Mini Pecan Phyllo Tarts Bitesized Southern Pecan Pie

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook
Mini Pecan Phyllo Tarts are my go-to party treat. I love the flaky phyllo shell and gooey pecan center.

The mix of brown sugar and toasted pecans pops with nutty sweetness.

Brief Overview
This bite sized riff borrows from the classic Southern pecan pie. Think of a Mini Pecan Pie Recipe With Phyllo Dough vibe, but tiny and elegant.

Prep is 30 minutes , and bake time is 14 18 minutes . Total time sits around 44 48 minutes .

Makes about 24 mini tarts , enough for 8 12 guests.

Origin and meaning
Pecan pies come from the American South. These tartlets bring that heritage into party sized bites. They fit perfectly on any Holiday Desserts Table.

Difficulty and yield
Skill level is medium, honestly. Working with phyllo needs patience. Expect to line many cups and brush butter carefully.

Main Benefits
Top perk: these are sharable and impressive. They’re easier than a full pie, yet taste just as rich. Nutrition wise, pecans add heart healthy fats and a good crunch.

Perfect occasions
They shine at cocktail parties and holiday gatherings. Serve them on the Party dessert bites pecan phyllo board. I often bring them to potlucks they vanish fast.

What makes them special
The crisp phyllo keeps the filling light. These are true Pecan Pie Phyllo Cups in miniature.

Add bourbon for a Maple bourbon pecan phyllo tarts twist if you like grown-up flavors.

Personal note
Oh my gosh, I once burned three sheets of phyllo. Lesson learned: keep the stack covered. Also, toasting pecans first changed my game.

A quick stat
Fun fact: pecan pies have been a holiday staple for over a century. No wonder these Mini pecan tartlets with phyllo are a hit.

Variants I love
Try a Chocolate Pecan mix or a salted caramel drizzle. I also tried a Skinnytaste Mini Pecan Phyllo Tarts copycat, and it worked well.

Now, onto ingredients and tools. Next up: the full list and step-by-step instructions.

Ingredients & Equipment

I swear pecans are the soul of this snack. Did you know the U.S. grows about 80% of the world's pecans? That’s my excuse to make these a lot.

Main Ingredients

For the phyllo shells:

• 6 8 sheets phyllo (250 300 g total) , thawed and kept damp.
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter (84 g) , melted.

For the pecan filling:

• 1 cup packed light brown sugar (220 g) .
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup (120 ml) or 120 ml maple syrup .
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (56 g) , melted.
• 1 large egg (50 60 g) , beaten.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (5 ml) .
• 1/4 tsp fine sea salt (1.5 g) .
• 1 cup pecans, chopped (120 g) .
• Optional: 24 pecan halves for tops.

Quality notes: use fresh, lightly toasted pecans. Buy good unsalted butter. Use pure vanilla extract, not imitation. This makes the difference.

I grew up baking pecan tarts with my gran. Oh my gosh, keeping phyllo from drying was a battle. A damp towel saved the day more than once.

Seasoning Notes

Essential combo: vanilla and a pinch of fine sea salt. Add 1/8 tsp cinnamon for warmth. For a grown-up twist, stir in 2 tbsp bourbon (30 ml) for maple bourbon pecan phyllo tarts vibes.

Flavor enhancers: a little orange zest brightens things. A tiny dust of powdered sugar balances the salt. Quick swaps: replace corn syrup with maple syrup. Use walnuts if pecans are unavailable.

These tips make your Mini Pecan Phyllo Tarts sing. They also work for Pecan Pie Phyllo Cups and Mini pecan tartlets with phyllo .

Equipment Needed

Essential tools only:

• 24-cup mini muffin tin.
• Pastry brush.
• Sharp scissors or pizza cutter.
• Mixing bowls and whisk.
• Measuring cups/spoons or kitchen scale.

Household alternatives: use a muffin tin instead of tartlet pans. A silicone brush works if you lack a pastry brush. No food processor? Chop pecans with a knife.

Want to know how to make phyllo cups for tarts? Keep phyllo covered and brush lightly. Trust me. These small steps turn simple ingredients into perfect Bite sized pecan pielets for your Holiday Desserts Table or Party dessert bites pecan phyllo spread.

Cooking Method

I love serving Mini Pecan Phyllo Tarts at parties. They vanish fast on the Holiday Desserts Table.
Fun fact: bite sized desserts get eaten first.

Prep Steps

Keep all ingredients ready before you start. Thaw phyllo fully and cover with a damp towel.
Toast pecans for 3 5 minutes until fragrant.

Measure butter, sugar, and syrup in bowls.
Safety note: eggs must reach 160° F ( 71° C) for safety.

step-by-step Process

1. Preheat oven to 350° F ( 175° C) .
2. Stack and cut phyllo into 24 pieces.
3. Brush each layer lightly with melted butter.
4. Fit 3 4 layers into each mini cup.
5. Spoon 1 to 1¼ teaspoons of filling.
6. Bake 14– 18 minutes until golden and set.

Visual cues matter. Edges should be deep golden. Filling looks slightly jiggly, not liquid.
If you use a thermometer, aim for 160 170° F (71 77° C) .

Let tarts cool 10 minutes in the pan.
They firm as they cool.

Pro Tips

Work fast with phyllo sheets. Keep unused sheets under a damp towel.
Brush butter thinly for crisp shells.

