
I’m probably that one coach who cannot resist a treat or dessert. And because that results in my colleagues making me feel guilty, we set out to find healthy dessert alternatives.
We did this all with our dietitian friend Susan who was more than helpful in analyzing all of these tasty treats.
You’ll struggle not to find something you want to try out immediately, and the great thing is that many of these recipes are ready to enjoy in less than 20 minutes.
Quick Summary
- The following are among the top 80 healthy desserts worth trying out; mango lassi frozen yogurt, cheesecake bark, lemon thyme bars, coconut flour cookies, banana pudding, low-carb cheesecake, and chickpea blondies, among others.
- From the top 80 healthy desserts, vegans and non-vegans have a wide range of options to choose from.
- These healthy desserts are packed with different nutrients ranging from potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin A, among others.
- Most of the top 80 desserts are easily to prepare or readily available.
Our Top 80 Favorite Healthy Desserts

Mango Lassi Frozen Yogurt
Summer heat drives most of us to some refreshing ice cream, but that decision always comes with guilt. Instead, this frozen yogurt recipe could keep the love handles away while still providing a refreshing dessert.
Servings: 8

Mascarpone Mini Cupcakes with Strawberry Glaze
Limiting portion sizes is one of the best ways to avoid overindulging in treats, and these mini cupcakes make sure that you limit your sugar intake as well. With fruit and mascarpone cheese, they are sweet, moist, and just the right size.
Servings: 48

Cheesecake Bark
I couldn’t believe that low-fat cheese and yogurt could create such tasty cheesecake snacks. Sweetened with honey and fresh fruit, you’ll also limit the amount of refined sugar, and because they are frozen, you’ll find they’re a great hit in summer.
Servings: 12

Crunchy Peanut Butter Thins
Sometimes you just can’t beat a crunchy snack to get the real satisfaction of a treat. These peanut butter thins do just that and tend to be surprisingly filling. And with a good amount of protein, they can work as a healthy snack for athletes.
Servings: 18

Lemon Thyme Bars
Lemon has to be my favorite summer flavor, but these lemon curd bars will give you a tasty refreshment even on a cold day. There’s a little bit more prep time involved, but it’ll be worth the effort once you dig into them.
Servings: 12

No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies
These cookies couldn’t be easier to make and provide a great energy boost. With some added peanuts, they will also bridge those gaps between meals to avoid reaching for candy bars.
Servings: 29

Healthy Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Kids love chocolate rice crispy cakes, and I have to admit that I still occasionally make a few, even with no kids around. But if you switch out the chocolate for unsweetened peanut butter, you don’t just get a healthy dessert; it’s also surprisingly filling as a snack.
Servings: 16

Coconut Flour Cookies
Coconut is a great alternative to regular grain or cornflour, and for many people, it’s a much healthier choice as well. It’s low in carbs and high in fiber, so these cookies could actually be helping your digestion.
Servings: 16

Healthy Chocolate Ice Cream
I know, hearing healthy and ice cream in one sentence doesn’t sound possible. But this low sugar alternative relies on peanut and almond butter as well as dark chocolate for the amazingly rich and smooth flavors.
Servings: 2

Banana Pudding
Most people think of puddings as heavy and immediately giving you that guilty feeling. But this recipe from superhealthykids.com limits sugar to a minimum and instead relies on natural flavors from bananas and vanilla essence.
Servings: 4

Strawberry Rhubarb Frozen Yogurt
A well-made FroYo can be the perfect answer for a light dessert after a heavy meal. And by combining the sweet and sour flavors of strawberries and rhubarb, this greek yogurt recipe still gives you that creamy effect.
Servings: 12

Mini Cinnamon Roll Cheesecakes Keto
One of the best ways to find healthy desserts is to look for tasty keto recipes. These cinnamon roll cheesecakes take a bit more preparation, but with just 1.7 grams of sugar and less than 5 grams of carbs in total, they taste a lot more satisfying.
Servings: 6

Healthy Gluten-Free Lemon Bars
I know I keep going back to lemon flavor desserts, but you cannot skip these bars. With just a small amount of honey to counteract the tart flavors, it’s a low sugar treat that’s ideal for anyone with a gluten allergy.
Servings: 9

Mini Olive Oil Cakes with Lemon Glaze
These mini cakes are perfect for anyone that loves good old-fashioned baking but with a healthy twist. The lemon and olive oil flavors go perfectly well together, and if you want to make them another bit healthier, then just skip the lemon glaze.
Servings: 18

