Vegan Pecan Pie

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.

A closeup of a slice of vegan pecan pie on a plate. A bite is sitting on a fork in front of the plate.

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!

Ingredients for a pie sit on a white marble counter top, including vegan butter, pecans, and more.

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.
A slice of egg-free pecan pie sits on a plate in front of the rest of the pie.

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.

Looking down on a whole pecan pie with a slice cut out and a bit of whipped cream on top.

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:

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

Looking at a slice of pie with whipped cream on top and a fork holding a bite in front of it.

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!
4.88 from 48 votes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Resting time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 424kcal

Ingredients

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.
    A rolling pin sits next to a pie dough disk on a white counter.
  • 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.
    Pie weights are on a sheet of parchment paper in the bottom of a pie crust.

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.
    Ingredients like butter, cornstarch, brown sugar, and syrup are in a saucepan.
  • In a food processor, add the silken tofu and pulse until smooth. Add the corn syrup mixture and pulse again until everything is combined.
    Syrup from a saucepan is being poured into a food processor with silken tofu.
  • Add the pecans (reserving about 40 to 60 for the top**) and give it a few quick pulses to roughly chop the pecans.
    A hand holds a bowl of pecans, adding them to a food processor with a caramel-colored sauce.
  • Pour the filling into the pie shell.
    Pecan pie filling is being poured into a prepared pie crust.
  • Arrange the reserved pecans in concentric circles on top of the filling.
    A hand places a pecan on top of a pie, adding them in concentric circles.
  • 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

(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 my Tofu 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.
  • For a 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.

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

150 Responses to Vegan Pecan Pie

  1. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyLaura T Reply

    5 stars
    All my family, vegans and non-vegans LOVE this pie!!!!. It’s my no-fail go to recipe for the holidays.

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Thanks, Laura! I’m so glad to hear you and your family love this pie!

  2. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyRose Somer Reply

    5 stars
    Best I’ve had since childhood. Used raisins instead of pecans in the filling, and instead of corn syrup, combo of date syrop and maple syrop. Froze remainder after Christmas for safety’s sake. But amaze with breakfast coffee. Will make again because I am alive.

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      So glad you liked it Rose. I like your adaptations!

  3. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyNatalie Reply

    I forgot to cook the sugar syrup and cornstarch before combining everything in the food processor, will it still turn out okay?

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Hi Natalie. I haven’t tried this myself, but I think the pie might be ok. You could try baking it a little longer and leave it in the oven for 30 minutes to an hour after you turn the oven off. Then let it come to room temperature and refrigerate it before serving. I’m hoping those steps will help it set into a firm filling!

  4. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyJacqueline Reply

    5 stars
    This is my favorite egg-free pecan pie. My husband is allergic so I had to find another way to make it. Your recipe saved the day!

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      I’m so glad this recipe has worked for you and your husband!

  5. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyRebecca Reply

    5 stars
    i used to not care for pecan pie, made this recipe for my dad, and now I love it! Waaaay better than the non-vegan version. I used maple syrup instead of karo. Thank you for a wonderful recipe!

  6. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyDeidre Reply

    5 stars
    I’ve made this pecan pie for the last couple of years and I just pulled it up again to make for Thanksgiving tomorrow. It’s delicious! I always use honey because we are not vegan and I prefer it to using a corn product like Karo syrup. Someday I’ll get brave and try it with maple syrup. Thanks!!!

  7. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyJoanne Reply

    5 stars
    I’m not vegan but I decided to make this pie and I couldn’t believe how good it was. Everyone ate it and loved it!

  8. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyBethany Reply

    5 stars
    I make this vegan pecan pie every year for Thanksgiving. Thanks for such a great recipe!

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      I’m so glad you like it, Bethany!

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