This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full Disclosure Policy for details.
Craving pumpkin pie but don’t have the time or appetite for a whole one? With a sweet crust and comforting warm spices, Crockpot Express Pumpkin Pie Bites taste just like the real thing, but are done in minutes!
October is here and we’re celebrating with all things pumpkin! My husband is the pumpkin pie lover in our house. I’m actually not a huge fan of pie in general, so I go for apple desserts, or “alternative” pumpkin desserts like these Crockpot Express Pumpkin Pie Bites. They’re just the right size for me!
This fall my Crockpot Express is getting a workout. Here are some of my favorite Crockpot Express Recipes for fall:
- Crockpot Express Pumpkin Puree
- How to Cook Squash in the Crockpot Express
- Crockpot Express Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Crockpot Express Pumpkin Cake
- Crockpot Express Apple Crisp
- Crockpot Express Dulce de Leche
Can I use fresh pumpkin?
For these pumpkin pie bites, you can use canned pumpkin or your own fresh pumpkin puree. It’s a small recipe that doesn’t require much pumpkin, so if you’re only making the bites, it’s probably smart to just buy a small can of pumpkin puree.
However, if you’ve made puree from a pumpkin, this is a great way to use up that last bit that may be hanging around in the fridge!
Can I make Crockpot Express Pumpkin Pie Bites without a crust?
Absolutely! I tried these three different ways. I made them with crushed ginger snaps as a crumbly crust, with golden Oreo thins and without any crust at all. I love the strong flavor that gets added with ginger snaps. It just tastes so much like Thanksgiving or Christmas to me!
The Oreo thins are perfect because they fit perfectly in the mold (these are the molds I use from Amazon) and just make it so easy! Plus, they add just a hint of sweetness to the pumpkin.
But if you don’t want to bother with a crust at all, that works, too! It just makes them a little harder to pick up and eat with your hands. (Honestly, using a fork or spoon works best with these anyway.)
One thing to note: the bites will rise up and puff out of the molds just a bit, but don’t worry! As soon as you place the mold in the refrigerator or freezer to chill, they drop back down.
Don’t try to mess with them while they are still warm, or you’ll have a mess on your hands. Just let them chill and settle and you’ll have nice little domes of pumpkin pie. 🙂
Crockpot Express Pumpkin Pie Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 egg
- 10 tbsp sweetened condensed milk (1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons)
- 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice or mix your own-see notes below
- 7 Golden Oreo Thins or ginger snaps or vanilla wafer cookies
Instructions
- In a medium bowl with a pour spout, whisk together the egg and pumpkin puree.
- Add the condensed milk and pumpkin pie spice and whisk until blended together.
- Spray an egg bites mold with cooking spray and then carefully pour the mixture into the mold, dividing evenly between the cups. (filled about 3/4 of the way)
- Top the mixture in each mold with a cookie. Cover lightly with foil.
- Add one cup of water to the inner pot and then place the trivet inside. Place the egg bites mold on top of the trivet. Close and lock the lid, turning the steam release valve to closed.
- Press Steam and then Start/Stop. (High pressure, 10 minutes) Allow a full NPR after the cooking cycle is done. (10-15 minutes)
- Remove the mold from the pot and place in the refrigerator to chill (if you're in a hurry you can use the freezer- just keep an eye on it so it doesn't freeze!) Be sure to chill thoroughly to make it easier to remove the bites from the mold.
- Flip the bites out of the mold onto a plate, pressing down in the center to help pop them out. Top with whipped cream and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
See more great fall recipes like this one on Meal Plan Monday!
- Chocolate Orange Cookies - November 2, 2024
- Nutella Banana Bread - October 14, 2024
- Bacon Onion Dip - September 13, 2024
Karen says
I love this recipe. I was able to use gluten free vanilla wafers as the crust. They are the perfect size for a special treat. Thank you!
Nicole Burkholder says
That’s a great substitution to make this a gluten free recipe! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Anni C says
These were easy and delicious! Even though I was warned, I tried to turn mine out while they were slightly warm, so some of the tops stuck inside the mold. Learned my lesson. I used ginger snaps for the “crust.” By using a small knife on the very edge as I turned each cookie, I shaved off just enough to make them fit perfectly. That took me just 2-3 minutes total, and the crispy shavings made a nice ginger-crisp garnish to sprinkle on top. Since there will be just a few of us for Thanksgiving this year, these will be our substitute pumpkin pie!
Nicole Burkholder says
That’s a great tip for using the crumbled gingersnaps! I love the combo of gingersnaps and pumpkin. I think they’ll be great for Thanksgiving this year!
Nicole Burkholder says
Oh, and if anything sticks in the molds, it’s pretty “wet” still and easy enough to spoon out and press back into the bites. Crumbles and whipped cream cover up a multitude of sins. 😉
Nancy Maus says
Since I sweeten desserts with honey or agave syrup, can you substitute your own recipe for this pumpkin bites recipe? Thank you for all your great ideas.
Nicole Burkholder says
I’ve found that the “new” pumpkin pie recipe with sweetened condensed milk seems to set up a bit better for these bites, but I also tested with a regular pumpkin pie recipe and it worked OK. They were just a bit more messy and hard to keep together. If you do that, be sure to really cool them before removing from the molds.
Beth says
I made these, be aware that there is no sugar in the recipe. Unfortunately, great idea not so great on flavor.
Nicole Burkholder says
There’s no additional sugar in the recipe because it calls for “Sweetened Condensed Milk” which is VERY sweet. There’s also the topping of whipped cream which is sweet. It makes the addition of sugar unnecessary. However, if you want to sweeten it up even more, you could probably add more sugar. A typical whole pumpkin pie only calls for 3/4 cup of sugar to begin with, so you don’t need much for a few pie bites. Maybe you just have a strong sweet tooth 😉 OR, is it possible you used evaporated milk instead of sweetened condensed milk?
Martha B says
Shouldn’t this be “Instant Pot Express Bites”? I plan on trying this. I’m the only one in my family who loves pumpkin pie.
Nicole Burkholder says
No, I mean Crockpot Express. The “Crockpot Express” is the Crockpot brand of electric pressure cooker. It’s essentially the same thing as an Instant Pot, though. However, the brand I use and create recipes for is called Crockpot Express, hence the title. 🙂 (to be clear, I don’t create recipes FOR the brand-like I don’t work for them. I just create recipes designed specifically for the CPE that will work in just about any pressure cooker.) Haha! Long explanation for something really simple. 🙂
Debra M Petty says
I have an electric pressure cooker. It does not have a steam button. 10 mins pressure cooking?
Nicole Burkholder says
Yes! 10 minutes on high pressure.