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Have your cake – and eat it too.

40 Decadent And Diet-Friendly Healthy Desserts For Guilt-Free Feasting

40 healthy desserts
Half Baked Harvest

You've been putting in extra hours at the gym, guzzling plenty of water and eating healthy all week, but then nighttime rolls around and your craving for something sweet hits hard. The thing is, you don't have to tell your sweet tooth to "just chill" and deprive yourself completely. After all, sweet treats are what make the world go 'round. It's possible to still indulge in dessert without eating something *totally* unhealthy that'll also leave you feeling groggy.

Here are 40 healthy desserts that you'll go absolutely crazy over!


Lebanese Rice Pudding

Brit + Co

Lebanese Rice Pudding

This rice pudding recipe features rosewater, orange blossom water, and pistachios for a light, well-rounded flavor that we can't get enough of. You won't be able to either! If you've never made rice pudding before, then this easy recipe is the perfect way to practice.

brownie cake pops

Brit + Co

Easy Brownie Cake Pops With Sprinkles

Healthy desserts don't have to be boring or tasteless. Swap your go-to milk chocolate for dark chocolate with this recipe, which is full of antioxidants and can even lower your blood pressure. To make it even healthier, swap the coconut sugar for honey, or add a drizzle of the golden stuff right on top.

Peanut Butter Pie

Skinny Taste

No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie

This super easy no-bake dessert combines peanut butter, fat-free whipped cream, and reduced fat cream cheese in a sweet graham cracker crust. After you pour in all the ingredients, drizzle a little chocolate syrup on top and prep yourself a slice.

Peach and Blueberry Greek Yogurt Cake

Julia's Album

Peach and Blueberry Greek Yogurt Cake

Made with fresh blueberries, peaches, and lightened up with creamy Greek yogurt, this cake is perfect for breakfast, brunch or dessert. Just make sure you finish it within the first two days (it’s a little too moist on day three), which shouldn’t be a problem because it’s *so* good.

No-Fuss Healthy Coconut Tart

Half Baked Harvest

No-Fuss Healthy Coconut Tart

This easy dessert sits atop a crunchy crust crafted from cashews, coconut flakes, dates, and cinnamon. The filling compliments the outer in the most perfect way!

Creamy Ricotta Cannoli

Diethood

Creamy Ricotta Cannoli

If you thought you had to give up cannolis just because you’re trying to watch your calories, think again. The shells in this recipe are completely baked (instead of partially fried like in classic versions). We told you'll love reaching for healthy desserts!

Healthy Vegan Matcha Cheesecake

Two Spoons

Healthy Vegan Matcha Cheesecake

Gluten-free, refined sugar-free, vegan, and no-cake, this cheesecake does it all – including providing a caffeine boost from matcha powder.

Chocolate Fruit Dip

Cooking Classy

Chocolate Fruit Dip

If you’re going to eat a big plate of fruit, you might as well have something chocolatey and delicious to dip it in! This cream cheese and cocoa powder-based treat will have you craving fresh fruit like never before.

Healthy Cranberry Coffee Cake

The Endless Meal

Healthy Cranberry Coffee Cake

Greet your mornings (or late nights) with this oat-filled coffee cake. While being healthy, it still fulfills all the best textures and tastes.

Dark Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Running With Spoons

Dark Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Now you can have dessert and seconds. These decadent dark chocolate bars come together entirely in the food processor and are ready to eat in an hour. Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks, if they somehow manage to last that long. 😗

Skinny Cookie Dough Popsicles

Chocolate and Carrots

Skinny Cookie Dough Popsicles

Not even ice cream is off limits – if you choose the right recipe. In this one, sweet chocolate chip cookie dough is sandwiched between layers of non-fat honey Greek yogurt to bring you a healthy dessert that is both light and satisfying.

Fruit and Veggie Freezie Pops

Rachel Mansfield

Fruit and Veggie Freezie Pops

This recipe takes one of your fave nostalgic snacks and health-ifies them, packing each popsicle tube with fruits and veggies that won't make you crash like sugar will.

