To prepare the crust, place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously coat a 9-inch pie plate with nonstick spray.
In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, granulated sugar, and kosher salt. Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure even sweetness and flavor distribution.
Pour in the melted vegan butter substitute. As you do this, you’ll notice the buttery aroma filling the air, which is a great sign.
With a fork, stir the mixture until it’s evenly moistened and combined. The texture will be crumbly, so don’t worry if it looks dry at first.
Take the back of your fork and smush the more moist parts into the dry parts, mixing well until the almond flour is fully moistened with no dry bits remaining.
Transfer the mixture into your prepared pie dish. Using your fingers, press it evenly along the bottom and up the sides. A clean measuring cup works wonders for achieving a smooth surface.
If you want to flute the edges, create a nice mound around the edge before crimping it with your fingers or the tines of a fork. This adds a nice touch to the appearance.
Use a fork to prick holes all over the bottom to prevent bubbling during baking. This step ensures even cooking.
Place the pie crust in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. After that, remove it and shield the edges with foil or a pie crust shield to prevent burning.
Return it to the oven and bake for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, until it’s light golden brown. Let the crust cool completely.
To prepare the filling, melt coconut oil in a small microwave-safe bowl or saucepan. Allow it to cool slightly before using.
Place medjool dates in the bowl of a food processor and process until they form a sticky ball. The dates will add natural sweetness to your filling.
Add the melted coconut oil, pumpkin, almond butter, ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, vanilla extract, maple extract, and kosher salt to the processor.
Puree until smooth, taking breaks to scrape down the sides if necessary. You should have a smooth mixture with just a few small specks of dates remaining.
Transfer the filling into the cooled crust, smoothing out the top. The aroma will be heavenly at this point!
Place the pie in the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 6 hours, or overnight if possible. This step allows the flavors to meld perfectly.
When ready to serve, slice and enjoy! A dollop of whipped coconut cream on top is the perfect finishing touch.