There is no option of eliminating dessert from my diet. I take such pleasure in it that I can’t imagine doing without it.
The only thing I take more pleasure in than my kitchen, where dessert and its next-level creations are so often the focus, is thinking about my family and friends enjoying dessert with me. In my experience so far, 20 years of a path well walked in the flavors and textures of cake, cookie, tart, and crème, dessert makes for an invigorating end to a meal.
But sometimes you want to reduce the calories and go for something healthy but so enjoyable, so here is my list.
The 14 Best Healthy Dessert Recipes
1. Avocado Chocolate Mousse
I enjoy transforming fully ripened avocados into a luscious, rich Avocado Chocolate Mousse. My healthy dessert recipe calls for cocoa powder, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract, which makes for a nutritious yet indulgent chocolate and avocado dessert.
Ingredients
2 ripe avocados
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Optional: Dark chocolate shavings for topping
Instructions
1. Halve the avocados, take out the pits, and scoop the insides into a food processor or blender.
2. In the blender, combine cocoa powder, honey or maple syrup, milk, vanilla extract, and a bit of salt.
3. Achieve a uniform texture by blending until smooth and creamy, using the sides of the blender as a guide.
4. Spoon the mousse into serving dishes and chill for no less than 30 minutes. If you so desire, top with dark chocolate shavings before serving.
2. Chia Seed Pudding Parfait
A perfect blend of chia seeds, almond milk, and fresh berries makes a delightful Chia Seed Pudding Parfait. It’s nutritious.
I tucked it into my vault of Healthy Dessert Recipes because it’s sweetened with honey, and it has a lovely crunch, courtesy of some granola. I can’t tell you how much I adore this parfait.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup fresh berries (such as strawberries or blueberries)
- 1/4 cup granola
- Mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine the chia seeds, almond milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Mix well until the seeds seem evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
2. The bowl should be covered and placed in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours or, preferably, overnight. The chia seeds then absorb the liquid and thicken to a pudding-like texture.
3. After the chia seed pudding has set, it can be layered in a glass or jar with fresh berries and granola. If you wish, you can repeat the layers to make a more visually striking dessert or breakfast.
4. If you are using mint leaves, add them as a garnish, and serve right away.
3. Quinoa Fruit Salad
What I adore about Quinoa Fruit Salad is how it unites the succulent strawberries, blueberries, and golden mango for a dish that’s remarkably light and refreshing. It’s an ideal dessert for those of us who favor recipes that are healthy yet still have a hint of sweetness.
Ingredients
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 cup strawberries, hulled and quartered
1 cup blueberries
1 cup mango, diced
2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
1 tablespoon honey
Juice of 1 lime
Instructions
1. In a massive mixing bowl, blend together the finished quinoa, the beautiful, red strawberries, the plump blueberries, and the juicy, sweet mango.
2. Combine the honey and lime juice in a small bowl and mix together until combined.
3. Pour the honey and lime over the quinoa and fruit mixture, then gently toss to coat all the ingredients evenly.
4. Add fresh mint as a garnish and serve right away, or chill in the refrigerator before serving.
4. Black Bean Brownies
Black Bean Brownies are a delightful part of my Healthy Dessert Recipe collection. They feature a combination of black beans, cocoa powder, and honey (or maple syrup) that makes them a nutritious and satisfying treat.
You would never guess there are black beans inside.
Ingredients
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
3 large eggs
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2/3 cup honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
1. Prepare your oven by setting it to 350°F (175°C) to warm ahead of time. Grease a baking dish measuring 8×8 inches in preparation for the incoming batter.
2. Blend all components in a blender or food processor until smooth and well combined.
3. Evenly spread the batter in the prepared baking pan.
4. For 20 to 25 minutes, bake the mixture until the edges are set and a toothpick goes into the center and comes out mostly clean. Let it cool before slicing it into squares.
5. Coconut Mango Sorbet
I enjoy making Coconut Mango Sorbet as part of my Healthful Dessert Recipes. Using perfectly ripe mangoes, coconut milk, and refreshing lime juice, this tropical sorbet is not only a lightened ice cream but a dessert you can feel good about indulging in.
Ingredients
Mangoes (about 3 cups of diced ripe mango)
Coconut milk (1 cup, full-fat for creaminess)
Honey or agave syrup (1/4 cup, adjust to taste)
Lime juice (2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed)
Pinch of salt
Optional: Shredded coconut (for garnish)
Optional: Mint leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Mangoes should be peeled and diced, and then placed in a blender or food processor together with coconut milk, honey or agave syrup, lime juice, and a tiny amount of salt. Blend until everything is smooth.
2. Sample the blend and tweak it if necessary, adding more sweetener or lime juice to achieve the desired flavor. Transfer the blend to a shallow container, then cloak it in a lid or plastic wrap.
