Pecan Pie Bites Recipe

Irresistible Pecan Pie Bites Recipe: Tiny Sweet Treasures

Crafting delightful pecan pie bites sparks joy in every kitchen adventure.

Small treats pack incredible flavor into compact morsels.

Sweet kernels nestled in buttery pastry create irresistible miniature delicacns.

Crisp edges complement gooey centers that melt dramatically.

Relatives always request these bite-sized wonders during holiday gatherings.

Southern tradition meets modern snacking with these elegant confections.

Let you savor each delicate morsel and experience pure culinary magic.

Pecan Pie Bites That Disappear Fast

  • Quick No-Bake Delight: Whip up these decadent pecan pie bites without turning on the oven, perfect for busy bakers who want maximum flavor with minimal effort.
  • Party-Perfect Treats: Easily create bite-sized desserts that are ideal for gatherings, holiday parties, or casual get-togethers where guests can enjoy a small sweet indulgence.
  • Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like bourbon for apple juice, experiment with different chocolate coatings, or adjust nut quantities to match personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare these treats in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing for stress-free entertaining and satisfying sweet cravings with minimal last-minute preparation.

What’s in Pecan Pie Bites

Base Ingredients:
  • Pecans: Rich, nutty flavor that brings the essence of classic pecan pie.
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides structure and a sweet, crumbly base for the bites.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel-like sweetness characteristic of pecan pie.
  • Salt: Enhances and balances the overall sweet flavor profile.
Binding Ingredients:
  • Maple Syrup: Creates sticky moisture that helps hold the bites together.
  • Apple Juice, Bourbon: Adds liquid depth and helps bind the ingredients.
  • Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, aromatic flavor to complement the pecans.
Finishing Ingredients:
  • Chocolate: Provides a rich coating that adds extra indulgence to the bites.
  • Parchment Paper: Helps with easy setting and prevents sticking during preparation.

Step-by-Step for Pecan Pie Bites

Step 1: Combine Nutty Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend together finely chopped roasted pecans, crushed graham crackers, rich brown sugar, and a pinch of sea salt.

Make sure all dry ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 2: Bind With Sweet Liquid

Pour in:
  • Pure maple syrup
  • Apple cider
  • Fragrant vanilla extract

Stir thoroughly until the mixture becomes cohesive and can be easily shaped when pressed together.

Step 3: Create Delectable Spheres

Gently roll the mixture into small, bite-sized spheres about the size of a quarter.

Carefully place each sphere onto a parchment-lined baking tray.

Step 4: Solidify the Treats

Transfer the tray to the freezer and let the bites chill for approximately 30 minutes.

This helps them maintain their shape and become firm.

Step 5: Chocolate Drenching

Melt high-quality dark or milk chocolate.

Dip each chilled pecan ball partially or completely into the melted chocolate, ensuring an even coating.

Step 6: Allow Chocolate to Harden

Return the chocolate-covered bites to the parchment paper.

Let them rest at room temperature until the chocolate sets completely and becomes glossy.

Step 7: Preserve and Enjoy

Store the finished pecan pie bites in an airtight container within the refrigerator.

They will remain fresh and delicious for up to one week.

Mini Pie Tips For Pecan Lovers

  • Gently roast pecans in a dry skillet before mixing to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, richer taste profile.
  • Add liquid ingredients gradually to prevent the mixture from becoming too wet or crumbly, ensuring ideal ball-forming consistency.
  • Use room temperature chocolate and dip balls quickly to create a smooth, even coating without causing the balls to break apart.
  • Swap bourbon for rum or add a pinch of cinnamon to personalize the pecan pie bites and match your taste preferences.
  • Prepare these bites in advance and store in the freezer for up to 2 weeks, making them perfect for last-minute gatherings or sweet cravings.

Pecan Bites That Stay Crunchy and Sweet

  • Store pecan pie bites in an airtight container for up to 7 days, keeping them fresh and preventing moisture buildup.
  • Layer bites between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container and freeze for 2-3 months, maintaining their delicious flavor and texture.
  • Remove frozen bites from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving, ensuring they regain their soft, delectable consistency.
  • Enjoy straight from the refrigerator for the best taste and texture, preserving their rich chocolate and pecan flavor profile.

