Paleo Buttermilk Chess Pie | Gluten-Free + Dairy-Free Southern Classic

This paleo buttermilk chess pie is a Southern classic given the full Back Porch Paleo makeover – no gluten, no dairy, no refined sugar, and every bit as silky and satisfying as you remember. The filling comes together in minutes once the OG Cassava Flour Pie Crust is in the pan, and the result is a golden-topped custard pie that is as beautiful as it is delicious. If you have been missing chess pie since going paleo or gluten-free, this one is for you.

The Story Behind This Recipe

This paleo buttermilk chess pie came about because making pie with friends is always a treat. Back in 2020, my sweet friend April and I decided to make a pie together over Zoom – it was all the rage during the pandemic, and a splendid way to stay connected when we couldn’t be in the same kitchen. She had a family chess pie recipe she had enjoyed for years, so we decided to give it a paleo makeover together. And just like that, this recipe was born.

What Is Chess Pie?

If you know, you know. Chess pie is a Southern custard pie – a cousin to pecan pie but without the nuts. It has a rich, silky filling made with eggs, butter, and sugar that bakes up with a slightly crisp golden top. Some versions include cornmeal; April’s family recipe did not, which made the paleo adaptation much more straightforward. Some versions are also lemony, which sounds absolutely wonderful for another day.

Regardless of the variation, chess pie has a rich history and has been a beloved Southern dessert for generations. For many people managing gluten intolerance or dairy allergies, it has been off the table for far too long. So happy to bring it back to your holiday spread.

About the Dairy-Free Buttermilk

Traditional chess pie uses buttermilk for that slightly tangy richness in the filling. To make it dairy-free, simply add one scant tablespoon of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to a measuring cup, then fill to the 3/4 cup line with almond milk. Stir and let it sit for 5 minutes – it will curdle slightly, just like real buttermilk. That is all it takes, and it works beautifully in this filling.

Favorite Ingredients for This Recipe

• Otto’s Naturals Cassava Flour — the base of our OG Pie Crust and used in the filling
• Fourth & Heart Ghee — rich, buttery, and dairy-free

More Holiday Pies You Will Love

If you are building out your Thanksgiving or holiday dessert table, here are more Back Porch Paleo favorites — all made with the same OG Cassava Flour Pie Crust:

• Mom’s Pecan Pie — rich, gooey, and naturally sweetened with no corn syrup
• Paleo Lemon Meringue Pie — a labor of love with a showstopping meringue
• Paleo Pumpkin Pie — the Thanksgiving table staple
• Paleo Chocolate Pecan Slab Pie — chocolate and pecan, feeds a crowd
• Banana Cream Pie — creamy, dreamy, and completely gluten-free
• Cherry Vanilla Pie — a classic combo that never gets old