If you’ve never tried vegan mince pies, don’t let the name fool you. These mince pies don’t contain minced meat. Instead, they’re filled with a rich, sweet mixture of dried fruit, spices, citrus and a splash of brandy or rum, all wrapped in crisp, flaky pastry. Delicious!
They’re one of the most beloved Christmas treats in the UK, and once you try them, it’s easy to see why. The filling is sticky, fragrant and packed with festive flavour, making these little pies perfect for holiday parties, afternoon tea or as part of your Vegan Christmas Dinner menu, alongside a mug of vegan hot chocolate or mulled wine.
This recipe includes both homemade vegan mincemeat and buttery vegan pastry, so you can make traditional mince pies completely from scratch. Don’t worry if you’ve never made them before. They’re much easier than they look, and you can even prepare the mincemeat ahead of time to make holiday baking stress-free.
Whether you’re carrying on a Christmas tradition or discovering mince pies for the very first time, this recipe will show you exactly how to make traditional vegan mince pies everyone will love.
What Are Mince Pies
Despite the name,mince pies don’t contain minced meat. Instead, they’re small, sweet pastries filled with mincemeat, a rich mixture of dried fruit, spices, citrus and traditionally a splash of brandy, rum or other spirits.
Although centuries ago mincemeat did contain meat, today’s versions are usually made with fruit, sugar and spices, especially at Christmas. This vegan version skips the traditional beef suet and uses simple plant-based ingredients to create the same rich, festive flavour.
Mince pies are a much-loved Christmas tradition in the UK and are often enjoyed warm with a dusting of powdered sugar or served alongside mulled wine, tea or hot chocolate.
Is Mincemeat Vegan?
Traditionally, no. Classic mincemeat often contains beef suet (a type of animal fat), and some older recipes also included minced meat, which is where the name comes from. That’s why many store-bought mince pies and jars of mincemeat aren’t suitable for vegans.
The good news is that it’s easy to make a completely vegan version at home. This recipe replaces the traditional ingredients with a rich blend of dried fruit, spices, citrus and your choice of brandy, rum or apple juice, creating all the festive flavour without any animal products.
If you’re buying ready-made mincemeat, always check the ingredients carefully. Some brands are naturally vegan, while others still contain beef suet or other animal-derived ingredients.
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Mince Pie Recipe
- A classic British Christmas treat. These festive little pies are filled with sweet homemade vegan mincemeat and wrapped in crisp, flaky pastry.
- Perfect for making ahead. Prepare the vegan mincemeat in advance so assembling the pies is quick and easy during the busy holiday season.
- Easy to customise. Decorate the tops with festive pastry stars or keep them simple with a classic pie lid. You can also make the filling with apple juice instead of alcohol if you prefer.
- The perfect vegan Christmas dessert. These bite-sized pies are ideal for Christmas parties, afternoon tea, dessert platters or homemade edible gifts.
- Made completely from scratch. This recipe includes both homemade vegan mincemeat and a simple vegan pie crust, so you don’t need to rely on hard-to-find store-bought ingredients.
How To Make Vegan Mince Pies
Making vegan mince pies is easier than you might think. The recipe comes together in two simple stages: first you’ll make the homemade vegan mincemeat, then you’ll assemble the pies and bake them until golden.
The vegan mincemeat can even be made several days in advance, making holiday baking much more relaxed.
To make the vegan mincemeat, combine the dried fruit, apple, citrus, sugar, spices and your choice of brandy, rum or apple juice in a saucepan. Simmer gently for 40–50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture becomes thick, glossy and sticky.
That is all you have to do to make the vegan mincemeat. It is incredibly easy and makes your house smell totally AMAZING! You can let the vegan mincemeat recipe cool while you make the mince pies!
You are going to want to make one batch of my Vegan Pie Crust as it is really simple and works well for this recipe!
If your pie crust is too dry and flaky, add a bit more non-dairy milk 1-2 tablespoons at a time and it works out wonderfully!
To make and stuff, roll out the pie crust into about a 2-3mm thick layer. Using a cookie cutter or the top of a glass, cut rounds big enough to go into each hole of your mince pie tin or your muffin tin if you are using that!
A standard muffin tin will make larger, deeper mince pies, while a mince pie tin or mini muffin tin creates a more traditional size.
Gently place the circle of pie crust in the tin and ensure that it goes all the way around!
Now, add your mincemeat mixture to each one. I am usually pretty generous with this!
It is then time to make the top of the pie! You can cut out circles or you can use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes such as stars and more.
As I mentioned above, don’t worry if you can’t or don’t want to make fancy shapes. You can cover the mincemeat pies with a plain sheet of dough and no fancy cutouts.
That being said, if you do want to go the fancier route, place the star top on the bottom and connect by pressing your fingers together around the edges and crimping. You want to ensure that the stars are connected to the edges and lying flat.
Now, brush the top with a little aquafaba and a little non-dairy milk. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the pastry is lightly golden and crisp around the edges.
Cool for about 5 minutes, and gently remove them from the baking tin! If you let them cool in the tin it messes up the flavor and the bottoms get wet from the mincemeat.
Once cooled, you can sprinkle some powdered sugar over the vegan mince pies and enjoy!
Can You Make Vegan Mince Pies Ahead of Time?
Yes! Vegan mince pies are a wonderful make-ahead Christmas dessert because you can prepare different parts of the recipe in advance.
Make the vegan mincemeat up to one week ahead. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator to allow the flavours to develop even further before assembling your pies.
Freeze the vegan mincemeat for longer storage. Once completely cooled, transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
Assemble the pies the day before baking. Fill and decorate the pies, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Brush with aquafaba and non-dairy milk just before baking for the best golden finish.
