Better Homes and Gardens

Healthy No-Bake Desserts When You Need a Sweet with Less Fuss

By Kristy Alpert

These healthy no-bake desserts fit perfectly into your lifestyle without heating up your home. Needing just a little time on the stove top or in the fridge, these no-bake healthy dessert ideas—including frozen treats and layered bars—prove you don’t have to skip dessert to eat healthy; just skip the oven!

1 of 21

Mini Chocolate and Yogurt Parfaits

Mini Chocolate-Yogurt Parfaits

CREDIT: ANDY LYONS

VIEW RECIPE

We layered these chocolaty no-bake desserts with ingredients like Greek yogurtand honey for a sweet treat without all the calories. Cherry jam on top adds a tangy flavor to this easy healthy dessert.

2 of 21

Classic Fudge Pops

Classic Fudge Pops

CREDIT: KARLA CONRAD

VIEW RECIPE

Cool down with homemade frozen pops for a healthier version of the refreshing summer treat. Try dipping your sweet freezes in tasty toppers, such as melted chocolate, finely chopped nuts, or crushed freeze-dried fruits.

3 of 21

Creamy Chocolate Pudding

Creamy Chocolate Pudding

CREDIT: KARLA CONRAD

VIEW RECIPE

This no-bake, dairy-free dessert gets its creamy texture from two ripe avocados and a bit of soymilk. A drizzle of light agave nectar is all this easy pudding needs before coming together in a blender.

4 of 21

No-Bake Peanut Apple Balls

No-Bake Peanut-Apple Balls

CREDIT: BLAINE MOATS

VIEW RECIPE

Stir and chill these delicious dairy-free dessert balls, made with dried apples and chunky peanut butter. The whole wheat flakes mean these healthy no-bake dessert bites are totally fair game at breakfast, too!

5 of 21

Banana Ice Cream

Banana Ice Cream

CREDIT: BLAINE MOATS

VIEW RECIPE

All you need for this easy healthy dessert is three ingredients and 10 minutes. Combine frozen bananas, coconut milk, and vanilla in a food processor for a no-dairy, no-added-sugar, no-bake dessert that will leave you saying yes to more.

6 of 21

Paleo Cashew Truffles

Paleo Cashew Truffles

CREDIT: ANDY LYONS

VIEW RECIPE

Paleo is often described as the “caveman diet,” and these Paleo no-bake dessert truffles are treats everyone will enjoy—regardless of any diet. Unsweetened chocolate and unsweetened coconut milk get a sweet boost from pure maple syrupto make them light on added sugar and calories.

7 of 21

Chocolate Trail Mix

Valentine's Day Chocolate Trail Mix

CREDIT: ANDY LYONS

VIEW RECIPE

Trail mix may be a pantry staple, but this sweet no-bake dessert version offers all the indulgence without the calories. Salty pretzels and sweet chocolate clusters mingle with dried cherries, cranberries, and freeze-dried raspberries in the easy dessert recipe.

8 of 21

Kiwi Strawberry Rooibos Ice Pops

Kiwi-Strawberry Rooibos Ice Pops

CREDIT: JASON DONNELLY

VIEW RECIPE

These no-bake dairy-free desserts are low in sugar and high in flavor thanks to thick slices of fresh fruit and freshly brewed vanilla rooibos tea. Freeze the pops for a simple, guilt-free summer treat!

9 of 21

Banana Pudding with Shaved Dark Chocolate

Banana Pudding with Shaved Dark Chocolate

CREDIT: KARLA CONRAD

VIEW RECIPE

High-quality dark chocolate brings out the banana flavor of this healthy no-bake dessert. Your guests will never guess the secret ingredient that gives this pudding its rich texture and protein boost … tofu!

10 of 21

Walnut Butter Fruit Bites

Walnut Butter Fruit Bites

CREDIT: BLAINE MOATS

VIEW RECIPE

Homemade walnut butter is the trick to making these tasty no-bake dessert bites. Whole grain wheat cereal flakes are held together by sweet dates and dried apricotsto make this fiber-rich, dairy-free dessert.