Low Carb Cheesecake
I was skeptical about a completely sugar-free cheesecake, but this recipe is as tasty as anything I’ve tried before. It involves just eight ingredients, takes 10 minutes to prep, and has become a big hit at my dinner parties.
Servings: 16

Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls With Popped Quinoa
These buckeye balls are the perfect size for a small snack or after-dinner treat. Naturally sweetened with dates, they’re also a great vegan option and are ready to go in just about 15 minutes. It's a great choice when you’re caught for time but still want to impress.
Servings: 12

Puffed Millet and Brown Rice Treats
Here is another sugar-free option that is a big hit with kids. They are light and crunchy, and because of the puffed rice, they look much bigger than the actual calories they contain.
Servings: 16

Healthy Peanut Butter Cups
If you want to visually impress some guests at a dinner party, then these peanut butter cups are the way to go. They will take a bit of preparation time, but you won’t need the skills of a Michelin star chef.
Servings: 12

Paleo Low Carb Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pie
For me, Thanksgiving is just not complete without my mum’s pumpkin pie, but she still makes it with tons of sugar. Last year, I turned up with my own low-carb pie, and it was a huge hit. Best of all, it only took 10 minutes to mix it up.
Servings: 10

Healthy No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Sometimes, you just don’t have the time to bake a tray of cookies, and that’s where this recipe will come in very handy. Use unsweetened organic peanut butter and allow the honey to give it the sweetness, and you’ll still have a happy family.
Servings: 18

Healthy Moist Banana Bread
If you’re ever left with a few overripe bananas, don’t throw them out. In less than 10 minutes, you can prepare everything for this tasty banana bread which gets a special kick from some dark chocolate chips.
Servings: 12

Chickpea Blondies
I know what you’re thinking, but this is one recipe you have to try to believe. The great thing is that these blondies still taste like treats, and they are packed with protein and fiber to make them one of the healthiest desserts you could find.
Servings: 12

The Ultimate Healthy Red Velvet Cupcakes
Red velvet cake always reminds me of baking with my grandmother as a kid, but as an adult, I’ve stayed away because it’s usually packed with sugar. This recipe has that fixed, is easy to make, and only has 124 calories per slice. Second helping anyone?
Servings: 12

Gluten-Free Raspberry Chocolate Pie
This is possibly one of the most impressive-looking fruit pies I’ve seen. You won’t need a huge amount of baking skills, but it does take a bit of patience to give that photoshoot appearance. And it’s a low-carb option because of the coconut flour.
Servings: 8

Greek Yogurt Key Lime Cheesecakes
As the healthiest alternative to a key lime pie, this cheesecake comes with an amazingly low 125 calories per serving. That’s low enough to reach for a second one, especially when you consider the added protein from greek yogurt.
Servings: 9

Keto Peanut Butter Mousse
This is not like your typical mousse. It’s light and airy and has a crunchy texture from the added peanuts. Most importantly, though, it has less than 2 grams of carbs and 10 grams of protein. And with just four ingredients, it’s a dessert you can get ready in minutes.
Servings: 8

Healthy One-Bowl Chocolate Chunk Brownies
These are ideal for the brownie lover, and I’ve made them with all dark chocolate to reduce the calories even more. They are rich and chewy in texture, and your serving plate will be empty in no time, with guests fighting over the last piece.
Servings: 12

Paleo Double Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
When it comes to cookies, double chocolate always means tons of sugar, saturated fat, and a high level of guilt once you’ve eaten more than one. However, these paleo-friendly cookies have no saturated or trans fats at all.
Servings: 15

Pumpkin Brulee Cheesecake
I’ve always avoided making anything creme brulee related as it just seemed to be beyond my baking skills. But this recipe for a cheesecake breaks the process down easily. And if you like a bit more of a challenge, then this is the way to go.
Servings: 12

Cookie Dough Keto Fat Bombs
I know you hear fat bombs, and the alarm bells go off. But these are healthy and have almost zero carbs to mess with your blood sugars. And with just 10 minutes of prep time, you simply cannot beat the convenience.
Servings: 12

Healthier Sugar Cookies
I always looked forward to Christmas sugar cookies as a kid, but there was a good reason they weren’t available year-round. It turns out that there’s an easy way to adjust a recipe to less sugar and still make these a tasty afternoon treat.
Servings: 14

Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
This wouldn’t be a typical beginner's recipe, but the results on my first attempt were amazing. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare the mix, and that effort pays off with a light, moist, and fluffy cupcake that tastes like more.
Servings: 12

Banana Oatmeal Cookies
“These delicious three ingredient banana oatmeal cookies are a breeze to make! Vegan-friendly and gluten-free, you can feel good about eating these treats! Made with no refined sugar, they are a healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth.”
- Yumna Jawad of Feel Good Foodie
Servings: 15

Cinnamon Sugar Vegan Donuts
I always struggled to get donuts to turn out right, but this recipe has changed that. And because they are baked and not fried, you avoid that heavy load of saturated fat. I also love that they have a slight crunch on the outside that goes so well with the soft center.
Servings: 8

No Bake Healthy Chocolate Chip Blondies
“These Healthy No-Bake Blondies are perfect for an after-workout snack, or a guilt-free dessert. Who said healthy, vegan desserts had to be boring?”
- Laura Fuentes of MOMables
Servings: 6

Almond Butter Brown Rice Crispy Treats
This recipe is so easy, even kids could make them, but maybe with some supervision to avoid the almond butter spilling everywhere. With just four ingredients and 150 calories per serving, these can be your not so guilty pleasure.
Servings: 16

Superfood Chocolate Bark
If the sight of melted chocolate excites you, then wait until you get your hands on this recipe. It takes just 5 minutes to prepare, and I find the more liberal you are with a mix of unsalted nuts, the tastier and healthier these become.
Servings: 15

Keto Peanut Butter Cup Fat Bombs
Here’s another low-carb dessert that has practically no sugar and couldn’t be faster to make. You just need a handful of ingredients, and you’ll create a treat that looks as great as it tastes.
Servings: 12

Angel Food Cupcakes
I found it hard to believe that a cupcake with less than 60 calories would taste like more than the liners they were baked in. But these angel cupcakes are to die for and relatively easy to make, and your party guests won’t believe how healthy they are.
Servings: 40

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fat Bombs
I didn’t think it would be possible to make such a tasty dessert with just three ingredients and essentially zero carbs. It takes just 15 minutes to prepare them, and they are handy to keep in the refrigerator for that afternoon slump.
Servings: 12

Skinny Crustless Apple Pie
Whenever you come across a dessert with just 1 Weight Watcher point and 50 calories, you know you must be onto a winner. You could almost argue that it’s one of your five-a-day servings of fruit.
Servings: 6

Paleo Banana Bread
Any reader that follows a strict or semi-strict paleo diet will love this simple recipe. It doesn’t require significant baking skills, and the result is a deliciously light and moist bread that works even better with a few berries thrown in.
Servings: 8

Lighter Cheesecake Brownies
If you’ve never combined cheesecakes and brownies, then you’re in for a spectacular experience. The delicious rich flavor of a brownie works so well with a light and fluffy cheesecake. And the preparation couldn’t be any easier.
Servings: 12

Low Carb Chocolate Mug Cake
If you’ve ever found yourself craving a dessert with nothing at home to satisfy that urge, then this mug cake is the best solution. In just 6 minutes, you’ll have a rich dessert with less than 7 grams of carbs to avoid messing with your diet.
Servings: 1

Maple Walnut Blueberry Crisp
Any dessert with a superfood like blueberries will get my interest, and especially when it also packs some healthy fats from walnuts. You’ll love the sweetness of the baked blueberries combined with the crunchy walnuts and oats.
Servings: 4

Slow-Cooker Coconut Brown Rice Pudding
Rice pudding was another favorite anytime I visited my grandmother's house as a kid, but I gave up on her recipe as an adult because it was full of sugar. This recipe has brought back a part of my childhood as it only contains a few tablespoons of maple syrup for the whole servings.
Servings: 4

Pumpkin Rice Pudding
If you want to add a bit more of a twist to a rice pudding, then why not try a pumpkin one. The creamy texture works really well with the spicy flavors from nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon. It’s possibly the most forgiving recipe where you certainly don’t need any significant chef’s skills.
Servings: 6

Sugar-Free Stuffed Baked Apples
I first had one of these on a trip to Europe a few years ago and was delighted when I found a recipe that didn’t rely on sugar. The great thing is that by choosing different types of apples, you can achieve very different flavors from sweet all the way to sour.
Servings: 8

