No-Bake Pumpkin “Cheesecake” (Gluten Free, Paleo, Vegan)

no bake vegan pumpkin cheesecake on a white plate on a table

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Pumpkin is a ubiquitous part of the North American fall season—which is understandable, considering that it’s native to this part of the world.

This time of year, many people will carve pumpkins for Hallowe’en. But unfortunately, after the outside is carved, most of the time people throw the inside away. And that’s a shame, because the “meat” and seeds of the pumpkin are delicious and have some great health benefits.

Pumpkin Nutrition

Pumpkin meat is very high in carotenoids, which are what give pumpkins their orange color. Carotenoids are really good at neutralizing free radicals—nasty molecules that can attack cell membranes and leave the cells vulnerable to damage.

Pumpkins are also high in lutein and zeaxanthin, which scavenge free radicals in the lens of the eye. Therefore, they may help prevent the formation of cataracts and reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a serious eye problem than usually results in blindness. Pumpkins also have a lot of common nutrients, like iron, calcium, zinc, and fiber.

Pumpkin seeds, also called pepitas, are very high in protein. One ounce of seeds provides about seven grams of protein. They also contain copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and are one of the highest plant sources of zinc.

The healthiest way to enjoy pumpkin seeds is to eat them raw after soaking and drying them. Once you’ve removed the seeds from your pumpkin, first wash in cool water to remove any pumpkin residue, then soak them in a bowl of purified, salted water for 8 hours to remove any enzyme inhibitors that could upset your stomach.

After soaking, dehydrate the seeds in a dehydrator (or very low oven) at 105 degrees for at least 12 hours. If you wish, you can sprinkle them with some sea salt or cayenne pepper before you dry them to make them extra tasty!

So the next time you’re carving a pumpkin and are tempted to just throw out the inside—don’t! Save the flesh and seeds and eat them instead.

And if you’re not into pumpkin carving, don’t pass by those small specimens at the farmer’s market or produce section. Pumpkin is a delicious and nutritious way to enjoy the fall harvest season.

Here is one of my favorite gluten and dairy free ways to help you get the most out of your pumpkins this season.

Other Pumpkin Recipes
no bake vegan pumpkin cheesecake on a white plate on a table

No Bake Pumpkin “Cheesecake”

This recipe for no bake pumpkin "cheesecake" is vegan, gluten and dairy free to help you keep your diet while enjoying the delights of pumpkin this season.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Chilling Time: 3 hrs
Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Gluten Free, Paleo, Raw Vegan, Vegan, Vegetarian
Approx. Cost: $10
Servings: 8 slices
Calories: 644kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Crust

Filling

  • 1/2 cup dates, softened, pitted and packed
  • 1/2 cup raw honey , or maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cups raw cashews, soaked 2 hours, drained
  • 1/2 cup young coconut meat, about 1 young coconut
  • 1 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice, or make it with 1/4 Tbsp. nutmeg, 1/4 Tbsp. cinnamon, 1/4 Tbsp. allspice, 1/4 Tbsp. ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil, warmed to liquid
  • 3 ounces  Irish Moss ,  OR 4 Tbsp. kudzu OR 2-3 Tbsp. grass-fed gelatin, dissolved into 1/2 cup purified water (Follow package directions for dissolving.)

Topping

  • 3/4 cup raw pumpkin, chopped
  • 1/4 cup carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 6 Tbsp. filtered water
  • 2 tsps. fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup dates, soaked
  • 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, or make it with 1/4 tsp. nutmeg, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. allspice, 1/4 tsp. ground cloves

Instructions
 

Crust

  • In a food processor, process pecans, raisins, cinnamon, and salt until the mixture begins to stick together.
  • Press the crust mixture evenly in the bottom of an 8-inch spring form pan.

