No-Bake Mini Pecan Pie Bites

These no-bake mini pecan pie cups are gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and made with Siete cookies. Quick, healthy-ish, and perfect for holiday desserts!

If you love pecan pie but don’t love baking crust, rolling dough, or turning your kitchen into chaos… these No-Bake Mini Pecan Pie Cups are about to become your new obsession.

They’re:

✔ gluten-free
✔ refined sugar-free (sweetened with maple + date sugar)
✔ made in under 15 minutes
✔ no crust, no oven, no fuss
✔ perfectly sweet + salty + crunchy

Instead of a traditional crust, these mini pies use Siete Mexican Shortbread Cookies as the base — which makes them buttery, crumbly, and naturally gluten-free without any extra work from you. Top them with a drizzle of chocolate and flaky sea salt and they taste like a gourmet holiday dessert with zero effort.

⬇️ 🎥 A YouTube video tutorial below if you want to watch the full step-by-step!

Storage Instructions (Food Safety-Friendly)

Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days. Because the filling contains butter and nuts, keeping them chilled preserves freshness and prevents oil separation.

Freezer:
Freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
Let thaw at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before enjoying.

Recipe Notes + Brand Recommendations

• Cookies: Siete Mexican Shortbread Cookies make the perfect gluten-free base. You can use my code ROOTS15 15% off.

• Salt: I use flaky salt from Redmond Real Salt — code ROOTS15 works here too.

• Chocolate: Hu Kitchen Sea Salt Dark Chocolate gives the best flavor for drizzling.

✨ If you try this recipe, make sure to tag me in your socials so I can cheer you on in the kitchen! Or leave feedback in the comments!

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No-Bake Mini Pecan Pie Bites (Gluten-Free, Healthy-ish + SO Easy)

These no-bake mini pecan pie cups are gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and made with Siete cookies. Quick, healthy-ish, and perfect for holiday desserts!

Servings: 22 mini pies Prep: 10 MIN chill time: 20 MIN

Ingredients

Base

• 22 Siete Mexican Shortbread Cookies (1 per muffin cup; sometimes bags contain 20–22)

Pecan Pie Filling

• 2–4 Tbsp butter (use 4 tbsp for richer filling; 2 tbsp works if you prefer lighter)

• ½ cup maple syrup

• ⅔ cup date sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Generous pinch of cinnamon

• Generous pinch of sea salt

• 1½ cups chopped pecans

Optional Chocolate Drizzle

• ½ bar Hu Kitchen Sea Salt Dark Chocolate

• 1–2 tsp coconut oil

• Flaky sea salt (I use Redmond Real Salt)

Directions

1. Prepare the muffin tin.
   Lightly spray a 24-count mini muffin tin with avocado oil. This helps the mini pies release easily, especially if adding chocolate.

2. Add the cookie base.
   Place one Siete Mexican Shortbread Cookie into each muffin cup. You should get 20–22 cookies per bag — either amount works.

3. Toast pecans in butter.
   In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped pecans and stir until they are fully coated and lightly toasted (1–2 minutes).

4. Create the filling mixture.
   Add the maple syrup and date sugar. Stir quickly and continuously to prevent burning. Once the mixture becomes glossy and sticky, immediately remove the skillet from heat.

5. Add flavor.
   Stir in vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mix until everything is evenly combined.

6. Fill the cups.
   Using a 1 tablespoon scoop, spoon the warm pecan filling over each cookie. Work quickly before the mixture thickens.

7. (Optional) Add chocolate drizzle.
   Melt chocolate with coconut oil (microwave or double boiler). Drizzle over the top of each pecan pie cup and finish with flaky sea salt.

8. Chill + remove.
   Transfer the muffin tin to the fridge for 15–20 minutes to set.
   Once firm, slide a thin knife around the edges to release (most should pop out easily, especially with the oil spray).

9. Serve or store.
   Enjoy immediately or store chilled — see storage notes above.

Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Balls

Craving a sweet treat that won't sabotage your healthy lifestyle? Try these Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Balls – they're a hit with gym goers and perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.

HERE’S WHY WE LOVE THEM:

• An adequate amount of protein per serving

• No baking required, easy to prepare

• Minimal ingredients needed

• A healthy Valentine's Day snack or dessert

• Ideal as a pre/post workout snack

WHAT MAKES THEM SO PROTEIN-PACKED?

This recipe uses nut butter and a clean protein powder source as its primary protein sources. We recommend using the vanilla flavor from Equip Foods – it provides the perfect balance of sweetness and nutrition. If you're interested in trying this protein powder, use the code ROOTS at checkout to receive 15% off. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more exclusive promo codes from this brand!

