Irresistible Mini Pecan Pie Bites: The Ultimate Easy Holiday Treat with Puff Pastry

These effortless mini pecan pie bites are a holiday season essential! Crafted with convenient store-bought puff pastry and crowned with the simplest, most delectable pecan pie filling, they promise to be the star of any gathering. Prepare for a flurry of compliments from your delighted guests!

There’s an undeniable charm about miniature desserts. Perhaps it’s their petite size, or the permission they grant to indulge “just one more time.” Whatever the reason, if a treat comes in a bite-sized package, it simply tastes better, and these pecan pie bites are no exception.

These tiny, tempting pecan pie morsels are utterly addictive. They possess a magic that makes it impossible to stop at just one. Their small stature tricks you into thinking, ‘go ahead, have another,’ and before you realize it, you’ve enjoyed half a dozen, yet the craving persists. You’ll still desire more of that perfect sweet and flaky goodness.

This cherished recipe for pecan pie bites has been a family favorite for over 15 years. Originally, we used to make walnut tarts with those convenient store-bought mini pie shells. They were always our go-to for a quick, foolproof dessert that needed to impress, and they consistently disappeared fast! The original recipe was so straightforward that it quickly became memorized. After perfecting it countless times over two decades, I truly have it down pat. But for this rendition, we’re elevating the experience with a buttery puff pastry crust.

Let’s delve into the heart of these delightful treats: the pecan pie filling. The original recipe featured a mere pinch of salt, but I’ve learned to enhance it. Pecan pie can often be a singular, cloyingly sweet note. By slightly increasing the salt, we achieve a beautiful balance, creating a sweet-and-salty dynamic that truly elevates the flavor profile. Keep in mind that your puff pastry sheets also contribute a subtle saltiness, further enhancing this irresistible combination. It’s this nuanced flavor that makes these pecan tarts so incredibly addicting.

The filling for these easy pecan pie bites is a simple yet potent blend of sweetened condensed milk, light corn syrup, fragrant vanilla extract, a touch of salt, and one large egg. And, of course, the star of the show – plenty of crunchy pecans! That’s all it takes to create a filling bursting with classic pecan pie flavor. One of the best features of this recipe is its make-ahead potential: the pecan filling can be prepared up to three days in advance, making it ideal for busy holiday party preparations. Or, if you’re like me, you can quickly whip up a fresh batch and bake them right before heading to multiple parties or cookie swaps. Arriving with warm, fresh-baked pecan pie bites will undoubtedly make you the undisputed star of the event, because: 1.) everyone adores the flaky texture of puff pastry, 2.) pecan pie is a universally loved classic, 3.) bite-sized food is always a hit, and 4.) warm, fresh pie paired with a dollop of whipped cream is pure heaven. I am absolutely certain of it!

During the development of this recipe, I confess I ate an astonishing amount of these pecan pie bites, all in the noble name of recipe testing! My primary concern wasn’t the pecan pie filling itself, but rather perfecting the crust. My family traditionally relied on store-bought mini pie shells, which, while convenient, aren’t universally available. I wanted a recipe accessible to everyone, regardless of their grocery store’s specific stock.

So, my initial experiments began with sugar cookie dough. Let’s just say that wasn’t a triumphant choice. The resulting tarts were so incredibly sweet that they actually made my sweet tooth ache! Moving on to the next idea! While browsing the store, I spotted large puff pastry sheets and thought, “Aha!” The first batch, however, puffed up so much they resembled profiteroles, completely enveloping and obscuring the pecan pie filling. A definite fail. Back to the drawing board! My final attempt with puff pastry proved to be the winning strategy: piercing several holes across the surface of the pastry. This technique allowed the puff pastry to rise beautifully and create that desirable flaky texture, but prevented it from ballooning into an unmanageable size. And it worked like a charm! The result was a perfect, buttery puff pastry cup cradling a sweet, crunchy, and delightfully gooey pecan pie filling at its center. Naturally, I immediately reached for the whipped cream container, because truly, what is pie without that essential cloud of creamy goodness?

