Healthy Pecan Pie Bars
You guys, I have a confession to make. When I was younger I was an apple pie over pecan pie girl through and through! My dad always went for the pecan pie and I thought he was nuts. Lol get it? Anyway, now I’m thinking that he had the right idea all along. Pecan pie is absolutely delicious and should never be overlooked!! And these Healthy Pecan Pie Bars turn the classic dessert into an easier, healthier option. They’re perfect for this holiday season!
These Healthy Pecan Pie Bars are rich, chewy, crunchy, and of course delicious! Made with a shortbread like almond flour crust and a gooey maple syrup sweetened pecan filling, these easy bars are the perfect holiday dessert. They taste just like the classic pie, but without any of the corn syrup and much less effort needed. Gluten free & dairy free too!
Ingredients needed for this Healthy Pecan Recipe…
All you’ll need is a few simple gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free ingredients to make these healthy holiday bars!
- Almond Flour: You guys know I love to use almond flour in my gluten free treats! It creates a wonderful texture and a great taste. Add 1 1/3 cup.
- Pure Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup is one of my favorite refined sugar free sweeteners! It is used in the crust and filling of these bars. You will need 1 tbsp in the crust and 1/4 cup in the filling.
- Coconut Sugar: Coconut sugar is my other favorite refined sugar free sweetener. The combination with pure maple syrup makes for an incredibly rich & delicious flavor in these bars!! Again, add to both the filling and the crust. 1/2 cup in each!
- Coconut Oil: Make sure to use refined coconut oil here! Unrefined or virgin coconut oil will make these bars taste like coconut. You’ll need 1/3 cup melted in both parts of this recipe.
- Eggs: Eggs are used in the filling of these bars! They make things deliciously moist and chewy. Add 2!
- Pecans: Of course we’ve got pecans in these Healthy Pecan Pie Bars! Can’t have pecan pie without them. Add 1 cup to the ooey-gooey filling!
- Vanilla Extract & Salt: Vanilla extract and salt are added here for all things flavor. You will need a total of 1 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt throughout these bars.
How are Easy Pecan Pie Bars healthy?
These pecan pie bars are made with much simpler, cleaner, and wholesome ingredients than the classic.
There is no corn syrup like in your traditional pecan pie and instead these bars are naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup and coconut sugar. Both of which are refined sugar free sweeteners! Almond four is also used as the base of this recipe which is a very minimally processed and gluten free option.
So in my opinion, and it is just that … my opinion, these Pecan Pie Bars are definitely a “healthier” option to serve at your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner!
How to make Healthy Pecan Pie Bars…
These Pecan Pie Bars are quite simple to make! Much easier, but just as delicious, as pie. You’ll have these crunchy, chewy bars on your table in no time!
- Set the oven to 350 degrees.
- Start with the crust. Combine the almond flour, melted coconut oil, coconut sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and pure maple syrup.
- Pat the mixture down into a greased or parchment paper lined square baking tray. It will be crumbly but you will be able to pat down!
- Bake for 18 minutes or until golden.
- While the crust is baking work on the filling. Combine the melted coconut oil, pecans, coconut sugar, pure maple syrup, vanilla extract, and eggs.
- Once you remove the crust from the oven, pour and evenly spread the pecan filling on top.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until set.
- Let cool for a few minutes and then place in the fridge to cool further. The bars should be completely cooled before cutting.
- Cut into squares and enjoy!
Pecan Pie Bars Tips…
Follow the tips below for the perfect Healthy Pecan Pie Bars each and every time!
- The crust will be a little crumbly but do not worry! Simply pat down with your fingers or a rubber spatula and it should come together perfectly.
- Pour the pecan filling onto the crust right after you remove from the oven!
- Make sure to let these bars cool! Once you remove the finished bars from the oven, let cool slightly, and then let cool even further in the fridge. This is crucial step for the bars to set properly! Once the bars have completely cooled, cut into squares with a sharp knife.
- Chop up your pecans nicely! I like to leave some small and some large pecan chunks. It provides a delicious mix of textures! But of course chop according to your preferences.
How to best serve Gluten Free Pecan Pie Bars…
I love to serve these easy bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top! You could even add a drizzle of caramel or chocolate syrup … that would be heavenly.
To add a little coziness and make things even more gooey and delicious … pop these bars in the microwave for a few seconds to heat up! So good.
Storing this Healthy Pecan Recipe…
These Healthy Pecan Pie Bars should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for about 1-2 weeks!
Loving Healthy Pecan Pie Bars? I’m sure you’ll love these delicious recipes too…
- Pumpkin Bread with Maple Glaze
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars
- Maple Cinnamon Pecan Granola
- Peanut Butter Crunch Cups
- Healthy Apple Crisp
Connect with me!
