Here at Delish, we take healthy eating pretty seriously. And by "pretty seriously," we mean we're not about to forgo our favorite desserts. Since we know healthy can mean different things to different people, we'll always be celebrating the diversity of various palates and dietary interests at our table, and what better way than with some better-for-you sweet treats? If you're following a keto, paleo, vegan, or gluten-free diet, we've got options for you. No matter your dietary needs (or if you're just feeling something light for dessert!), these recipes will give you that little somethin' sweet without any sacrifices on flavor or texture.
Entertaining? Our vegan cheesecake or our keto red velvet cake are real stunners that can be pulled out for every holiday—they'll never cease to impress. Having a big celebration with only one or two vegan or gluten-free guests? Try one of our easy brownie or cookie recipes to go alongside your main dessert. Avoiding processed sugar? Celebrate with fruit! You could go bite-size and extra cute, like with our banana s'mores or strawberry sundae bites, or more classic, like fruit salad. Plus, we all know that chocolate-covered strawberries are great for pretty much any occasion (including having them all to yourself 😏).
We love these recipes as dessert, but we've also been known to sneak a few into our breakfast routine too, like our chia pudding or oatmeal cookies. We won't judge if you do the same—cake for breakfast is okay if it's healthy-ish, right? These sweet ideas also make for great midday snacks, like our peanut butter protein balls or sweet 'n' salty chocolate bark, when you need a little afternoon pick-me-up. No matter what healthy looks like to you, these delicious desserts will be the cherry on top of your meal—any time of the day!
Still searching for sweets? Check out our favorite fruit desserts and mini dessert recipes (so cute) for even more inspo!
1
Homemade Sorbet
Sweet, creamy, and so smooth, homemade fruit sorbet is also just as easy as making homemade ice cream. The best part? You can use any kind of fruit you like!
Get the Homemade Sorbet recipe.
2
Cookies & Cream Fat Bombs
Never fear: These decadent fat bombs are here to save you from those 3 p.m. (or 10 p.m.!) hunger pangs.
Get the .
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3
Almost Flourless Chocolate Cake
Flourless chocolate cakes are fudgy and naturally gluten-free, so why add flour? Adding just 2 tablespoons of flour gives the cake a bit more structure. Topped with some candied orange peel, this cake is rich and decadent, but still a little lighter than your average chocolate cake.
Get the Almost Flourless Chocolate Cake recipe.
4
Vegan Sugar Cookies
Soft, buttery, with crispy edges, these are the classic, quintessential sugar cookie, veganized and ready to bring to any of your holiday gatherings. Whether frosted, sprinkled, or eaten plain right out of the oven, we can't get enough of them.
Get the Vegan Sugar Cookies recipe.
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5
Poached Pears
Have some underripe pears you have no clue what to do with? Why not poach 'em! Once poached, they can be served warm or cold, garnished with a caramel reduction of the cooking liquid, and accompanied with everything from ice cream to whipped cream to yogurt.
Get the Poached Pears recipe.
6
Keto Fudge
We love cookies, don’t get us wrong, but sometimes we want to switch things up. Fudge is simpler, chocolatey-er, and just as festive. Plus, it makes a better DIY food gift (especially for those following a keto diet!).
Get the Keto Fudge recipe.
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7
Chocolate Cuties
You already know about chocolate-covered strawberries, but have you tried chocolate-dipped oranges?
Get the Chocolate Cuties recipe.
8
Air Fryer GF Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
You won't believe these little cookies only have six ingredients, not including a pinch of salt (most of which you probably already have on hand!). We made 'em mini so you can eat more of them! 😊
Get the Air Fryer GF Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
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9
Gluten-Free Strawberry Shortcake
Shortcakes (aka biscuits) + macerated strawberries + whipped cream = one of life’s greatest desserts. With this recipe, you can have it all, but with less carbs.
Get the Gluten-Free Strawberry Shortcake recipe.