Bake fresh for the best texture. Freshly baked mince pies have the flakiest pastry and the most delicious filling, making them perfect for serving at holiday gatherings.
My English friends reliably tell me they often freeze fully made mince pies defrost and then put in the oven to crisp up. I have never tried that but she says it works.
Preparing the filling in advance is a great way to make vegan Christmas baking feel much more relaxed during the busy holiday season.
How To Store Vegan Mince Pies
Store cooled vegan mince pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate them for up to 5 days.
To reheat, warm them in a 325°F (160°C) oven for 5–10 minutes until the pastry is crisp and the filling is warmed through
How To Serve Vegan Mince Pies
Christmas vegan mince pies are best served slightly warm, when the pastry is crisp and the fruit filling is soft and fragrant.
For a traditional festive treat, dust them with powdered sugar and serve with vegan brandy butter. You can also enjoy them with vegan whipped cream, dairy-free vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of vegan custard.
In the U.K. they are generally served with brandy butter, brandy cream or brandy sauce which is like a white custard. They also have every other kind of liqueur type cream you can imagine that they serve on the side.
They’re delicious alongside a mug of mulled wine, hot chocolate, coffee or a cup of tea, making them perfect for Christmas parties, afternoon tea or festive dessert platters.
If you’re serving them as part of a holiday spread, pair them with other Christmas favourites like gingerbread cookies, Christmas cake or festive desserts.
Easy Vegan Mince Pies
Vegan mince pies are practically a Christmas explosion in a bite! Vegan Mincemeat blends spices, liquor, and dried fruit and it is then cooked in a pie crust and eaten warm. It makes the perfect holiday appetizer!
Ingredients
- For the vegan mincemeat:
- 2 cups raisins
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup dried blueberries
- 1/2 cup dried figs
- 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped small
- 1/4 cup goji berries
- 1/2 cup dried figs, chopped small
- 1 apple, chopped small or grated
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
- 1 orange, zest and juice
- 1-2 lemons, zest and juice
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons allspice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1.5 cup brandy, rum, sherry, or port. For a virgin recipe, use apple juice
- For the pie crust:
- 2 Cups Flour [Any Flour Works]
- 1 Pinch Of Salt
- 1/2 Cup Oil
- 1/4 Cup Milk (more if the pie crust is too flaky! Add in 1 tablespoon at a time)
Instructions
- To make the vegan mincemeat, simply combine all mincemeat ingredients in a saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat. Simmer for around 30-40 minutes until the mincemeat mixture is thick and very sticky. Make sure to stir it once in a while.
- Leave the mincemeat mixture to cool while you make 1 recipe of my Vegan Pie Crust. You will probably have extra pie crust left over, but that is okay!
- Preheat oven to 425F
- Roll out your pie crust until it is about 2-3mm thick. Use a cookie cutter or a circular glass to cut out rounds big enough to completely fill the Mince Pie Tin or a mini muffin tin. You want to make sure that each hole is filled with the thin layer of dough. If you want to crimp the edges, you can do so!
- Fill each hole with enough vegan mincemeat to fill it up completely.
- Roll your dough again into a 2-3mm thick sheet and cut out your designs for the top of the mince pies. You can use a cookie cutter to cut shapes such as stars or you can just make a full circle to cover the top of the mince pie. Crimp the edges. Make sure to poke holes for a "vent" if you are making the full tops for the pie and not using a design such as a star. If you are making stars, make sure to press them firmly into the mince pie.
- Brush the tops of the mince pies first with aquafaba [liquid from the chickpea can] and then with non-dairy milk for the perfect vegan eggwash!
- Cook for 20-25 minutes until the tops of the pies are golden.
- Let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack. Do not let them cool in the tin or they will get soggy!
- Eat them warm and topped with brandy butter, which is a mixture of vegan butter, brandy and sugar!
Vegan Mince Pie FAQs
What Do Vegan Mince Pies Taste Like?
Vegan mince pies have a rich, sweet filling made with dried fruit spices and alcohol. The filling is sticky and fragrant, while the crisp pastry creates the perfect contrast. If you’ve never tried one before, they’re often compared to Christmas fruitcake or Christmas pudding in pie form. While they do taste a little like fruitcake they are more jam like in consistency.
Why Are They Called Mince Pies If They Don’t Contain Meat?
Centuries ago, mince pies were made with minced meat as well as dried fruit and spices. Modern mince pies are typically made with fruit-based mincemeat instead, although many traditional recipes still include beef suet. This vegan version uses only plant-based ingredients while keeping the same classic festive flavour.
Can I Make Vegan Mince Pies Without Alcohol?
Yes! Simply replace the brandy, rum or other spirits with apple juice for an alcohol-free version. You’ll still get a deliciously sweet and spiced filling that’s perfect for the holidays.
Can I Use Store-Bought Mincemeat?
Absolutely. If you’re short on time, you can use a jar of vegan-friendly mincemeat instead of making your own. Just be sure to check the label carefully, as many traditional brands contain beef suet.
Can I Freeze Vegan Mince Pies?
Yes! Once baked and completely cooled, place the mince pies in an airtight freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature, then warm them in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
Can I Make The Vegan Mincemeat Ahead Of Time?
Yes! In fact, the flavour develops even more after a day or two. Store the cooled vegan mincemeat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week before assembling your mince pies.
I hope you enjoy making these vegan mince pies as much as I do! They’re one of my favourite festive bakes and always disappear quickly at Christmas gatherings.
If you make this recipe, leave a comment below and let me know: do you prefer a classic pastry lid or festive star-shaped tops? I’d also love to hear whether you made the traditional version with brandy or chose the alcohol-free apple juice option.
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Would 1/2 cup apple sauce work instead of oil for the crust?
I have personally never tried it!