This chocolate paleo pecan pie recipe is dairy free, gluten free and refined sugar free! It's a great clean eating recipe for Thanksgiving. The crust is made with almond flour and coconut flour and the filling has no corn syrup and is made with rich chocolate and salted caramel.
I made with chocolate caramel tart a few years back and to this day it's one of the most popular recipes on my site. Every time I post it on instagram everyone loves it!
Since we're in the middle of Thanksgiving week, I thought it was a great idea to make a paleo pecan pie version of that recipe! This paleo pecan pie recipe is similar, except it's made with a salted caramel pecan pie filling on the top.
What is the filling in pecan pie?
The filling in traditional pecan pie is butter, eggs, pecans and sugar (usually corn syrup). However, this recipe tastes the same as traditional pecan pie, we're just using healthier alternatives to make this a paleo pecan pie.
This paleo pecan pie filling is made with coconut milk, coconut sugar, eggs, and pecans instead.
How do you make a sugar free pecan pie?
Though a completely sugar free pecan pie recipe may be lackluster, a refined sugar free pecan pie is definitely doable! And delicious! That means there isn't any processed sugar in it, like white sugar or corn syrup.
This entire paleo pecan pie is made with natural sweeteners like maple syrup and coconut sugar.
Is pecan pie really bad for you?
In my opinion, I wouldn't say traditional pecan pie is the greatest for you. But I'm also a believer in balance. Which is why I like to indulge in paleo pecan pie! It tastes just as great as traditional pecan pie, but it doesn't have the refined sugar, which can cause inflammation.
How do you make pecan pie filling?
To make this pecan pie filling, start by making a caramel sauce. Heat coconut milk and coconut sugar over high eat in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Be very careful not to let the mixture boil over.
Reduce heat to medium and continue stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes, or until the caramel reduces and turns a dark amber color. Allow the caramel to cool for one hour while you make the rest of the pie.
Once it's cooled, mix the caramel with eggs, vanilla, sea salt, cinnamon and chopped pecans. Then it's ready to bake!
How to make paleo pecan pie:
There are three steps to make this chocolate paleo pecan pie: the crust, the chocolate layer and the pecan pie layer. You'll make the salted caramel. While it's cooling, you'll make the crust then the chocolate layer. Once they're set in the freezer, finish the pecan pie filling and pour it over the chocolate.
Bake the chocolate paleo pecan pie at 350°F for 55-65 minutes. Allow to cool completely before cutting!
How to make this paleo pecan pie crust:
This paleo pecan pie crust is a little different than traditional paleo pie crusts. I find traditional pie crusts tend to be tedious and time consuming so I wanted to create a crust that is super easy to make and only takes a few minutes too.
Start by pulsing together the coconut flakes, coconut flour, almond flour and sea salt in the bowl of a food processor. Next, add melted coconut oil and maple syrup then pulse until completely combined and dough starts to form.
Press the crust into the bottom and sides of a tart pan and place in the freezer until you finish the chocolate layer.
This paleo pecan pie is so rich and it will be the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving spread! I can't wait for you to make it!
If you make this recipe, don't forget to follow me on Instagram and tag me in your post or stories with @what_mollymade so I can see it and feature you!
More Thanksgiving desserts:
Chocolate Paleo Pecan Pie
INGREDIENTS
Crust
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 1/2 cups almond meal/flour
- 1/2 cup coconut flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons coconut oil
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup
Chocolate Ganache
- 1 cup canned coconut milk
- 10 ounces dark chocolate
Pecan Pie Filling
- 1 can full fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup organic coconut sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup pecan halves
INSTRUCTIONS
- Start by making the caramel layer. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the coconut milk and coconut sugar over high heat. Watch constantly to avoid boil over. Bring to a boil, stirring or whisking, then lower the to medium-low to simmer. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally to avoid any burning or boiling over, for 15-20 minutes or until it’s reduced and a deep caramel color. Allow to cool for at least 45 minutes, until the crust and chocolate layer are complete.
- While it’s cooling, make the crust. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the coconut flakes, almond meal, coconut flour and salt. Pulse to combine. In a small microwave safe bowl, melt the coconut oil and maple syrup together. Pour into the food processor and pulse until well mixed.
- Press the crust into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch tart or pie pan. Use the flat bottom of a cup or measuring cup to press the crust down firmly. Place in the freezer.
- While it’s freezing, make the chocolate layer. Place the canned coconut milk in a medium microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until bubbling. Add the chocolate to the coconut milk and let stand for 2-3 minutes so the chocolate warms and softens. Whisk together until smooth. Pour chocolate ganache over frozen crust. Place back in the freezer for 30 minutes until set.
- While the chocolate layer is freezing, make the pecan caramel layer. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Whisk the eggs into the cooled caramel one at a time until smooth. Then stir in the sea salt, vanilla, cinnamon and chopped pecans. Pour filling over chocolate layer crust, then arrange pecan halves on the top of the pie however you’d like.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 60-65 minutes, until center is set and crust is golden brown. Check the pie around 50 minutes to avoid burning. If it’s getting to brown, create a foil tent to place on top and place back in the oven to finish baking.
- Once it’s set, allow pie to cool completely at room temperature. For easy slicing, cool completely then place in the freezer before slicing.
Notes
Crystal says
Great Recipe! I subbed honey for the coconut sugar and it was still spot on. Thanks!
Molly Thompson says
Thank you!! Love that!
Andie Lehman says
Can you substitute evaporated coconut milk for the coconut and if so what would the conversion be?
Molly Thompson says
Hey Andie! I haven't tried this but I think it should be fine if you swap it 1:1. Thanks!
Kathryn says
Can you use a more traditional style crust and if so, would it need to be par baked?
Molly Thompson says
Yes you can! I would blind bake it first!
Lauren says
I want to make this for Thanksgiving tomorrow but what do you use for the dark chocolate in the ganache? Is it like chocolate chips? Chocolate bars? Unsweetened? Or sweetened? Thanks in advanced I'm so excited to make it.
Elise says
Can I prep some of this in advance?
Sarah says
Such a yummy, unique pie! I will use a sweeter chocolate next time I make it as the chocolate I used was a bit bitter.