Enjoy single-serve sugar-free keto Christmas fruit pies with warm winter spices served in a gluten-free almond flour pie crust.

Only 5.5g net carbs per mini-fruit pie and is one of the many keto-friendly delicious recipes that you can enjoy with friends at Christmas.

BONUS: You can download FREE printable gift tags at the end of this post.

DELICIOUS single-serve mini sweet sugar-free Christmas fruit pies (5.5g net carbs) with warm winter spices served in an almond flour pie crust.

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This easy Christmas recipe is gluten-free, grain-free, low-carb, no added sugars, and the whole family will come back for seconds.

These are the best ways to use Christmas leftovers.

What’s inside a mince pie (fruit tart)?

Traditional Christmas fruit mince pies are a sweet baked pastry filled with sweet minced dried fruit, brown sugar, glucose syrup, Christmas spices, and often contain brandy, rum, or whiskey.

You can make your own homemade sugar-free Christmas fruit pies by swapping the wheat flour pie crust for an almond flour pie crust and swapping the dried fruit for shredded apple, sugar-free sweetener, and warm winter spices.

By making your own homemade sugar-free Christmas fruit pies, you will avoid all the dried fruit, added sugars, and unnecessary carbs, but you will still enjoy the same delicious Christmas flavors.

How much sugar is in a Christmas fruit pie?

This is the nutrition panel for Coles fruit mince pies, and if you think this is a bad example, the iced (frosted) mince pies or the deep dish mince pie has even more sugar.

Nutrition facts, Coles Fruit Mince Pies (1 fruit pie serving 68g): 36.6 g net carbs, 21.5 g sugar, 2.2 g protein, 8.2 g fat, 235 calories.

Nutrition facts, Low-Carb Christmas Fruit Pies (1 mince pie serving): 5.5 g net carbs, 3.1 g sugar, 6.9 g protein, 20.3 g fat, 231 calories.

But be honest, how many of these mini fruit tarts would you eat at a party? How many would you eat in one sitting, at a party, or over an evening, over a week, over the festive season (which seems to start earlier each year)?

So let’s make a better, homemade recipe instead – low-carb Christmas mince pies (or mini fruit tarts).

Ingredients to make fruit mince pies

Instead of sugary mincemeat full of dried fruit, brown sugar, raw sugar, or honey, the bulk of the keto mince pies is made up of the following simple ingredients. All the quantities, prep time, and instructions are in the recipe card below.

Christmas Fruit Mince Pie Filling

  • Apple – 1 small grated apple (shredded apple) goes a long way for very few carbs.
  • Butter – you can use salted butter or unsalted butter. Adjust the salt in your fruit mince before baking. Salt actually enhances sweet flavours.
  • Granulated sweetener – use your favourite sugar replacer and add more or less to your taste and sweet tooth. You can also use powdered sweetener for a smoother texture.
  • Ground mixed spice – the perfect winter warm spice.
  • Ground cardamon – an exotic spice that is my secret ingredient.
  • Ground cloves – the classic Christmas spice.
  • Ground nutmeg – another classic festive spice.
  • Almond meal – or almond flour helps to add bulk to your fruit mince pie filling.
  • Brandy – adding any alcohol is purely optional. You can use brandy essence, rum essence, or whiskey extract if you want to serve alcohol-free desserts.

Variations

You may choose which extra ingredients and extra carbs you would like to add to your fruit pie filling. Unfortunately, your mince pies will no longer be sugar-free or low-carb. You need to decide how authentic you want your Christmas mince pies to taste, and how many carbs you want in your final mincemeat.

Orange zest or lemon zest – this will remind you of a Christmas fruit cake.
0.3 g net carbs (0.3 g sugar) per tablespoon of lemon zest.

Dried cranberries – if you really want an authentic taste, you may wish to add dried cranberries.
7.7 g net carbs (7.3 g sugar) per tablespoon of dried cranberries.

How to make almond flour tart cases

You can make the little flourless almond flour pastry cases first. This can be done a day ahead and kept in an airtight container stored in a cool place. if you want a nut-free pie crust you can make a coconut flour pastry instead.

Step 1: Make your almond flour pastry.

Place all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl (or food processor) and mix together until it resembles damp bread crumbs. If your almond flour pastry is too damp, add additional almond flour, 1 extra tablespoon at a time. If your pastry has become too dry, add a drop of water at a time.

Ensure the pastry is not too damp because it might collapse. Your pastry should be moist enough to stay in place when baking.

Step 2: Make your pastry cases

Using a rolling pin, wine bottle, or coffee mug, roll your pastry in between 2 sheets of baking parchment paper and cut each circle of pastry slightly larger than the mini muffin case you will be baking them in.