11 of 21

Tiramisu Bites

Tiramisu Bites

CREDIT: BLAINE MOATS

VIEW RECIPE

Add a bit of Italian flair to your no-bake dessert repertoire with these bite-size tiramisu treats. Two of these no-bake delights are just 189 calories.

12 of 21

Pineapple, Mint, and Coconut Water Pops

Pineapple, Mint, and Coconut Water Pops

CREDIT: JASON DONNELLY

VIEW RECIPE

A simple swap of coconut water instead of plain water gives these easy healthy desserts a hydrating boost of potassium. These dairy-free treats are loaded with chunks of pineapple and chopped fresh mint and are only 43 calories per pop!

13 of 21

Apple Smash

Apple Smash

CREDIT: BLAINE MOATS

VIEW RECIPE

Sometimes the easiest recipes are the best, and this healthy no-bake fruit dessert is one of the easiest out there. Boil the ingredients, smash them, and sprinkle with cinnamon for a warm, guilt-free apple treat.

14 of 21

Chocolate-Date Truffles with Walnuts

Chocolate-Date Truffles with Walnuts

CREDIT: JASON DONNELLY

VIEW RECIPE

These no-bake dessert truffles use cocoa powder to add chocolaty flavor without the work of melting chocolate. Even better is the fact that you get two of these sweet confections for just 105 calories!

15 of 21

Almond-Tangerine Panna Cotta

Almond-Tangerine Panna Cotta

CREDIT: JASON DONNELLY

VIEW RECIPE

Turn to this silky-smooth, no-bake dessert for an elegant, chilled Italian-inspired dessert that’s perfect for beating the summer heat. The trick to keeping this recipe low-cal? Greek yogurt and fresh fruit!

16 of 21

Dark Chocolate Banana Nut Pops

Dark Chocolate Banana Nut Pops

CREDIT: KARLA CONRAD

VIEW RECIPE

Cool down with these frozen no-bake desserts for a healthier version of a fudgy summer treat. Creamy almond butter holds two thick slices of banana together before taking a plunge in antioxidant-rich dark chocolate.

17 of 21

Key Lime Cheesecake Bars

Key Lime Cheesecake Bars

CREDIT: ANDY LYONS

VIEW RECIPE

These chilled low-fat cheesecake bars are full of bright, citrusy flavor—a perfect guilt-free, no-bake dessert to cool you down. Each bar has fewer than 150 calories per serving and is built on a crunchy graham cracker crust.

18 of 21

Mint Greek Frozen Yogurt

Mint Greek Frozen Yogurt

CREDIT: JASON DONNELLY

VIEW RECIPE

We love this frozen no-bake dessert that’s high in protein and low in sugar—perfect for a light treat on warm summer days. A few sprigs of fresh mint add fresh, cool flavor to this sweet no-bake dessert idea.

19 of 21

Gluten Free No-Bake Peanut Butter Oat Bites

no-bake bites with peanut butter coconut and oats

CREDIT: ANDY LYONS

VIEW RECIPE

These peanut-buttery oat bites may be free of gluten, but they are full of flavor. Make sure to use gluten-free vanilla [note: most pure extracts are gluten-free] for a pure and simple no-bake healthy dessert that won’t trigger insensitivities.

20 of 21

Avolato

Avolato

CREDIT: MATTHEW CLARK

VIEW RECIPE

Turn an avocado into a creamy frozen gelato-like delight with this no-bake healthy dessert idea. Avocados, coconut cream, and condensed coconut milk come together in a food processor for a creamy, dairy-free dessert everyone will love.

21 of 21

No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Energy Bites

No-Bake Peanut Butter-Chocolate Energy  Bites

VIEW RECIPE

Chocolate whey protein powder gives these healthy no-bake balls a powerful boost of protein and flavor while crushed peanuts provide a satisfying crunch. Stir, roll, and chill these honey-sweetened dessert bites before storing them in the refrigerator for up to one week.