As these mini pecan pie bites bake to golden perfection, you might notice some of the pecan pie filling gently spilling over the sides of the puff pastry cups. Don’t fret; this is perfectly normal and actually a desired outcome! This slight overflow creates a wonderfully crisp, caramelized, and nutty brown crust around the edges. This crunchy rim not only adds an extra layer of delicious flavor but also provides an incredible textural contrast that truly makes these miniature tarts phenomenal and unique. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference in the overall experience.

For effortless removal and a beautifully golden crust, be sure to generously spray your mini muffin pan with cooking spray. Since we can’t use a traditional egg wash on these, the cooking spray serves a dual purpose: it helps the puff pastry achieve that lovely browned hue, and most importantly, it ensures these delicate pecan pie bites pop right out of the pan without sticking, making your baking experience smooth and stress-free.

These pecan pie puff pastry bites are truly the ideal treat for your upcoming holiday party, a festive cookie swap, or simply as a special homemade indulgence. You can even bake a large batch and lovingly package them as thoughtful gifts. After all, gifts that combine the flaky allure of puff pastry with the comforting sweetness of pecan pie are undeniably the best kind of gift there is, spreading joy one delicious bite at a time. They show you cared enough to make something truly special.

Yield: 72 pecan bites

Easy Pecan Pie Bites

Prep Time
15 minutes

Cook Time
45 minutes

Total Time
1 hour

Easy to make treats that are perfect for the holidays! These mini pecan pie bites are made with store-bought puff pastry and topped with the easiest pecan pie mix. Your guests are going to rave about them!

Ingredients

3 (10 x 15 inch) puff pastry sheets (thawed according to package directions)
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup light corn syrup
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ – 2 cups pecan pieces

Instructions

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350ºF (175°C). Spray a mini muffin pan liberally with cooking spray; set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the condensed milk, corn syrup, egg, vanilla extract, and salt. Using a whisk, beat the mixture until everything is thoroughly combined and smooth. Gently fold in the pecan pieces, then set the filling aside.
Using a 2 ½ inch round cookie cutter (dusted lightly in flour to prevent sticking), cut out approximately 24 rounds from each puff pastry sheet. You can choose to bake all 72 pecan pie bites at once, or prepare them in smaller batches as needed over a few days.
Carefully pierce several holes through the center and surface of each puff pastry round using a fork. Ensure most of the surface is covered with these tiny perforations. Place the cut-out puff pastry rounds into the prepared mini muffin pan, pressing them gently to ensure they sit flat at the bottom. This prevents any air bubbles from getting trapped between the pastry and the pan.
Spoon a little less than a tablespoon of the pecan pie filling into the center of each puff pastry round. If desired, you can add a few extra pecan pieces on top for a richer appearance. Try to avoid letting the filling overflow the sides of the puff pastry cup at this stage.
Bake for 14-17 minutes, or until the puff pastry edges turn a light golden brown. The pecan pie filling may not appear completely set in the center, and that’s perfectly fine – it will continue to set as it cools. Be cautious not to overbake, as this can make the crust too dry. In my oven, 16 minutes was the sweet spot. As they bake, some of the pie filling might bubble over the sides, which is intentional! This creates a lovely, slightly caramelized, golden crunch around the rim of these delicious pecan tarts.
Allow the tarts to cool completely in the muffin pan before attempting to remove them. This is crucial for the filling to fully set and for easy removal. Once cooled, serve them as is, or with a tiny dollop of freshly whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence. Any leftover pecan bites can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.

Notes

MAKE AHEAD: The prepared pecan pie filling mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in advance. This makes holiday meal prep significantly easier! You have the flexibility to bake all 72 pecan bites simultaneously or prepare them in smaller batches over those 3 days as needed.
PUFF PASTRY: If you cannot find puff pastry sheets with the specific 10 x 15 inch dimensions, don’t worry! You can use any long sheet sizes available. Just keep in mind that you may need to adjust the number of sheets required depending on their size. I recommend this particular sheet size as it typically results in very little wasted pastry dough after cutting the rounds.

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