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Healthy Pecan Pie Bars are paleo, vegan, gluten free, and taste exactly like real pecan pie! They’re simple to make, have a delicious pecan filling on top, and only require 15 minutes of prep time.
How to make pecan pie bars
The most delicious pecan dessert
As a kid, I never wanted anything to do with pecan pie. I absolutely loathed it, always preferring chocolate or anything cake related. It wasn’t until I grew older that I realized just how good pecan pie really is!
Now, I never turn down a slice or two.
The great thing about being an adult is that you don’t have to wait for a holiday to roll around in order to eat a certain food. The same goes for birthday cake! Why did it never occur to me to put a birthday cake in my grocery cart just because? Someone doesn’t have to be turning a year older to be “allowed” to enjoy a delicious slice of cake!
Anyway, once this realization hit me, I found myself with a huge craving for pecan pie. Though traditionally a Thanksgiving dessert, this recipe can be enjoyed any time of the year. And, with healthy ingredients, it should be!
These healthy pecan pie bars are extremely easy to make and are like a slice of pie right in the palm of your hand. If you like pecan pie, you’ve got to try these bars.
Since I mentioned I love chocolate, I wanted to share my Paleo Chocolate Pecan Pie too.
Pecan pie bars video
Ingredients used in this easy pecan pie recipe
This recipe has two main parts: the crust and the filling. For each section, you’ll need six different ingredients, tough a few overlap (maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla). All in all, this recipe uses simple, healthier ingredients for a more nutrient-rich dessert option!
Crust:
Filling:
- Coconut oil
- Maple syrup
- Coconut sugar
- Vanilla
- Almond milk
- Chopped pecans
That’s it! I really strive to keep my baked goods as simple as possible with some of the most nutritious ingredients.
What to use to make pecan bars
To make healthy pecan pie bars, be sure to have these items on hand. If you have a different sized pan, it will work! With a larger pan, however, you’ll have thinner bars and may not need as much baking time. Be sure to keep an eye as it cooks!
- 8×8 inch pan
- Parchment paper or cooking spray
- Mixing bowl
- Stirring utensil
- Saucepan
How to make healthy pecan pie bars
Healthy pecan pie bars are easy to whip together and require less than an hour, including baking time! Once finished, keep any extra bars stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.
To start, preheat the oven to 350F and prepare an 8×8 inch pan with grease, cooking spray, or parchment paper.
In a small bowl, mix the almond flour, coconut flour, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, and salt until well combined.
Next, press the mixture into the bottom of the pan.
Bake for 15-17 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Once out of the oven, let the crust cool completely.
In a saucepan, heat the coconut oil, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla until boiling (about 3-4 minutes), stirring consistently.
Once boiling, consistently stir and let the mixture bubble for two minutes. Then turn off the heat. Avoid overcooking, as this will burn the sugar.
Next, stir in the almond milk and the pecans.
Pour the mixture over the cooled crust and then bake for 20-22 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let cool on the counter for 15 minutes. Allow it to cool in the fridge for at least two hours before eating.
Once cooled, cut and enjoy!
Serve your pecan bars like this
When it comes to serving up pecan bars, I like to eat them like I would a warm brownie! Serve ’em up with coconut whipped cream or with a single scoop of vanilla ice cream.
For extra comfort, you can stick your pecan bar in the microwave for 10 seconds to warm it up a bit.
Ingredient substitution options
If you find yourself with a few different ingredients on hand, they may work in this recipe. Here are some common swaps that you may be interested in trying!
- Maple syrup: I like to use maple syrup to sweeten my recipes, as it’s one of the ingredients that makes my baked goods a bit healthier! However, you can replace it with honey or molasses if necessary.
- Coconut oil: Coconut oil can be replaced with any other similar cooking oil.
- Coconut sugar: Instead of coconut sugar, feel free to use light brown sugar. Note that brown sugar tends to be a bit sweeter, so you may not need as much as far as flavor goes.
- Almond milk: Any plant based milk will work in place of almond milk. Feel free to use coconut, soy, or oat milk!
For the base, you can use any type of shortbread. The coconut flour in this recipe creates a slight coconut flavor, but it’s not extreme. If you’d like to use a full almond-flour base, feel free! Any almond flour shortbread crust recipe should do the trick.
More bar-style desserts from Erin Lives Whole
If you liked this pecan pie bar recipe, get excited. There are so many similar dessert ideas on my blog! Bars are kind of similar to brownies, but they taste totally different and are super customizable. Have you tried my Pumpkin Oat Bars or my Cookie Dough Bars? If not, you’ll want to ASAP!
- Pumpkin Oat Bars
- Healthy Lemon Bars
- Healthy Cookie Dough Bars
- No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
- Chocolate Almond Butter Shortbread Bars
Healthy Pecan Pie Bars
These Healthy Pecan Pie Bars are paleo, vegan, gluten free, and taste exactly like real pecan pie! They are simple to make and have a delicious pecan filling on top!
