Who does not love a fluffy Lemon Meringue Pie! Well perhaps vegansā¦until now that is as you can use aquafaba to make a delicious vegan meringue. This recipe is also gluten-free, dairy-free, as well as soy and nut free.
I am slowly making my way back to the blog world following our family tragedy, youāll see a post here and there from now on. Things are slowly improving. Time heals, a clichĆ© but a true one. And one of the best ways to heal also is with sweet treats. Move over salty treats, I am a sweet tooth girl! I personally do not have food restrictions but I do like to explore recipes for those who have allergies or personal food choices. I have been curious to work with aquafaba, a perfect egg substitute in baking. Keep reading to learn more about aquafaba and see how you can make a vegan and allergy free Lemon Meringue Pie with it!
Before we get into it, did you notice my new blog theme? The look is still a work in progress but the site is now responsive so it will look great on any device! I would love your feed back!
What is Aquafaba?
Aquafaba is a made up word from two Latin terms water is aqua and bean is faba. In other words it is bean water. Yes you read that right, you can use the liquid from those cans of beans and use it in baking and even make meringue with it. It is a veganās dream come true!
Although you can use any legume juice, the paler the bean the more neutral the results for taste and color. The favorite one is chick peas. It acts like a thickener, a binder or an emulsifier in baking recipes, basically an egg substitute. So it is also a great alternative for those with egg allergies.
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It is a relatively new discoveries so we still donāt know why it works, There is protein in this liquid but only about a 10th of what you would find in an egg. Yet it works like an egg in baking. The rule of thumb for substitution is 1 tbsp of aquafaba for 1 egg yolk, 2 tbsp for 1 egg white, and 3 tbsp for 1 egg.
Now get your hand mixer of or stand mixer out, put in some aquafaba in your bowl, a bit or sugar and a pinch of cream or tartar or xanthan gumā¦ā¦and beat it for 8 to 10 minutes. The result is a very convincing egg meringue. Another huge advantage of aquafaba meringue is eliminating any potential risks of salmonella.
Aquafaba: the vegan and allergy-free savior
You can bake little meringues with it, make a yummy easy chocolate mousse (tried and tested) or do meringue toppings for pies like this lemon meringue pie. As a matter of fact, this pie recipe is vegan, gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free, as well as soy and nut free.
I classify Lemon Meringue pie as one to the traditional classics, just like myĀ Coconut Cream Pie recipe. But all three parts of this pie ā the crust, the lemon curd and the meringue ā is a challenge for vegans and food allergy sufferers.
Need aquafaba recipes? Find many here, like this recipe:Ā Aquafabulous! 100+ Egg-Free Vegan Recipes Using Aquafaba by Rebecca Coleman Ā©2017 robertrose.ca
Click below to get the Aquafabulous cookbook ā¦
in the USĀ Ā in Canada
So this is the plan of attack to make the classic lemon meringue pie accessible to all! For the crust I used gluten-free flour and instead of butter I used oil. Instead of butter and eggs usually found in lemon curd, olive oil and cornstarch are the substitutes. And the meringue is made with aquafaba.
The result can truly challenge any unmodified lemon meringue pie recipe. I promise you most people would not be able to tell the difference. I was very surprised but how good it tasted. So meringue is for all once again!
Watch aquafaba being whipped into a meringue before your very eyes in this videoā¦and make sure to SUBSCRIBE to my CulturEatz YouTube channel if you have not yet! The recipe is just below.
Aquafaba Lemon Meringue Pie (Vegan GF DF SF NF)
IngredientsĀ Ā
- 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour 250 mL
- 1/2 tsp salt 2 mL
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil 60 mL
- 2-3 tbsp cold water 30 mL
- 1/3 cup water 75 mL
- 1/3 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk 75 mL
- 1 tbsp cornstarch 15 mL
- 6 tbsp granulated sugar 90 mL
- Pinch salt
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
- 6 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice 90 mL about 2 to 3 lemons
- 3-5 drops yellow food coloring optional
- 1/4 cup olive oil 60 mL
- 1/3 cup aquafaba 75 mL
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar 75 mL
- 1/4 tsp cream of tartar 1 mL
InstructionsĀ
- Preheat oven to 350Ā°F (180Ā°C). Crust: In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add vegetable oil and stir well. Add water and stir to combine. If the mixture seems too dry, add a bit more water until it sticks together and forms a cohesive ball. The mixture should not be very sticky on the outside.
- Roll mixture into a ball and place it in the center of a large sheet of wax or parchment paper. Place another sheet of paper overtop. Using a rolling pin, roll out to desired thickness (and so that crust is big enough to fit a 9-inch pie plate with a little left over). Remove top layer of paper and flip upside down into pie plate. Trim.
- Bake pastry crust in middle of preheated oven until lightly golden brown and a bit crispy around the edges, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
- Lemon Curd: In a small bowl, combine water, non-dairy milk and cornstarch. Whisk well to combine. Pour into a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring well with a whisk, until it starts to bubble, about 5 minutes.
- Add sugar, salt, lemon zest, lemon juice, food coloring and olive oil. Continue to cook, whisking, until it thickens and bubbles, about 3 to 5 minutes. Youāll know itās done when it coats the back of a spoon and you can run your finger through it without it running back together. Transfer to a separate bowl, cover and let cool in the fridge.
- Meringue: In mixer bowl, combine aquafaba, sugar and cream of tartar. Set mixer speed to low and beat for 2 minutes. Turn speed up to medium and beat for 2 minutes. Set to highest speed and beat mixture until fluffy and peaks form, about 4 to 6 minutes. It will have a similar texture to marshmallow fluff.
