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Make healthy versions of your favorite holiday desserts so you still get the flavor without all of the sugar. This Healthy Pecan Pie recipe doesn’t use corn syrup, dairy, or any gluten. It’s sweetened with maple syrup and topped with a dairy-free caramel sauce. 

Slices of healthy pecan pie on plates.
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This delicious pecan pie filling without corn syrup combines raw pecans with vanilla extract and eggs for a rich delicious pie. This pie bakes in 45 minutes in a regular pie dish without any special equipment. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a delicious pecan pie without all of the corn syrup and added sugar.

If you like healthy pecan dessert recipes, you will love my white chocolate pecan cookies!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Made Without Corn Syrup: Instead of corn syrup, this recipe sweetens the pie filling with maple syrup. It tastes even more delicious thanks to the maple flavor.
  • Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free: The pie uses my low-calorie ingredient pie crust, which is gluten-free, and the filling is completely dairy-free. 
  • Tastes Similar to the Family Favorite: This pie captures all of the flavor of your family’s pecan pie recipe but is much better for you. Your guests with dietary needs will love having this as an option.

Ingredients

Ingredients for making a healthy pecan pie in bowls on a counter.
  • Pie Crust: I used my healthy pie crust for this pie, but. you can also use a store-bought crust if you prefer. 
  • Eggs: The eggs help bind the filling together and adds protein to the pie.
  • Maple Syrup: Natural maple syrup sweetens the filling without corn syrup. You can also use honey if you need instead. 
  • Coconut Oil: This oil is a great substitute for butter and adds moisture and richness to the pie filling. 
  • Raw Pecans: You’ll need raw pecan halves for this recipe. They are thinner than full pecans, but take up more surface area and are better for pie than pecan pieces. 
  • Coconut Milk: You’ll need coconut milk to make the dairy-free caramel sauce or a plant-based whipping cream.
  • Coconut Sugar: I prefer using coconut sugar to make the delicious caramel sauce, but you can use brown sugar or even a zero-calorie brown sugar alternative.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Variations & Dietary Modifications

  • Add Chocolate: Fold chocolate chips into your filling with a little cocoa powder to make a rich chocolate pecan pie. You can also make chocolate pecan pie bars.
  • Make It Vegan: Use a vegan egg white substitute to make this pie vegan-friendly. I don’t think a flax egg would work for this recipe.
  • Make Mini Pies: Create miniature versions of this low-calorie pecan pie to serve to your guests. Use a muffin tin to make them because it’s always a fun way to serve dessert.

How to Make Healthy Pecan Pie

This pecan pie recipe without corn syrup is a healthy and delicious dessert for the holiday season. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and made with natural sweeteners, while still being delicious. All you need is a lightly greased 9” pie dish and an oven preheated to 375°F.

A pie crust on a pie plate.

Step 1: Make the Crust in Advance. Follow my recipe for a low-calorie pie crust and set it aside to cool while you prepare the pie filling and caramel sauce. 

Caramel sauce in a small bowl.

Step 2: Make the Caramel Sauce. Combine the coconut milk and coconut sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Slowly whisk the sugar into the mixture until it’s combined. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Then remove it from the heat and set it aside. Once it’s cool, pour it into a jar or container with an airtight lid and store it in the refrigerator. 

Pie pilling ingredients mixed together in a bowl.

Step 3: Mix the Filling. Whisk together the egg, egg whites, and maple syrup until they are frothy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Then add the vanilla extract and coconut oil

A prepared pecan pie ready to be baked.

Step 4: Top with Pecans. Pour the filling into your prepared pie crust and top it with the pecan halves in a circle pattern. Sprinkle a bit of salt over the top. 

Baked healthy pecan pie in a glass pie plate.

Step 5: Bake the Pie. Bake the pie at 375°F for 45-50 minutes until the crust browns and the center of the pie firms. It will rise slightly during baking, but will deflate again as it cools. Allow it to cool for at least an hour before slicing and serving. Top it with a bit of caramel sauce. Enjoy a slice of pie with a cup of coffee and skinny gingerbread coffee creamer any day during the winter or holiday season. 

Expert Tips

  • Use Room Temperature Eggs: Ensure a smooth pie filling by using room temperature eggs. 
  • Serve It Chilled: This pie is best served chilled, so make it a day in advance and serve it straight from the refrigerator. 
  • Use Pecan Halves: The best type of pecans to use for this low-sugar pecan pie are pecan halves. They aren’t as thick as whole pecans, but are more visually appealing on the top of the pie than broken pieces of pecans.
  • Storing: Cover any leftover pie and store it in the refrigerator for a week. You can also wrap leftover pie tightly and freeze it for 2 months. Thaw frozen leftovers in the refrigerator for 24 hours before enjoying.
Healthy pecan pie on a table.