Lemon Icebox Bars
“Creamy, dreamy Lemon Icebox Bars with bright citrus flavor. This easy, no-bake dessert recipe comes together in a snap, and you probably already have the ingredients on-hand. Perfect for the spring and summer, or anytime you are craving a pucker-worthy treat.” - Paula Jones of Imperial Sugar
Servings: 12

Lemon And Coconut Soft Cookies (Paleo – Vegan)
I normally prefer my cookies to be crunchy, but these lemon ones are just amazing. They melt away in your mouth to release the full flavors like an explosion. And because they don’t contain any sugar, you can reach for a second guilt-free helping.
Servings: 15

Strawberry Ice Cream
“This Healthy Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream is so easy to whip up in just a couple of minutes. It's the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth without all the added sugar.” - Sherri of To Simply Inspire
Servings: 1

Dairy-Free Banana Ice Cream
For all vegan and dairy intolerant readers, this is going to be your go-to ice cream recipe. It only takes about 5 minutes to make, and you can swap out for any other chosen fruit. My personal tip is to add some crushed nuts for a little bit of crunch.
Servings: 4

Super Fudgy Healthy Brownies
Usually, when you think of fudgy brownies, you expect them to be laced with sugar, cream, and milk chocolate. But this recipe is perfectly simple with healthier ingredients and far less sugar than I thought would be possible.
Servings: 12

Keto Frosty
I couldn’t believe how easy it was to create a frozen mousse with a creamy texture and refreshing experience. It’s perfect for a dessert because it’s not as filling as a regular mousse but still has a strong cocoa flavor.
Servings: 2

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bites
Not only does dark chocolate work really well with bananas, but when they are served still cold, these banana bites have the perfect combination of crunchy chocolate with soft fruit. And they really couldn’t be any easier to make.
Servings: 2

Instant Pot Caramel Apple Pie
OK, there’s a bit more work involved in making this apple pie, but it’s going to be unlike anything you’ve tasted before. It’s a low-carb recipe that has less than 12 grams of sugar per serving with plenty of healthy fruit.
Servings: 12

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if you made a cake out of cookie dough, then this recipe is the one to try. And because it uses Greek yogurt, you’ll get a good dose of healthy protein as well.
Servings: 9

Vegan Monster Cookies
These egg and dairy-free cookies will light up any child’s day, but even adults will enjoy every bite. With flaxseed to bind the dough and peanut butter for the delicious taste, these cookies will be ready to eat in less than 30 minutes.
Servings: 12

Low Carb Lemon Cream Tart
This is one of my favorite recipes for a summer party as it’s light and fluffy. But more importantly, it has less than 2 grams of sugar per slice, which you won’t believe when you take the first bite. It’s also easy to prepare; just give yourself enough time for it to chill before serving.
Servings: 8

Sweet 'N Salty Chocolate Bark
“This sweet and salty chocolate bark is packed with caramel, peanuts, and pretzels for a classic candy bar flavor that's sure to satisfy any chocolate craving. It keeps well for weeks and makes the perfect easy homemade gift.” - Ann of Our Happy Mess
Servings: 18

Healthy Ice Cream Sandwiches
I struggled to believe you could make healthy ice cream sandwiches in only half an hour, but I was pleasantly surprised. When you want a quick and easy dessert or summer treat, this sugar-free recipe is the best option to try out.
Servings: 4

Healthy Dark Chocolate Strawberry Truffles
Now, this is a dessert or treat to impress some guests, and I bet people will have difficulty believing they are homemade. There’s a little bit of work involved, but I still managed to make up a batch in less than 40 minutes.
Servings: 20

Banana Split Pops
It doesn’t get easier than this recipe to create a fun dessert for kids. It’s so easy, you should even get them involved, as there’s little risk of creating too much mess. All it takes is a handful of ingredients and 15 minutes of time.
Servings: 8

6 Ingredient No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies
Six ingredients, 20 minutes, and no oven is my type of recipe for an emergency batch of cookies. What I love about these cookies is the soft texture mixed with crunchy cashew nuts and no added sugar.
Servings: 20

Chocolate Coconut Tart
While there’s a little bit more work involved in making a chocolate coconut ganache to get it nice and creamy, this recipe makes it clear and straightforward with the video instructions to follow along. It’s the perfect combination of crunchy and creamy.
Servings: 12