- Spread lemon curd in an even layer in pie shell. Top with meringue. With torch at full blast, holding it 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) from surface, toast top of meringue until golden brown - or broil in oven on top shelf. Serve immediately.
Notes
The products featured in this post were provided to me free of cost. Any personal opinions reflected in this post are my own and without influence.
I must try aquafaba. It sounds so much fun! Have read and seen it so many times on IG. The citrusy pie looks so good.
Thanks and yes totally try it, it is amazing to see and taste
Seriously, this looks delicious. Canāt ever resist a lemon pie, vegan or otherwise.
Thanks Debra š
First off, I must offer condolences on the passing of your father. I canāt imagine how heartbroken you must be.
As for this recipeā¦ Iād never heard of aquafaba! Iām not really looking to be vegan but itās good to know such a substitute exists. (And I do love a good lemon meringue pie!)
Thank you so much for condolences Francesca. I am not vegan either but it is fun indeed to discover these tricks š
Iāve never had lemon meringue pie. Would love to try it! Looks delicious!
I am sure you would love it!
Whoa! Aquafaba sounds like a really great idea! First time I have heard about it, Of course, I will begin to try it now~ Thanks!
My pleasure Carol, happy aquafaba experimenting š
One of my faves! I think Iām going to try this on my next Sunday at home.
Let me know how it turns out š
Glad to see you blogging again! Youāve been missed. Anyway, what a neat dessert! Aquafaba is something Iāve heard of (kinda, sorta) but didnāt actually know how to use it. Now I do! Love lemon meringue pie ā one of my faves (tough to top Key lime pie, though). This looks excellent ā thanks.
yes back, slowly but surely š Hope your operation is all OK. Tots key lime rules btw the 2. Hope you play with aquafaba, easiest first try in chocolate mousse 2/3c of aquafaba,1/4 sugar, pinch of tartar creamā¦whip it, fold in 1/4 to 1/2 cup melted dark chocolate š
Will try this one out on my gf df hubby
Let me know how it turns out š
Welcome back Eve. I hope weāll see a lot of you very often :). Iāve heard about the term but never had the honor to work with it. Your recipe looks very promising.
Thank you so much Amira, slowly back. And I hope you give aquafaba a tryā¦see if your kids could even tell the difference š
Wow I never thought you can do this aquafaba, so interesting now I will start saving those instead of draining then off
Itās quite a discovery ! Good luck with your experiments.
Learn something new every day!!! I have never heard of aquafaba and have certainly never heard of people ābakingā with bean liquid. This lemon pie looks delicious! Glad to see you posting again. I know it takes awhile. Take care and make time for yourself.
Thanks hope you test out aquafaba. yes, slowly but surely, slowly improving.
Oh man, this looks sooooooo so good!! This is our pie of choice every Thanksgiving and I have never tried to make this before! Thanks for sharing.. ā
Really hit your fave Thanksgiving pie lol? Very cool, hope you try this one soon!
FLOOFER SNOOFER. Yes, I said it. I just had to. Because this fluffy lemon meringue totally brings out that little saying. I actually use that weird phrase quite often ā but I have NEVER had lemon meringue before orā¦ Meringue in general! :O
I am now incorporating FLOOFER SNOOFER to my daily vocab š OMG you never had meringueā¦make this NOW! Change the sugar to what you can have.
So sorry to hear about your Dad, youāre right though, as cheesy as it sounds, time does heal. As for the meringue, it looks like egg whites! Iād heard about cooking with chickpea water but havenāt tried it before. Iām intrigued to try!
Thank you for your condolences. And I hope you give aquafaba a try, it is amazing. Easy recipe to try chocolate mousse 2/3c of aquafaba,1/4 sugar, pinch of tartar creamā¦whip it, fold in 1/4 to 1/2 cup melted dark chocolate š
Wow, I never would have imagined you could make a vegan meringue that looks that wonderful! Iām truly impressed! And good to hear youāre slowly healing. I still miss my dad and always will; itās been a year and a half. xoxo
This aquafaba meringue is really amazing. My mom was over yesterday and I gave her a slice without saying what the pie was made with, she complimented me right away and confirmed she would not have told the difference. The chocolate mousse I made is excellent too. Slowly improving but yes it will always be hard.
Oooh nice, Iāve been seeing the emergence of Aquafaba for a few years but still havenāt tried it, and great to see it works for something like the soft meringue topping on lemon meringue pie. The texture looks just right!
Thanks Kavita and yes it really works, I was amazed!
First of all ā¦ I am very sorry for your loss! I lost my father to cancer 6 years ago (he was only 57), so I know how hard it is!
Second, what a lovely recipe! Being pregnant, I am trying to avoid too many unhealthy dishes, but this one seems perfectly fine to eat! As I am not a great chef myself, I will send my French boyfriend in to the kitchen, so he can do his magic š Canāt wait to taste it!
Love from Louise
Thank you Louise for your condolences. Congrats on the pregnancy and I d think this would be a great recipeā¦let me know how well the boyfriend makes it lol.
Yum! This treat seems so mouth-watering, Evelyne. Can I use coconut milk for this recipe?
Thanks Agness and yes any non dairy milk (or dairy if you want) can be used. I used cashew.
I am so sorry for your loss Evelyne. I still have not tried using aquafaba and should add that to my ever expanding list.
Thank you Tandy for your condolences. I think you would like aquafaba for sure, hope you try it.
What an interesting meringue! And I must say that it looks just like a real thing. Next time I am going to save some chickpea water to try.
It really is like the real deal Angie, give it a try. And try the chocolate mouse .. meringue with 2/3c of aquafaba,1/4 sugar, pinch of tartar creamā¦whip it, fold in 1/4 to 1/2 cup melted dark chocolate š