These indulgent little bites taste just like pecan pie, but they’re made with only 4 wholesome ingredients and no baking required. They’re the perfect festive treat – rich, chewy, chocolatey and satisfying, without any refined sugar or flour. I love how simple they are to make. Just toast the pecans (this brings out the flavour even more), blitz everything in a food processor, shape, chill, dip in chocolate and enjoy.
It’s a fuss-free recipe that gives you all the flavour of pecan pie in a healthy, bite-sized version. And because they’re made with natural, whole ingredients – like pecans, medjool dates and dark chocolate – they’re not just delicious, they’re also packed with healthy fats and fibre.
You can keep them in the fridge or freezer for weeks, making them ideal for meal prep or when you want to impress guests with something quick but special. These are especially lovely during the holiday season, but honestly… I make them all year round.
If you’re after something sweet, satisfying and nourishing – these are a must-try.
Why These Bites Are Good For You
Pecans are high in healthy fats and contain important antioxidants, while medjool dates provide natural sweetness and fibre. Dark chocolate adds a dose of polyphenols that may support heart health. And with no added refined sugar or processed ingredients, these bites are a more nutritious alternative to traditional desserts.
According to the NHS Eatwell Guide, getting enough fibre is important for digestion and overall health – and these are a tasty way to help boost your intake.
Tips
- Toast the Pecans First: Toasting the pecans brings out a deeper, richer flavour. I used the air fryer for 2–4 minutes at 180C, but the oven or a dry pan works too.
- Let Nuts Cool Before Blending: Always allow the toasted pecans to cool fully before adding to the food processor to avoid oily texture or overheating your blender.
- Don’t Overblend: Blitz just enough to form a sticky dough. Overmixing can make the texture too oily.
- Freezing Tip: Freeze the mixture for 20 minutes before dipping in chocolate to help the bites hold their shape.
- Decorate with a Pecan: Pressing a pecan half on top after dipping makes them look extra special for gifting or serving.
Swaps
Pecans: Walnuts or almonds could work, but the flavour will be slightly different. Pecans give the most classic pie flavour.
Medjool dates: Use regular dried dates soaked in hot water for 10 minutes if you don’t have medjool.
Cinnamon: Try mixed spice or pumpkin spice for a warming seasonal twist.
Dark chocolate: I always use 70% dark chocolate because it’s lower in sugar and higher in cacao. If you’re not used to dark chocolate, 50%–60% works too – but always stick with dark chocolate for the healthiest choice.
Storage
Fridge: Store for up to 7 days in an airtight container. The texture will be softer and fudgier.
Freezer: Store for up to 2 months. Let them sit at room temperature for 10–20 minutes before serving for the perfect consistency
More Healthy Bites
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No Bake Pecan Pie Bites
Ingredients
- 100 g toasted pecans*
- 8 medjool dates ~120g
- 40-50 g dark chocolate
- 1 tsp cinnamon Ceylon
Instructions
- *Toasting pecans make them so much better, simply air fryer for 2-4 mins at 180C. You could also use the oven or just the pan. Let the pecans cool down completely.
- Add all the ingredients (a part from the chocolate) into a food processor and blitz until it forms a dough.
- Mould with your hands and leave in the freezer for 20 mins to harden up.
- Melt the chocolate and dip the pecan bites in it.
- Add a pecan on top as decoration
- Freeze again and enjoy.