pie recipe. Here, we’ll share some ingredient notes for the best results. 

Remember you can find the full recipe with the ingredient amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Vegan-friendly pie crusts – see notes below
• Canned cherry pie filling – Almost all canned fruit filling is vegan, but double check the ingredients to be sure.
• Cornstarch – to help thicken the finished product.

How to Find Vegan Pie Crust (Store-bought)

I like using store-brand frozen pre-made pie crusts. Using a frozen pie shell just makes this recipe that much easier. And that is a big bonus to me when making recipes like this. 

Sometimes I just want the pie without the hassle of having to make the crust.

Be sure to read the ingredients list before buying any brand to ensure vegan friendliness. I found some of the name brand traditional store-bought crust, like Pillsbury, contain eggs,  lard, or other animal products. 

But, you can easily find frozen vegan pie crust at the grocery store. It just takes a little reading. Watch out for milk, eggs, and lard especially. 

Here are some common brands that carry vegan crusts:

• Marie Callender
• Mrs. Smith – While their pies do contain dairy, the frozen pie shells do not
• Signature Select
• Oronoque Orchards
• And many, many more. Just be sure to read the ingredients!

Vegan Store-Bought Cherry Pie 

Now if baking isn’t really your thing at all, there are a variety of “accidentally vegan” dessert pies available in your grocer’s freezer. 

Marie Callender and Sara Lee both offer vegan cherry pies in their lines. Simply pop in a preheated oven and set a timer. 

Many store-brand frozen cherry pies are also vegan friendly. Just be mindful and be sure to read the ingredients list first. You’re especially looking for milk, butter, or lard.

Substitution Options 

If you don’t have or can’t tolerate one of the above ingredients, here are our best substitution tips. 

Remember, substituting any of the ingredients may lead to a varied degree of difference in the final product. Let us know in the comments if you try any subs and how they work out for you! 

• If you are looking for a vegan gluten free cherry pie, check out this vegan and gluten free pie crust recipe from Minimalist Baker. 
• Wholly Wholesome also makes a premade gluten free and vegan pie crust available in many stores and online.
• You can use this recipe with other canned fruit fillings. Use the framework of this recipe to make your favorites
• Instead of cornstarch, you can use 2 teaspoons of arrowroot powder for every 1 tablespoon cornstarch. You can also use tapioca starch or even all-purpose flour in a pinch. For the tapioca starch or flour you’d use 2x the amount of required cornstarch.

How to Make Cherry Pie with Canned Cherries

The best part about this delicious vegan cherry dessert is that it’s so simple to make!

Step 1 – Prepare Your Crust

You’ll start by preparing that frozen vegan-friendly pie crust. This can be done ahead of time. Check out the pie crust prep tips below!

1. Place 1 pie crust upside down on wax paper for 20-30 minutes to thaw. This will serve as your top crust. 
2. When it’s thawed enough, gently press it down onto the wax paper trying not to crack it too much. It’s going to crack a little anyway. Don’t worry.. 
3. Use a rolling pin and a little water and flour to roll the crust to a 9 inch-ish circumference with an even thickness. Make sure you get both sides to avoid the crust cracking while baking.
4. Place 1 pie crust in an ungreased 9-inch pie plate if no pie dish is provided. Press firmly against side and bottom. 

Step 2 – Combine the starch and the cherries

Next, we’ll make the filling. You won’t believe how easy this is!

1. Sift the cornstarch into the vegan cherry pie filling while mixing it in with a rubber spatula so it’s well-incorporated. 
2. Then, spoon the cherry filling into the bottom crust. Smooth out as needed with the rubber spatula.

Step 3 – Put it all together

Finally, it’s time to assemble and bake our pie!

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F
2. Spoon the sauteed cherry filling into your bottom crust. Smooth the top a little.
3. Place the second crust on top of the filling. Crimp/Flute excess top crust edges together with bottom crust edge. Pressing edges together to seal. 
4. Cut slits or shapes in several places in the center of the top crust to vent the pie.
5. Bake at 425 for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. 
6. Remove the pie from the oven. Cover the edge of the crust with 2- to 3-inch wide strips of aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning or burning. Then continue to bake for 20 – 25 minutes. 
7. Cool on a cooling rack at least 2 hours before serving so the pie isn’t runny.

Decorating the Top Crust

There are a variety of ways to decorate the top crust of your fruit pie to allow for venting the pie as well. The easiest is the simple circle cut out from the center of the top crust. 

You could also carve out 3 or 4 “raindrop” cuts near the center of the top of the pie.

