These no-bake pecan pie bars are soft, chewy, and a secretly healthy sweet treat! Salted caramel and pecan pie are a match made in dessert heaven!
Made with simple ingredients like coconut, almond flour, pecans and dates along with the warmth of cinnamon and the caramel hit of vanilla.
With my busy schedule and the constant struggle to keep my diet healthy, healthy snack bars are what keep me going when I have to skip meals or don’t have time to make breakfast.
Making healthy no-bake bars is one of my favorite things to do in the kitchen! I always set aside some time in the weekends for a batch or two of something to snack on. Anything already yummy that I can make a little healthier is a win in my house. I especially like that I can give my family a treat without worrying about added ingredients and sugar overload!
Why you will love this recipe:
Healthy: There is no processed sugar! You can easily opt for healthy dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips for the topping or leave them out altogether.
Make-ahead: This is an excellent healthy dessert recipe to make a day ahead, and perfect for sharing with friends.
It’s only a few ingredients. Despite having two layers, you don’t need many ingredients to make these bars. The main ingredients in the two layers are almond flour, pecans, dates and coconut.
Perfect texture. I like to describe these as a cross between peanut butter bars and no bake oatmeal bars, but just that much more delicious. They are thick, chewy, and have that glorious date fudge center.
This recipe is another one of the “bet you can’t eat just one”. It’s hard to eat just one of these no-bake healthy bars. …Which makes sense, because they are so yummy. If you are anything like me, you will finish one square and then return to the pan for another sliver…and then another. Oh well, we can’t all be perfect!
But seriously, these pecan pie bars are a delicious and healthy snack that satisfies your sweet tooth and will give you all the energy you need to power through your day.
So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and treat yourself to a guilt-free indulgence that you can feel good about sharing! Get ready to impress your friends and family with this sweet and salty delightful treat that’s sure to become a favorite!
Pecan Pie Salted Caramel Bars
Ingredients
Base Crust
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
- 1/2 cup dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Salted Caramel Layer
- 1 cup dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Toppings
- 1/2 cup crushed pecans
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips - optional
Instructions
Base Crust
- Line a 8 x 8-inch baking pan or dish with parchment paper on the bottom and sides leaving some overhanging to act as a handle to get the bars out easier for cutting.Place almond flour, pecans, coconut, dates and cinnamon in a food processor and process until well combined and the mixture is sticky; add a little water, a tablespoon at a time if needed for the dough to come together. Be careful not to over process as its nice to have texture and different sized “bits” in your base crust.Scoop mixture out into lined pan and spread evenly with a spatula or back of a spoon.
Salted Caramel Layer
- Blend dates, water, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Spread over the base crust with a spoon. Toppings: Sprinkle with crushed pecans and chocolate chips and press gently into the caramel layer.Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Slice into 16 bars or more smaller squares to serve.Will keep up to a week in fridge or up to 3 months in freezer. If frozen take out 20 minutes before serving to soften.
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