3. Put the mixture in the freezer for about 4-6 hours, or until firm. For a smoother texture, more like that of a commercially made sorbet, stir the mixture once an hour for the first 3 hours to break up any ice crystals that have formed.
4. Serve the sorbet in bowls and top with mint leaves and shredded coconut, if you like. It’s impossible to improve upon the clean, fruity flavors of this coconut mango sorbet.
6. Almond Flour Lemon Bars
I enjoy fashioning wholesome dessert recipes, such as these almond flour lemon bars, which highlight the use of fresh lemon juice, honey, and coconut flour. These delightful bars are a refreshing twist on the lemon bar and are a superb grain-free alternative for satisfying any sweet cravings.
Ingredients
1 cup almond flour
2 tablespoons coconut flour
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
3 large eggs
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up. While your oven preheats, grab an 8×8 inch baking pan, and line it with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, combine almond flour, coconut flour, melted coconut oil, and honey until a mixture of the right consistency is formed. The right consistency is when you can press it into a crust and it stays that way. It should also be gluey enough that it doesn’t just crumble apart into dry sand. So be patient and mix well.
3. Bake the crust for approximately 8 to 10 minutes until it is just a little golden. Remove from the oven and let cool a little before going on to the next step.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, the leftover honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, and the rest of the melted coconut oil, and whisk until smooth. Pour the resulting lemony mixture over the crust.
5. Put the baking pan back in the oven and continue baking for another 18 to 20 minutes, or until the filling has set.
6. Let the lemon bars cool thoroughly, then chill them for at least an hour before cutting them into pieces and serving.
7. Matcha Green Tea Energy Bites
I enjoy creating Matcha Green Tea Energy Bites as part of my wholesome dessert recipes. These delightful little nuggets combine rolled oats, almond butter, and copious amounts of shredded coconut with matcha to make a supremely nutritious energy snack.
Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons matcha green tea powder
1/2 cup almond butter
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Take a big bowl and add rolled oats, shredded coconut, and matcha green tea powder to it. Listen to the next command: If you don’t want clumped-together matcha powder in your final baked goods, make it a point to mix these three ingredients very well.
2. To the dry ingredients, add almond butter, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously until the mixture forms a cohesive dough.
3. Take the mixture, and with your hands, form it into small balls that are about 1 inch across. Chill the balls in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until they have firmed up and are ready to be served.
8. Sweet Potato Chocolate Cake
I am eager to delve into the delightful addition that is the Sweet Potato Chocolate Cake, to the Healthy Dessert Recipes canon. Built around the wonderfully nutritious sweet potato, along with almond flour and cocoa powder, this naturally sweetened (with maple syrup) cake is nothing less than a health-forward dessert.
Ingredients
Sweet potatoes (about 2 medium-sized)
Almond flour (1 cup)
Cocoa powder (1/2 cup)
Maple syrup (1/4 cup)
Eggs (2)
Baking powder (1 teaspoon)
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm. Take the sweet potatoes, remove their skins, and boil them until they’re soft. Then, using a potato masher or ricer, mash them until smooth.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the sweet potatoes, almond flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder until no lumps remain. The mixture is sweetened with maple syrup and flavored with vanilla extract, and then eggs are mixed in to form a smooth batter.
3. Eliminate as much air as possible from the batter by beating it vigorously just before putting it into the pan. A thick batter like this one can easily trap tiny pockets of air, which will expand in the heat of the oven and cause the cake to dome up. If you’ve very frequently had baking problems where the tops of cakes just don’t stay flat, this may be an issue with air in the batter.
4. Before cutting and serving, allow the cake to cool. Indulge in this healthy, wet chocolate cake as a wholesome dessert.
9. Cashew Cream Cheesecake
Adding to my collection of Healthy Dessert Recipes, I present to you my delicious and simple recipe for a cashew cream cheesecake! This creamy, dreamy cheesecake treats you to a healthy dessert that contains no dairy, no gluten, and very little sugar (if you truly want to avoid sugar, just leave out the tiny bit of maple syrup, which is optional).
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups raw cashews, soaked overnight
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup almond flour (for crust)
2 tablespoons coconut sugar (for crust)
Instructions
1. The crust requires almond flour and coconut sugar, which are combined in a food processor. The resulting mixture is then pressed into the bottom of a springform pan that has been lined beforehand.
2. After soaking the cashews in water, blend them with coconut oil, maple syrup, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until they are smooth and creamy.
3. Pour the cashew mixture over the crust and smooth the top. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or until fully set.
4. The cashew cream cheesecake can be served cold and topped with the fruit or nuts of your choice.
10. Zucchini Brownies
Zucchini brownies are one of the most scrumptious ways to enjoy this “superfood.” They are very rich brownies, even more so than ones made with standard ingredients. There’s no convoluted health-ifying of a dessert here; these brownies are healthy because they have zucchini in them.
