Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars for Thanksgiving Dessert in Air Fryer
I never planned for these Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars to become my signature Thanksgiving treat. But one cold November morning, while prepping dishes for my family’s gathering, I found myself frustrated with crowded ovens and complicated pies. I wanted something homemade, seasonal, rich with pecans but fast. That moment pushed me toward experimenting with Thanksgiving Desserts With Pecans in my air fryer. What came out wasn’t just a happy accident. It was a buttery, golden, irresistible dessert that tasted like fall in every bite. Since then, these Maple Pecan Pie Bars have become my most requested dish and one of the easiest Thanksgiving Dessert Bars Recipes I rely on each year.
Before I walk you through the full process, you can discover more easy sweet ideas that pair wonderfully with Fall Desserts Bars here: Easy Air Fryer Desserts
Table of Contents
Why These Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars Are the Best Thanksgiving Bars Dessert
When families look for Thanksgiving Desserts With Pecans, most people jump straight to traditional pies. But not everyone wants another pie crowding the table. That’s why Thanksgiving Desserts That Aren’t Pie are becoming more popular. These Maple Pecan Pie Bars offer everything warm and nostalgic maple, butter, toasted pecans in a dessert that slices neatly, stores well, and cooks fast.
Thanksgiving Dessert Bars Recipes need to deliver three things:
- Rich, seasonal flavor
- Easy preparation
- A dessert that travels well
These bars check all those boxes. Thanks to the air fryer, they cook quicker than an oven, caramelize beautifully, and never leave you guessing. For anyone preparing multiple dishes, they are also perfect Make Ahead Desserts For Thanksgiving because the flavor deepens overnight.
If you love fruity fall bars too, check out another great recipe: Air Fryer Apple Turnovers with Puff Pastry
Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars (Air Fryer)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract for the crust.
- Press the mixture into a parchment-lined 8×8-inch pan. Air fry at 320°F (160°C) for 6–8 minutes until lightly golden.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, maple syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract for the filling.
- Fold in chopped pecans. Pour the filling evenly over the warm crust.
- Air fry at 300°F (150°C) for 12–14 minutes, or until the center is just set and slightly jiggly.
- Cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to firm up.
- Slice into squares and sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Ingredients for the Best Maple Pecan Pie Bars
Creating Thanksgiving Dessert Bars shouldn’t require ingredients you can only find once a year. These bars use everyday staples:
- All-purpose flour
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Eggs
- Maple syrup
- Vanilla
- Sea salt
- Pecans
That’s what makes Pecan Desserts Easy Thanksgiving favorites. They’re simple, affordable, and crowd-pleasing. The maple syrup gives the bars depth, while the pecans add crunch and richness. Combined, they deliver the warm, cozy goodness you expect from Thanksgiving Desserts With Pecans.
If you want another fall-inspired dessert bar idea, take a look at: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
How to Make the Perfect Crust
A Thanksgiving Bars Dessert is only as good as its base. The crust here is buttery, slightly crisp, and strong enough to hold the gooey filling.
Steps:
- Mix flour, melted butter, brown sugar, and a splash of vanilla.
- Press the dough into a parchment-lined square pan.
- Air fry for 6–8 minutes at 320°F.
Pre-baking the crust ensures these Fall Desserts Bars stay firm once cooled especially important if you serve them chilled or transport them.
This crust is also lighter and easier than rolling pie dough, making these perfect Thanksgiving Desserts That Aren’t Pie.
Mixing the Filling: The Heart of Maple Pecan Pie Bars
The filling is what transforms a simple dessert into one of the best Thanksgiving Desserts With Pecans. Maple syrup brings deep caramel warmth, eggs bind everything together, and pecans add texture.
To make the filling:
- Whisk eggs, maple syrup, melted butter, and vanilla.
- Fold in chopped pecans.
- Pour over the warm crust.
The air fryer cooks the filling evenly, creating glossy, golden Maple Pecan Pie Bars that smell like fall. It’s one reason Thanksgiving Dessert Bars Recipes work beautifully in air fryers fast, even cooking.
