The original Keto Pecan Pie Muffins – accept no substutites! Deliciously low carb, grain-free muffins that taste like pecan pie. They’re an easy and delicious keto breakfast or snack.
Let’s be very clear about one thing: This is the original recipe for keto pecan pie muffins.
There are a few copycats floating about now, and some of them are almost identical to my recipe. Hmmm, funny how that works.
But I originally published this recipe on October 5th, 2012 and at that time, it was the only recipe of its kind. No one else had ever thought to make low carb, sugar free pecan pie muffins.
This is the one and only, the original, and, in my humble opinion, still the best. Accept no substitutes!
If you love pecan pie as much as I do, be sure to check out my classic Keto Pecan Pie. It’s pure heaven.
Inspiration for sugar free pecan pie muffins
I frequently find recipe inspiration from blogger friends who aren’t low carb or keto. In this case, I spotted some pecan pie muffins on She Wears Many Hats and it was like a little bell went off in my brain. Ding ding ding!
Dense, gooey muffins that taste like pecan pie? Absolutely brilliant!
And so easy to make over to keto, too. They consist mostly of butter, brown sugar, eggs, and pecans, with minimal flour and no leavening agent.
All I had to do was swap the sugar for Swerve Brown and the flour for some almond flour, and then I threw in some sugar free chocolate chips, because yum!
Needless to say, these have been some of my favorite keto muffins for over 9 years.
How to make keto pecan pie muffins
This recipe is so easy, you’re going to want to make them every week. I do warn you, they are addictive and it can be hard to resist eating the whole batch.
Thankfully, they are freezer friendly so you can store them and dole them out one day at a time! Here are my best tips for getting it right.
- Softened butter. In this case, you want the butter to be very soft, but not melted, as it helps the sweetener mix in better.
- Brown sugar replacement. Swerve Brown is far and away the best choice, as it has the color and flavor of real brown sugar.
- A little allulose helps. For maximum gooeyness, a tablespoon of liquid allulose really helps. But it is optional so don’t worry if you don’t have any.
- Room temperature eggs. This is critical. Cold eggs will make your nicely creamed butter clump up and will create little holes in the muffins during baking.
- No baking powder! These muffins aren’t supposed to rise. They are meant to be dense and gooey like the middle of a pecan pie. Baking powder will make them cake-y.
- Plenty of chopped pecans. They wouldn’t be pecan pie muffins without them!
- Chocolate chips… or not? It’s up to you whether you want to add the sugar free chocolate chips. It does make them extra decadent.
- Don’t over-bake. The muffins should be just barely set, for that pecan pie consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use a granular sweetener and 2 teaspoons of molasses or yacon syrup. This adds less than 1g of carbs to each muffin and will improve the color and flavor.
I haven’t tried it myself, but you should be able to do so. Fair warning that baked goods made entirely with allulose tend to darken on the exterior a lot more so it may be more difficult to tell when the muffins are done.
Please read the section on How to Make Keto Pecan Pie Muffins.
Sure, if you want to. They are delicious with and without.
I haven’t tried this myself but I imagine another solid fat like ghee or coconut oil would work. If using coconut oil, I suggest using the refined version so that the coconut flavor doesn’t overpower the muffins.
Storage information
These keto pecan pie muffins are pretty sturdy and great for meal planning and traveling. I’ve been known to stick them in a tupperware container in my suitcase and take them cross country!
They are fine on the counter in a container for up to 5 days, and in the fridge for up to 10 days. They can also be frozen for several months.
More delicious keto pecan recipes
- Pecan Lace Cookies
- Keto Pecan Turtles
- Pecan Pie Bars
- Keto Maple Pecan Scones
- Pecan Crescent Cookies
- Gooey Keto Praline Sauce
Chocolate Pecan Pie Muffins
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter well softened
- ¾ cup Swerve Brown
- 1 tablespoon liquid allulose
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ½ teaspoon caramel extract or vanilla extract
- 1 cup almond flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pecans coursely chopped
- ⅓ cup sugar free chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F and line 12 muffins cups with silicone or parchment paper liners.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sweetener together until light and fluffy. Beat in the liquid allulose, if using.
