Healthy Dessert Recipes

Looking for healthy desserts that still feel like a treat? This list focuses on healthy sweet treats made with simple ingredients and lighter swaps. Because dessert doesn’t have to be super sweet or overly heavy to be awesome.

You’ll find low sugar desserts, light desserts, and easy healthy recipes that are still satisfying. These are recipes close to my heart (my #1 favorite cookie of all time makes the list) because I love a not-too-sweet dessert.

To me, the best desserts are the ones that balance sweetness and some nutritional value so that I can use them as healthy sweet snacks or sweet treats for my kids.

Let’s make some healthier sweet treats!

four pictures of healthy desserts: low sugar apple crisp, chia seed pudding, peanut butter and date chocolate bark and watermelon slushies

Almond Flour Peanut Butter Blossoms

almond flour peanut butter blossom cookies and text overlay that says "healthy dessert recipe ideas"

Almond Flour Peanut Butter Blossoms are my favorite cookie. They’ve more satiating thanks for the nutritional boost of the almond flour and peanut butter, and have less sugar. I love them as a sweet snack.

Fig Chia Seed Pudding

chia seed pudding with sliced figs on the side of the glass and text overlay that says "healthy dessert recipe ideas"

Fig Chia Seed Pudding is easy to make ahead of time, naturally gluten-free, and totally customizable with your favorite toppings. This version with figs and pistachios really elevates it.

Peanut Butter and Date Chocolate Bar

chocolate, peanut butter and date bars and and text overlay that says "healthy dessert recipe ideas"

Peanut Butter and Date Chocolate Bar is naturally sweetened with dates so you’re getting fiber to balance out blood sugar spikes. The peanut butter makes it more satisfying and I love a pinch of salt with my sweets.

Frozen Yogurt Bars

Frozen Yogurt Bars are super easy to make and are a great alternative to ice cream. They’re creamy, tasty and look pretty too.

Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse with Peanut Butter

cups of peanut butter cottage cheese chocolate mousse with whipped cream and raspberries on top

This cottage cheese chocolate mousse is so easy, all you have to do is blend it up. It’s not too sweet since it’s base is cottage cheese and has lots of filling protein.

Refined Sugar-Free Apple Crisp

a baking pan with apple crisp in it and text overlay that says "healthy dessert recipe ideas"

This apple crisp recipe is free of any refined sugar, getting its sweetness from the fruit and maple syrup. They also are gluten-free and used rolled oats for add nutrients.

Apple Crisp Bars

Here’s another apple crisp version for those okay with some refined sugar. These apple crisp bars use oatmeal for an added nutritional boost and you can easily cut the sugar even more to make a fruit-forward treat.

Strawberry Tanghulu

Strawberry Tanghulu is such a really pretty fresh fruit dessert that is actually surprisingly easy to make. Tanghulu is a Northern China snack that coats fresh fruit in a thin, glassy hardened sugar shell.

NOTE: while this recipe looks like a lot of sugar, the final strawberries don’t have that much. You need enough sugar coating in the pot for dipping and there will be leftover sugar solution after.

Coconut Popcorn Balls

popcorn balls and text overlay that says "healthy dessert recipe ideas"

Coconut Popcorn Balls are a healthier sweet because popcorn is full of whole grain fiber to help balance blood sugar spikes. It’s also low calorie and has micronutrients.

Watermelon Slushies

a picture of a watermelon slushie and text overlay that says "healthy dessert recipe ideas"

Watermelon Slushies are really the perfect healthy treat. All you need is frozen watermelon for a delicious slushie. This recipe also adds mint and honey for a nicely balanced treat.

Low-Sugar Oatmeal Cookies with Maple & Cinnamon

maple cookies on a plate and text overlay that says "healthy dessert recipe ideas"

This delicious Cinnamon Maple Oatmeal Cookies recipe is low-sugar and packed with warm spices and sweet maple flavor! The perfect cozy treat.

Fresh Berry Trifles

a berry trifle picture and text overlay that says "healthy dessert recipe ideas"

Fresh Berry Trifles are a fruit-forward and light dessert. You can make them with light cool whip for an even lighter option.

Cranberry Yogurt Parfait

These cranberry yogurt parfaits look pretty and use yogurt as a healthier base. Here’s how to make them:

How to make cranberry parfaits:

Add granola of your choice to bottom of cups (pumpkin granola works great for a fall vibe)
Layer plain or vanilla yogurt on top. Plain yogurt will be less sugar but vanilla helps cut the tart cranberry
Top with cranberry sauce