There’s nothing better than dessert, especially one that doesn’t derail your healthy eating goals. It can be tempting to reach for a less-wholesome, store-bought option during the warmer months (who wants to heat up their entire kitchen by turning on the oven?!) but with these healthy desserts you don’t have to compromise—there’s no baking required! So, go ahead and indulge; we’ve got delicious recipes for no-bake cookies, bars, healthy frozen treats and more.
Chocolate-Chia Pudding
Chia seeds give this super-chocolaty pudding a satisfyingly rich texture.
These peach pops taste just like a frozen smoothie—only better, thanks to nutty-tasting oats. At only 80 calories per pop, they're the perfect summer dessert.
Ellie Krieger's version of these classic, cool dessert bars is made with low-fat cream cheese and fat-free sweetened condensed milk, so they've got the creaminess you expect, without all the fat.
These healthy frozen pops are salute-worthy since they are packed with vitamin C and have even a little fiber (2 grams per pop) thanks to the fresh berries. And the best part is that you can get your red, white and blue fix without using artificial food coloring.
One of these decadent bars is enough to satisfy any sweet tooth. They're so super chocolaty and packed with peanut butter that you won't believe they're lower in calories than other, similar bars.
The banana split's days of lounging around are over. This vertical version of the fountain classic is healthy for a reason: Gravity helps the ice cream melt into the fruit and nuts below, so you only need a small scoop per serving.
These pops are uber-fudgy, thanks to a combo of chia seeds and cocoa powder. If you don't have the patience to wait for the frozen version, no problem — the pudding is just as delicious.
The flavors of summer and strawberry shortcake have found their way into your favorite crunchy childhood treat. Try decreasing the amount of marshmallows (aka sugar) and stir in some almond butter and freeze-dried strawberries. Each sweet-tart bar is a generous size.
These chewy sweet cookies start with dried dates for a natural sweetness, instead of the traditional combination of milk and sugar, and then get mixed with some cocoa, reduced-fat peanut butter and ground whole wheat graham crackers for a quick satisfying treat.
News flash: Dessert can be the perfect place to add calcium to your diet. You can do just that by using ricotta cheese in these sweet little tartlets (8 percent of your daily value, so not too shabby!). The apricot jam does double duty: It's a sweetener for the ricotta and a glaze for the berries.
Make these ice pops in peak melon season for the ultimate summer treat. The cilantro simple syrup and the lime add a bit of zing to the sweet, mild fruit and make the pops extra refreshing.
The best part of these creamy, sweet-and-salty bars is the crust: Melted chocolate and just a little bit of butter make it crunchy without baking. Plus, you can skip the full-fat sour cream in the cheesecake layer. Buttermilk adds just the right tang.
Why not trade in the average cookie crust for a healthy, nut-based crust? It's perfect for summer pies, especially these paleo-friendly, no-bake minis. We've filled them with a dollop of foolproof lemon curd and topped them with berries, but you can mix and match your favorite seasonal fruit, like peaches, apricots or cherries.
