Gluten Free Pecan Pie Bars

michelleapowell — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 00:51:30 +0000

These easy Gluten Free Pecan Pie Bars seriously taste like a slice of your favorite pecan pie but are made healthy. They are loaded with wholesome ingredients and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. With only seven ingredients these Gluten Free Pecan Pie Bars are easy to make and are the perfect dessert for the holidays!

If you’re a fan of dessert recipes, such as an Easy Paleo Apple Crisp and Brown Butter Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies, you’re going to love this easy Gluten Free Pecan Pie Bars Recipe.

Sticky, sweet, crunchy, full of caramel, and perfectly rich, who wouldn’t love it? They’re easy to make and healthy to eat. They are a delicious option for those who are a fan of pecan pie, but looking to avoid corn syrup in their recipes. Don’t worry, this healthier option doesn’t compromise the original pecan pie flavor.

In addition, these bars are much more convenient and quicker than a pie. They’re great for any time of the year but I especially love them around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THeSe Gluten-Free Pecan Pie Bars

Easy to Make. These easy pecan pie bars come together in under 15 minutes. The longest part is letting the bars completely cool after baking, but it is so worth the wait!! I promise!!
Flavorful. These chewy pecan pie bars are a delicious bar that seriously tastes like true pecan pie. The buttery and sweet flavor of every bite makes you come back for more.
Healthy Dessert. These healthy pecan pie bars are grain and gluten-free thanks to an almond flour shortbread cookie crust. They are also dairy-free thanks to a bit of coconut oil instead of butter and made with unrefined sugars like maple syrup and coconut sugar, plus we packed them with healthy fats thanks to the almond flour and pecans!

INGREDIENTS

Maple Syrup- Adds natural sweetness.

Blanched Almond Flour- Helps the crust come together and gives the crust its shortbread texture.

Pecans- The star of the show! The toasted and buttery flavor of the pecans makes every bite delicious.

Vanilla Extract– Adds flavor and sweetness.

Coconut Sugar- Adds natural sweetness. You can use brown sugar if preferred.

Coconut Oil- Brings the crust together, making it rich and shortbread-like.

Salt- The salt helps sharpen the flavors.

Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8×8 inch square pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
In a medium bowl, add the almond flour, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix with a fork until it forms a nice thick crumb texture. Add to the pan and use your fingers to press down evenly. Bake for 6-7 minutes. Set aside to cool while you make the pecan pie filling.
In a medium saucepan, add coconut sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and place over medium-low heat. The caramel mixture will melt together and begin to simmer and bubble along the edges. Make sure you stir constantly during this process. Add in pecans and let the mixture continue to cook for 30 more seconds, then immediately pour the caramel pecan mixture on top of the cooled shortbread and evenly spread pecans over the top with a rubber spatula. Tip– you will need to do this gently, but quickly so the caramel doesn’t harden up.
Bake for 17-20 minutes, then remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. The mixture will solidify once it cools. Once completely cool, transfer to the fridge for at least an hour, then cut into 16 bars and serve. If the bars are too hard to cut, you may need to let them thaw out a bit at room temp for 10-15 minutes. Option to sprinkle with sea salt. Enjoy!

Tips for Making Gluten-Free Pecan Pie Bars

Let the crust cool: make sure to let the crust cool a bit before adding the pecan pie filling so that the filling and crust do not blend all together. Be sure to also let the bars cool before putting them in the fridge.
Remember to refrigerate: once the pecan pie bars have completely cooled, remember to refrigerate them for at least one hour before serving so that they stay together well. I know it’s hard, but these are so worth the wait!

Storing these Gluten-Free Pecan Pie Bars

I recommend storing these bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

These easy Gluten Free Pecan Pie Bars are freezer-friendly! Once they’re completely cooled, simply place them in an airtight container and pop them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy one, just let it thaw a bit before eating.