Ingredients
Crust
- 1.5 cups almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 tsp salt
Filling
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2/3 cup coconut sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp almond milk
- 2 cups chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and prepare an 8×8 inch pan with grease or parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, mix together almond flour, coconut flour, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, and salt until well combined. Press into bottom of pan.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes or until slightly golden brown.
- Let crust cool completely.
- In a saucepan, heat coconut oil, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla until boiling (about 3-4 minutes), stirring consistently.
- Once boiling, constantly stir and let bubble for two minutes and then turn off heat. Cooking longer will result in burnt sugar, but sugar should be starting to thicken.
- Stir in almond milk and pecans.
- Pour mixture over cooled crust and bake in oven for 20-22 minutes.
- Let cool on counter for 15 minutes and then in the fridge for at least two hours before serving or cutting.
- Store in fridge
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Mary Beth says
I made these bars for several family members over the holidays and dropped them at their door as a surprise and everyone loved them! I am baking three batches tomorrow for a few birthdays as they were requested instead of cake! They are so delicious and so easy to make.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Mary Beth, so glad you and your family enjoyed the bars!!
Charlotte Castronovo says
To all pecan lovers…MAKE. THESE. I made these especially for my grandfather, who grew up in the South (pecan pie is his favorite) for Christmas, to go along with an extensive dessert spread, and across my family, these were the first to go! Taste just like a pecan pie, but much lighter and amazing flavor from the maple syrup. My mom now requests these at EVERY holiday.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Charlotte, I am so glad you and your family loved them!!
Marissa C. says
These were a huge hit over the holidays (even impressed my Italian, and very critical, grandmother!) and no one believed they were healthy. Soooo good!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Marissa, I am so happy everyone liked them!
Hailey says
One of my all time favorite holidays treats
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Hailey, so glad you love them!
Lauren Odquist says
I’ve made tons of your recipes and this is hands down my favorite Erin Loves Whole recipe.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lauren, ah I am so happy to hear that! Thank you for all your support!!
Steph G says
These came out perfectly! I brought them to Thanksgiving and everyone liked them better than the “unhealthy/normal” desserts. I also brought some to friends and they couldn’t believe they were healthy.
If you’re wondering what to do: MAKE THESE!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Steph, I am so glad you and your friends enjoyed them!!
Alicia says
For all pecan pie fans!! Yum!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Alicia, thanks for sharing!!
Johanna says
Omg these are unreal! You would never know they’re “healthy”. Will forever be my go-to thanksgiving dessert 🙂
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Johanna, I am thrilled you enjoyed them!
lexi says
Absolutely love this recipe! It was a great alternative to pecan pie for a family gathering.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lexi, I am thrilled you loved them!
Sarah says
My family is obsessed with these!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sarah, so glad they loved the bars!
Jessica Wiede says
My family and friends loved this for thanksgiving! They tasted delicious! Only problem was they were a little oily/greasy but that could have been baker error. Definitely recommend!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jessica, so glad they loved it and hmm they shouldn’t be. Let me know how they come out next time!
Michele says
Erin, Erin, Erin…. these were so amazing. I struggle with anything that involves flour but I was able follow your easy directions and make a great treat!!! These are a problem!!! Tooooo good.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Michele, so happy you enjoyed the bars!!
Maddie says
These are DECADENT and addicting. Highly recommend!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Maddie, I am so glad you loved them!
Maeve says
Absolutely amazing! My family didn’t even notice/ care that these were paleo
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Maeve, I am so glad your family liked them!
Alisha says
I’ve made several of your recipes but these Pecan Pie Bars are probably one of the top 3 in my house! My husband asks for them all the time and when I make them, they’re gone within 3-4 days. You’ve seriously perfected the recipe and they’re surprisingly pretty easy to make! Thank you so much! 🙂
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Alisha, thanks for your kind words! I am so happy the bars are well loved!
Sarah A says
Another perfect recipe from Erin! Wow so so so good and chewy! Loved it 🙂
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sarah, thanks for your kind words!!
Kristen says
Cannot say enough good things about these bars. I have made this recipe twice in ten days, it doesn’t last more than 4 days in my house. So easy and so yummy, thank you for giving me something a bit healthier to indulge in!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kristen, I am so glad you enjoyed them so much!!
Asha Mathew says
Hi Erin,
I tried your pecan bar recipe for Christmas and shared it with my friends and it was such a hit!!.. I have been scrolling over all your recipes for the last couple of hours and they are soo interesting. Definitely going to try out more. Thank you for creating these delish recipes.❤
Erin says
Hi Asha, thanks for your kind words! I am glad everyone liked it and you’re welcome! 🙂
Kora says
So so so good! I have made these 5 or more times for events and everyone loves them! So simple yet so good! Love all of ELW items but this is the BEST
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kora, I am so happy everyone loves them! 🙂
Valeria Correa says
Hi Erin!
My sweet recipes never go well, but with these bars… They were amazing!! I think your recipe is amazing, and I will make more sweet ones to see how the go!
Greetings from Colombia!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Valeria, thanks for sharing!! I am so happy you enjoyed them so much! 🙂
Lisa says
Has anyone subbed the coconut oil for butter in the crust?