No Bake Paleo Chocolate Pecan Bars (Vegan, Paleo, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
No Bake Paleo Chocolate Pecan Bars (V, GF, Paleo): a 5-ingredient, no bake recipe for deliciously textured pecan bars topped with a thick layer of chocolate and nuts. Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy-Free.
Before we get started today, I just wanted to say thank you all for the amazing birthday wishes. 🙂 It was really wonderful and heartwarming to receive your kind words. <3 All the hugs, high-fives, and maybe, just maybe, some big plates stacked with warm cookies (and birthday cake) to you.
☀︎ ☀︎ ☀︎
It’s official, fall is here! Wait a minute, I’m a bit behind again, aren’t I? What I meant to say was… it’s official, Thanksgiving madness is upon us! We made it through that rough patch of letting go of summer, we drizzled our way through Halloween, and, now, we are finally in that cozy, warm spot before the winter holidays.
Leaves are turning all the beautiful colors of pumpkin bread (and chocolate pumpkin bread!!! Okay… brown leaves heh heh), candy red apples, and caramel spice lattes… um, I mean, natural, non-food related colors of fall (yeah, right). And here we are! In case anyone noticed, I’ve gotten into a mood. More specifically, the pecan mood.
Could there be a tastier mood?
Okay, there is peanut butter and chocolate, coffee and coconut and all kinds of other flavor-ingredient moods I have to stop talking about or else I’ll eat my computer. But, ya know, it’s a pecan-scented/stuffed/topped/chopped mood ‘round these parts.
First there was the double chocolate pecan brownies. Yep, with plenty, plenty, and more plenty of drizzle. Then, there was the no bake pecan pie bites. And now, without further ado, a most stunning addition to the Pecan Collection of ’16: No Bake Paleo Chocolate Pecan Bars.
Are you excited?
Do you love pecans as much as I do? Do you kinda think they taste like they’re already coated in something sweet and delicious, like coconut sugar, without even being coated in something sweet and delicious, like coconut sugar?
I do. 🙂
Anyway, when I was whipping up batches upon batches of my no bake pecan pie bites, several family members of mine kept asking for more ways to eat all of that deliciousness. My mom wondered if there could be cups of some sort. Erik asked for, well, you know what he asked for. My sisters… well, my sisters were happy with pretty much any and all forms of the snack-packed care packages they could get. 😉
Snack-packed care packages… Hmm. I kinda like the sound of that.
Wait, what was I saying? Right. Well, I was whipping up another batch of those pecan pie bites and I started thinking, what would happen if I just poured the entire lot of it into a pan? Then, combine some of that deliciousness with the amazing chocolate topping from this recipe?
It could go one of three ways: 1) terribly awry for no good reason at all. Don’t even get me started on the shenanigans that arose from trying to make my no bake pumpkin chocolate chip cookie dough bites into truffles (simple?? Not so much.) 2) Fairly mediocre-ly. Yes, mediocre-ly. In which case, it totally would not warrant the joy/trouble of blending up dates, almond butter and pecans (some of the most precious, delicious ingredients ever, amiright?).
3) Stunningly, fireworks-shooting-off-into-space, take the day off of work and traipse over all manner of apple-green hills while singing like Zac Efron in that one music video that ALWAYS makes Erik and me giggle because these are that good, GOOD.
So what do you think happened? 🙂
Someone call Zac (why yes, we’re on a first-name basis) and tell him to put his singing shoes on. Because these No Bake Paleo Chocolate Pecan Bars are IT. IT = So. Ridiculously. Good. And before I start telling you all about how amazing they taste, let me just first say: they do not require refrigeration.
Is anyone else as excited about that as I am? No refrigeration. Duuuuuuuuude. I mean, you totally can refrigerate these, if that’s what floats your (obviously cool in many ways) boat. But they just don’t! In fact, the texture of these is actually better if you leave them out at room temperature.
Unless you’re the type to enjoy frozen brownies? No judgments—I’ve been known to really enjoy frozen cups of all shapes and sizes (okay, well, just sizes cause: cups. Ahem). Frozen can definitely make the enjoyment time last longer, but there’s just something to be said about a no bake bar that can withstand the test of room temperature.
Ya know?
When I was testing these bars at different temperatures—why yes, that does sound a tad crazy—I wanted to make sure they’d keep at all the degrees. I trial tested one container of these No Bake Paleo Chocolate Pecan Bars in the fridge, one on the counter and one in the freezer. I found that the one at room temp had the tastiest texture. The chocolate topping was firm, but delightful to bite into, like soft fudge. And the pecan bars held together, with this perfect sweetness and scrumptious texture.
