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Most people think desserts only taste good when they’re loaded with sugar, but my list of healthy low sugar desserts is going to change that! I’ve tried them all, and they’re just as indulgent as your favorite recipes. Whether you’re craving a rich cake or creamy ice cream, I’m sharing 35 of my favorite low sugar dessert ideas for any occasion.
Let’s face it – sugar isn’t the best thing in the world, and there are plenty of reasons to consider cutting back. But staying healthy doesn’t mean you have to figure out what desserts have the least sugar or say goodbye to sweets forever.
You can easily make one of many different reduced sugar desserts and still enjoy all your favorites without going overboard! And I’m talking ice cream, cupcakes, cheesecakes, and even pumpkin pie!
I know low sugar healthy desserts probably sound impossible, but trust me – I’ve compiled my top 35 go-to low sugar dessert recipes that will satisfy any sweet tooth. Regardless of why you’re looking to use less sugar, you won’t even be able to guess they don’t have a ton of added sugar!
Featured Low Sugar Dessert Recipe
Gluten-Free Brownies
My gluten-free brownies are seriously fudgy, packed with rich chocolate flavor, and only have 10 grams of sugar per serving!
Plus, you can easily make them dairy-free or vegan with a few easy swaps.
They’re so decadent and delicious that no one ever believes that this healthy brownie recipe is low in sugar!
Why Make Desserts Lower In Sugar?
My desserts with low sugar are for everyone! Whether you’re trying to eat healthier, manage a specific health condition, or simply don’t like sugary sweets, there are many reasons to make desserts with less sugar.
Cutting Calories: Sugar is packed with calories but offers little to no nutritional benefits. When you indulge in a sugary dessert, you’re essentially consuming empty calories. By reducing the sugar in your desserts, you naturally lower the calorie count, making it possible to enjoy a sweet treat without the guilt.
Managing Sugar Intake: If you watch your sugar for health reasons, like managing diabetes or just better overall health, reducing sugar, especially in sweets, can make a big difference. Making desserts with less sugar lets you still enjoy something sweet.
Prefer Less Sweet Desserts: If you’re like me and don’t like your desserts overly sweet, this is another reason to make your desserts low in sugar. You’ll be able to taste the richness of the chocolate or the freshness of the fruit without the sweetness overwhelming everything else.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Less Sugar?
Ideally, we’d cut out sugar completely, with the exception of fruit. However, that can be extremely challenging! That’s why I follow the 80-20 rule. I aim for no sugar 80% of the time, and very low added sugar the other 20% (source).
Reducing your overall sugar intake, and limiting the amount of sweet treats you indulge in, can have significant health benefits.
Weight Loss: Cutting back on sugar reduces calorie intake, which helps with weight loss. In my research, I’ve learned that fructose promotes fat storage, so eating less sugar means less fat is stored (source). High-sugar foods also make you feel hungry more often because they’re quickly digested, leaving you unsatisfied. Reducing sugar helps you feel fuller longer and reduces the urge to overeat.
Boost Mood: Sugary foods cause your blood sugar to spike, giving you a temporary energy boost. But when it crashes, so does your mood. If you’re a mom like me, I’m sure you’ve seen this in your kids. Reducing sugar helps keep blood sugar steady, leading to a more stable and balanced mood.
Healthy Teeth: I don’t think I have to tell you that consuming too much sugar is bad for your teeth. Sugar feeds bacteria in your mouth, which leads to plaque buildup and tooth decay. Cutting back on sugary foods helps protect your teeth and gums from these harmful effects.
Improve Skin: If you struggle with acne or dull skin, I highly recommend reducing your sugar intake. The blood sugar spikes and drops caused by sugary foods can trigger inflammation in your body, which is a common cause of skin conditions (source).
Stabilize Energy: While sugar gives you a quick boost, the crash that follows leaves you feeling even more tired. By stabilizing your blood sugar through reduced sugar intake, you can maintain more consistent energy throughout the day. This is something I’ve found really beneficial.
Improve Digestion: From my research, I’ve also found that sugar can cause inflammation in the digestive tract, leading to bloating, discomfort, and even indigestion. As sugar ferments, it turns into glucose, which can irritate your system (source).
Reduce Risk Of Heart Disease: Studies show that when sugar isn’t used for energy, it converts to fatty acids, which turn into triglycerides. High triglyceride levels increase your risk of heart disease and stroke (source). Any health coach, including me, will tell you that reducing sugar is good for your heart.
Improve Brain Function: According to a UCLA study, high-sugar diets are linked to poor cognitive function (source). Too much sugar can impair memory by causing insulin resistance, which disrupts communication between brain cells. I also discovered it can lead to brain inflammation, making it harder to focus and concentrate.
