Easy Vegan Pecan Pie — The BEST Classic Pecan Pie Recipe! (2024)

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4.89 from 53 votes

1 hour hour 35 minutes minutes

by Marly

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My homemade vegan pecan pie recipe is simple, sweet, and delicious. You’ll see why it’s everyone’s favorite pie, thanks to the indulgently-sweet filling infused with pecans. It’s made with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions. It’s a classic pecan pie, given a southern twist with a bit of rum.

Easy Vegan Pecan Pie — The BEST Classic Pecan Pie Recipe! (1)

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When I went vegan, I discovered that most desserts are made with eggs out of habit. We don’t really need them. There are plenty of ways to make your favorite desserts egg-free, including pecan pie.

My big question, especially as Thanksgiving rolled around, was could I make a pecan pie without eggs? Everyone knows that filling requires eggs!

But guess what? You don’t need eggs to make a fabulous pecan pie that everyone will love!

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Easy Vegan Pecan Pie — The BEST Classic Pecan Pie Recipe! (2)

Key Ingredients

The list of ingredients for this vegan pecan pie is nothing you haven’t seen before. Well, except for the tofu. But the tofu is easy to work with (much easier than cooking with eggs).

  • Vegan pecan pie crust — I typically use my easy vegan pie crust. Looking for more vegan pie crust options? Consider this simple oatmeal pie crust, too.
  • Pecans — Pecan halves work best, and I buy these in bulk at Costco.
  • Syrup — Yes, this is a Karo syrup pecan pie recipe. That’s because Karo is so readily available, affordable, and produces a perfect consistency for the filling. If you want your vegan pecan with no corn syrup, you can substitute maple syrup, agave, or vegan honey.
  • Cornstarch — it’s an excellent thickener for vegan pies!
  • Sugar — We’re using brown sugar for this recipe. I like using dark brown sugar because of its rich flavor and color, but light brown sugar works, too.
  • Vegan Butter — We want a rich, buttery flavor, and I use vegan butter (I typically use Earth Balance) to do the trick.
  • Rum — A little rum added to the filling adds flavor and the alcohol bakes off as it cooks, leaving a richly flavored, gooey dessert. Substitute vanilla extract if you don’t want to use rum.
  • Silken Tofu — I’m using silken tofu as an egg replacer, and it creates a creamy filling.

Marly’s Tips

  • You can add about 1/2 cup of vegan chocolate chips to make a vegan chocolate pecan pie!
  • Blind baking a pie crust means baking the crust without the filling. You’ll want to add pie weights to prevent the crust from bubbling. Blind baking helps create a crispier, flakier crust.
Easy Vegan Pecan Pie — The BEST Classic Pecan Pie Recipe! (3)

The simple vegan pecan pie filling is gluten-free. However, you’ll need a gluten-free crust to make this into a vegan gluten-free pecan pie recipe. You can use gluten-free flour in the crust.

Frequently-Asked Questions

Is Pecan Pie Vegan?

A typical pecan pie is not vegan because the filling is made with eggs, and often, the crust will be made with lard. I know what you’re thinking — gross! But no worries, a vegan pecan pie is just as impressive as the standard pecan pie.

What is the Filling in Pecan Pie?

A classic pecan pie filling is made of eggs, syrup, and pecans. So, what are suitable egg substitutes for pecan pie? Interestingly enough, it’s tofu. It creates such a creamy filling, you won’t even miss the eggs!

How to Tell if Pecan Pie is Done?

Bake your vegan pecan pie for approximately one hour, until the edges are set. There might be a slight jiggle to the center, but not much. You can insert a butter knife in the center, which should come out clean. Remove the pie from the oven and set it aside to cool. The pie will continue to solidify as it cools.

Should I Refrigerate Pecan Pie?

Once your pecan pie has cooled, cover it and refrigerate it unless you plan to eat it immediately. Once refrigerated, you can serve individual slices cold, or heat them in 10-second increments in the microwave.

Making Sure Vegan Pecan Pie Sets

Vegan pecan pie recipes use thickeners to make sure the pie sets. In this recipe, we’re using cornstarch as a thickener. After testing several options, cornstarch offered the best texture. The pie may come out of the oven slightly jiggly, but it will thicken as it cools.

Easy Vegan Pecan Pie — The BEST Classic Pecan Pie Recipe! (4)

Reader Reviews

★★★★★
Excellent pie! I used pure maple syrup and omitted rum. Won 3rd place in a pie cookoff!

Sue

★★★★★
I’ve made this twice now (and will be making it again today in preparation for Thanksgiving), and it’s just incredible! My non-vegan boyfriend loves it.

