The Best Gluten-Free Kentucky Derby-Worthy Pies Plus Bonus Cupcakes!

How about these gluten-free Kentucky Derby pies? The Best Gluten-Free Kentucky Derby-Worthy Pies! Or maybe some Kentucky Derby cupcakes? Here are seven fabulous pie options—including my newest pecan pie recipe, Luxurious Pecan Pie—and two very appropriate cupcake options (Not Derby Pie Cupcakes and Mint Julep Cupcakes) as a bonus!

If you hadn’t thought about celebrating Derby Day before, you sure are now, right? Will you choose pie, cupcakes, or make some of each? If you’re inviting friends or family over to watch, you’ll want to feed them well!

I’m thinking Pimento Cheese Spread or Mom’s Deviled Eggs would be great options for the appetizers. And for the main dish portion of your meal, perhaps Perfect Gluten-Free Chicken Breasts, Sunset Shrimp Salad, or Southern-Fried Oysters, For the bread choice, I’d go for The Best Gluten-Free Corn Muffins or one of The Best Gluten-Free Biscuits.

Now let’s get to those winning desserts!

Gluten-Free Kentucky Derby-Worthy Pies

~ Chocolate Pecan Pie aka Derby Pie from Fearless Dining ~ gluten free, vegetarian

~ Chocolate Pecan “Toll House” Pie from And Love It, Too! ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, vegetarian

~ Chocolate Walnut (or Pecan) Pie from Cook Eat Well ~ gluten free, grain free, casein free, refined sugar free, vegetarian, with paleo/primal option

~ Crustless Pecan Pie from Gluten Free Easily ~ gluten free, vegetarian, with dairy-free, refined sugar-free options

~ Luxurious Pecan Pie from Gluten Free Easily ~ gluten free, refined sugar free, vegetarian, with dairy-free option

~ Pecan Pie with Bacon Crust + Caramel Drizzle from Predominantly Paleo ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free, paleo, primal

~ Grain-Free Maple Bourbon Pecan Tart from Tasty Yummies ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, vegetarian, with refined sugar-free option

Gluten-Free Kentucky Derby Cupcakes

~ Not Derby Pie Cupcakes from In Johnna’s Kitchen ~ gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian

It seems that about 120,000 Mint Juleps are consumed at the Kentucky Derby each year. (Who knows how many are actually consumed all over the world?) Honestly, I’d prefer my Mint Julep in the form of this cupcake—also from In Johnna’s Kitchen—thank you!

~ Mint Julep Cupcakes (with Sugared Mint Leaves for topping, if you’d like) ~ gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian

May your horse—or favorite dessert—win!

Originally published May 3, 2014; updated April 25, 2025.