Why I Love These Recipes
For me, keeping my family healthy is always a priority, and these easy low sugar desserts play a big part in that without sacrificing flavor or indulgence. I use wholesome ingredients and natural sweeteners that make each dessert delicious without the sugar overload. Your family won’t even be able to tell they’re low in sugar unless you tell them!
Many of these recipes include fruit, which is one of my favorite sweeteners. When used properly, it can create naturally low sugar desserts that are anything but bland. Fruit adds just the right amount of sweetness without needing extra sugar.
Plus, my healthy low sugar dessert recipes not only taste great, but they’re also affordable and easy to make. You don’t need any special skills, expensive ingredients, or fancy equipment. There are even a few recipes perfect for making with the kids.
And for those watching both sugar and fat, I’ve even got some low sugar and fat desserts on my list that taste amazing. There is something for everyone in this collection.
The Best Low Sugar Desserts
This rich and creamy vegan Nutella is a low-sugar, decadent chocolate hazelnut spread that I love using for dipping fruit, drizzling over ice cream, or spreading on pancakes, toast, and more!
Unlike store-bought brands, my recipe is made with raw hazelnuts, dark chocolate, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup, making it a much healthier option.
It has just 3.5 grams of sugar per serving, compared to 21 grams in regular Nutella!
Made with four simple ingredients, my creamy, homemade mango nice cream is a healthy treat that’s not only low in sugar but dairy-free and vegan too! All you need are some frozen bananas, mangos, natural sweetener, and almond milk.
This yummy low sugar frozen dessert has just 18.6g of sugar per serving! Yet it still tastes deliciously sweet.
These irresistible no-bake vegan chocolate truffles are a favorite with my entire family! They’re super chocolatey and taste just like bite-sized gooey brownies. It’s a quick and easy recipe that comes together fast, making it perfect for meal prepping your next party.
The recipe makes 8 servings with only 6 grams of sugar each. Even decadent truffles can be a reduced-sugar sweet treat!
My vegan lemon tart features a nutty crust and a sweet yet tangy lemon curd filling that even dairy lovers can’t resist. It’s a simple yet elegant low-sugar, gluten-free, and vegan dessert that I love making for any occasion.
The secret is that it’s naturally sweetened with maple syrup and dates, keeping it refined-sugar-free without any artificial sweeteners. Each serving of my low-sugar lemon tart has just 10 grams of sugar.
When it comes to simple low sugar desserts, nothing beats a delicious cookie. My sugar free oatmeal cookies are the perfect treat, with a chewy texture and plenty of chocolate chips. Trust me, they’re so good you won’t even miss the extra sugar!
Each cookie has just 1 gram of sugar, making them one of my favorite go-to after-school snacks.
This is one of my kid’s favorite low sugar easy desserts that we make together. Made with silken tofu, ripe bananas, tahini, cocoa powder, and real maple syrup, this mousse is healthy, chocolatey, and will totally satisfy any sweet craving.
It’s absolutely divine and has just 9.6 grams of sugar per serving. I love serving this chocolate mousse on special occasions because it’s decadent and so easy to make.
My super moist and delicious chocolate chip banana bread is a healthier take on one of the most popular traditional desserts out there. I never sacrifice great flavor when making low sugar baking recipes.
This banana bread has just 12 grams of sugar per slice. Plus, it’s kid-friendly, gluten-free, and can easily be made vegan too.
This is hands down the best healthy vegan carrot cake you’ll ever make! My dairy-free, lightened-up version is soft, moist, and perfectly sweet. Every bite is loaded with cinnamon, allspice, and crunchy walnuts, and it’s topped with a rich vegan cream cheese frosting!
With only 12.2 grams of sugar per slice, my carrot cake is a much healthier option than any store-bought version you’ll ever find.
These whipped cottage cheese dessert cups are not only low in sugar but also low in carbs, making them keto-friendly too. It’s a super easy, 5-minute recipe that anyone can make.
But my favorite part is that each serving has just 3 grams of sugar!
With layers of crunchy granola, pumpkin puree, and creamy yogurt, my pumpkin yogurt parfaits are the perfect choice for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. Each bite is infused with the comforting fall flavors of cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and vanilla.
But despite their incredible flavor, each parfait contains just 10 grams of sugar.
My moist and chewy powdered peanut butter cookies are a fun twist on traditional peanut butter cookies and much healthier too. They are low sugar, low calorie, and can also be made vegan or gluten free.
With only 6 grams of sugar per serving, this is a recipe I make all the time!
Rich and velvety smooth, you will savor every bite of my incredible cheesecake bites! Made with just a few simple ingredients, they are super easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
I’m sure they will become your new favorite low-sugar treat, with just 5.3 grams of sugar per serving!
Gluten-free, dairy-free, family-friendly, and easy to make, my apple crisp is absolutely delicious. Made with sweet cinnamon apples and topped with a nutty oat crisp, it has all the comforting flavors of traditional apple pie.