Nutty Matches For Pie Bites

  • Pair with Bourbon Neat: Classic whiskey enhances the pecan pie bite's rich maple and nutty flavors, creating a sophisticated tasting experience.
  • Complement with Vanilla Ice Cream: Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream provides delightful contrast to the chocolate-coated, warm-spiced pecan bites.
  • Match with Coffee Liqueur: Smooth, sweet coffee liqueur amplifies the dessert's deep caramel and chocolate undertones, offering a luxurious after-dinner treat.
  • Balance with Cinnamon Tea: Warm, spicy cinnamon tea cuts through the sweetness and highlights the pecan's natural earthy notes.

Pecan Bite Ingredient Variations

  • Gluten-Free Option: Replace graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free graham crackers or almond flour for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegan Adaptation: Swap maple syrup with agave nectar, use dark chocolate without milk solids, and substitute chopped dates for binding.
  • Nut-Free Alternative: Swap pecans with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for those with nut allergies, maintaining similar texture and crunch.
  • Low-Sugar Version: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of brown sugar and dark chocolate with stevia to reduce overall sugar content.

FAQs

  • Are these pecan pie bites healthy?

While they contain nuts which offer nutrients, these are still a sweet treat. They have protein from pecans and less processed sugar compared to traditional pie, but should be enjoyed in moderation.

  • Can I make these without alcohol?

Absolutely! Replace bourbon with apple juice or additional maple syrup. The recipe works perfectly without alcohol and still maintains great flavor.

  • How long do these pecan pie bites last?

When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these bites will stay fresh for about 7-10 days. Just ensure they’re sealed well to maintain texture.

  • Do I need special equipment to make these?

No special equipment is needed. Basic kitchen tools like a mixing bowl, baking sheet, parchment paper, and your hands are sufficient to create these delicious bites.

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Pecan Pie Bites Recipe

Pecan Pie Bites Recipe


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4.8 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Irresistible Pecan Pie Bites bring Southern comfort to miniature form, offering rich caramel and nutty flavors in perfect bite-sized portions. Guests will savor these elegant morsels that deliver classic holiday dessert magic without overwhelming sweetness.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (473 ml) pecans, toasted and finely chopped
  • 1 cup (240 ml) graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 cup (240 ml) brown sugar, packed

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) apple juice (or bourbon if desired)
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract

Finishing Ingredients:

  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) chocolate chips, melted (for dipping)

Instructions

  1. Pulverize the graham crackers into fine crumbs, creating a uniform texture that will serve as the foundational base for the bite-sized confections.
  2. Toast the pecans in a dry skillet until they release a rich, nutty aroma, enhancing their natural flavor profile and adding depth to the overall taste.
  3. Combine the ground graham crackers, roasted pecans, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring all dry components are thoroughly integrated.
  4. Create a flavor-binding liquid by whisking together maple syrup, apple juice (or bourbon for a more robust character), and pure vanilla extract until smoothly blended.
  5. Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring with a silicone spatula until the contents form a cohesive, moldable consistency that holds its shape when gently compressed.
  6. Using clean hands, delicately craft compact spheres approximately one inch in diameter, placing each carefully on a parchment-lined tray.
  7. Transfer the tray to the freezer, allowing the nascent bites to solidify and maintain their structural integrity for approximately half an hour.
  8. Melt high-quality chocolate using a double boiler or microwave, ensuring a smooth, glossy finish for coating.
  9. Methodically dip each chilled pecan bite into the molten chocolate, either partially or completely enrobing them, then return to the parchment-lined surface.
  10. Allow the chocolate coating to set at room temperature or expedite the process by briefly chilling in the refrigerator.
  11. Once fully set, transfer the finished pecan pie bites to an airtight container, storing in the refrigerator to preserve their texture and flavor until ready to serve.

Notes

  • Toast pecans carefully to enhance their nutty flavor and prevent burning, watching them closely in the oven or skillet.
  • Use high-quality maple syrup for a richer, more authentic taste that elevates the entire dessert bite.
  • Adjust bourbon or apple juice quantity based on desired moisture level, ensuring the mixture holds together without becoming too wet.
  • Create gluten-free version by substituting graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs for those with dietary restrictions.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Rolling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Daniel Bruns

Daniel Bruns

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Recipe development for home cooks, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and food writing

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations
Focus: Classical and contemporary cooking techniques, Culinary entrepreneurship and kitchen management, Menu development and food cost analysis


Daniel’s story started with flour on his face and a pie in the oven at his grandma’s house. He later sharpened his skills at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
His goal? Recipes so simple you’ll want to cook every night. When he’s not whipping up one-pan wonders, Daniel’s outside picking herbs, hosting neighborhood cook-offs, or baking chocolate cakes with his kids, messy, sweet, and unforgettable.

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