10
Cannoli Chips & Dip
A Sicilian favorite across the globe, cannoli are and will always be a dreamy delicacy. But in this version, it’s turned from a creamy ricotta-filled crispy shell to a chip and dip party favorite. The best part is that the shells won’t get soggy and they're gluten-free!
Get the .
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11
Fruit Popsicles
In the heat of summer, nothing satisfies quite like a fruit popsicle. This classic strawberry version is big on fruit flavor and not too sweet.
Get the Fruit Popsicles recipe.
12
Keto Birthday Cake
Calling all Funfetti lovers! Meet your new favorite keto-friendly birthday cake. Finding sugar-friendly sprinkles can be a major hassle, but this clever coconut flake hack is easy, fun, and just as impressive.
Get the Keto Birthday Cake recipe.
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13
Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Is there anything better than chocolate-covered strawberries? We think not. They're indulgent and classy (while still being so easy), romantic and a little cheesy—just sweet enough to make you and your loved ones smile.
Get the Chocolate-Covered Strawberries recipe.
14
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
No flour, no problem. The key here is to give your dough sufficient resting time so that the almond flour can fully hydrate and give you a more delish cookie (some might say even better than an OG chocolate chip cookie).
Get the Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
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15
Cinnamon Roll Power Bites
These sweet, soft, chewy balls are reminiscent of cinnamon rolls, but without all of the flour, butter, and refined sugar. Instead, each ball is packed with fiber, nutrients, and healthy fats for an energizing breakfast that'll keep you satisfied for hours.
Get the Cinnamon Roll Power Bites recipe.
16
Vegan Chocolate Cake
Thanks to a couple of smart swaps and a special ingredient or two, we bet you might not even be able to guess this chocolate cake is completely egg- and dairy-free (meaning it’s perfect for when you’re low on ingredients too).
Get the Vegan Chocolate Cake recipe.
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17
Carrot Cake Dip
Everyone knows the best part of carrot cake is the cream cheese frosting, and this carrot cake dip does not skimp on the good stuff. While other recipes use boxed cake mix, this version is gluten-free and uses toasted pecans, caramelized cinnamon, carrots, and plump rum raisins to bring out that signature flavor.
Get the Carrot Cake Dip recipe.
18
Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites
Craving cheesecake (or our red velvet cheesecake cake), but don't to deal with a whole slice? These little bites are just the thing.
Get the Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites recipe.
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19
Mangonada Sorbet
An homage to Mexico's always refreshing and sometimes boozy mangonada (also called chamango), this sorbet is just what we crave on a hot summer day. While we sometimes add tequila, if you'd rather skip it, just replace it with equal parts water!
Get the Mangonada Sorbet recipe.
20
Easy Halva
Halva is a Middle Eastern treat that is similar to fudge, but so much more versatile! Halva can have a base of flour or tahini, but our version is made with the latter, making it a great gluten-free (and vegan!) dessert to have on hand.
Get the Easy Halva recipe.
Camille Lowder
Digital Food Producer
Camille Lowder is the digital food producer at Delish, otherwise known as our resident queen of recipe galleries. Previously, she attended the Natural Gourmet Institute for culinary school and worked at/managed a number of New York restaurants. She loves anything vegan, foods masquerading as other foods (hello, cauliflower), and a well-used Oxford comma.
Taylor Worden
Assistant Digital Food Producer
Taylor Worden is Delish's Assistant Digital Food Producer, where she creates recipe galleries, recipe updates and more. She was previously a freelance editor on the food team for Good Housekeeping, where she also contributed entertainment and culture pieces as a freelance writer. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in journalism and a lifelong love of writing. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading, testing out a new pasta recipe, or rewatching one of her favorite shows.
Mackenzie Filson
Mackenzie Filson is a food writer and contributing digital food producer at Delish. Her favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate-pine. If wine was an astrological sign she'd be a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. She's never met a bag of Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos she didn't eat in one sitting.