Low Fat Apple Cake Healthy Dessert Idea

Easy as Apple Pie

Low Fat Apple Cake Healthy Dessert Idea

With only 116 calories per slice, and absolutely *no* butter or oil in the batter, this cake is a healthy dessert dream come true. Sprinkle with powdered sugar right before serving for a touch of extra sweetness to complement the tart green apples.

Frozen Vegan Yogurt Bark

The Edgy Veg

Frozen Vegan Yogurt Bark

Yogurt bark is painfully easy to make, and the best part about it is you can customize the sweetness level, using honey or maple syrup, then pile on your favorite fruits for one of the most delicious healthy desserts you'll ever eat. 🍓

Healthy Date Shake

Live Eat Learn

Healthy Date Shake

Dates make this shake a whole lot healthier than ice cream additions would, but still make this sip taste totally like dessert.

Skinny Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

Sally's Baking Addiction

Skinny Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

While these may look and taste like a diet deal-breaker, there are actually only 128 calories in each cheesecake bar. Greek yogurt and reduced-fat cream cheese are key in keeping these dessert bites on the lighter side... without sacrificing on the creamy, tasty flavor.

Cinnamon Baked Pears

Give Recipe

Cinnamon Baked Pears

All you need is half an hour to bake these sweetened pears to perfection, and a generous dollop of clotted cream to top everything off, in the best way.

The Best Healthy Peanut Butter Cups

Munching with Mariyah

The Best Healthy Peanut Butter Cups

It's like Reese's, but healthier! These healthy, mini-sized desserts are made in a muffin tin or mold to form the classic cup shape.

Frozen Fruit Skewers

Carlsbad Cravings

Frozen Fruit Skewers

Munching on frozen fruit is a *great* way to cater to your sweet tooth. Drizzle on a bit of semi-sweet chocolate and freeze for a grab-and-go dessert, anytime the craving calls!

Whole Wheat Chocolate Cake Donuts

Bran Appetit

Whole Wheat Chocolate Cake Donuts

Yes, even donuts can be lightened up. This recipe calls for whole wheat flower, almond milk, ground flax seed and a scrumptious powdered sugar vanilla glaze – all forming your new favorite after-dinner snack. So grab a glass of that almond milk, and start dunking.

Greek Yogurt Banana and Oat Bread

Chelsea's Messy Apron

Greek Yogurt Banana and Oat Bread

This healthy banana bread won’t leave you feeling bloated and heavy afterward. Greek yogurt acts as a lighter, healthier replacement for butter and oil in the batter, and the chocolate chunks make the bread taste indulgent instead of a total sacrifice.

Healthy Vegan Twix Bars

Munching with Mariyah

Healthy Vegan Twix Bars

So you're telling us we can chow down on our favorite candy bars without totally feeling yuck?! 😵💫 These vegan-ified Twix bars are the perfect end-of-the-night dessert snack.

Classic Pavlova

Sweet and Savory

Classic Pavlova

This meringue-based dessert is light and airy, and looks so good your friends will be lining up for a slice (and seconds!) Top with fresh fruit and powdered sugar and you’re ready to eat.

Healthy Edible Cookie Dough

The Girl on Bloor

Healthy Edible Cookie Dough

Coconut oil, oat flour, maple syrup, vanilla, salt, and of course, chocolate chips combine in a single bowl to form a heavenly edible cookie dough our child selves have *always* dreamed of. This is one of those healthy desserts that we have to have every month!

Chocolate Pudding

Chocolate Covered Katie

Chocolate Pudding

There’s a time and place for avocados (guac, anyone?) but this chocolate pudding is not one of them. Instead, this pudding is lightened up with coconut milk and your favorite no-calorie sweetener.

Pumpkin Pie Popsicles

Salt & Lavender

Pumpkin Pie Popsicles

Get *all* the health benefits from pumpkin without having to eat it in boring form. These frozen treats make Greek yogurt and pumpkin partner up for a totally yummy (and cooling) bite.