If you make Healthy Pecan Pie Bars or any of my other recipes I would absolutely love to know! Tag me @wellnessbykay on instagram, so I can see and share your recreations!!
Love this recipe? Leave a comment and a rating! I love to see and it helps me continue to develop delicious recipes for this blog.
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Healthy Pecan Pie Bars
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 Bars 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Healthy Pecan Pie Bars are rich, chewy, crunchy, and of course delicious! Made with a shortbread like almond flour crust and a gooey maple syrup sweetened pecan filling, these easy bars are the perfect holiday dessert. They taste just like the classic pie, but without any of the corn syrup and much less effort needed. Gluten free & dairy free too!
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/3 cup refined coconut oil, melted
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Pecan Filling
- 1/3 cup refined coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
Instructions
- Set the oven to 350 degrees.
- Start with the crust. Combine the almond flour, melted coconut oil, coconut sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and pure maple syrup.
- Pat the mixture down into a greased or parchment paper lined square baking tray. It will be crumbly but you will be able to pat down!
- Bake for 18 minutes or until golden.
- While the crust is baking work on the filling. Combine the melted coconut oil, chopped pecans, coconut sugar, pure maple syrup, vanilla extract, and eggs.
- Once you remove the crust from the oven, pour and evenly spread the pecan filling on top.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until set.
- Let cool for a few minutes and then place in the fridge to cool further. The bars should be completely cooled before cutting.
- Cut into squares and enjoy!
Keywords: pecan pie, healthy pecan pie bars, pecan pie bars, dairy free, gluten free, grain free, refined sugar free, healthy desserts
What flour can I use instead of almond flour?
Hi Stephanie! I have not tried this recipe with any other flours, but I’m sure you could use coconut flour or even all purpose flour. I would just look up the substitution ratio between almond flour and the other flours to make sure the bars come out right!
Could I use butter instead of coconut oil? I just really love the flavor of butter 😬🤣
These were really good and a perfect alternative to a traditional pie for Thanksgiving. I will probably make them again next year!!
★★★★★
Yay thank you !! So happy they made it to you’re Thanksgiving table !!
Loved these bars !
★★★★★
These were amazing thank you so much! Great pecan flavor
★★★★★
I really liked this recipe but I used light olive oil instead of coconut oil. They came out a little greasier than I would’ve liked. Is it possible to lessen the oil to 1/4 cup instead of 1/3 cup?
★★★★
i LOVED this recipe. i don’t typically like pecan pie but these were so good. the crust part was perfect. directions are super easy to follow!
★★★★★
omg yay! So glad to hear that Maddie!!!
Refined coconut oil? Can I use unrefined ?
What size baking dish did you use?
My coconut oil wasn’t refined so i used melted butter. Swapped maple syrup for Lakanto maple syrup, & used Lakanto golden sugar instead of coconut sugar. So the crust wasn’t shortbread-ish enough. Maybe my swaps ruined it.. maybe the original wouldn’t have been much different? I will never know, lol, not attempting again 😂
★★
I LOVE this recipe! Have made it twice and the whole family loved it. I used unrefined coconut oil instead and I liked the coconut flavor with the pecans – delish!
★★★★★
Hello! What size of the pan you used?
Hi! I used an 8×8 pan. Hope you enjoy!
how are you gonna rate a recipe 2 stars when you didn’t follow the recipe 🙄 makes no sense
someone made these for me and the were delicious
★★★★★
Looks like a yummy alternative to my corn syrup based recipe but fyi, coconut sugar and ‘pure’ maple syrup are both laden with sugar rendering 4 grams/Tbs in coconut sugar and 54 grams per/quarter cup of maple syrup! Definitely not a sugar-free treat.
So easy and perfect for my Celiac family. I used virgin coconut oil (since we like the flavour) and sprinkled it with chocolate chips before popping it in the oven. My husband doesn’t think it’s dessert unless it contains chocolate.
★★★★★
The best pecan pie bar ever! Gluten and dairy free and nobody knew! I made a double batch! It was so good I made them two days in a row to share the week of thanksgiving and for sabbath gathering. The second time I made it I ran out of coconut sugar so I did 50 50 of coconut and cane sugar. Turned out great! Thank you for sharing! Everyone wants the recipe!
★★★★★
Turned out great !!! I used Gluten free all purpose flour and plant butter for the coconut oil and chopped walnuts ..I did also sprinkle the top with some semi sweet chocolate chips.
what is the macros or nutrition for this??
Exactly what size baking tray? And how thick should crust be?
Could brown sugar be substituted for coconut sugar?
I made these 3x so far to bring to parties and everyone that tasted them goes crazy for how good these are!! This last time I added chocolate chips on top of the baked crust and then poured over the pecan mixture. Came out divine.
Made in a 9×9 square pan and cut them into 36 small squares. They were perfect!
★★★★★
Can you use sunflower seed oil?