Miki

We topped vegan pecan pie slices with some delicious Vegan Whipped Cream. The good news is you can make your own, or you can even buy some dairy-free “cool whip” at the store these days too.

More Easy Pie Recipes

Do you love this easy vegan pecan pie and want even more pie ideas? You’re in luck because here are some fantastic vegan pie recipes:

Vegan Peanut Butter Pie

75 mins total

Vegan Apple Pie

270 mins total

Easy Vegan Pumpkin Pie

120 mins total

Dark Chocolate Pie

140 mins total

Here are even more stunning Vegan Pies you’ll want to make.

Easy Vegan Pecan Pie — The BEST Classic Pecan Pie Recipe! (9)

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Easy Vegan Pecan Pie — The BEST Classic Pecan Pie Recipe! (10)

Easy Vegan Pecan Pie — The BEST Classic Pecan Pie Recipe! (11)

Vegan Pecan Pie

Everyone's favorite pie, this eggless pecan pie is made with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions. You'll be enjoying it in no time!

4.89 from 53 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Resting time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 10

Calories: 424kcal

Author: Marly McMillen

Ingredients

  • Foolproof Vegan Pie Crust

Pecan Pie Filling

  • 5 tablespoons vegan butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ¾ cup corn syrup (see notes)
  • 4 tablespoons cornstarch (see notes)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon rum (you can increase this to 2 tablespoons)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup silken tofu (see notes)
  • 2 cups whole pecans toasted*
  • coconut whipped cream , optional

Instructions

For the Vegan Crust:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C.

  • Prepare the pie crust, roll it out to about 1/8" thickness, and place it in a 9" pie pan. If you are not blind baking, refrigerate the crust until you're ready to add the filling.

  • To blind bake: Crimp the edges and use a fork to prick the bottom of the crust several times. Add a piece of parchment paper over the bottom of the crust topped with pie weights. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown. Remove it from the oven and set it aside to cool.

For the Pecan Pie Filling:

  • In a saucepan, combine the vegan butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and corn starch. Stir and cook over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for another minute. Add the salt, rum, and vanilla and stir to combine.

  • In a food processor, add the silken tofu and pulse until smooth. Add the corn syrup mixture and pulse again until everything is combined.

  • Add the pecans (reserving about 40 to 60 for the top**) and give it a few quick pulses to roughly chop the pecans.

  • Pour the filling into the pie shell.

  • Arrange the reserved pecans in concentric circles on top of the filling.

  • Place a cookie sheet on the bottom rack of your oven and place your pie on the cookie sheet. Bake for about one hour, until the edges of the pie are set. The center might still be a little jiggly. That's alright. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before serving.

  • Feel free to add a pie shield to prevent the crust from getting too dark.

  • Serve with Vegan Whipped Cream. Forks are nice too, but optional.

Recommended Equipment

Food Processor

Pie Pan

(The products above contain sponsored links to products we use and recommend)

Notes

Toasting Pecans

Toast pecans on a baking sheet in your heated oven (350°F/175°C) for around 5 to 8 minutes. Be careful not to burn them.

Pecan Topping

For the photo above, I used 50+ pecans for the top of the pie. You may choose different patterns to adorn the top of your pie, requiring fewer pecans.

Crust

You can blind-bake the pie crust or not. Here are tips either way:

  • Either way, roll out the dough, transfer it to a pie pan, and crimp the edges.
  • Not Blind Baking — the crust will turn out a lighter shade of gold on the bottom. Once you’ve done the above step, cover the crust and refrigerate.
  • To Blind Bake — prick the bottom of the crust and lay a sheet of parchment paper on the bottom. Then add pie weights and bake for 20 minutes until the crust is golden brown. Set it aside to cool.

Tofu

I use extra-firm silken tofu, but it’s not always easy to find (see the comments for more on this). You can use any form of silken tofu. You might also be able to use soft regular (non-silken) tofu. To learn more about tofu and the different styles, see myTofu Buying Guide.

Whatever form of tofu you use, drain the packing liquid. There’s no need to press it for this recipe.

Cornstarch

You can use between 2 to 4 tablespoons of cornstarch.

  • Fora softer, gooey pecan pie filling — use 2 tablespoons.
  • For a firm pie filling — use 4 tablespoons.

Corn Syrup

If you don’t want to use corn syrup, substitute it with maple syrup or agave nectar.

Calories: 424kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 231mg | Potassium: 156mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 52g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 0.9mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a rating below then tag @namelymarly on Instagram and hashtag it #namelymarly. I love seeing your creations!

This post was originally published in 2015 and was updated to include new photos, new text, and an updated recipe in 2022.

