No Bake Chocolate Pecan Bars

This gluten-free and vegan No Bake Chocolate Pecan Bars recipe is simple and decadent. Only a few, simple ingredients are needed to enjoy this healthy, chocolate treat.

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chocolate pecan bars on a counter.

Easy no-bake treats like these Chocolate Pecan Bars are perfect for satisfying that sweet tooth. We also love this Chocolate Chip Freezer Fudge and these Coconut Chocolate Macaroons for yummy no-bake chocolate goodness. Check out all of our Healthy Chocolate Treats for inspiration.

IN THIS POST: Everything you need to make No Bake Chocolate Pecan Bars

chocolate pecan bars on a counter.

Ingredients

  • pecans 
  • oats – use certified gluten-free for allergies
  • dates
  • peanut butter – natural drippy peanut butter works best!
  • maple syrup
  • chocolate chips
  • coconut oil
ingredients laid out on a counter.

This healthier dessert is made without corn syrup and refined brown sugar. The dates give us the caramel taste and you will love the chocolate and pecan flavors together. Every bite is heaven!

We also love that you don’t need your oven! No bake is our favorite way to make treats. So easy.

Instructions for this recipe

First, line a 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.

Second, add pecans and oats to a food processor.

pecans and oats in a food processor.

Pulse until the nuts are pulverized and the oats are like flour. 

processed pecans and oats.

Third, add the dates, peanut butter, and maple syrup to the food processor and process again until it starts to form a sticky dough. It should stick together when you pinch it between your fingers.

This takes about 2 minutes. 

sticky pecan bar dough in a food processor.

Press the mixture into the prepared pan and place it in the freezer.

I use a flat spatula and really press it in well so the bars don’t crumble.

pecan bar base pressed into a baking dish.

Meanwhile, make the chocolate topping!

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add the chocolate chips and coconut oil. Stir until the chips have melted and the mixture is smooth.

chocolate melting in a pan.

Next, take the pecan and oat crust out of the freezer and pour the melted chocolate evenly over the top.

Spread it with a knife to make it even.

chocolate topping spread on top of the pecan base.

Finally, sprinkle the top with a handful of chopped pecan halves and place it back in the freezer to set.

Your prep is done! Just slice them up when they are firm.

chopped pecans sprinkled on top of the bars.

FAQs, Tips, and Substitutions

  • How many calories are in a chocolate pecan bar? When they are cut into 16 each bar has 225 calories. 
  • Use a flat spatula to press the bottom crust layer down really well into the baking pan to avoid crumbly bars.
  • Remember to use natural peanut butter as the oils work best for holding the bars together. You could also use almond butter or even pecan butter instead of peanut butter. Any nut butter works in this recipe as long as it is natural.
  • Substitute another natural sweetener such as honey instead of maple syrup
  • Add a drop of vanilla extract to the date mixture for some added flavor!
  • Store in the freezer or fridge in a sealed container or wrapped tightly in foil for up to a week.
chocolate pecan bars on a counter.

More healthy no bake recipes

chocolate pecan bars on a counter.

*This recipe was originally posted on August 18, 2016, updated on June 4, 2019, and updated again on October 18, 2022, with recipe notes, writing, and new photos.*

If you’ve tried our Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars, please rate the recipe and let me know how it turned out by leaving me a comment below. I’m always interested in feedback!

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chocolate pecan bars on a counter.

No Bake Chocolate Pecan Bars – Gluten Free + Vegan

Sharon Rhodes
Delicious No Bake Chocolate Pecan Bars recipe that is gluten-free and vegan. Naturally sweetened with no corn syrup! Easy to make and a really yummy healthier dessert option.
4.65 from 14 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Chill 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 225 kcal

Ingredients
  

FOR THE BASE

FOR THE TOPPING

Instructions
 

  • Line a 9×9 dish with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Add 2 cups of pecans and the oats to a food processor and pulse until the nuts are pulverized and the oats are like flour.
  • Add the dates, peanut butter, and maple syrup to the food processor and buzz it again until it starts to form a dough. It should stick together when you pinch it between your fingers.
  • Press the mixture into the lined 9×9 and place it in the freezer. Be sure to really press it into the pan to ensure the bars aren't crumbly.
  • Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add the chocolate chips and coconut oil. Stir until the chips have melted and the mixture is smooth.
  • Take the base out of the freezer and pour the melted chocolate evenly over the top. Spread it with a knife to make it even. Sprinkle the top with the chopped pecans.
  • Put back into the freezer to set. This should take about 30 minutes.
  • Slice into bars.
  • Store in the fridge or freezer in a sealed container for up to a week.

Video

Notes

  • Use a flat spatula to press the bottom crust layer down really well into the baking pan to avoid crumbly bars.
  • Remember to use natural peanut butter as the oils work best for holding the bars together. You could also use almond butter or even pecan butter instead of peanut butter. Any nut butter works in this recipe as long as it is natural.
  • Substitute another natural sweetener such as honey instead of maple syrup
  • Add a drop of vanilla extract to the date mixture for some added flavor!
  • Store in the freezer or fridge in a sealed container or wrapped tightly in foil for up to a week.

Nutrition

Serving: 16Calories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 4gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 37mgPotassium: 227mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 54mgIron: 0.8mg
Keyword chocolate pecan bars, no bake chocolate pecan bars
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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5 Comments

  1. Unfortunately these were a little disappointing considering the expensive ingredients ( pecans are pricier than almonds or walnuts). They were crumbly and pretty average in taste. I should’ve stuck to the humble oat which seems to yield a tasty result when mixed with peanut butter and honey or maple syrup and covered in chocolate.

  2. 5 stars
    Yum, yum, these look delicious! Pecans and chocolate are a great match. 🙂 Can’t wait to hear your news girl! 😉

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