MORE SNACK BALL RECIPES

snickerdoodle protein balls

dark chocolate chip protein bites

lemon and coconut energy balls

chai latte donut holes

fig, vanilla & orange energy balls

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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Craving a sweet treat that won't sabotage your healthy lifestyle? Try these Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Balls – they're a hit with gym goers and perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.

Servings: 36-38 balls Prep: 5 MIN Cook time: 0 MIN

Ingredients

• 3 cups gluten-free oats (or oat flour)

• 1 cup vanilla protein powder

• 2 Tbsp ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp pink Himalayan sea salt

• 1 cup pure maple syrup

• 1 ½ cup nut butter

• ½ cup coconut oil (half melted)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ¼ - ½ cup white chocolate chips

• 1/4-1/2 cup freeze dried strawberries

Instructions

1. In a food processor, blend oats until flour consistency and then add the rest of the ingredients to process minus the chocolate chips. Fold in the white chocolate chips and use a 1 tbsp measuring spoon or cookie scooper to turn into balls!

Notes

1. Although it's not necessary, melting the coconut oil can improve the dough's texture and the distribution of the white chocolate chips throughout the balls, creating a delightful cheesecake flavor.

2. Use code: ROOTS for 15% off our preferred clean protein powder source!

Chai Latte Donut Holes

Made with nutrient dense filling and a coconut butter glaze, you will soon fall in love with a healthier take on donut holes...bonus - no bake!

Starting out as a new blogger, it can be easy to follow seasonal trends. For example, my Instagram feed was filled with pumpkin spice this and pumpkin spice that for a month! Now, in all genuineness, I truly love pumpkin and all things pumpkin spice, but I know not everyone feels the same way!

So I went back to what life was like before pumpkin spice, chai spice! When I was in school, I would have collections of chai teas from coconut chai teas to dark chocolate cayenne chai tea; I was obsessed! Now that I have perfected the chai spice mix, I think this nostalgia will never leave!

I’m chasing rabbits here, the focus lies on these chai latte donut holes that are out of this world! Probably my favorite “energy balls” to date! The reason why they are called donut holes is because of the mouthwatering glaze! The glaze is made with coconut butter and coconut oil that hardens at room temperature. It provides the perfect shine while cracking just as you take a bite!

The “donut holes” are made with nutrient dense ingredients that are nothing like a real donut. Unlike a fried donut hole, you will feel satisfied eating one or two. Bonus, these donut holes are naturally sweetened with medjool dates!

The DIY chai spice mix really takes you down chai latte heaven in these bad boys. With a cup of coffee or tea, these chai latte donut holes are the perfect match!

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A post shared by Candace Dorsey| From the Roots (@fromtherootsblog)

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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ingredients

Donut Holes

• 1/2 cup walnuts

• 1/2 cup cashews

• 1/2 cup almond flour

• 1 cup pitted dates (about 12)

• 1 tsp chai spice mix

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 Tbsp water

Glaze

• 1 Tbsp coconut butter

• 2 Tbsp coconut oil

• 1 Tbsp maple syrup

• pinch of cinnamon

instructions

1. In a food processor, add all donut hole ingredients and pulse until desired consistency (picture for reference). You should blend until a tacky dough forms. You may need to add more water if the mixture is too dry.

2. With a tablespoon or cookie scooper, scoop about 1 Tbsp per ball to create 14 round balls.

3. Place balls onto a parchment lined baking sheet and put in the freezer for up to 10 minutes.

4. While the balls are in the freezer, make the glaze by adding all ingredients to a small bowl and warm in the microwave in 30-second increments until mixture is melted. (separation is natural - just stir well before glazing).

5. Take the balls out of the freezer and roll each ball into the glaze mixture using a spoon. Place back onto the parchment paper and put back into the freezer for 30 minutes.

6. Repeat the previous step again and put back in the freezer for 30 minutes or until glaze is set. You can repeat this step up to three times (or until mixture is used up) but I have found the glaze is perfect in two rounds.

7. Store donut holes in a storage container for up to two weeks or freezer for up to 1 month.

Notes

1. Even though the glaze is the best part, the chai latte donut holes will still taste just as good if you omit the glaze; they will just be chai latte balls!

2. If you would like a single serving amount of chai mix and pushed for time, simply add 1 tsp cinnamon, scant ¼ tsp cardamom, ¼ tsp ginger and a pinch of cloves. Just start slow with each seasoning and taste as you go since these spices are naturally strong.

3. With that said, if using chai is new to you or you're worried about the donut holes being too spicy, start by adding a ½ tsp of chai spice mix and gradually increase to the desired flavor.