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    Home » Recipes

    Easy Chocolate Paleo Pecan Pie (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)

    Published on: October 5, 2021 - Molly Thompson12 Comments

    Dairy Free RecipesDF
    Gluten Free RecipesGF
    Paleo RecipesP
    Jump to Recipe

    With the right ingredients, pecan pie can be made gluten-free and Paleo. It's so delicious and easy to make, you will never eat store-bought again!

    chocolate paleo pecan pie on a white plate with a bite taken out
    Jump to:
    • Paleo pecan pie ingredients
    • How to you make a sugar free pecan pie
    • Is pecan pie really bad for you?
    • How to make paleo pecan pie
    • How to make this paleo pecan pie crust:
    • More Thanksgiving desserts
    • Recipe

    I made this 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!

     This paleo pecan pie is made with a salted caramel pecan pie filling on the top. The rich chocolate ganache underneath the gooey and crunchy pecan topping makes the best flavor and texture. No one will know it's completely free of grains.

    Paleo pecan pie ingredients

    • unsweetened coconut flakes
    • almond flour
    • coconut flour
    • salt
    • coconut oil
    • maple syrup
    • full fat canned coconut milk
    • dark chocolate
    • coconut sugar
    • ggs
    • pure vanilla extract
    • cinnamon
    • pecan halves 

    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.

    a piece of chocolate paleo pecan pie pulling out of pie

    How to 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! There isn't any processed sugar in it like white sugar or corn syrup.

    Instead, we're using 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.

    a lice of paleo pecan pit cut into a triangle

    How to make paleo pecan pie

    1. Pecan pie caramel filling: Heat coconut milk and coconut sugar over high eat in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then reduce heat to low and simmer,  stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes. Allow the caramel to cool for one hour while you make the rest of the pie.
    2. Pie crust: 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.
    3. Chocolate ganache: Heat the canned coconut milk in the microwave add the chocolate and let stand for 2-3 minutes so the chocolate warms and softens. Stir together until smooth then pour the mixture over frozen crust. Place it back in the freezer for 30 minutes until set.
    4. Bake: When the caramel from step 1 is cooled, mix the caramel with the eggs, vanilla, sea salt, cinnamon and chopped pecans. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 55-65 minutes.
    paleo pecan pie filling

    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.

    a slice of paleo pecan pie with a bite on a fork

    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, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. You can also tag me on Instagram so I can see it!

    More Thanksgiving desserts

    • Chocolate Caramel Tart [Paleo | Gluten Free]
    • Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
    • Paleo Pumpkin Bars

    Recipe

    a slice of chocolate paleo pecan pie surrounded by chocolate chips and pecans

    Chocolate Paleo Pecan Pie

    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.
    4.34 from 9 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 45 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
    Servings: 10 slices
    Calories: 648kcal
    Author: Molly Thompson
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    Crust

    • ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
    • 2 1/2 cups blanched almond flour
    • 1/2 cup coconut flour
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 cup coconut oil
    • 1/4 cup 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 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. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1slice | Calories: 648kcal | Carbohydrates: 43.6g | Protein: 12.3g | Fat: 48.3g | Cholesterol: 38.9mg | Sodium: 261mg | Fiber: 8.7g | Sugar: 28.2g
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @What_MollyMade or tag #whatmollymade!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Crystal says

      October 08, 2020 at 8:40 am

      5 stars
      Great Recipe! I subbed honey for the coconut sugar and it was still spot on. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Molly Thompson says

        October 21, 2020 at 2:48 pm

        Thank you!! Love that!

        Reply
    2. Andie Lehman says

      November 17, 2020 at 6:31 am

      Can you substitute evaporated coconut milk for the coconut and if so what would the conversion be?

      Reply
      • Molly Thompson says

        November 25, 2020 at 10:54 am

        Hey Andie! I haven't tried this but I think it should be fine if you swap it 1:1. Thanks!

        Reply
    3. Kathryn says

      November 21, 2020 at 10:05 am

      Can you use a more traditional style crust and if so, would it need to be par baked?

      Reply
      • Molly Thompson says

        November 25, 2020 at 10:50 am

        Yes you can! I would blind bake it first!

        Reply
    4. Lauren says

      November 25, 2020 at 10:02 pm

      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.

      Reply
    5. Elise says

      November 25, 2020 at 10:03 pm

      Can I prep some of this in advance?

      Reply
    6. Sarah says

      November 27, 2020 at 5:22 pm

      4 stars
      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.

      Reply
    7. Lynn Murphy says

      November 15, 2021 at 1:17 pm

      5 stars
      Can this be made in advance and frozen? If so at what stage should it be frozen? Prior of after baking?

      Reply
    8. Heidi says

      November 24, 2021 at 10:45 pm

      3 stars
      Making this right now. A couple of snags even though I followed directions to the T. 1) Way too much coconut milk which caused my pie to overflow. If I had done 1/2 can for the caramel and 1/2 for the ganache, it would have worked better. 2) I let it freeze for 1.5 hours in between fillings and it was still not settled. Letting it bake, but if it tastes good, then I’ll remake in smaller filling portion.

      Reply
      • Molly Thompson says

        December 14, 2021 at 10:16 am

        Thanks for the feedback, Heidi! A few people have said the same thing. I think it depends on the size of your pan! I'm going to take a look at this again to make sure the ratios are right. Thanks!

        Reply

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    I'm Molly! I'm so grateful you're here. My hope is that my recipes bless your home and your bodies. I want my website to be a tool to help you feel your best and nourish you with recipes you (and your family) look forward to making!

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