It’s National Pecan Day! Not all plants get their own holiday, but we completely understand why pecans do. They are nutritionally dense, providing you with protein and fiber to keep you full for longer, and rich in essential minerals, including copper, manganese, and zinc! All the more reasons to include them into your diet more often – and we have some vegan pecan recipes that go beyond the pie to help you do just that.
Pecans are sweeter, more gentle tasting than walnuts, but they’re almost always interchangeable, which is why almost any recipe using walnuts can be adapted into a vegan pecan recipe! These nuts work particularly well with other “brown” flavors, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, peanut butter, pears, mushrooms, and chocolate as you will see on today’s list.
Pecans are seasonal and often associated with autumn flavors and holiday dishes, but we’ll be celebrating these wondrous nuts today anyway, and hope you will join us!
Vegan Pecan Recipe Inspiration: 15 Delicious Ideas
Easy Homemade Pecan Butter by Jessica in the Kitchen
Homemade nut butter > store-bought nut butter. There, we said it! This vegan pecan recipe is perhaps the easiest and pecan-iest on our list, with only 4 ingredients and 10 minutes required! Head on over to Jessica’s website to watch the video of how it’s made.
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Peanut Butter + Pecan Milkshake by Orchids + Sweet Tea
Who doesn’t love a vegan milkshake? Especially when it’s that good – double thick, ultra-smooth, rich, and flavorful! Now that you know how to make pecan butter, you can use it in this recipe instead of the actual nuts.
Click here for the full recipe.
Pumpkin Apple Smoothie Cups by Plant-based Arab
You will discover many delightful flavor combinations that work well with pecan on today’s list, and one of them is the traditionally autumny pumpkin, apple, and cinnamon mix that comes in smoothie form in this recipe, so it’s refreshing and fit for springtime. Top with some crushed pecans and enjoy!
Click here for the full recipe.
5-Ingredient Maple Pecan Fudge by From My Bowl
This vegan pecan recipe works with the classic maple syrup + pecan combo over simple, yet flavorful dairy-free fudge. Care to indulge yourself?
Click here for the full recipe.
Peanut Butter & Pecan Whole Wheat Cookies by The Simple Sprinkle
This refined sugar free vegan pecan recipe yields the most crunchy, soft, chewy, and buttery results! In addition to that, Jacqui, the creator behind the Simple Sprinkle, breaks down all the ingredients in a very informative way.
Click here for the full recipe.
Pecan Oatmeal Cream Pies by Foodie Yuki
What do you get when you sandwich vegan cream cheese frosting between spiced oatmeal cookies? That’s right, vegan cream pies! This vegan pecan recipe also uses homemade nut butter, so get your blender out and go nuts!
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Chocolate Pecan Biscotti by Nourishing Amy
These crunchy twice-baked biscuits are a vegan twist on an Italian classic that’s usually made with animal ingredients and almonds. This veganized version is made with chia egg, plant milk, vegan butter/margarine, chocolate, and crushed pecans, of course!
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Peanut Butter Pecan Pie Brownies By Upbeet & Kaleing it
Another vegan pecan recipe going for the peanut butter pairing – we’re sensing a trend here. These fudgy brownies must be as quick and easy to devour as they are to make!
Click here for the full recipe.
Cinnamon Raisin Pecan No Yeast Bread by Nourishing Amy
This easy vegan Cinnamon Raisin Pecan No Yeast Bread is quick to make with 9 ingredients, requires no kneading nor rising and just a handful of ingredients. It’s great for spreading, toasting and dunking.
Click here for the full recipe.
Mini Pecan Pies by SO VEGAN
Ok, we know we said no pecan pie. But we couldn’t not include these adorable caramely and nutty mini pies! They make a perfectly crowd-pleasing dessert, but treating only yourself is also something they’d be perfect for!
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Pecan Caramel Pear Upside Down Cake by About to Sprout
A ginger spiced chocolate cake topped with a pecan caramel pear topping… Wonder what it’s like? Rylee of About to Sprout said it best: “Think of a sticky bun and then think of a chocolate cake and put them together and you get this vegan pear upside down cake!”
Click here for the full recipe.
Ultimate Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole (GF) by Two Spoons
There’s no use denying it: pecan is seasonal and often associated with holiday dishes, ingredients, and spices. But we all know the heart wants what it wants, so we encourage you to cook whatever you desire (like this vegan sweet potato casserole) regardless of the season!
Click here for the full recipe.
Sesame Tamari Pecan Snack Mix (GF) by Bakerita
Brb, crunching on this umami-packed vegan pecan snack mix. Join us – all it takes is whipping up a sauce, tossing the nuts in it, and baking it all together for 40 minutes. A great low-effort snack!
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Cranberry Pecan Stuffing by Plant Based RD
Need a special occasion to make vegan stuffing? Here’s a reminder: today is National Pecan Day. Additionally, this recipe is definitely elevated by the flavor, texture and looks of pecans, and we think that’s worth celebrating.
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Pecan Taco Meat by Make It Dairy Free
Pecans are generally underrepresented in vegan savory recipes, but Larisha & Andrew of Make It Dairy Free made a whole savory dish with them as the star ingredient! With a little onion, a little soy sauce, and a little magic, this vegan pecan recipe makes a “meat” option that can be used in any dish you’d use taco seasoned meat for.
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Rustic Sweet Potatoes Onion Pecan Tart by Barbara French Vegan
We finish off today’s list with a pecan pie – but not the kind you’re used to. It’s a rustic French tart with sweet potatoes, onion confit, herbs, vegan cheese, and of course pecans resting on top of a vegan crust. Enjoy!
Click here for the full recipe.
Editor: Anna Kot.