Alright, maybe I’m rambling. Okay, I’m definitely rambling. But seriously, these bars are THAT good. I’ll save you the displeasure of reading like 10,000 more words about these no bake treats, and just shower you with the features bullet points that I so often like to do. 🙂 Also, before I get to THE list, can I just say: these paleo chocolate chip muffins from the very talented Chrystal at Gluten-Free Palate look amazing!
Check it out, these No Bake Paleo Chocolate Pecan Bars are:
- made with just 5 ingredients
- paleo, vegan
- the perfect balance of salty and sweet
- tasty just like chocolate pecan pie
- gluten free, dairy-free
- made with feel-good ingredients
- so easy to make
- rich, chocolatey and nutty
- plant-based and allergy-friendly
- AMAZING at room temperature
- perfect for a post-dinner dessert or…
- a mid-afternoon/morning snack
- Zac Efron-approved (in theory; make that singing theory)
I hope you love these No Bake Paleo Chocolate Pecan Bars as much as my family and I do. Thank you for preparing for the holidays with me. I can’t wait to hear what you think of these. In the mean time, tell me:
What’s the weather like where you live? Does the change in seasons make you crave anything special?
Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️
And a few Fall-inspired Plant-based, Allergy-Friendly Recipes for the road…
Super Fudgy Paleo Maple Pecan Brownies | Paleo Apple Crisp | 3 Ingredient Chocolate Pecan Fudge (Paleo) | Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins | Gluten Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Bars | Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies | Gluten Free Maple Pecan Pumpkin Muffins | Skillet-Roasted Cinnamon Maple Pecans | Pumpkin Pie Smoothie (Paleo)
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☀︎ Did you make this recipe? Take a pic and share it on Instagram with the hashtag #beamingbaker and tag @beamingbaker. I would love to see it! ☀︎
No Bake Paleo Dessert Recipes
- 4 Ingredient No Bake Paleo Chocolate Almond Bars
- 2 Ingredient 5 Minute Homemade Fudge Recipe
- No Bake Paleo Chocolate Almond Butter Bars
- Ultimate Fudgy Paleo Vegan Brownies
No Bake Paleo Chocolate Pecan Bars (Vegan, Paleo, Gluten Free, Dairy-Free)
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
Description
No Bake Paleo Chocolate Pecan Bars (V, GF, Paleo): a 5-ingredient, no bake recipe for deliciously textured pecan bars topped with a thick layer of chocolate and nuts. Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy-Free.
Ingredients
Pecan Layer
- 5–7 Medjool dates, pitted (1/2 cup, packed)
- 1/2 cup unsalted, natural almond butter
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted pecan halves, divided
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
Chocolate Layer
- 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted, natural almond butter
Topping
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, greased foil or wax paper. Set aside.
- Make the pecan layer: Add dates and almond butter to a food processor. Blend until you get a somewhat cohesive, sticky and crumbly mixture, like chunks of wet sand/dough. This will take about a minute. Scrape down the sides of the processor as needed.
- Add in 1 cup pecans, vanilla and salt. Blend until the pecans are fully-incorporated and you get a soft, crumbly mixture. It’s ready when you can pinch the mixture between your fingers and it holds together. Add in remaining ½ cup pecans. Pulse just a few times until incorporated and pecans are chopped, with medium-small pieces still visible.
- Pour this mixture into the prepared baking pan. Press down and smooth into an tightly-packed, even layer.
- Make the chocolate layer: Use the double boiler method or the following. In a medium, microwave-safe bowl, add Chocolate Layer ingredients (1/2 cup chocolate chips and ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon almond butter). Heat in 20-second increments until softened and melted. Stir until smooth.
- Pour this chocolate mixture over the pecan bars. Using a rubber spatula, smooth into an even layer. Sprinkle ¼ cup chopped pecans evenly over the bars. Press pecans gently into the chocolate layer.
- Freeze for 20-30 minutes. Remove from freezer and slice into 16 bars. Enjoy! Storing instructions below.
Notes
– Adapted from my No Bake Pecan Pie Bites (Vegan, Paleo, Gluten Free, Dairy Free) and my Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats.
– Storage notes: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature for 1-2 weeks.
– Freezing instructions: Store in an airtight, freezer-friendly container in the freezer for up to 1 month.
