Healthy Pecan Pie Bars – The Almond Eater

October 17, 2024

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These Pecan Pie Bars taste like real pecan pie but are much healthier! Easy to make with simple, wholesome, and naturally gluten-free ingredients, they’re one of the best sweet treats for the holidays or year-round.

side view of a healthy pecan pie bar with a bite taken out

If you look forward to homemade pecan pie every holiday season, these Healthy Pecan Pie Bars are for you! Like a healthier, handheld version of the classic dessert, they’re much easier to make but taste just as delicious.

I personally love that the healthier ingredients in these easy pecan pie bars, like coconut oil, pure maple syrup, almond flour, and tapioca flour, deliver the buttery, flaky crust and rich, gooey filling reminiscent of traditional pecan pie. What’s better is that they’re naturally gluten-free and can easily be made dairy-free!

Be sure to add these healthy pecan pie dessert bars to your holiday bake list along with other easy, handheld, and healthy treats like my vegan plum crumb bars or chocolate quinoa bars.

Recipe features

Like my pecan pie baked oatmeal, these bars have all of the goodness of classic pecan pie but in a lighter, more nutritious treat!
The simple ingredients are naturally gluten-free and easy to adjust when you need a dairy-free option.
Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make them a stress-free addition to your holiday baking list. They’re a perfect Thanksgiving dessert or you can bring them to the Christmas bake sale!

Ingredients

Coconut oil – Melted coconut oil is used both in the filling and crust to help bind the ingredients together and lend rich, buttery flavors. Melted butter might work as a substitute, but it hasn’t been tested.

Maple syrup – This natural sweetener keeps these dessert bars refined sugar-free. If you don’t have maple syrup, you can use agave syrup, date syrup, or honey instead, although the flavor profile will change slightly.

Vanilla extract – Feel free to experiment with almond, maple, coconut, or even bourbon extract if you’re out of vanilla.

Almond flour and tapioca flour – This flour blend keeps the recipe gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo-friendly while lending a moist and tender crumb to the crust.

Coconut sugar – Adds a rich caramel flavor and natural sweetness to the filling. Brown sugar works as a substitute if you don’t mind using refined sugar.

Milk – Regular cow’s milk works well or, if you’re going dairy-free, use almond, cashew, or oat milk instead. Or, for a richer flavor, go with full-fat coconut milk.

Pecans – For that classic pecan pie flavor and crunch! Make sure to chop them coarsely for the best texture.

Instructions

Step 1: Make the crust. Mix the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Fold in the flours and salt with a spatula. Press the mixture evenly into a prepared baking pan and bake until lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and set it aside to cool completely.

2 images: the left image shows crust ingredients mixed together in a bowl with a spatula and the right image shows the crust baked in a baking dish

Step 2: Prepare the filling. Bring the coconut oil, maple syrup, coconut sugar, vanilla extract, and salt to a gentle boil in a medium saucepan. Whisk until the mixture takes on a smooth, caramel-like consistency. Take it off the heat and stir in the milk and chopped pecans.

Coconut oil, maple syrup, coconut sugar, vanilla, and salt whisked together in a medium saucepan

Step 3: Bake the bars. Pour the filling over the cooled crust, spread it into an even layer, and bake until the filling is set and slightly bubbly.

pecan mixture added on top of the cooled crust in a baking dish

Step 4: Chill, slice, and serve. Let the gluten-free pecan pie bars cool slightly in the pan, then transfer them to the fridge to cool completely. Once chilled, cut them into squares and enjoy!

healthy pecan pie bars cut into squares on a table

Tips and FAQs

When lining the baking pan with parchment paper, let the excess hang over the sides to make lifting the bars out of the pan easier.
Your crust must be completely cool before adding the filling. This results in distinct layers and prevents the crust from becoming soggy.

Tip

For one-bite treats, cut the bars into 16 squares. If you want bigger bars, cut them into 9 squares.

Variations

Mix and match the nuts – Instead of just pecans, try a combination of walnuts, almonds, and/or hazelnuts.
Add dried fruit – Mix ¼ cup of chopped dried cranberries, golden raisins, figs, apricots, or dates with the pecans for added sweetness and chewiness.
Add warm spices – Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to the filling mixture for a touch of warm, spiced holiday flavor.
Fold in baking chips – Add ¼ cup of butterscotch, caramel, or dark chocolate chips to the filling mixture for extra gooeyness.
Finish with a sweet drizzle – After the bars have cooled, drizzle melted dark chocolate or my salted caramel sauce over the top.

Can I make these bars dairy-free?

Yes! Besides the milk, all of the ingredients here are dairy-free and vegan. Simply use your favorite non-dairy milk instead of cow’s milk if you’d like to make gluten-free and vegan pecan pie bars instead.

How do you know when pecan pie bars are done?

You’ll know the bars are done baking when the filling is set in the center and the edges are slightly golden (this typically takes around 20 to 22 minutes). You can test them by gently shaking the pan to make sure the filling no longer jiggles.

Do you eat pecan pie bars warm or cold?

You can enjoy these bars both warm and cold; however, you must let them cool completely in the fridge for at least 2 hours before cutting and serving. For a warm treat, simply pop individual bars in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds before serving.

Storage

Refrigerator: The pecan bars will keep for up to 1 week when stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Freezer: Stack the bars in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between each one to prevent sticking, then freeze for up to 3 months. Before serving, thaw them in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.

side view of healthy pecan pie bars cut into squares on a table

More healthy dessert bars

If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!