A food processor chops pecans quickly. Common mistake: overfilling causes spillover.
Don’t let phyllo dry; it tears easily.

make-ahead: assemble shells a day early. Store shells airtight at room temperature.
Fill and bake on the event day.

Honestly, my first batch leaked everywhere. I learned to measure teaspoons like a hawk. Now I call them my bite sized pecan pielets.
They pair nicely with coffee or ice cream.

If you like a twist, try Maple bourbon pecan phyllo tarts.
Swap corn syrup for maple and add 2 tablespoons bourbon.

Want guidance on How to make phyllo cups for tarts?
Tell me and I’ll walk you through every fold.

These little Pecan Tarts always impress.
They’re perfect as Pecan Pie Phyllo Cups or party dessert bites pecan phyllo.

Recipe Notes

Serving Suggestions

These Mini Pecan Phyllo Tarts shine on a Holiday Desserts Table. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Or a dollop of lightly whipped cream.

I love them with espresso or a small tawny port. For a grown-up twist try a bourbon cocktail. They also work as Party dessert bites pecan phyllo.

Arrange them on a cheese board. Fresh berries cut the sweetness. Honestly, they disappear fast.

Storage Tips

Cool completely before storing. Refrigerate in a single layer. Use an airtight container. They keep 3 days in the fridge.

For longer storage freeze on a tray first. Then transfer to a freezer bag. Freeze up to 1 month. To reheat, thaw at room temp.

Warm in a 325° F oven for 5 minutes. Or microwave briefly for 10 15 seconds. Be careful not to melt the phyllo.

Variations

Try a Maple bourbon pecan phyllo tarts version. Replace corn syrup with maple syrup and add 2 tablespoons bourbon. For a chocolate twist add a few mini dark chips into each shell.

For dietary swaps use a vegan butter and a flax egg. Or swap phyllo for ready-made mini tart shells if you need gluten-free pastry.

Seasonal swaps are fun. In autumn add orange zest. In winter sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg.

Nutrition Basics

Each tart is about 140 calories. They have roughly 9 grams fat and 13 15 grams carbs. Pecans provide healthy monounsaturated fats and fiber.

Pecans are one of the few nuts native to North America. That means good flavor and nutrients per bite. These are small treats.

Enjoy one or two and savor the flavor.

A quick tip about technique. Keep phyllo covered and brush lightly. This is How to make phyllo cups for tarts, and yes it takes patience.

I once lost half a sheet to dryness. Lesson learned.

Mini Pecan Phyllo Tarts are perfect little Pecan Tarts or Bite sized pecan pielets. They remind me why I love baking.

Try this Mini Pecan Pie Recipe With Phyllo Dough in different ways. You might even prefer the Pecan Pie Phyllo Cups version.

If you want ideas, I tested a Skinnytaste Mini Pecan Phyllo Tarts inspired tweak. Enjoy baking. You’ve got this.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep the phyllo from drying out or tearing while I make Mini Pecan Phyllo Tarts?

Work quickly and keep unused phyllo sheets covered with a slightly damp (not wet) towel think of it like protecting bread from going stale. Brush each layer lightly and evenly with melted butter (or neutral oil) so the sheets stay pliable and bake up crisp rather than leathery; too much butter makes them greasy, too little makes them brittle.

Can I make Mini Pecan Phyllo Tarts ahead of time, and what’s the best way to store them?

You can bake them a day ahead and store cooled tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours, or in the fridge for 3 4 days bring to room temp before serving so the phyllo regains some crispness.

For longer storage, freeze baked tarts in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 1 month; reheat briefly in a 325°F oven to refresh the crust.

What tasty variations or substitutions work well with Mini Pecan Phyllo Tarts?

Try Bourbon Maple (swap corn syrup for maple and add 2 tbsp bourbon), Chocolate Pecan (stir in chocolate chips or place a few at the base), or a salted-caramel drizzle for a grown-up twist all are simple swaps that transform the flavor.

If you don’t have phyllo, use mini tart shells or small rounds of puff pastry; for corn syrup use equal maple or golden syrup, though texture and sweetness will change slightly.

How do I know when the filling is set without overbaking the phyllo?

Bake until the phyllo edges are deep golden and the filling is mostly set but still slightly jiggly in the center the filling will firm as it cools. If the edges brown too quickly, tent the tin loosely with foil for the last few minutes; timing in a mini tin is short (14 18 minutes), so keep an eye on color rather than just the clock.

Are Mini Pecan Phyllo Tarts suitable for people with allergies or special diets?

These tarts contain nuts, butter and usually wheat (phyllo), so they’re not safe for nut-allergic or strictly gluten-free diets without swaps use gluten-free mini shells and replace pecans with toasted seeds for a nut-free option.

For vegan versions, try vegan butter and an egg replacer (e.g., flax “egg” or aquafaba) but expect a slightly different texture; always label allergen changes clearly when serving to guests.

How many calories are in a Mini Pecan Phyllo Tart and can I make them lighter?

Each tart is roughly 130 150 kcal, with most calories from pecans and butter. To lighten them, reduce the butter brushed between sheets, use a smaller filling portion, swap half the brown sugar for a lower-calorie sweetener (or use maple for a more flavorful but similar calorie option), and serve smaller portions alongside fresh berries to make a lighter dessert course.