Any good southern girl will tell you that a family pecan pie recipe is a treasure passed on from generation to generation. And yes, I have one of those (it’s published in my gluten free Holiday e-book).
But sometimes traditions need an update, and in this case, I think I might like my new gluten free vegan pecan pie recipe even better!
This gluten free vegan pecan pie is pure decadence. I love that every bite is full of rich pecan flavor, and that classic pecan pie texture, yet the pie ingredients aren’t full of traditional ingredients that many of us cannot tolerate or choose not to have.
Like eggs, gluten, and even Karo syrup (blasphemy, right?!)
Does this gorgeous pie look like it’s missing anything? And it holds up to slicing, forks and even ice cream, if you’re so inclined.
No one would ever guess it’s missing anything, because the ingredients in this pie are, I daresay, even better than the old-fashioned ingredients. These new-fashioned ingredients bring their own layer after layer of flavor that you really have to try to believe.
While I do give options for making this gluten free vegan Pecan Pie the traditional Karo syrup way, if you’re anti-Karo or you just prefer a less processed sweetener option, I really would suggest using coconut nectar — it’s as thick as Karo and I find that the flavors are deeper, yielding a more complex pie that isn’t so hit-you-on-the-head sweet. Together with pure maple syrup, this pie is the height of decadence in a naturally flavorful, less processed way.
I also love using gluten-free beer here (Coors® Peak naturally gluten free beer is pictured but is no longer available. Check my Gluten Free Beer Tasting Notes for other naturally gluten free beer options, or the recipe for other non-beer alternatives)*.
It works like magic with flaxseed meal as the egg substitute that holds this pie together, deliciously. And again, it adds flavor where the traditional pecan pie is just pure sweet.
This recipe is truly divine even without gluten free beer though, so feel free to just use your milk of choice, even non-dairy. You know how I love giving ingredient options!
So enjoy my gluten free vegan pecan pie recipe — not for what it’s lacking, but for what it adds to elevate traditional pecan pie to a sublimely rich place in southern pie history.
Gluten Free Vegan Pecan Pie
![This gluten free vegan pecan pie lacks nothing in flavor, aroma & texture. You'd never know it's missing traditional ingredients like eggs, gluten and Karo!](https://gfjules.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Gluten-Free-Vegan-Pecan-Pie-.png)
![This gluten free vegan pecan pie lacks nothing in flavor, aroma & texture. You'd never know it's missing traditional ingredients like eggs, gluten and Karo!](https://gfjules.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Gluten-Free-Vegan-Pecan-Pie-.png)
![gluten free pecan pie slice with so delicious - gfJules](https://gfjules.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/gluten-free-pecan-pie-slice-with-so-delicious-gfJules1-480x480.jpg)
![gluten free pecan pie slice with so delicious - gfJules](https://gfjules.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/gluten-free-pecan-pie-slice-with-so-delicious-gfJules1-480x480.jpg)
Gluten Free Vegan Pecan Pie Recipe
This gluten free vegan Pecan Pie recipe defies all the odds, combining natural ingredients and no Karo! It's full of flavor and the texture is just right. Quite possibly the perfect pie!
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw pecan halves
- 1/3 cup naturally gluten-free beer OR almond milk OR other dairy or non-dairy milk
- 2 Tbs. flaxseed meal
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- ½ tsp. sea salt
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ cup coconut nectar OR brown rice syrup OR agave nectar or Karo® syrup
- ¼ cup unrefined coconut palm sugar OR brown sugar
- 2 Tbs. gfJules Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
- 3 Tbs. Earth Balance® Buttery Sticks OR butter
- one recipe gluten free pie crust dough
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350º F.
Spread pecans on a baking pan and toast in preheated oven for 5-8 minutes, stirring so they don't brown too much or burn. Set aside to cool, then coarsely chop 1 cup of nuts, leaving 1 cup whole.
Combine gluten-free beer, flaxseed meal, vanilla and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside while preparing remaining filling ingredients.
In a small saucepan, whisk together maple syrup, coconut nectar, sugar, gfJules Flour and Buttery Sticks over medium heat, then increase to medium-high and bring to a boil while stirring. Reduce to a simmer and continue to cook for 5 minutes while stirring frequently.
Remove from the stove and add the beer-flax mixture and chopped nuts. Stir to fully combine, then pour into prepared pie plate with unbaked gluten free pie crust. Arrange unchopped, toasted nuts on top of pie randomly or in a decorative pattern.
Brush crust edges with milk of choice (or egg white + 1 Tbs. water if not vegan). Cover crust edges with pie crust covers and bake for 40 minutes; remove crust covers and bake for 10 minutes more (50 minutes total).
Remove to fully cool before serving with your favorite ice cream or whipped cream, or just plain!