Love pumpkin-flavored desserts? Check out: Air Fryer Pumpkin Bread
Air Fryer Baking Method
Traditional pecan pies can take nearly an hour to bake, not counting oven preheating. That’s why making Pecan Desserts Easy Thanksgiving options in the air fryer is a smart move.
Air Fry Instructions:
- Set to 300°F
- Cook 12–14 minutes
- Filling should be set but slightly jiggly
The circulating heat caramelizes the maple syrup, giving these Thanksgiving Dessert Bars a glossy finish and chewy edges. Because the air fryer cooks in a smaller space, flavor intensifies more quickly, giving you richer Fall Desserts Bars with very little work.
Cooling, Cutting & Serving
Cooling is essential. These Maple Pecan Pie Bars firm up as they cool, turning from soft and gooey into perfectly sliceable bars. Refrigerate them for at least two hours overnight is even better. That’s why these bars are among the easiest Make Ahead Desserts For Thanksgiving.
Once cooled, slice into clean squares. Sprinkle sea salt on top for a finishing touch that cuts through the sweetness and enhances the maple flavor. When displayed on a holiday dessert table, these bars stand out among Thanksgiving Desserts That Aren’t Pie while still giving guests flavors they expect from the season.
Why These Air Fryer Bars Belong on Your Thanksgiving Table
In a holiday filled with heavy cooking, complicated ovens, and last-minute stress, these Maple Pecan Pie Bars provide the relief everyone needs. They’re quick, they’re stunning, they’re delicious, and they bring the classic nostalgia of Thanksgiving Desserts With Pecans.
These bars excel because:
- They cook fast
- They require simple ingredients
- They store and travel well
- They satisfy guests who want Thanksgiving Desserts That Aren’t Pie
- They fill the kitchen with cozy fall aromas
And because they’re air-fried, they lighten your workload while still looking impressive on the table.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for Thanksgiving Desserts With Pecans that offer both convenience and flavor, these Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars are unbeatable. They’re one of the most reliable Thanksgiving Dessert Bars Recipes for families who want something sweet, seasonal, and easy. Between the maple richness, buttery crust, and crunchy pecans, these Fall Desserts Bars bring comfort to every bite.
Whether you prepare them as Make Ahead Desserts For Thanksgiving or serve them fresh from the air fryer, they deliver flavor without the stress of traditional pies making them the perfect Thanksgiving Bars Dessert for any gathering.
FAQ Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars
1. Can I prepare these Maple Pecan Pie Bars ahead of Thanksgiving?
Yes. These bars are one of the best Make Ahead Desserts For Thanksgiving because they firm up in the fridge and their flavor deepens overnight.
2. How long do the Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars last?
They keep well for 4–5 days refrigerated in an airtight container.
3. Can I freeze these Thanksgiving Dessert Bars?
Absolutely. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
4. Are these bars good alternatives to traditional pie?
Yes. They’re among the most popular Thanksgiving Desserts That Aren’t Pie because they give you the classic pecan pie flavor without the work.
5. Can I bake Maple Pecan Pie Bars in the oven instead of an air fryer?
Yes. Bake at 350°F for 22–25 minutes until the filling is set.
6. Can I replace maple syrup with honey?
You can, but the flavor will be different. Maple syrup gives these bars their signature warmth.
7. Why use an air fryer for pecan bars?
The air fryer cooks faster and caramelizes the filling more evenly, making these bars one of the easiest Pecan Desserts for Thanksgiving.
8. What kind of pecans work best?
Fresh, lightly toasted pecans deliver the best texture and flavor.
I’m obsessed with turning everyday ingredients into crispy, golden perfection one air fryer recipe at a time! From healthy weeknight dinners to indulgent snacks, my kitchen experiments are all about flavor and simplicity. Follow me on Pinterest and Facebook for more easy air fryer meals, quick desserts, and crowd-pleasing snacks that make cooking fun again. Learn more about me here.
