20 Healthy Dessert Recipes for a Taste of Something Sweet
They taste as good as they'll make you feel.
Ree Drummond has always been big on balance, even when she started focusing more intentionally on her health a few years back. During her weight loss journey, she didn't cut out any foods—dessert included! "A small piece o' cake is the secret to happiness," Ree says. Ain't that the truth! That mindset, which makes maintaining a healthy lifestyle more achievable, can look like keeping portions in check, enjoying treats in moderation, and having healthier dessert recipes to reach for when you want something sweet.
Need something sweet that still feels on the lighter side? You'll find plenty of fruit-forward ideas from refreshing sorbets to easy fruit pies that let ripe produce do most of the work, instead of added sugar. There are also lightened-up spins on classic desserts, including Ree's mock apple pie that sneaks in a whole lot of zucchini without tasting like vegetables. And yes, there are chocolate desserts too—just in versions that don't go overboard!
You'll find delicious healthy desserts that are made with nutritious ingredients, such as oats and alternative types of flour, fruit desserts, and natural sweeteners. There are even some dairy-free and gluten-free options ahead, too, like coconut macaroons. And if you're looking for more ways to be be healthy, try adding more salads, green juices and smoothies, and healthy dinner recipes to your weekday repertoire. Just don't be afraid to treat yourself every once in a while. Remember, it's all about balance!
Healthy Blueberry Muffins
These muffins get their sweetness from honey and plenty of juicy blueberries. Plus, high-fiber oats and whole wheat flour make them feel a little more filling than the average bakery muffin.
Get Ree's Healthy Blueberry Muffins recipe.
Frozen Yogurt Bark
This frozen yogurt bark is a magical recipe that's creamy, fruity, crunchy, sweet, and good for you! It's packed with high-protein Greek yogurt, nutritious sunflower seeds, and two different kinds of tasty berries.
Get Ree's Frozen Yogurt Bark recipe.
Red, White, and Blue Popsicles
These fruity popsicles layer berries and yogurt for a refreshing treat that feels light. Keep a batch in the freezer for an easy grab when you want something sweet!
Get Ree's Red, White, and Blue Popsicles recipes.
Mock Apple Pie
This clever pie filling is actually made out of almost three pounds of zucchini! With added spices, you'll never know that you're eating veggies and cutting back on sugar.
Get the Mock Apple Pie recipe.
Fig Bars
Homemade fig bars use whole wheat flour and real figs, which adds fiber and keeps the sweetness more natural. They feel substantial enough to double as a snack or a lighter dessert.
Get the Fig Bars recipe.
Mango Sorbet
Sorbet skips the cream and leans on pure fruit, which makes this mango version especially refreshing. With just a few ingredients, it’s a lighter way to satisfy your craving for ice cream!
Get the Mango Sorbet recipe.
Sweet Strawberries
Strawberries are delicious on their own, but try this if you want to make them more of a dessert: Soak the sliced berries in sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla. In just 30 minutes, the sugar will draw out the juices, and you'll be left with a delicious syrup.
Get Ree's Sweet Strawberries recipe.
Yogurt Parfait
Parfait isn't just for breakfast! Sweet, creamy yogurt layered with crunchy granola and fresh berries makes for the perfect healthy dessert, too.
Get the Yogurt Parfait recipe.
Fruit Pizza
Take pizza night to the next level by serving up this healthy fruit-filled pizza for dessert! It features a sugar cookie crust, marshmallow frosting, and lots of sliced fruit for nutrition.
Get Ree's Fruit Pizza recipe.
Grilled Watermelon
Make an already sweet treat even more flavorful by adding some smokey grill marks and adding a squeeze of lime. You could add a little vanilla ice cream if you so choose.
Get the Grilled Watermelon recipe.
Fruit Tart
While you should pay attention to portions because of the crust and filling, don't be shy about piling on the fresh fruit. Another suggestion? Substitute the cream cheese with its lower fat cousin Neufchâtel.
Get the Fruit Tart recipe.
Rainbow Fruit Breakfast Skewers
While they have "breakfast" in the name, you can have these flavorful skewers any time of day. Fresh fruit gets a sweet surprise at the end with store-bought doughnut holes.
Sunrise Fruit Salad
Isn't this so gorgeous to look at? It's even better to eat with layers of watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges, mango, and pineapple with a sprinkle of coconut on top.
Get Ree's Sunrise Fruit Salad recipe.
Breakfast Cookies
They might be called breakfast cookies, but you can eat them any time of day! They're loaded with good-for-you ingredients like oats, seeds, and dried fruits.
Get the Breakfast Cookies recipe.
Grilled Peaches
All you need is a drizzle of maple syrup and a few crunchy pecans to jazz up some fruit. Oh, and little caramelization from the grill can't hurt, either. Can't find peaches? Try pineapple.
Get the Grilled Peaches recipe.
Strawberry Sorbet
Unlike ice cream, sorbet has less fat and calories due to the lack of cream. It's much lighter and loaded with fruit, but remember that it still contains sugar.
Get the Strawberry Sorbet recipe.
Fruit Salad with Grapefruit-Vanilla Syrup
You can't go wrong with fruit for dessert. That's especially true when it's sweetened with this flavorful citrusy, vanilla bean syrup.
Baked Apples
This is the easiest way to eat an apple a day! You'll get all the flavor of apple pie without the butter-rich crust.
Get the Baked Apples recipe.
Red-and-Green Fruit Salad with Mint Syrup
There are so many fun elements to this colorful fruit salad! The juicy melon and strawberries, the pop of crunch from the pomegranates, and the sweet-mint flavor from the syrup.
Dole Whip
In its simplest form, dole whip is basically frozen pineapple soft serve. It can be dairy-free by using ice cream that's made with an alternative like coconut milk or oat milk.
Get the Dole Whip recipe.
How to Make the Most of Summer Squash Season
Here’s What to Make With a Pound of Ground Turkey
Grilled Seafood Recipes That Taste Like Summer
13 Tasty Ways to Have Fruit for Dinner This Summer