Serving Suggestions

This healthier pecan pie is a great gluten-free and dairy-free dessert option for your holiday celebrations. It’s made with a 3-ingredient crust, no corn syrup, and topped with a light caramel syrup. This is the perfect dessert for those that love pecan pie but want a healthier option. 

Recipe FAQs

How do I thicken my caramel sauce if it’s too runny? I

If your caramel sauce is runny, you can thicken it using tapioca starch or arrowroot powder while it’s still warm. Make a slurry and add it in increments. Continue cooking until it thickens.

Why is my healthy pecan pie crust so soggy?

A soggy crust can come from a variety of causes. You’ll need to prebake the crust or make it in advance and store it. A warm, fresh crust is more likely to turn soggy.

Why is the top of my healthy pecan pie too brown and cracked?

Oven temperatures vary, so if your oven runs hot, the top may brown more quickly and crack before the pie bakes all the way through. You can reduce the oven temperature by 10° or use a piece of foil to tent the top of the cake. This traps the steam to heat the inside of the pie without letting it overcook the top.

Can I make a healthy pecan pie ahead of time?

Sure! Make pies a day or two before your holiday celebrations and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve dessert. It helps take some of the stress off cooking the day of.

Healthy pecan pie on a table with a jar of caramel sauce and dish of pecans.

More Delicious Healthy Pie Recipes

If you tried this Healthy Pecan Pie recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below.

Slices of healthy pecan pie on plates with forks.
5 from 2 votes
Servings: 8 slices

Healthy Pecan Pie

Create a delicious and healthy pecan pie for the holidays. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and doesn’t have any corn syrup. It doesn’t have complicated ingredients or require fancy kitchen equipment.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Resting Time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 55 minutes
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Ingredients 

For the Caramel Sauce

Instructions 

  • Make the low calorie pie crust. Set aside to cool while you make the sauce and filling.
  • Make the caramel sauce by combing the milk and sugar in a small saucepan and bringing to a medium heat. Whisk the sugar in until it's combined then bring to a simmer. Simmer on medium heat 5 minutes. Then remove from heat. Once cooled, place in a mason jar or container and store in the refrigerator to thicken.
  • Preheat oven to 375 F and prepare a 9-inch pie dish by lightly greasing with coconut oil.
  • In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg, egg whites and real maple syrup (not fake) together until frothy 2-3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and coconut oil then pour into the prepared pie crust.
  • Top the mixture with the pecans then sprinkle with salt.
  • Bake 45-50 minutes at 375 F until the crust is brown and the center of the pie is firm. It will raise slightly during baking then deflate a bit after cooling.
  • Cool at room temperature a minimum of 1 hour before slicing. I like to nudge the crust loose with a wood spatula before slicing to prevent it from cracking off.
  • Serve with 1-2 teaspoons of caramel sauce on top. If your caramel sauce is runny, you can mix in a 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon of corn starch, arrowroot power or tapioca to thicken it.

Notes

  • Room-temperature eggs are the best option for ensuring a smooth pie filling. 
  • This pie is best served chilled. Allow it to cool completely or serve the pie straight from the refrigerator. 
  • Raw pecan halves are the best option for this pie. They look visually appealing and aren’t as thick as whole pecans. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 292kcal, Carbohydrates: 34g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.003g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 465mg, Potassium: 169mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 33IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 41mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Megan

Megan is a nutritionist who coaches women 35+ lose weight sustainably. She is the author of the Low Calorie Cookbook, fitness instructor, host of the Dish On Ditching Diets Podcast and creator of Skinny Fitalicious where you get lighter, higher protein recipes. Follow Megan on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube and Instagram for the latest updates.

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3 Comments

  1. Mandy says:

    Excited to try this recipe! I LOVE pecan pie. The nutrition info says 183 calories, does this include pie crust calories or just the filling?

    1. Megan says:

      Hi Mandy, I actually just updated this a few minutes ago to include the pie crust in the nutrition facts. Hope you enjoy the recipe!

  2. Stephanie says:

    Lightly sweetened healthier Pecan Pie! I’ve made it twice in 2 days. My husband and I both love Pecan Pie and I can’t have Gluten or Dairy. I also don’t use processed sugar and this recipe fit my criteria. We love it. Followed the recipe exactly as written except for the coconut oil, I didn’t have so a subbed with extra virgin olive oil and it was fine. Very easy recipe and pairs perfect with Megan’s Oat Pie Crust Recipe.

    I’ll be trying the 2nd pie today with the caramel sauce since I’m bringing it for a family dinner.