Hearty Oat Cookies
These cookies certainly are hearty as the combination of cranberries, raisins, and walnuts make these cookies delicious and filling. You don’t need any skills and will have a batch made up in less than half an hour.
Servings: 15

Plum Smoothie-Pops
These popsicles come with just 96 calories, which makes them an ideal summer treat or dessert. You could even make them in small jars to scoop out as part of a more dining-style dessert. And I found that reducing the syrup still keeps them tasty.
Servings: 12

No-Bake Chewy Truffle Cookies
These truffle cookies are an ideal treat to serve with after-dinner coffee or an espresso. The small bite size is ideal for when you just want a small dessert, and they combine chewy dates with crunchy peanuts.
Servings: 6

Healthy Carrot Cake
This carrot cake has become a huge hit with my friends, and I often get asked to make a batch for parties. There’s a bit of work involved, but it’s worth it to experience the light and fluffy texture with toasted coconuts and walnuts for a bit of crunch.
Servings: 16

Chia Pudding
I often make these as a breakfast or morning snack, especially for days where I’m going to be more active. The recipe covers six variations, so you should be able to easily adjust it to not get bored.
Servings: 1

No-Bake Lemon Cookie Fruit Tarts
Fruit tarts are so easy to make, and they’re the perfect dessert for a summer dinner party. What’s even better is that there are no unhealthy fats, and each tart contains over 14 grams of protein, which makes them ideal for athletes.
Servings: 6

Pumpkin Pie Green Smoothie
I have to admit, I was a bit dubious about this recipe, but I’m so glad that I tried it. You can make small batches of these as a palette cleanser in between courses. And they also work perfectly as a tasty morning smoothie.
Servings: 2

Greek Yogurt Fruit Tart
I love the crunchy base of this tart, as it works so well with the creamy Greek yogurt and fresh fruit. When it comes to the toppings, your imagination is the limit, and I highly recommend trying out as many different berries as possible.
Servings: 10

Skinny Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars
I don’t think there’s a cheesecake bar recipe out there that has a low-calorie amount like this one. With less than 130 calories, you would certainly be forgiven for having a second one. I also suggest using dark chocolate chips to reduce the carbs even further.
Servings: 16

Healthy No-Bake Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bars
It doesn’t get better than these bars for the simplest and fastest prep time with healthy protein-packed ingredients. With unsweetened organic peanut butter and Greek yogurt, you’ll have a tasty snack for that afternoon slump.
Servings: 12

Kiwi Ice Pops
This is possibly one of the easiest ways to get kids and adults to enjoy a huge boost in vitamin C and potassium with a limited amount of sugar. All you need is fresh kiwi, a blender, and a freezer for a tasty summer treat.
Servings: 12

Frozen Yogurt Dots
This is possibly the simplest way to create a cheap and tasty dessert. Fill your favorite yogurt into a cake icing kit and squeeze small dots onto a sheet of baking paper. Pop it into the freezer and serve it with fresh fruit and berries.
Servings: 4

Skinny Pineapple Cheesecake Bars
These cheesecake bars are the answer for anyone counting the calories and worrying about getting that beach body ready. Take one refreshing bite and ask yourself how they only have 130 calories.
Servings: 9

Orange-Banana Smoothie Pops
All it takes is freshly squeezed orange juice and a banana for the simplest smoothie. But wait until you find out what happens when the refreshment levels go up after freezing the smoothie for 3 hours. Delicious!
Servings: 6

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
These work great as a filling afternoon snack, and they pack quite a protein punch. And if you switch to dark chocolate or raw cocoa, you’ll tune down the sugar and calories a bit as well.
Servings: 48
Have You Got Your Chef’s Hat On Yet?
I have no doubt that all of the above dessert recommendations will be a huge hit for any party or family dinner.
Many of them take less than 20 minutes, allowing you to try out a few before serving them to friends and family.
Make sure you let us know which ones you liked the best and if there are others that we could add to this list.
To end, we're sharing a recommendation from the founder of the health site Wendy's Way to Health. Wendy Hodge advices to plan desserts the same way we plan other meals.
More importantly, don't feel guilty about eating or serving treats. Hodge explains that when you eat mostly nutrient-dense foods, there’s room to allow yourself treats and still achieve your goals.
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