- Add the eggs and caramel extract and beat until well combined, then beat in the almond flour and salt.
- Add the pecans and chocolate chips and fold in by hand.
- Divide batter among prepared muffin cups. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until just barely set. Let cool in the pan at least 20 minutes.
Sun says
Thanks Carolyn! My husband’s eyes rolled to the back of his head!????????????. and it was pretty easyvto make! We have been keto for 17 months & I save many of your recipes; but I rarely make sweet treats. My husband asked me to make sure I save this one.
Heather says
I made these today and they are so easy and delicious!! I love that they use common ingredients. I give these 2 thumbs up!!
Thank you so much for your wonderful recipes!!
Louisa says
Made these last night and they are delicious. Oddly-for the first time in my baking experience- I had a hard time removing the cupcake liner from the muffins so I will spray the liners next time.
Carolyn says
What liners did you use? Silicone and parchment work best for keto recipes.
Nonnie says
How much protein per muffin?
Carolyn says
4.4g… sorry, it’s all fixed now.
Stacy says
DELICIOUS. I have made this recipe several times and each time is why I want to make it again.
Cindy says
I made these today and they are so yummy! I had eaten 3 before they even cooled off…had to put the rest in the freezer! Thank you for recipes that absolutely never fail!!!
Julie says
Can liquid stevia be substituted for allulose?
Carolyn says
Not a great sub. As I mention in the video, you can leave it out.
Celia says
Hi, Carolyn, Do you pack the swerve brown sugar like you do with traditional brown sugar?
Carolyn says
Swerve sort of naturally packs, you can’t really avoid it. So I call it “lightly packed”… don’t jam it in there but do fill up the measuring cup to the top.
Helen says
These are SO delicious! Definitely my favourite Keto muffin! I can’t stop eating them! Thank you so much for the recipe
Carolyn says
These just hit the spot when I’m looking for something special. Easy to make and so delicious.
Carolyn says
Made these for a bake-sale to raise funds for our Garden Club. Wanted to offer a low-carb/KETO option. Sampled one, very tasty
Darlene Anger says
Does this recipe make 12 muffins like the recipe suggests or 6 muffins like the video?
Carolyn says
Twelve. The video actually made 12 as well… I just have two pans with the 6 wells. Easier to show in photographs!
joAnne says
Are these full size muffins or mini muffins?
Carolyn says
Full size. I would specify if you needed a mini muffin pan.
Linda Harris says
Is it possible to substitute powder Allulose for liquid?
Carolyn says
Sure, 1 tbsp should do it.
Sheila says
I made these a couple of days ago and they are even better the next day!! Followed your recipe to the T and they really are delicious. My boyfriend is diabetic, I do low carb and it’s been a struggle finding a sweet that doesn’t have that strange texture of the almond flour. These are delicious! Thank you so much for everything you do! I love your recipes!
Wendy Boutwell says
These pecan pie muffins were delicious!!
Thank you so much for all your recipes and ideas..!!!
Norma says
What can use in place of the allulose?
Carolyn says
Nothing… but it’s optional.
AK says
Any way to turn these into a protein heavy muffin?
Carolyn says
They won’t do well with whey protein, it will make them very cake-y and they are supposed to be dense and moist. You could try collagen protein but I am not sure how it will do.
Mare R says
Delicious! I overbaked mine, but poured some sugar free maple syrup on them, and they turned out great. This recipe is a keeper.
Terry says
Carolyn, so you use raw or toasted pecans and do you pack the brown sugar? Thanks
Carolyn says
Raw pecans. You can’t help but sort of pack the brown Swerve as that’s the only way to scoop it. But don’t really forcefully pack it, just lightly pack… otherwise they’re too sweet.