– Fall recipes (v, gf, df): pumpkin bread, pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, caramel apple tartlets, double chocolate pecan brownies.
– More Paleo sweet treats (all v, gf, df): almond joy, coffee coconut frappuccino, no bake pecan pie bites, almond butter cups.
- Category: No Bake, Dessert, Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy-Free
© beamingbaker.com. All content and images are protected by copyright. Please do not use my images or recipe without my permission. If you wish to republish this recipe, please re-write the entire recipe using your own words and include a link to this post for the recipe.
Double Chocolate Pecan Brownies (Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
No Bake Pecan Pie Bites (Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
Vegan Double Chocolate Chip Cookies (Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
Paleo Almond Joy (Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
These bars are AMAZING!!! I definitely was hesitant with how this would turn out, but wow, everything in this just worked together so perfectly. I just finished a round of Whole30 and didn’t want to put my body into shock with some yummy fall treats. No shocked stomach, but definitely shocked my tastebuds up to heaven. With how good these are, I can’t believe they’re guilt-free! I will definitely be making this over and over again! Thanks for the recipe!
Woohoo!! I’m so happy you loved them, Monica. 🙂 Btw, my sister’s name is Monica! So much yes about wanting to avoid the shocked stomach–I’ve definitely been there. “Shocked my tastebuds up to heaven”: I just LOVED that. Thanks for stopping by and letting me know how these turned out for you. Can’t wait to see what you try next!
Hi Is there a nutritional panel somewhere ? Love to know the stats. They look very good.
Thank you.
These are absolutely amazing!!!!!! BLESS YOU! I am on a super strict diet and these saved me on those days when I get cravings and need some sweetness. Seriously, best recipe I’ve ever tried. I used smashed packed dates instead of whole Medjool dates. SO GOOD! THANK YOU!
PS: The entire family didnt believe me when I said its so healthy. Everyone enjoyed these sooo much!!
Aw… bless YOU for taking the time to leave such a wonderful comment. 🙂 <3 Sara, I have BEEN there with the super strict diet--sometimes ya just NEED some chocolate to make it through! Great idea to use those smashed packed dates. I'm so happy that you and your family enjoyed these. Thanks for taking the time to let me know. Big hugs. 🙂
I can’t have almonds. Do you think you could replace the almond butter with peanut butter?
Hi Melissa, yes, you can. 🙂 The bars will just have a peanut buttery taste. 😉 Enjoy!
These are AWESOME!!! My tweaks: 1tsp cinnamon in date/pecan base and 1/4 tsp chili powder in choco/pb top layer. Seriously good! Would post pic but don’t know how. 😉
WOOHOO!! I’m so happy you enjoyed these bars, Dudley! 🙂 LOVE the cinnamon & chili powder tweak. My sister Penny is always asking me to add chili powder into my chocolate recipes–I’ll have to tell her you made it happen with my bars. 😉 You can share the pic with me on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. 😉 I’d LOVE to see!
Do you think his would work with walnuts instead of pecans? I have a ton I need to use .
You know what Hannah, I think that might work! My only hesitation is that walnuts tend to release more oil when blended… but I think it should be fine, just make sure not to overblend. Can’t wait to hear how they turn out! 🙂
I don’t have choclate chips but I have cocoa powder how can I make that work?
Hi Lesley, I’m not sure. I’ve only made this with chocolate chips. Perhaps a variation on this recipe: https://beamingbaker.com/vegan-magic-shell-paleo-dairy-free-gluten-free/ Hope this helps! 🙂
I had high hopes for this recipe because they just looked and sounded so delicious and I was not disappointed! In fact I was blown away at how amazing these are! I’ve made them twice this holiday season and plan to again tomorrow. They are Just. That. Good. Only modification I made was to add a bit of cinnamon to the bottom layer because it’s my favorite spice and pairs so well with chocolate and nuts. I also soak and dehydrate my pecans which gives them extra nutritional value but also ups the yummy factor as the nuts practically burst in your mouth! I never leave reviews but had to on this as they were so yummy and I will be making these for years to come!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed this recipe, Lindsay! 🙂 Your enthusiasm makes me want to get back into the kitchen right now (on New Year’s Day, no less!!) to whip up something new. 😉 Such a great idea to add cinnamon and that extra oomph to your pecans. I can just imagine how fantastic it all tasted. . Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. I can’t wait to see what you try next! Happy New Year!
