Healthy pecan pie bars that are gluten-free, vegan, and taste absolutely incredible… Yes, please! They get their traditional flavors from an almond flour shortbread base topped with toasted and sweetened pecans, then baked to perfection. This recipe is the perfect no refined sugar holiday treat!
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Is it thanksgiving yet?!
I feel like this year has flown by so quickly. I still remember the beginning of this year, Everyone had big dreams and hopes until march came around and everything came to a halt. From then on it’s pretty much a blur that consists of sour dough, a ton of baking and staying indoors most of the times.
That’s why, now that the holiday season is here, I’m dedicating everything I have to try and make it special no matter the circumstances. Because at the end of the day, you either wallow in the sadness of what you can’t have or you can just make the best of it… with these healthy pecan bars of course!
This is our favorite healthy pecan pie bar recipe!
To me pecan pie is the ultimate treat during the holiday season, and I’m not talking those pecan pies that they sell at your corner grocery store, I’m talking homemade with love pecan pies that radiates that beautiful nutty fragrance throughout the whole house.
Well, this healthy pecan pie bar recipe smells just like it! (maybe even better!) and will not leave you feeling sick, that’s a win win in my book!
What’s so special about these pecan bars?
These bars are very different from your everyday pecan pie bars, here’s why:
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Refined sugar free
- They taste incredible, trust me people didn’t even notice that they were healthy.
- They freeze well. Hello thanksgiving treats all year round!
Ingredients for pecan pie bars
Here are the ingredients you will need for the pecan pie bars:
- Almond flour- I use blanched almond flour for the shortbread base of this holiday recipe.
- Coconut oil– Coconut oil is gonna hold our ingredients together.
- Maple syrup– Use pure maple syrup for this recipe.
- Vanilla– I always love adding vanilla to my bakes and you should too!
- Salt– The salt is here to balance out the sweetness of this sweet treat.
- Cinnamon– Can’t spell holiday without cinnamon, Just kidding. But seriously, cinnamon is a great warming spice for all fall and holiday baking.
- Maple sugar– Maple sugar is better for you compared to the processed granulated white or brown sugar.
- Pecans– Pecans are definitely the star of this holiday dessert. So get good quality pecans!
How to make healthy pecan pie bars?
This pecan pie bar recipe comes together in two simple steps, you will first have to make the vegan and gluten free crust, then while that’s baking you will make the filling.
Make the gluten free shortbread crust
- Start by preheating the oven to 350F and line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl add in the almond flour, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon and mix until you can form a dough ball. Gently press the almond flour dough into the lined 8×8 baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15- minutes or until lightly golden.
Make the healthy pecan filling
- While the crust is in the oven, add the maple sugar, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon to a medium sauce pan and cook on medium heat until the mixture begins to boil, simmer for 15 seconds then add in the pecans. Stir to get them fully coated in the caramel mixture and cook for about 20-30 more seconds, then immediately pour the pecan mixture onto your baked almond crust. Gently spread the pecans onto the almond crust using a rubber spatula. Work quickly because the mixture will seize up.
- Bake for an additional 18 minutes, remove from the oven and cool the pecan pie bars completely. Refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight before slicing and enjoying these healthy treats.
How to store pecan pie bars?
To store these pecan pie bars, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Keep in mind that they will be a little hard right out of the fridge so I always like to microwave them for 10 seconds before eating them.
You can also freeze these pumpkin bars in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let them thaw in the fridge and microwave them before serving for an extra decadent dessert.
How to serve pecan pie bars?
When it comes to serving pecan pie bars (if you have any left os course) there are a fews options. I usually like to have them as is but if you want to dress them up you can top them with:
- Homemade coconut whipped cream
- Vanilla ice cream
- A light drizzle of caramel sauce
Healthy pecan pie bars
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Healthy pecan pie bars
Ingredients
For the crust
- 1 & ½ cup almond flour
- 3 tablespoon coconut oil
- 3 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
For the filling
- ½ cup maple sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 cup pecans roughly choped
Instructions
- Start by preheating the oven to 350F and line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl add in the almond flour, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon and mix until you can form a dough ball. Gently press the almond flour dough into the lined 8×8 baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15minutes or until lightly golden.
Make the filling.
- While the crust is in the oven, add the maple sugar, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon to a medium sauce pan and cook on medium heat until the mixture begins to boil, simmer for 15 seconds then add in the pecans. Stir to get them fully coated in the caramel mixture and cook for about 20-30 more seconds, then immediately pour the pecan mixture onto your baked almond crust. Gently spread the pecans onto the almond crust using a rubber spatula. Work quickly because the mixture will seize up.
- Bake for an additional 18 minutes, remove from the oven and cool the pecan pie bars completely. Refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight before slicing and enjoying these healthy treats.
Notes
Nutrition
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Renee
I have a bunch of coconut sugar and I want to use it up. Could that be used in these bars until I buy some maple sugar? Also any good recipes using the coconut sugar? These sound amazing!!!
Chahinez
You can definitely use coconut sugar in this recipe! I like to use it in my lattes or oatmeal as well 🙂
Chahinez