Easy Vegan Pecan Pie — The BEST Classic Pecan Pie Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What makes a pecan pie not set up? ›

Here's the thing to remember: If you're filling hasn't set, it means the bottom of the pie crust isn't fully cooked, either. You can prevent the outer crust from further darkening (or even burning) by covering it with aluminum foil or -- more attractively -- with what's known as a pie ring or shield.

Does Joanna Gaines have a pecan pie recipe? ›

Not only is it chock-full of approachable, family-friendly recipes, the book is also packed with priceless nuggets of kitchen wisdom from Queen Gaines herself. One such gem is her surprising twist on classic pecan pie. The recipe itself is pretty basic, spare one unexpected ingredient: ancho chile powder.

Is there a substitute for dark Karo syrup for pecan pie? ›

Maple syrup can replace corn syrup in this deliciously simple maple pecan pie recipe!

How do you keep pecan pie from getting soggy? ›

Coating the inside surface of the bottom crust will create a barrier to prevent sogginess. Adding a layer of corn syrup or a slightly beaten egg white before pouring in the filling will form a seal between the pie dough and the filling and will help make the crust crisp and flaky.

Why did my pecan pie come out hard? ›

Pecan pie can become hard if it is left in the oven for too long or at a higher temperature than necessary. This could happen due to an inaccurate cooking time, temperature or failing to cover with aluminum foil for part of the baking time.

Why did my pecan pie turn out soupy? ›

The center jiggles more than it's supposed to. Why didn't the filling set properly? If your pecan pie is still a little soupy, it simply means you need to bake it more.

Does Patti LaBelle make pecan pie? ›

Rushion McDonald on Instagram: "Enjoy your Labor Day weekend. I used Patti LaBelle's pecan pie recipe from her cookbook. Patti's one of my favorite people."

Does Mrs Smith make pecan pie? ›

Buy your favorite Mrs. Smith's Pies online with Instacart. Order Mrs. Smith's Pecan Pie, Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie, and more from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.

Where are Mrs Fields pecan pies made? ›

If there's been a pecan pie Oklahomans have been willing to travel for, it is Field's pecan pie. It all started after World War I, when two brothers, Lee and Julian Field, bought some land at the corner of Paul and Walnut in Pauls Valley, OK. The brothers began with a filling station and then added cottages.

What can I use instead of molasses in pecan pie? ›

Swaps and Substitutions
  1. Out of molasses? You can substitute honey or maple syrup. ...
  2. Use dark corn syrup instead of light.
  3. You can also replace the corn syrup with maple syrup, honey, agave, or golden syrup. However, you'll want to add a couple of tablespoons of flour to the filling to maintain that thicker texture.

Is it better to use light or dark Karo syrup for pecan pie? ›

Light and dark corn syrup can be used interchangeably in almost every instance, with slight flavor variances. In a pecan pie, for example, light corn syrup will contribute sweetness and a hint of vanilla, but that's about it. Dark corn syrup, in addition to sweetness, will add color and a more robust, toasty flavor.

Is golden syrup the same as corn syrup? ›

"The main difference between corn syrup and golden syrup is in the manufacturing," explains Zeratsky; corn syrup is made from corn starch, while golden syrup is made from sugar. In the U.S., golden syrup is usually sold under the name of light treacle, but it's not readily available in many grocery stores.

Should pecan pie jiggle when done? ›

If the filling is flowing in a wavy movement from the center to the edge, your pie isn't set quite yet. Wait for the moment when the center of your pecan pie gives you just a little jiggle, like the stable but slightly wiggly movement of Jell-O when you give it a gentle shake.

Can I leave pecan pie out overnight to cool? ›

How Long Can Pecan Pie Be Left at Room Temperature? Pecan pies can stay on the counter for up to two hours before they need to be refrigerated, according to the FDA. After two hours at room temperature, your food is at risk for harmful bacteria growth.

How do you get a crispy crust on the bottom of a pie? ›

Getting a brown, flaky/crispy bottom crust on your pie is all about quick and effective heat transfer. That's why aluminum or aluminum/steel pans — rather than glass or stoneware — are your best choice for baking pie. Metal, especially aluminum, transfers heat quickly and efficiently from oven to pie crust.

How do I get my pecan pie to set? ›

The filling continues to cook and will fully set as the pie cools, so giving a pie plenty of time at room temperature before serving is important. "We usually let our pecan pies sit out for about an hour," says Chef Kolle, "until the filling's cool enough to touch."

Why is my pie not setting? ›

Bake the pie fully.

Most thickeners activate after maintaining a certain temperature long enough. If you don't leave the pie in the oven long enough your thickener doesn't get to the necessary temperature and time to thicken your filling. You want to see thick bubbling!

At what temperature is pecan pie set? ›

You want to cook pecan pie to an internal temperature of 200°F. Use a digital thermometer to make this easy.

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