Our Best, Easy Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe

Chocolate pecan pie evokes images of warm kitchens, holiday dessert tables, and indulgent sweetness. But the classic version often leans heavily on corn syrup or refined sugars—not ideal if you avoid gluten or refined ingredients. This gluten-free chocolate pecan pie reinvents the Southern favorite by using a chocolate almond crust and a sweet filling built on maple syrup, dates, and coconut sugar.

By stripping out problematic ingredients and leaning into whole-food substitutions, this version retains the heart of the pie—the nutty crunch, the gooey filling, the rich chocolate note—while fitting into cleaner eating categories. Think of it as a crowd-pleasing dessert that respects dietary boundaries without compromising on flavor.

This recipe works beautifully for holidays and celebrations, but it’s not just for special occasions. Serve a slice with coffee or plant-based ice cream, or pack a mini pie for a sweet surprise. It gives you the familiar comfort of pecan pie with a better-for-you twist.

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Easy Chocolate Pecan Pie

Recipe Details

Yield: One 8- to 9-inch pie
Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Recipe Ingredients

For the chocolate crust:

• For the chocolate crust:
• 2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 tablespoons ghee
• 1 egg
• 6 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder

For the pecan filling:

• 1 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup date paste
• Scant 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 3 eggs
• 3 tablespoons ghee
• 1/2 tablespoon arrowroot starch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped pecans

Recipe Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line the bottom of a tart, pie, or 8- to 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the crust until it comes together as a dough.
3. Press evenly into bottom and sides of lined pan. Bake in oven 7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
4. While crust is baking, whisk together maple syrup, date paste, and coconut sugar in a medium-sized saucepan over low heat.
5. Bring to a boil, stop stirring, and let boil 1 minute. Remove from heat and let cool. Transfer mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
6. Add in eggs and whisk to combine. Add in ghee, arrowroot starch, and vanilla. Mix.
7. Add in chopped pecans and mix to combine.
8. Pour mixture into crust and place back in oven to bake 30 to 40 additional minutes, or until the pie filling has fully set.
9. Let cool before serving.

Note: If you can’t find store-bought date paste, process pitted dates in a food processor until smooth.

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Chocolate Pecan Pie Nutrition Facts

*Estimated per slice (recipe yields 8 slices). Based strictly on Thrive Market’s ingredient amounts.

Serving Size	1 slice
Calories	≈ 380 kcal
Protein	≈ 7 g
Carbs	≈ 38 g
Sugar	≈ 30 g
Fiber	≈ 4 g
Fat	≈ 24 g

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Chocolate Pecan Pie Variations & Tips

• Nut swap: Use walnuts or a mix of pecans + walnuts if you want a softer nut texture.
• Chocolate upgrade: Stir in chopped dark chocolate into the filling for extra richness.
• Lower sweetness: Reduce coconut sugar slightly and rely more on the sweetness of maple + dates.
• Crust variation: Press crust partly up the sides for a rustic flare, or make a lattice-style chocolate drizzle on top for decoration.
• Toast nuts first: Lightly toast pecans before folding into filling to enhance their flavor and crunch.
• Chill fully before slicing: Allow the pie to cool and set for several hours (or overnight) so filling slices cleanly.

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Best Chocolate Pecan Pie Pairings

• Coconut whipped cream or vanilla bean nondairy ice cream — smooth and cooling contrast.
• Espresso or strong black coffee — bold bitterness balances richness.
• Orange zest garnish or fresh orange segments — citrus cuts through sweetness.
• Fresh berries or raspberry coulis — bright, tangy counterpoint to nutty, sweet pie.
• Warm berries with a touch of balsamic — for a sophisticated fruity side.

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When to Make Chocolate Pecan Pie

• Thanksgiving or holiday feasts — a gluten-free showstopper for dessert tables.
• Chocolate dessert nights — feature as a rich centerpiece among other treats.
• Potluck or shared dessert spread — slices travel well and impress guests.
• Birthday or celebratory dinners — elegant alternative for those avoiding gluten.
• Cake swap or holiday bake exchanges — unique pie that stands out in a lineup.

Photo credit: Paul Delmont