These pecan pie energy bites are easy to make in minutes with just 4 simple ingredients!

A plate of pecan balls, bite taken out of the one on top.

Love pecan pie? You will love these pecan energy balls! They taste amazing and are so easy to make with just 4 everyday pantry ingredients.

Enjoy these delicious bites for a sweet snack, quick breakfast or healthy holiday dessert.

Recipe Features

  • Dietary Features: Vegan (dairy-free), gluten-free.
  • Nutritional Features: No added sugar or oil.
  • Quick and Easy: Easy to make in 10 minutes with just 4 ingredients.
  • No baking required! All you’ll need is a food processor.
  • Delicious pecan pie flavour though made with just a few simple, wholesome ingredients.

Ingredient Notes

Pecans, dates, vanilla and sea salt in a food processor.

A complete list of ingredients with amounts and full instructions is located in the printable recipe card below. This section covers ingredient and substitution considerations.

  • Dates: Any variety works as long as they’re soft and moist. I like medjool dates, sayer dates and deglect noor dates. If your dates are on the dry side, they can be soaked in hot water before use.
  • Pecans: Use plain, raw pecans with no added oil or salt. These can be substituted with cashews, walnuts or almonds but of course, they wouldn’t be pecan pie balls!
  • Sea Salt: Use a good quality sea salt like maldon, pink, grey, etc. Table salt does not enhance the flavour in the same way.
  • Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract will add the best flavour but artificial vanilla is fine if that’s all you have.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1. Add all the ingredients to food processor.

Step 2. Blend everything into a thick, sticky dough you can easily press together between your fingers.

Quick Tip: If the mixture is too crumbly to roll into balls, add 1 tsp of warm water and process again. Repeat as needed. If your dates were soft, this shouldn’t be an issue but you may need 1-2 tsp of water if they were on the dry side.

Thick, sticky, date-based dough in a food processor.

Step 3: Roll the dough into balls and enjoy! You can eat them right away or chill in the fridge or freezer to firm them up a bit.

A plate full of raw energy balls, bite taken out of one and a hand grabbing one.

Notes & Tips

  • Dates: It’s important to use soft, moist dates in this recipe as they create the “dough” and bind the recipe. If your dates are overly dry, place them in a bowl (pit first) and soak in hot water for 15 minutes. After soaking, drain well and proceed with the recipe.
  • Serving: As is for a sweet treat or dessert, or try crumbling over smoothie bowls, ice cream and yogurt. Great for a pre-workout snack and perfect for holiday goodie trays!

FAQs

What can I use instead of dates?

Dates work best in this recipe but you could try dried figs or raisins. Even if you’re not a big date fan, I’d suggest giving them a try in this recipe as the vanilla, salt and pecans really balance the flavours.

Can I make these nut-free?

I think you could make them with sunflower or pumpkin seeds instead of pecans but of course, they won’t be pecan pie balls!

For nut-free energy bars and balls, you might like these recipes:

Sunflower Seed Energy Balls
Nut-Free Energy Bars
Cinnamon Energy Balls

Easy Vegan Pecan Pie Energy Balls - Running on Real Food

Substitutions and Additions

  • Spices: If you like, add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg and/or ginger.
  • Coating: For an extra treat, roll in powdered sugar or coconut sugar mixed with cinnamon.
  • Chocolate: If you want to get really fancy, you could roll the balls in melted chocolate and set in the fridge until firm.
  • Chocolate Pecan Balls: For chocolate pecan pie balls, add 2 tbsp dark cocoa powder and if desired, 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips.
Stack of 4 pecan pie energy balls, one on top has a bite taken out of it.

Storing

  • Fridge: The balls will keep in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
  • Freezer: Store in a sealed container for up to 3 months. They don’t freeze solid so you can enjoy them straight from the freezer.
  • Room Temperature: They’re ok at room temperature if kept cool but will get soft with time, especially if it’s warm.

More Recipes to Try

If you love these, you might like these ones too:

Want to go all out with a pecan pie-inspired dessert? You must try these amazing vegan pecan pie bars or no-bake pecan pie tarts.

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Close up of a pecan energy ball with a bite out of it.

Pecan Pie Energy Bites

  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 12 bites
  • Category: Dessert, Snack
  • Method: Food Processor
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

These sweet, little bites call for just 4 ingredients but totally deliver on pecan pie flavour. Enjoy as a healthier dessert or snack, before workouts or add to your holiday goodie tray!


Ingredients


Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in a food processor.
  2. Mix until it forms a thick, sticky dough you can press together between your fingers. If it’s not sticking together (it should if your dates were soft), add 1 tsp warm water and process again. Repeat as needed until the dough is rollable.
  3. Remove and roll into 12 balls.

Notes

Dates: It’s impotant to use soft, moist dates in this recipe as they create the “dough”. If your dates are overly dry, place them in a bowl (pit first) and soak in hot water for 15 minutes. After soaking, drain well and proceed with the recipe.

Storage: Store in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.

Keywords: pecan pie bites, no-bake pecan balls