Notes
For naturally gluten free beer choices, check out my gluten free beer tasting notes!
This delicious gluten free vegan Pecan Pie defies all the odds with these natural ingredients. So rich and full of flavor without any of the processed junky stuff that are so often associated with this iconic pie.
Pin for later!
*Thanks to Coors® Peak for sponsoring this post. I only work with companies and products that I love and recommend. Read my disclosure policy here.
My guests enjoyed my pecan pie, made according to the recipe but with 1/4 cup less sugar, but I found it sickeningly sweet, like many pecan pies. How would I adjust the recipe to make it a lot less sweet?
Hi Katie – congratulations on your successful pie baking! So glad your guests all loved it! You’re right that Pecan Pie is a very sweet treat, indeed. To make it less sweet, you could cut the sugar ingredient. Did you use Karo? That would be an ingredient to switch, if so. It’s a tricky dance, as you can’t cut too much or the filling won’t hold together as it should. You could also try making my upside-down Apple Pie which is like a pecan pie on top, so it’s got a lot less pie filling, so to speak, and is therefore less sweet.
~jules
This pie looks amazing!! However, we have grown addicted to our Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie recipe, which is nowhere as clean as your ingredients. Where can we sneak the 2 TBS bourbon into this one?!?
You’re speaking my love language! LOL Just reduce the 1/3 cup gluten free beer/milk ingredient by 2 Tbs and sub in your delicious bourbon there! ENJOY!
~jules
Jules,
How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we chatted! I live in DE, now. My question is how do I handle a corn allergy along with gluten, dairy, egg and all ancient grains? I want to be able to bake and bread chicken for recipes.
Hi Pat, so nice to hear from you!!! I actually have another gluten free flour blend coming out that will meet your needs and breads chicken beautifully!!! Stay tuned, my friend! Send an email to [email protected] and make sure you’re on our email newsletter list to be the first to find out about its imminent release!
~jules
If you made these in mni-muffin pans to male little tarts, how long would you bake them?
Sorry – I meant “make” little tarts.
Hi Barbara, what a great idea! I would think it wouldn’t take long at all. There are no eggs, so you don’t have to worry about the filling not getting cooked through, just cook until it appears set up. Let me know how it goes!
~jules
This gluten free pie crust looked, tasted and felt just like a regular one. Jules your gluten free flour is a lifesaver. Everyone I’ve served this pie to has RAVED about it. SO very good. Thanks and thanks again for developing your amazing gluten free flour and mixes!
I’m so happy to hear it, Kelly! That’s awesome!!!
~jules
Would the filling work as a pecan bar filling?
Oooh I have no idea but what a great thought! Let me know if you try it before I do!
~jules
Would it work to use Coors Light instead of Coors Peak?
Hi Logan, you can totally use Coors Light or any other beer … however … Coors Light and most other beers are NOT gluten free. Here’s more info on choosing safe gluten free beers. Hope that helps!
~jules
This pie was fantastic. Satisfied everyone whether they had dietary needs or not. Will be making it again at Christmas.
That is wonderful to hear, Marlene! Isn’t it nice to have something everyone can enjoy together, whether or not they have dietary restrictions? Score one for the good guys! 🙂
~jules
Jules! Your flax mixture ,when made with almond milk , tastes amazing as something to drizzle over yougurt or oatmeal. Super easy way to sneak in fiber !! Oh and your pie is amazing<3
OH YUM! This is such a great idea, Hailey! YUMMMMM!
~jules
Can I make the filling ahead of time? Like a couple of days?
Hi Keela, yes you can do that and store in the fridge until ready to bake. Happy Pie Making!
~jules
Since I’m not vegan, can I substitute whole eggs for the beer/flaxseed mixture? If so, how many eggs?
Hi Diane, yes, you could use two eggs in place of the flax and beer ingredients. Happy baking!
~jules
I have a flax allergy, do you think this would work with chia seeds as the egg substitute?
Yes, Shanna, absolutely!!! Enjoy!
~jules
Can you substitute with 100% brown rice syrup and no maple syrup? I am not crazy about maple flavor. Thanks.
Hi Roberta, you could do that, but I promise you the maple flavor doesn’t come through because of all the other yummy flavors!
~jules
This is an excellent gluten free recipe. Wasn’t sure how it would taste after having traditional pecan pie for years. I chose to use the brown rice syrup and it ended upo fantastic. It tasted just like the past pecan pies. This is definitely going in my recipe book.
That’s so wonderful to hear, Darlene!!!It pleases me to no end to have added to your recipe collection!!! Happy baking!
~jules
My mom always used log cabin syrup – wondering if I could substitute the karo syrup with log cabin. Interested to test out. Probably keeping the maple syrup would be be yummy with the log cabin:)