This is definitely a beautiful delicious treat, I’m in love with raw treats, I always fill up my freezer with at least 2 kinds of raw treats, and I’ll definitely make this delicious brownies ..thank you.
Freezer treats: Love that! Same here… except it’s probably like 12 treats because of all the recipe testing! Ha. Thank you so much, Wejdan! Can’t wait to hear what you think. 🙂
Oh dear gawsh! These are food porn at it’s finest! I thought having breakfast and a snack before looking at these would guard me against a drool-attack – but I thought wrong! GAH! Loving that base – and that dreamy, dreamy chocolate layer! I hope your birthday was as wonderful and sunshiny as you are!
Hahaha. Girl, you ALWAYS crack me up! Lolol. Guard you against?? Bahahaha. Thank you so much for the bday wishes! 🙂
Happy belated birthday Demeter!!!
Pecan Bars look amazingly yummy!! Thanks for sharing it!! Have a great weekend!!
So glad you had a wonderful birthday, Demeter! You deserve it! And I hope you had lots of yummy treats to keep you company. I’m in disbelief that we’re just two weeks away from Thanksgiving. Where has the time gone?! We seriously need a pause button in life! I love your mashup with these pecan bars, friend! I would definitely take this over pecan pie. Looks SO good, especially with all of that chocolate! Pinned, of course! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
So I’m going to go ahead and assume your birthday kicked some serious asphalt, since I never got a text back. 😉 I hope it was filled with all the feels and a molten chocolate river or two! You make some mean bars, my sweets, and these Chocolate Pecan Bars are no exception! I showed boy and he said I must make them pronto!! In the winter I like to microwave my bar for 30 seconds and then top it with ice cream… is that weird? I donno, but it’s goooooood!! Can’t wait to make these!! Happy birthday, again! Hugs and love! Xoxo
P.s. pinned. Duh. <3
You’re seriously killing me with all these glorious pecan recipes. I can’t stop thinking about them.
Happy belated!!! I’ve been MIA recently but only because any free time I have is spent sleeping/napping, lol. These bars look like everything I could ever want in life, and I would love to just flop my face into that beautiful arrangement of pecan bars, pleaseandthankyou 😀
Thanks so much, Jessica! 🙂 Well, I hope you have more time to nap and sleep soon. 🙂 Come on over, I have a fresh batch ready, just for ya. 😉
You come up with so many delicious paleo bars, I am amazed. Love pecans and I agree that they taste candy-like even when they aren’t covered in sugar. These are on my must try list for sure!
Aw, thank you so much, Karen. 🙂 Pecans are so tasty, it’s incredible! I can’t wait to hear what you think, Karen!
Wow! These bars look amazing, Demeter!! I’ve been brainstorming pecan recipes and am excited to whip them up soon. I’ll have to add these bars to the list!
PS: Hope you had the happiest of birthdays 🙂
Thanks so much Megan! I can’t wait to see what you whip up soon! Hope you love these bars as much as my entire family does. 😉 Thank you for the bday wishes, my friend. xo
Now I’m usually a bars-are-better-cold kinda girl, but when you were describing in delicious detail the room temp texture/fudginess/beauty I was on the edge of my seat mouth hanging open like GIMME GIMME now!!!!! And hey, they are date-sweetened, so throw an extra GIMME in there please. There’s no doubt about it, these squares are what pecan dreams are made of. You do dream about pecans too, right!? Good, didn’t want to sound wacko there. You get Zac, I’ll bring the fireworks, you bring the bar (3 batches should cover us, right!?), oh and don’t forget the dove…it’s going to be epic.
Me too! But this one is SO much better at room temp. It seriously surprised me, too! Since they’re date-sweetened, consider that they already have your name all over them. 😉 It. Is. So. Gonna. Be. EPIC. Let’s do it! <3
I think I need a snack-packed care package!
You fooled me at first glance when I saw these! I thought those were pretzels! Ah, but naturally sweet and buttery pecans sounds mighty fine as well!
(I hope you had a great B-Day!)
Who wouldn’t love one of those? 😉 Haha, nope, not pretzels–but another delicious “p” ingredient. 😉 Thanks so much, Rebecca! 🙂
These bars look incredibly scrumptious, Demeter! You seriously rock at no-bake bars that are so flavourful and mouthwatering 😉 That pecan layer is just perfect!
Thanks so much, Marsha! 🙂 If there’s one thing to rock it, it’s got to be no-bake! 😉