If you love the gooey, caramelized richness of a classic pecan pie but want to skip the corn syrup and heavy cream, you have found your new favorite dessert. These bars are a dream come true.
Table of Contents
This recipe for healthy pecan pie bars delivers a buttery shortbread crust and a sticky, sweet pecan filling without any refined sugar, gluten, or dairy.
It is one of those gluten and dairy-free sweets that tastes just as indulgent as the traditional version. You get all the nostalgia of a holiday pie in a convenient, handheld bar that makes you feel great.
A Little Story About This Dish
I used to avoid pecan pie because it often left me feeling sluggish from the sugar overload. But I missed that unique combination of toasted nuts and caramel flavor. I wanted a way to enjoy those flavors in a more wholesome way.
I started experimenting with almond flour for the base and natural maple syrup for sweetness. The result was these healthy almond bars that mimic the texture of shortbread perfectly.
Now, these are my go-to healthy treats for adults at parties. They satisfy the sweet tooth perfectly but are packed with healthy fats and protein.
Get Ready to Cook!
You are about to bake a batch of bars that are incredibly simple to assemble. Let’s look at what you need to get started.
What to Expect
Time: About 1 hour (including baking and cooling time).
Difficulty: Very easy! It’s a simple press-and-pour method.
Before You Begin
The secret to the perfect texture here is temperature. Make sure your eggs are at room temperature before mixing the filling. If they are cold, they will solidify the melted coconut oil, making the mixture lumpy.
For the crust, press it down firmly. This ensures your base holds together well when you slice the bars later.
Finally, patience is key during the cooling process. These bars need to chill in the fridge to fully set. This creates that perfect, chewy texture that makes them the best dairy free dessert recipes contender.
The Heart of the Dish: Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are the wholesome ingredients for these healthy pecan pie bars.
| Ingredient | Amount |
| For the Shortbread Crust: | |
| Almond Flour | 2 cups |
| Melted Coconut Oil | 1/4 cup |
| Maple Syrup | 1/4 cup |
| Vanilla Extract (optional) | 1 teaspoon |
| For the Pecan Pie Filling: | |
| Coconut Sugar (or brown sugar) | 1/2 cup |
| Melted Coconut Oil | 1/4 cup |
| Maple Syrup | 1/4 cup |
| Vanilla Extract (optional) | 2 teaspoons |
| Eggs (room temperature) | 2 |
| Chopped Pecans (raw & unsalted) | 1 1/2 cups |
Let’s Get Cooking! Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these easy steps to create your delicious wheat and dairy free desserts.
1. Prepare the Oven and Crust:
Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
2. Mix and Press the Base:
In a large bowl, mix the almond flour, 1/4 cup melted coconut oil, 1/4 cup maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir until a dough forms. Transfer this mixture to your prepared pan and press it down firmly into an even layer.
3. Bake the Crust:
Place the pan in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. You are looking for the edges to turn a light golden brown.
4. Whisk the Filling:
While the crust bakes, prepare the filling. In a bowl, whisk together the coconut sugar, 1/4 cup melted coconut oil, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and the room temperature eggs. Once smooth, stir in the chopped pecans.
5. Bake the Bars:
Remove the crust from the oven. Immediately pour the pecan filling over the hot crust, spreading it out evenly. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 20-25 minutes. The filling should be set and slightly bubbly.
6. Cool and Chill:
Remove the bars from the oven. Let them cool in the pan at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Then, move the pan to the fridge to chill for about an hour. This step is crucial for clean slicing.
7. Slice and Serve:
Once chilled, lift the bars out using the parchment paper. Cut them into 16 squares and enjoy!
Mastering the Dish: Pointers for Perfection & How to Store
Here are a few final tips to ensure your gluten free yummy recipes turn out perfect.
Pointers for Perfection
If you want a bit more depth of flavor, toast your pecans in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes before adding them to the filling. This brings out their natural nuttiness. Also, ensure your coconut oil is measured in its liquid state for accuracy.
How to Store
These bars store beautifully. Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. They taste amazing cold! You can also freeze them for up to 3 months for a quick treat anytime.
These recipes offer plenty of new inspiration for anyone who loves gluten-free cooking:
- Gluten Free S’mores Cookie Bars
- Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars Recipe
- Gluten Free Walnut Cinnamon Cake
Healthy Pecan Pie Bars (Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free!)
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes (includes chilling)
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
Description
These Healthy Pecan Pie Bars are the ultimate guilt-free dessert! Made with a gluten-free almond flour crust and a refined-sugar-free pecan filling, they are dairy-free, paleo-friendly, and absolutely delicious. Perfect for holidays or a healthy snack.
Ingredients
For the shortbread crust:
2 cups almond flour
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
For the pecan pie filling:
1/2 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (optional)
2 eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (raw and unsalted)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Make the crust: In a large bowl, mix the almond flour, 1/4 cup coconut oil, 1/4 cup maple syrup, and 1 tsp vanilla until combined.
3. Transfer the crust mixture to the prepared pan and press it down firmly into an even layer. Bake for 10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
4. Make the filling: While the crust bakes, whisk together the coconut sugar, 1/4 cup coconut oil, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 tsp vanilla, and eggs. Stir in the chopped pecans.
5. Remove the crust from the oven and immediately pour the filling mixture over it, spreading evenly.
6. Bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set.
7. Remove from oven and let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. Then, transfer to the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour before slicing into 16 squares.
Notes
Room Temperature Eggs: It is critical to use room temperature eggs so the melted coconut oil does not solidify and clump when mixed.
Storage: Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Freezing: These freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before eating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 272
- Sugar: 26g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Protein: 2.5g
Your Burning Questions Answered!
Here are answers to common questions about these bars.
1. Can I make these vegan?
The current recipe uses eggs to set the filling, so it is not vegan. However, to make these dairy free vegan desserts, you can try substituting the eggs with “flax eggs” (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal mixed with 6 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes), though the texture will be slightly less firm.
2. Can I use a different flour?
This recipe relies on the natural oils and texture of almond flour to create the shortbread crust. Substituting with coconut flour or a gluten-free blend will change the texture significantly and would require adjusting the liquid ratios. Stick to almond flour for the best healthy almond bars result.
3. Why is my filling runny?
If the filling is runny, it likely didn’t bake long enough or wasn’t chilled long enough. Ensure the center is set before removing from the oven, and do not skip the fridge time! The coconut oil needs to solidify in the cold to hold everything together.
Dig In & Enjoy!
You are ready to enjoy a dessert that feels decadent but nourishes your body. Enjoy every bite of your healthy pecan pie bars!
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