You know those moments when you want something sweet, but you also don’t wanna pull out half your pantry or deal with a sink full of dishes? That’s exactly why I came up with these 3-Ingredient Pecan Cookies. Super simple, naturally sweet, and they hit that perfect spot between chewy and crunchy. Plus, they’re gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free — so basically, they’re trying to make everyone happy (which is more than I can say for most cookies).
Try my Superfood Oatmeal Protein Cookies recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
→ Only 3 ingredients – No weird extras, no fancy stuff, just good ol’ pecans, dates, and maple syrup.
→ 20 minutes start to finish – Because who’s got time for complicated baking marathons?
→ Naturally sweet – The dates do all the heavy lifting, so no refined sugar needed.
→ Vegan & gluten-free – Fits all kinds of eating styles, so everyone at the table can grab one.
→ No mixer required – All you need is a food processor and a bowl. Easy cleanup, which is a win in my book.
→ Perfect texture – Soft and chewy with a little pecan crunch on top. Chef’s kiss.
→ Great for meal prep – Make a batch, toss ‘em in a container, and you’ve got snacks ready for the week (assuming they last that long).
Try my Keto Almond Orange Cookies recipe.
What You’ll Need To Make
Let’s Talk Ingredients
I love recipes where the ingredients do all the work, and these cookies are exactly that. Here’s the quick lowdown on the star players:
→ Pecans – Buttery, slightly sweet, and they bring that perfect crunch. Plus, they’re packed with healthy fats, so you can totally pretend these are health food.
→ Dates – Nature’s candy, my friends. They’re sweet, sticky, and perfect for holding everything together — no eggs or flour needed.
→ Maple Syrup – Just a touch to round out the flavors and give these cookies a hint of cozy, caramel-like sweetness.
That’s it — just three simple ingredients working some serious cookie magic.
NOTE: For measurements and rest of the ingredients check the recipe card below.
What You’ll Need To Do
Time required: 20 mins
Let’s Make These 3-Ingredient Pecan Cookies!
1| First things first — preheat your oven to 390°F (200°C) and grab a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (less mess = more fun).
2| Toss your pecans and dates into a food processor and blend ‘em up until you’ve got a nice, crumbly texture — kind of like chunky sand, but tastier.
3| Scoop that crumbly goodness into a bowl, drizzle in the maple syrup, and mix it all up until you’ve got a sticky, yummy dough.
4| Now, roll the dough into 8 little balls, flatten them just a bit (we’re making cookies, not meatballs), and pop them on your baking sheet. Press a pecan half right in the center of each one — fancy garnish vibes.
5| Bake for about 15 minutes, until they’re golden and smelling amazing. Let them cool before you dig in — if you can wait that long!
👉 Pro Tip: Each cookie = 1 serving (but no judgment if you have two… or three).
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Glycemic Index: 53 (low) Glycemic Load: 11 (moderate)
Recipe Swaps & Creative Tweaks
1| No pecans? No problem! – Swap ‘em out for walnuts, almonds, or even cashews. Each nut brings its own vibe, so feel free to experiment.
2| Need it a little sweeter? – Add a drizzle of melted dark chocolate on top after baking. Instant upgrade.
3| Want a hint of spice? – Toss a pinch of cinnamon into the dough for some cozy cookie feels.
4| Coconut lover? – Mix in a tablespoon of shredded coconut for extra texture (and tropical vibes).
5| Crunch factor – If you like some crunch in every bite, mix a few chopped pecans straight into the dough instead of just topping the cookies.
6| No maple syrup on hand? – Agave syrup or honey (if you’re not vegan) works too — just keep the swap 1:1.
7| Mini bites – Roll smaller dough balls and make mini cookies for bite-sized snack action.
Try my PB Christmas Cookies recipe.
Helpful Tips for Success
Useful Tips for Perfect Pecan Cookies
1| Use fresh, soft dates – They blend up way easier and help the dough come together without needing extra liquid. If your dates are a little dry, soak them in warm water for 5-10 minutes first.
2| Don’t skip the parchment paper – These cookies are naturally sticky (thanks, dates!), so parchment paper makes sure they don’t glue themselves to your baking sheet.
3| Chill the dough if it’s too sticky – If your kitchen’s warm or the dough feels a bit too soft to shape, pop it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to firm up.
4| Shape them evenly – Even-sized cookies bake evenly, so try to keep the balls roughly the same size. A cookie scoop helps, but I usually just eyeball it.
5| Watch the edges – These cookies don’t spread much, so keep an eye out for the edges turning golden — that’s your signal they’re ready!
6| Let them cool – They firm up as they cool, so resist the urge to dive in too soon (I fail at this regularly).
Try my The Best Almond Cookies recipe.
How to make Keto, Low Carb, and Paleo versions of your 3-Ingredient Pecan Cookies! Here’s how you can adjust the recipe for each diet:
Keto Version
1| Swap the dates – Dates are super high in natural sugars, so they’re a no-go for strict keto. Instead, use a blend of almond butter (or pecan butter for double pecan goodness) and a keto-friendly sweetener like monk fruit syrup or allulose syrup.
