Colourful and Healthy Dessert Ideas

A tad less indulgent, but equally delicious. Don’t take our word for it, give these healthy dessert ideas a whirl.

These seven better-for-you desserts work double duty — satisfying your sweet tooth while also keeping your health goals on track. For the most part, each recipe calls for unrefined sources of sugar (think honey, maple syrup, or dates) and features a hidden fruit, veggie, or legume.

So get excited about these seven stunning healthy dessert ideas, including seasonal fruit platters, chocolate “nice” cream, avocado tartlets, and even black bean brownies.

1. Lemon Avocado Tartlets

The no-bake, mini tart has arrived. It’s called a tartlet, and it comes together with the help of some of the usual baking suspects (coconut, almonds, dates, lemon, honey) and one unexpected but very welcome guest: avocados. Get the recipe here — we have a feeling you won’t be able to say avocad-no!

2. Berry, Matcha, or Chocolate Nice Cream

We know, sometimes you need a bowl of mint chip… and the chocolate syrup that goes on top. We support you, but we’re also excited to fill you in on “nice” cream: a super healthy, banana-based alternative that comes with all the sweet and yummy you crave without any of the cavities — and we’ve got the super simple recipes to prove it.

3. Nutty Coconut Bars

Sweetened only with honey and bulked up with a mixture of protein-packed almonds and cashews, these bars are a perfect post-dinner treat or afternoon snack.

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Almond Flour, or 1/4 Cup Coconut Flour
• 1/4 Cup (1/2 Stick) Butter, melted
• 2 Teaspoons Cinnamon
• 1/3 Cup Honey (or brown rice syrup, if vegan)
• 1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Cup Raw Unsalted Cashews, chopped
• 1/3 Cup Unsweetened Coconut Flakes
• Pinch Sea Salt

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to in a large bowl. Stir well to combine.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread dough in an even layer.
3. Sprinkle with coconut flakes before refrigerating for 2-4 hours.
4. Slice into rectangular bars before serving.

4. Cinnamon Apple Crepes

When the natural sweetness of apples meets the warming, aromatic flavours of cinnamon, not much added sugar is necessary — which is why this crepe recipe has earned a well-deserved spot on our list of healthy dessert ideas.

Ingredients:

• For the filling:
• Butter
• 2 Large Granny Smith Apples, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1/4 Cup Apple Cider
• For the batter:
• 3/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Tablespoon Sugar
• 1 Cup Milk
• 2 Eggs
• 1 Tablespoon Butter
• 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Instructions:

1. To make filling, melt butter in a skillet.
2. Add apples and sauté, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, 3-4 minutes.
3. Sprinkle with cinnamon and cook until apples begin to brown, 4-5 minutes. Pour in apple cider and cook another 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
4. To make batter, whisk together flour, salt, and sugar.
5. Add milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined, adding more milk if necessary to achieve a loose, pancake batter-like consistency.
6. Melt butter into a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add enough batter to thinly coat pan.
7. Cook until edges begin to brown, about 2 minutes. Use your fingers to flip, then cook another 30-45 seconds.
8. Transfer to a plate and spoon a portion of apple mixture into the center. Carefully fold, sprinkle with powdered sugar or add a dollop of Greek yogurt, and enjoy!

5. Black Bean Brownies

With the help of a few key ingredient swaps (whole wheat flour for white flour, applesauce for sugar), you’ll feel even better reaching for seconds. Because let’s be honest, one is never enough.

Ingredients

• 15 Ounces Black Beans (drained and rinsed)
• 3 Large Eggs
• 3 Tablespoons Applesauce
• 3/4 Cups Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1 Pinch Salt
• 1/2 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels (mini, divided)
• Secret Ingredient #1: 1 Tablespoon Orange Zest
• Secret Ingredient #2: 1 Tablespoon Ground Coffee

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly coat an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Zest 1 orange.
2. Place black beans in a food processor, and process until smooth and creamy. Add eggs, applesauce, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, baking powder, salt, orange zest, and ground coffee. Process until smooth. Add ¼ cup chocolate chips, and pulse a few times until chocolate is incorporated.
3. Pour batter into prepared pan, smooth top with a rubber spatula, and sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup chocolate chips.
4. Bake 30–35 minutes, or until edges start to pull away from sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
5. Cool in pan before slicing into 2-inch squares.

6. Fruit Platters

Brighten up your dessert spread with in-season citruses, like grapefruit, blood oranges, clementines, and ordinary oranges. Slice ’em thin and arrange into layers for a #HelloFreshLife worthy presentation.

As we move into the warmer months, feel free to experiment with seasonal berries, pineapple, melon, grapes, and kiwi. Arrange in a circular pattern or separate by colour for a rainbow platter that’ll get even the pickiest of eaters excited about fruit.

7. Strawberry and Yogurt Panna Cotta

This no-bake recipe is perfect to flex your fruit topping skills. While we LOVE the strawberries in this dish, we encourage you to get a bit creative with your fruit combos. If we’re being honest, this dish is not completely healthy since it features sugar and whipping cream — so let’s just call this a treat you’ve earned! Get this creamy yet fruity recipe here.

These healthy dessert ideas will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth, but if you’re in seek of a dessert that’s a bit more indulgent, look no further! Give these Lemon Berry Swirl Mini Cheesecakes a try!