Use a drinking glass, cup, or tumbler to cut a circle slightly larger than your cupcake’s case. Press all the leftover pastry back together and keep rolling out to make as many pastry cases as you can.

Line a metal or silicone muffin tray with paper cupcake cases or silicone muffin cases. The reason for baking mini pie crusts in paper cases is that it is easier to peel the paper away from the almond flour tart case than to try and lift them out of a muffin tray. They are likely to snap.

I prefer to use my silicon cases as I can easily fold the cases backward over the cooled cooked pie case and the pastry won’t break.

Press each pastry circle into paper cupcake cases or paper muffin cases. Place each paper case into a metal or silicone muffin tray.

Step 3: Bake the empty pastry cases

Preheat oven to 180C/350F and bake your pastry in the paper or silicone cases for 10 minutes. Gently remove the baked pastry from each paper or silicone case and bake for an additional 2 minutes on the baking tray until they turn golden brown.

How to add your pie filling

Easy low carb Christmas mince pies (fruit tarts)

Once your pastry cases have completely cooled on a wire rack, carefully add 2 tablespoons of filling to your Christmas mince pies. Serve with whipped cream on the top and sprinkle ground nutmeg over the top.

You can add brandy, rum, or whiskey to your whipped heavy cream, or f you want to serve alcohol-free fruit pies, use brandy essence, rum extract, or whisky extract.

How to decorate keto fruit pies

There are 2 easy options to decorate your festive fruit pies (fruit tarts).

1: Whipped cream – Spoon or pipe whipped heavy cream that has been sweetened with a sugar-free sweetener. Sprinkle with a little ground nutmeg or ground cinnamon on top. You can even place a pecan or other favorite nut on top to garnish.

2: Marzipan (almond paste) – make my 3 ingredient sugar-free marzipan in less than 5 minutes then cut circles of marzipan and place on the top of your fruit tart. It looks so festive and really has a lovely festive strong almond flavor too.

BONUS: make little snowmen out of marzipan (almond paste) and place one on the top of each fruit mince pie.

Keto mince pies FAQ

What’s inside a mince pie (fruit tart)?

Christmas fruit mince pies are filled with spiced fruit mincemeat which is a mix of dried fruit (sultanas, raisins, and currants), brown sugar, candied peel, and often covered with a pastry lid.

Keto mince pie topping suggestions.

You can add a pastry lid, cover with cream cheese frosting, brandy cream, sweetened cream cheese, or serve with whipped heavy cream. Or simply sprinkle powdered erythritol over the top to look like snowflakes.

Can I freeze mince pies?

Yes, allow them to cool completely then place in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer. To defrost, remove each mince pie from the freezer and they will defrost on your countertop in 2 hours.

Can I serve mince pies hot?

Yes, fruit mince pies can be served hot or cold. To gently warm your pies, heat in a warm oven for 5 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds (depending on the power of your microwave).

How can I reduce the carbs?

You can swap out half the apple with shredded zucchini or sliced almonds to reduce the net carbs and natural sugars. You may however need to add additional sweetener.

Do I need an egg wash for the pastry?

Some readers may be used to brushing empty pastry or pie crust with an egg wash to make their pie crusts a little more “waterproof” against the liquid or damp fillings. You don’t need an egg wash for this pastry however please feel free to use it if you prefer it.

Can I swap almond flour for coconut flour?

You cannot swap these low-carb flours directly but you can make coconut flour pie crust instead.

Does keto pastry need baking powder?

No, you want to avoid using baking powder as you don;t want the pastry to rise. You want it to stay solid and sturdy, not airy and light.

Low-Carb Christmas Fruit Pies Recipe (keto mince pies)

DELICIOUS single-serve mini sweet low-carb Christmas fruit pies (5.5g net carbs) with warm winter spices served in an almond flour pie crust. Served with brandy whipped cream.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Cuisine: Gluten Free, Grain free, Keto, LCHF, Low Carb, No Sugars, Wheat Free
Keyword: Low-carb fruit mince pies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 231.3kcal
Author: Thinlicious.com
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Equipment

  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Mixing Bowls

Ingredients
 
 

Almond Flour Pastry Cases

  • 150 g almond meal/flour
  • 1 eggs – medium
  • 1 tbsp coconut flour (see notes)
  • 2 tbsp granulated sweetener of choice or more, to your taste
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg

Christmas Fruit Mince Pie Filling

  • 1 small apple grated/shredded (approx 150g / 5oz)
  • 55 g butter
  • 2 tbsp granulated sweetener of choice or more, to your taste
  • ¼ tsp ground mixed spice
  • ¼ tsp ground cardamom
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 75 g almond meal/flour
  • Brandy to taste (optional)

Brandy Whipped Cream (optional)

  • heavy whipping cream
  • brandy and sweetener to taste

Instructions

Flourless Pastry Cases

  • Put all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix together with a fork until it resembles soft pastry. If it is too damp, add some more almond meal/flour. If it has become too dry, add a drop of water at a time.
  • Roll out in between 2 sheets of baking paper and cut each circle slightly larger than the case you will be baking them in.
  • Press the pastry circles into each case and place on a baking tray. Bake in the cases at 180C/350F for 10 minutes, then remove from the pastry from each case and bake for 2 minutes on the baking tray to brown slightly.