Ingredients
1 cup grated zucchini
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up while you prepare the pan. Use an 8×8-inch baking pan, preferably one that is nonstick or lined with a layer of parchment paper; another option is to grease the pan with butter or baking spray.
2. The grated zucchini, coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract come together in a big bowl.
3. Combine the dry ingredients—unsweetened cocoa powder, flour, and baking soda—with the wet ingredients. Mix until everything is well combined.
4. Put the batter into the prepped pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out mostly clean. Allow to cool before cutting into squares to serve.
11. Banana Oat Cookies
I take pleasure in preparing Banana Oat Cookies. They are a delightful and nutritious addition to Healthy Dessert Recipes.
With rolled oats, ripe bananas, almond butter, honey, and vanilla extract, you would hardly know these cookies are good for you. You might even say they’re too good for you.
Ingredients
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup almond butter
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to preheat. Meanwhile, take a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper.
2. In a big bowl, mix the bananas, almond butter, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth.
3. Add the rolled oats and cinnamon to the mixture and ensure that they are well combined.
4. Spoon the dough onto the lined baking sheets and form it into a rough ball shape. Cookies tend to spread while baking, so if you want a more domed-shaped cookie, don’t flatten it as much with the spoon.For Chewy Coconut Cookies, bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown and just set. Because these cookies are so thick, they won’t spread much. You might want to position a few of the cookies on the baking sheet to make a “pan” of sorts, and half-bake them at 12 minutes and half-bake the other half at 12 minutes to get more even results.
12. Coconut Chia Seed Popsicles
I am passionate about crafting wholesome dessert recipes, such as the Coconut Chia Seed Popsicles, which bring together coconut milk, chia seeds, maple syrup (or honey, if you prefer), and vanilla extract for a refreshing and nutritious popsicle. I love the flavor of coconut and the texture of chia seeds.
You can blend those star ingredients with optional fresh fruit to create a creamy and invigorating summertime snack.
Ingredients
1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
2 tablespoons chia seeds
2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
Optional: fresh fruit pieces (such as mango or berries)
Instructions
1. Combine the coconut milk, chia seeds, and maple syrup or honey in a bowl. Whisk until well combined and allow to sit for about 10 minutes, during which time the chia seeds will slightly thicken the mixture.
2. Incorporate the shredded coconut into the blend. This will lend a texture as well as a more pronounced coconut essence to your popsicles. When everything is well incorporated, stir in any small pieces of fresh fruit you prefer.
3. Fill the molds for the popsicles with the mixture, leaving a small space at the top for it to expand when frozen. Insert the sticks and place the popsicle mixture in your freezer for 4-6 hours or until it has frozen completely and is solid all the way through.
4. To easily release the popsicles from the molds, run warm water over the outside of the mold for a few seconds. Then enjoy your frozen treat!
13. Plantain Chocolate Chip Muffins
I really enjoy making healthy dessert recipes. Probably my all-time favorite healthy dessert to make is this recipe for Plantain Chocolate Chip Muffins.
They are made with such wonderful ingredients, like almond flour and really ripe plantains. I also like to use dark chocolate, which is a pretty healthy form of chocolate.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe plantains, mashed
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to preheat and prepare a muffin tin by placing paper liners in each cup.
2. Take a large mixing bowl and add to it the plantains that have been mashed, and the almond flour. To that, add the melted coconut oil and the maple syrup, then sprinkle in the baking powder. Finally, add the vanilla extract. Mix together until everything is combined. The batter will be lumpy but smooth.
3. Carefully incorporate the dark chocolate chips.
4. Evenly distribute the batter between the muffin liners, so that the batter is almost full. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of a muffin. Allow cooling in the pan for a few minutes, then remove and allow to cool on a rack before serving.
14. Apple Quinoa Crumble
I revel in making wholesome dessert recipes, such as the one for my Apple Quinoa Crumble. This dish brings together not only the traditional dessert ingredients of rolled oats, chopped nuts, and plenty of cinnamon and nutmeg, but also quinoa, an ancient grain that is now a modern health superstar.
Quinoa is high in protein, rich in several vitamins and minerals, and a good source of fiber.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked quinoa
- 4 large apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (e.g., almonds or walnuts)
Instructions
1. Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up while you prepare the ingredients. In a large bowl, mix the apples with maple syrup and spices until well combined.
2. Distribute the quinoa evenly in the baking dish. Now, take the mixture of apples and layer it on top of the quinoa.
3. Combine the oats and chopped nuts in a separate bowl and layer them on top of the apples and quinoa.
4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the topping is a lovely shade of brown and the apples have gone soft and tender. Let it cool for a few minutes, and then dive in.