2| Texture tip – Without the dates, you might need a tablespoon or two of coconut flour to help bind the dough.
3| Sweetness check – Taste your dough before baking and adjust sweetness to your liking.
Low Carb Version
1| Similar to keto, you’ll want to ditch the dates to lower the carbs.
2| Use a low carb nut butter (pecan, almond, or macadamia) + a touch of maple-flavored sugar-free syrup.
3| You can also mix in a few chopped pecans for texture.
4| Optional boost – Add a pinch of cinnamon or a splash of vanilla extract to make up for the flavor lost from removing dates.
Paleo Version
1| This recipe is already almost Paleo!
2| Just make sure your maple syrup is 100% pure (no sneaky additives) and your pecans & dates are unsweetened with no added oils.
3| If you want to play with the flavor, you could add a sprinkle of sea salt or a dash of cinnamon — both totally Paleo-friendly.
Serving Ideas
1| Coffee’s best friend – These cookies and a hot cup of coffee? Chef’s kiss. Perfect for your afternoon pick-me-up.
2| Ice cream sandwich vibes – Slap some dairy-free vanilla ice cream between two cookies for a next-level dessert.
3| Dunk ‘em! – They’re surprisingly sturdy, so go ahead and dip ‘em in almond milk, oat milk, or even a cup of tea.
4| Crumbled on yogurt – Break up a cookie and sprinkle it over your morning Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt for some cookie crunch.
5| Snack board addition – Toss these onto a snack board with fresh fruit, nuts, and maybe a little dark chocolate. Instant fancy vibes.
6| With nut butter drizzle – Warm up some almond butter and drizzle it over the cookies for an extra indulgent twist.
Try my Easy Oat and Carrot Cookies recipe.
Drink Pairings
For the Non-Alcoholic Crowd:
✔ Freshly Brewed Coffee – Hot, iced, or even cold brew — these cookies are made to hang out with coffee.
✔ Chai Latte – That warm, spiced vibe pairs perfectly with the nutty sweetness of the cookies.
✔ Almond Milk or Oat Milk – Classic cookie dunking action, dairy-free style.
✔ Sparkling Apple Cider – A little bubbly, a little sweet — adds a fun twist to snack time.
✔ Golden Milk (Turmeric Latte) – If you’re feeling fancy, the warm spices in golden milk play super well with the maple and pecan flavors.
For the Wine & Cocktail Lovers:
✔ Port Wine – Sweet, rich, and just indulgent enough to match the sticky dates and maple syrup.
✔ Late Harvest Riesling – A little fruity, a little sweet, perfect if you like your desserts with a touch of elegance.
✔ Bourbon (on the rocks) – If you’re in the mood for something bold, the smoky caramel notes of bourbon love hanging out with pecans.
✔ Spiked Apple Cider – Warm, cozy, and a fun seasonal match for these cookies.
✔ Espresso Martini – Because cookies + coffee + booze = a winning combo.
Storage Options
1| Countertop Cool – These cookies are happy chilling at room temp for about 3 days. Just keep them in an airtight container so they don’t dry out (or mysteriously disappear — cookie gremlins are real).
2| Fridge Friendly – Want them to last a little longer? Pop them in the fridge and they’ll stay good for up to a week. Bonus: they get a little firmer and chewier, which I personally love.
3| Freezer Stash – These freeze like a dream! Lay them flat in a container or zip-top bag, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. Pro tip: freeze them in a single layer first so they don’t stick together, then stack ‘em up.
4| Thaw & Snack – When the craving hits, just pull one out, let it sit at room temp for 10-15 minutes, and you’re back in cookie business.
Try my Olive Oil Cookies recipe.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it — cookies that take about 20 minutes from craving to cookie jar. Perfect for meal prep, afternoon snack attacks, or impressing someone with your “I made these from scratch” skills (nobody needs to know it’s only three ingredients). Give ‘em a try, and if you end up eating half the batch right off the cooling rack, well… welcome to the club.
Recipe Card
3-Ingredient Pecan Cookies
I whipped up these super easy 3-Ingredient Pecan Cookies 🥳 and now they’re my new snack obsession. Soft, chewy, naturally sweet (thanks dates!), and topped with a crunchy pecan. Bonus: they’re gluten-free, vegan, and perfect for meal prep!
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 390°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. -
Step 2:
Place the pecans and pitted dates into a food processor. Blend until a coarse crumb forms. -
Step 3:
Transfer the mixture into a mixing bowl. Add the maple syrup and stir until a cohesive dough forms. -
Step 4:
Divide the dough into 8 equal portions, roll each into a ball, and flatten slightly. Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheet. Place a pecan half on top of each cookie for garnish. -
Step 5:
Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 240kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 16g25%
- Total Carbohydrate 21g8%
- Protein 3g6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