Filling

  • Make the Irish Moss into a gel according to package instructions.
  • Process the dates, honey, and lemon juice in a food processor until smooth.
  • Add the pumpkin pie spice, cashews and coconut meat and process until completely smooth.
  • Add the coconut oil and Irish moss gel and process until well incorporated. (*If you can’t find Irish Moss at the health food store, don’t worry! You can make the cheesecake without it, but serve it straight from the refrigerator, and keep it cool.)
  • Pour the filling onto the crust.

Topping

  • Place the pumpkin and carrot along with the water and lemon juice in a blender and blend until smooth.
  • Add the dates and pumpkin pie spice and blend again until smooth.
  • Spread the pumpkin topping evenly on top of the filling.
  • Chill at least 3 hours before serving.
  • Enjoy!

NOTES

To use the Irish moss in its dried seaweed form (look for whole, not powdered), rinse it well, soak it in water for about 12 hours until it swells, then boil it thoroughly with the liquid you want to set before you strain it out.
Adapted from Rachel Fracassa

NUTRITION

Nutrition Facts
No Bake Pumpkin "Cheesecake"
Serving Size
 
1 slice
Amount per Serving
Calories
644
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
46
g
71
%
Saturated Fat
 
18
g
90
%
Sodium
 
34
mg
1
%
Potassium
 
539
mg
15
%
Carbohydrates
 
49
g
16
%
Fiber
 
6
g
24
%
Sugar
 
30
g
33
%
Protein
 
19
g
38
%
Vitamin A
 
680
IU
14
%
Vitamin C
 
5.3
mg
6
%
Calcium
 
62
mg
6
%
Iron
 
4.3
mg
24
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Photo credit: We Like it Raw

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14 thoughts on “No-Bake Pumpkin “Cheesecake” (Gluten Free, Paleo, Vegan)”

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  1. Pumpkin is such an alround food that lots of people overlook. I love cheesecakes and I am always looking for new recipes, so thankyou.

  2. I could just be blind, but in Filling Directions you refer to adding pumpkin when processing, but I don’t see it listed in the Filling Ingredients. How much is needed and can I sub canned/boxed organic pumpkin? Or are you just referring to the pumpkin pie spice, no actual pumpkin in the filling?

  3. Thanks for the recipes. I have a 12 pound squash I want to dehydrate the seeds and do some thing with the meat, so your recipes came in handy.

    Some in my family are grain intolerant, so I am preparing things we can use without using grains. Thanks for the nice recipes.

  4. That cheesecake looks amazing, and I love that it doesn’t contain cheese! Thanks for sharing this at Gluten-Free Wednesdays.

  5. Judy @Savoring Today

    Mmm, I am lovin’ the idea of the raw pumpkin cheesecake, and I think my husband would love it too! Thanks for sharing on Hearth & Soul Hop. 🙂

  6. April @ The 21st Century Housewife

    I found this post really interesting, especially how nutritious pumpkin really is! Both your recipes sound delicious. I was particularly intrigued by the Raw Pumpkin Cheesecake.

  7. Great post, I love all the information! The pumpkin cheesecake sounds absolutely amazing and so healthy!
    Thanks for sharing on Natural Living Mondays!

  8. Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma)

    YUM, these looks so awesome!!! Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party last week! have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂 I hope that you’ll join us this week! Domata will be sponsoring our party! They will be giving away a box of each of their gluten free products: Recipe Ready Flour, Seasoned Flour, and Pizza Crust Mix. Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com

    The party will start at 7 pm tonight (eastern)

  9. I came here for the cheesecake, but the bread bewitched me! I’m always looking for ways to use almond pulp, and this sounds delicious! Have you ever tried baking it in the oven? Unfortunately, I don’t own a dehydrator.

    1. No, I have not baked it, but if you try it be very careful to use a very, very low oven temperature and watch the bread so it doesn’t become a hard, dry rock!

  10. Anne-Marie Cain

    This look so yummy! I’d love for you to share your recipe on my new blog hop, {Wheat-Free Wednesday}! Hope to see you there! 🙂

    http://www.annemariecain.com/wheat-free-wednesday-blog-hop-party/

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