Heavenly Blueberry and Cream Dessert

Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Heavenly Blueberry and Cream Dessert

Heavenly is the *absolute* right word to describe this dessert. Use a store-bought angel food cake to save yourself some time, then layer it with homemade whipped cream and fresh blueberries. Stick the completed trifle in the fridge for the next two hours while it chills.

Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pink Owl Kitchen

Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Because who could ever say no to PB and chocolate? Certainly not us!

Cream Cheese Lemon Coffee Cake

Lovely Little Kitchen

Cream Cheese Lemon Coffee Cake

Skip the calorie-laden slice of coffee cake and go with this lighter lemon version instead. The crumbly topping and tangy flavor will leave you wanting more, and that’s one craving you *can* give in to.

Gluten-Free Healthy Vegan Fruit Pizza

A Spicy Perspective

Gluten-Free Healthy Vegan Fruit Pizza

Fruit meets a creamy, sweet cream cheese filling in this vegan dessert. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to eat the whole rainbow – while still feeling healthy as ever. (via A Spicy Perspective)

baked plantains

Most Hungry

BAKED PLANTAINS

Sweet, caramelized, and oh-so-easy to make, they're the guilt-free treat that proves healthy can be downright delicious.

pumpkin and chia pudding

Salt and Lavender

PUMPKIN CHIA PUDDING

Pumpkin Chia Pudding is the fall-flavored upgrade your dessert game needs. It's a creamy, dreamy dance of pumpkin spice and everything nice.

Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Two Peas & Their Pod

Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Moist, decadent, and sneakily packed with veggies, they're the ultimate guilt-free indulgence. Get ready to redefine your relationship with chocolate – it's one of the healthy desserts you'll love savoring.

Roasted Peaches With Vegan Ice Cream and Granola

Gastroplant

Roasted Peaches With Vegan Ice Cream and Granola

It's like a peach cobbler, but without the guilt trip. Your sweet tooth will thank you.

No Bake Chocolate Cake

A Virtual Vegan

No Bake Chocolate Cake

Perfect for those moments when you crave a slice of heaven but don't want to turn up the heat. Go ahead, treat yourself!

\u200bKey Lime Meringue Pie

Averie Cooks

Key Lime Meringue Pie

Talk about light and fluffy! This key lime pie is the one thing that won't give guests cavities during Thanksgiving because it's "not too tart, not too sweet" according to Averie.

\u200bPlant-Based Strawberry Marshmallow Cookies

No Eggs or Ham

Plant-Based Strawberry Marshmallow Cookies

What's soft and absolutely decadent? These plant-based cookies, that's what! They take 45 minutes to bake and require everything from Melt Organic vegan butter to freeze dried strawberries to create the chewiest sweets you'll taste during the holidays.

\u200bChocolate Peppermint Bark

Feel Good Foodie

Chocolate Peppermint Bark

The holidays aren't complete without peppermint bark being on the menu. Everyone of all ages can enjoy this sweet and minty treat without spoiling their appetites.

\u200bFruitcake Cookies

Culinary Hill

Fruitcake Cookies

We've found the recipe that will make fruitcake lovers go wild! Ingredients like candied cherries, figs, walnut, and light brown sugar all add up to make 40 cookies with this recipe.

\u200bCookie Dough Cake Pops

The Endless Meal

Cookie Dough Cake Pops

Keep it really light and simple with these cookie dough cake pops. They're 100% eggless and count as no-bake treats!

Follow us on Pinterest for more healthy desserts and recipes inspiration. Join our newsletter for more ideas sent right to your inbox, or check out our baking and cooking classes!

This post has been updated.

The Conversation (2)
c.liz
c.liz
19 Aug, 2022

Orange blossom water and rosewater are a surefire way to get me to try anything. I love pudding so that rice pudding recipe is right up my alley!

Jess Lee
Jess Lee
24 Aug, 2022

Omg the easy brownie cake pops are the best. I didn’t have popsicle sticks but don’t worry you can pick them up and eat them with your hands lol

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