Christmas Mince Pie Filling

  • Melt the butter and the grated apple on low in a saucepan.
  • Add all the other ingredients (apart from the brandy) and heat through for a minute or two.
  • Remove from the heat and add brandy to taste (I add 1 or 2 tablespoons).
  • Once cold, divide the mixture evenly amongst the pie/tart cases.

Brandy Whipped Cream

  • Whip the cream gently until soft peaks for, then add the sweetener, whip until almost firm, then fold in the brandy to taste.

To Serve

  • Top each low carb Christmas mince pie with the brandy cream and sprinkle with a ground nutmeg.

Notes

  • Brandy cream is optional – I haven’t given quantities for the brandy whipped cream. It all depends on how much you would like to be served on top and on the side. The sweetness and amount of brandy required will be totally personal to you (personally, I like it quite boozy).
  • Coconut flour substitute – if you don’t like, or cannot tolerate coconut flour ou may substitute this with 2 tablespoons of psyllium husk instead.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Keto mince pieCalories: 231.3kcalCarbohydrates: 9.4gProtein: 6.9gFat: 20.3gSodium: 59.2mgPotassium: 31.9mgFiber: 3.9gSugar: 3.1gVitamin A: 212.3IUVitamin C: 0.9mgCalcium: 67.2mgIron: 1.2mg

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a healthy happy new year.

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0 Comments

  1. Thanks for this Libby – it looks like a fabulous recipe! Why do you add the coconut flour to the base can I ask? Is it just for flavour? I find it a bit grainy. I was going to try pastry with just the almond flour……

      1. Thank you! I knew there had to be a reason.

  2. Adorable! We don’t eat mince pies much here (well, not my family). But once, some Romanian friends brought us one! Fun! Another stellar looking recipe!

    1. Try using cooked pork and beef ground up after cooking instead of nuts.

  3. Hi Libby, I like the basic look of this – we would be pigging out on full carb Christmas pies before we ditched the carbs. My problem is that I can’t use nuts due to allergies. Any ideas to substitute the almonds?

    1. Gosh, not really for this recipe as the pastry and the filling are mainly based on ground almonds. I do have a waffle recipe coming up though – nut free!!!!

  4. Julie Hawkes says:

    Hi Libby, after using too much Stevia in my Frozen White Christmas, I reduced the amount for these Mince Pies and they were perfect. We love the traditional mince pies but have terrible heartburn after eating them, not good. We’ve been sugar free and low-carb for a month so this is fantastic to find alternative recipes that we can take out with us to enjoy, but also to try on our friends and family!

  5. Marion Robinson says:

    Hi Everyone, from a very flooded west coast of Scotland…but we keep smiling.
    I wanted to wish all our low carb ” family ” a very very happy & most of all, healthy
    new year…I love all the recipes on here, & as it’s far too wet to go out , I shall be in the
    kitchen, making the mince pies…I just love them. Take care all of you, keep the low carb recipes coming.
    They are such a help to this diabetic….doing her best to be good !!!

  6. Any chance you could link to the silicon cases you mean, perhaps what a US version would look like? The link you have takes me to phone cases 🙂 Thanks!

  7. Is it possible to make this as one pie?

  8. Love these! Do you think they could be frozen (minus the cream of course)?

  9. Timea Turai says:

    I was just wondering, if a berry chia jam would make the pastry too soggy?

  10. Sam Crocker says:

    Hi Libby,
    I’m just wondering you mention to cook the cases. I’m planning on putting my sugar free (but still fruity) mincemeat into them & that would need cooking. Do you think I can cook both at the same time or is the pastry too delicate?

    1. The pastry really needs to be cooked blind (without filling) first so it will bake and harden. Then place your fruity mincemeat inside, and bake again to cook the mincemeat.

  11. Sarah Bacon says:

    5 stars
    Hi Libby
    Is the carb count per mince pie?
    thanks
    Sarah

    1. 5 stars
      I have some left over pastry dough from this recipe, do you have any other ideas what I could make with it apart from mince pies? Thanks!