Gluten-Free Pecan Pie

Gluten Free Pecan Pie comes together quickly with minimal ingredients. Roasted pecans, vanilla, and molasses bake together in a pre-made gluten-free pie crust resulting in a delicious pecan pie that all guests will love!

We won’t admit how we know but pecan pie is especially delicious when served with whipped topping or a scoop of vanilla ice cream! This pecan pie recipe can be made up to 3 days in advance which makes it the perfect recipe to prep ahead if planning to serve a large spread of recipes.

Pecan pie is one of our favorite pies to serve around the holidays. With our gluten free version, now everyone can enjoy this classic! Looking for more gluten-free holiday recipes? Check out Gluten Free Cheesy Potatoes, Sweet Potato Crunch, and Gluten Free Cornbread Dressing.

A top down view of a pecan pie with a slice removed on a plate next to the pie pan.

Enjoy all the delicious recipes available if this is your first holiday season following a gluten-free lifestyle. Also, keep in mind that the holidays are the perfect time to introduce family and friends to new recipes even if they do not need celiac-safe dishes.

If hosting, serve a variety of gluten-free dishes and do not feel obligated to make two versions of recipes. If attending an event, bring your favorite gluten-free dishes so you have options while encouraging others to try gluten-free recipes. A lot of the time, guests won’t even notice the difference!

eggs, sugar, molasses, pecans, corn syrup, vanilla, salt, butter and gluten free pie shell on a sheet pan

This pecan pie is just one of the dishes where you couldn’t tell a difference if you tried! To get started, gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the step-by-step instructions to create this decadent dessert.

Equipment

pie pan
medium-sized mixing bowl
measuring cups and spoons
stir spoon
small microwave-safe bowl
baking sheet
parchment paper
tin foil
pastry brush
small bowl

Ingredients

1 gluten-free pie crust
1 cup pecans, roughly chopped check for gluten-free
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup corn syrup
3 large eggs
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla check for gluten-free

toasted crushed pecans on parchment lined baking sheet

How To Make

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then add the pecans. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until fragrant.

Toasted pecans not only are great for pie but are delicious toppings for ice cream, pumpkin bars, sweet potato casseroles, and even tossed salads.

gluten free pie shell brushed with karo corn syrup

Place gluten-free pie crust into a pie pan (if desired)

If you don’t own a pie pan, the pie shell in the tin pan can be placed directly on a baking sheet. We opt for the 9in pie pan when serving to a large crowd for presentation and easy transport from the oven to the table.

If using a pie pan, place the whole crust with the tin pan into the pie pan.

Pro Tip: Use tin foil on the bottom of the pan to elevate the crust to the top of the pan if needed as pie pans can have different depths.

Brush egg wash onto pie crust.

Crack eggs into a bowl. Dip a pastry brush into a bit of egg white and brush onto the pie crust. Adding the egg wash to the crust will help create the crisp golden brown edge of the pie.

Beat the eggs together afterward and set aside for the pie batter.

pecan pie wet ingredients in a mixing bowl

toasted pecans at bottom of gluten free pie shell

Blend the ingredients together

To a medium-sized mixing bowl, blend sugar, corn syrup, beaten eggs, melted butter, molasses, and vanilla together.

Prepare the pie

Add the roasted pecans to the bottom of the pie pan. Place the pie onto the baking sheet used for the pecans. Pour the liquid ingredients onto the pecans.

We cannot stress the importance of cooking the pie on a baking sheet as the sheet pan will be a lifesaver if by any chance the pie filling bubbles over the top. Cleaning pecan pie filling off the bottom of the oven is definitely not a fun task!

Bake

Bake for 25 minutes then loosely cover with foil then bake for another 30 minutes. At this point, the toasted pecans have likely risen to the top of the pie, covering with foil will prevent the pecans and crust from burning while the pie continues to bake.

Check to see if the center is set. Ovens vary and the total cooking time will depend on your oven. Our oven requires a 90 minute total bake time, but others may bake quicker. Pecan pie should be baked until the center of the pie moves, but at a slower jiggle (like jello rather than a liquid).

Pecan pie does take a bit of time to cook compared to other pie recipes; however, do not let that stop you from creating this recipe. The end result is SO worth it. There is truly nothing better than a slice of pecan pie. Let cool completely before slicing.

A top down view of a pecan pie with gluten free crust.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you able to freeze gluten free pie?

Yes, once the pie is baked, wrap in tin foil or plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight then allow the pie to come to room temperature before slicing and serving.

Is corn syrup gluten free?

Yes; however, always double-check the ingredient list before purchasing as brands will add gluten-containing ingredients for color.

I have dark corn syrup at home. Can I use it in place of the light?

Either light or dark corn syrup can be used for pecan pie. In fact, we will go back and forth between the two depending on what we have on hand.

I have leftover pecans. How do I store pecans?

Pecans can be kept in a dry area such as a pantry or cabinet if planning to store for a short period of time (less than a month). For longer storage times, store in the freezer in a Ziploc bag or air-tight container to prevent the nuts from going rancid. Simply thaw in the fridge overnight when ready to use or pop in the oven to toast straight from the freezer.

fork scooping a bite of gluten free pecan pie

More Gluten Free Desserts

If you enjoyed this pecan pie recipe, these are must-try desserts!

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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