Next, there is the classic and intricate lattice top made by interweaving horizontal and vertical strip of dough. You’re probably familiar with this lattice crust on photos of classic pies!

Finally, this is supposed to be a simple pie. But you all know how a really fancy crust can be the wow factor to put a simple pie over the top. 

Check out the first 4 minutes or so of this fun video to learn how to make some stunningly beautiful but surprisingly simple top crusts. 

Tips & Tricks for Homemade Vegan Cherry Pie

Here are some of our best tips to help ensure you get the very best results from the best cherry pie recipe with canned cherries.

• After baking for 15 minutes or so, remove the pie from the oven and cover the crust with foil or a silicone shield so the crust doesn’t burn. Then return to the oven to finish baking.
• Let your baked cherry pie cool for at least 2 hours before cutting into it. The filling will thicken as it cools, making it easier to slice and hold together.
• For a bigger cherry flavor, add a couple drops of almond extract to the filling when you mix in the cornstarch. Be careful with that stuff. A little goes a long way.
• Serve with a big scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream and a dollop of non-dairy whipped cream
• You can easily turn this recipe into hand pies or mini pies using pie crust or vegan puff pastry. Check out our vegan cherry turnovers for some inspiration!
• Use the framework of this simple recipe with other canned fruit fillings to make the pie of your choice!

Pie Crust Prep Tips

You can defrost and set the top pie dough the day before.

Here’s how:

1. Follow the instructions above or in the recipe card for rolling it out. 
2. Then keep the crust in the refrigerator between two pieces of wax paper until you’re ready to use it. 
3. Take it out from the fridge and let it sit between the wax paper at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to let it soften again before using. 
4. Peel the wax paper away slowly so as not to tear the crust.

How to Serve Simple Vegan Cherry Pie

Serve this homemade cherry pie slightly warm or at room temperature. 

I love topping it with vegan whipped cream and a big scoop of vegan ice cream on the side as well.

How to Store Leftover Cherry Pie

Store leftover cherry pie in an airtight container or in tightly wrapped plastic on the counter or in the refrigerator.

Unrefrigerated leftover pie will be at its best for up to 2 days. Stored properly, refrigerated pie will be good for up to 4-5 days.

You can also freeze leftover cherry pie in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 4 months:

1. Wrap the whole pie tightly with plastic wrap. 
2. Place the pie in a 2-gallon freezer storage bag and seal. 
3. Freeze for up to 4 months.

How to Reheat Leftover Frozen Cherry Pie

Unwrap the frozen pie and heat in a 350°F oven 30 to 40 minutes or until warm.

FAQs

We’re here to answer all your questions about vegan cherry pie! Have more questions? Leave them in the comments below!

Is store bought cherry pie vegan? 

There are quite a few store-bought frozen cherry pies. Our favorites that can be found almost anywhere are from Sara Lee and Marie Callender.

Are Whole Foods cherry pies vegan? 

The cherry pie at Whole Foods is vegan. However, the Whole Foods vegan cherry pie is only sometimes available and only at limited stores.

Is cherry pie filling vegan? 

Yes. Almost all, if not all, canned cherry pie fillings are vegan. I personally have yet to find a non-vegan, canned cherry pie filling

Is Sara Lee cherry pie vegan?

Yes! The frozen cherry pie from Sara Lee is vegan-friendly. So is the one from Marie Callender. 

Almost all the fruit pies are suitable for vegans.

Is Mrs. Smith’s cherry pie vegan? 

The frozen cherry pie from Mrs. Smith’s contains dairy and is not suitable for vegans. Almost all of Mrs. Smith’s frozen pies contain butter. Check out Sara Lee and Marie Callender for a variety of vegan options.

Is there such a thing as a vegan pie?

There is indeed such a thing as vegan pie. As a matter of fact, many of the offerings in the grocery store’s freezer section are suitable for vegans. Trust me, vegans love pie.

How do you make cherry pie not runny?

A great tip for helping make cherry pie firmer is to add a little cornstarch, tapioca starch, or arrowroot powder to the filling before putting it in the crust. The corn starch will help decrease the runniness after the pie cools.

How do you add flavor to canned cherry pie filling?

A great way to add extra flavor to canned cherry pie filling is by adding a few drops of almond extract.

More Vegan Desserts

• Vegan White Chocolate Fudge
• Holiday Vegan Spritz Cookies
• No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie
• Easy Vegan Apple Pie

When you make this tasty vegan recipe, please leave a star rating and review below! 

We love to hear about your experience, and it’s an easy way to support our small vegan business.

Happy baking!