Each serving of this easy low sugar dessert contains just 14.6 grams of sugar, and it makes the house smell amazing!
If you’re like me and love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, these sugar-free peanut butter cups are a must-try. They’re a healthier take on Reese’s, giving you all the deliciousness of the candy but with a lot less sugar.
Each peanut butter cup has just 1.5 grams of sugar, and the best part is how easy they are to make with only five simple ingredients.
Super rich and fudgy, my gluten-free brownies are the perfect healthy treat your whole family will love! They’re incredibly easy to make, with just 10 minutes of prep, and can be made dairy-free or vegan too.
These brownies are one of my all-time favorite low sugar baked goods, with only 10 grams of sugar per serving.
You don’t even have to fire up the oven to make my incredible no-bake chocolate cheesecake recipe. With a graham cracker crust and a creamy, light chocolate cheesecake filling, it’s a really simple dessert that is easy to make.
Even cheesecake can be delicious and low in sugar! Each mini cheesecake has just 12.4 grams of sugar!
With the perfect combination of nutty flavor and chewy texture, my sesame tahini cookies are naturally vegan, gluten-free, and packed with flavor. They come together in under 30 minutes, and my recipe calls for just eight simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
These cookies make a great healthy snack or dessert, with only 3 grams of sugar per cookie!
These super easy almond flour peanut butter cookies are one of my favorite low sugar desserts because they also happen to be low-carb, gluten-free, and totally delicious. They’re perfect for just about everyone.
My simple recipe requires only six ingredients, and each cookie contains just 2 grams of natural sugar. There’s no added sugar at all!
These mini cheesecakes are absolutely divine! The strawberries add a natural sweetness, so there’s no need for any added sugar. It’s an easy recipe that packs a lot of flavor, with only 2 grams of sugar per serving!
Plus, you can whip them up in just 15 minutes, yet every bite feels like a fancy dessert, which is why they’re one of my favorites!
These healthy, no-bake peanut butter bliss balls are one of my favorite low sugar desserts for kids. They’re easy to make, super yummy, and made with just a few simple ingredients, plus chocolate chips for a touch of decadence. Trust me, this is a dessert you won’t be able to stop eating!
Each ball has only 3.2 grams of sugar, and they’re also dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free. Plus, each one is just 100 calories!
With zero refined sugar, my delicious vegan protein balls are the perfect healthy snack for an energy boost and extra nutrition.
My simple recipe comes together in just 10 minutes, and each ball has only 6 grams of sugar. Quick, easy, and good for you—what’s not to love?
If you love classic zucchini bread but want to skip the sugary options, this recipe is perfect for you! I like to make it even healthier by swapping out the all-purpose flour for whole wheat or whole wheat pastry flour.
It’s a delicious dessert you can feel good about enjoying with only 2 grams of sugar per serving, this recipe is easy and perfect anytime!
Guaranteed to be the hit of any party, picnic, or holiday event, my cherry pie with frozen cherries is an absolute delight. It features a sweet cherry filling infused with lemon zest and almond extract, all paired with a flaky, buttery pie crust.
With just 17 grams of sugar per slice, I make this perfect dessert year-round, whether it’s cherry season or not!
Packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, nuts, and fruit, my vegan breakfast cookies are the perfect grab-and-go option for busy mornings. I love making a big batch and storing them in the freezer, so they’re always on hand.
These cookies make a wonderful snack, quick breakfast, or healthy dessert. Each one has just 9 grams of sugar.
This sugar-free carrot cake is absolutely delicious, featuring a velvety smooth cream cheese frosting that tastes anything but sugar-free! The cake is moist, flavorful, and relies on the natural sweetness of carrots, making it a healthier alternative to traditional carrot cake.
It’s so good, you won’t believe each serving has only 1.1 grams of sugar! Whether you’re serving it for a special occasion or just as a treat, this is one dessert you’ll feel great about indulging in.
This easy, healthy pumpkin pie is my lighter take on the classic recipe, made with less sugar and evaporated skim milk. Each slice has only 18.4 grams of sugar, so you can enjoy a delicious dessert without overindulging!
Topped with a dollop of whipped cream, it’s the perfect addition to my Thanksgiving table. Plus, it can easily be made gluten-free, making it a great option for any diet!
My delicious, homemade, instant pot applesauce with cinnamon and honey is one of the simplest things to make and is ready in just 20 minutes! It’s such a great quick and easy low fat low sugar dessert.
Whenever I serve it, no one can believe that each serving only has 18.7 grams of natural sugar with zero refined sugar!
Topped with a cinnamon oat crumble and packed with warm spices and sweet apples, my gluten-free apple cake is the perfect breakfast bake or dessert that everyone will love! It’s a super easy recipe that anyone can make.
Even better, this crowd-pleaser is a healthier option, with just 4 grams of added sugar per serving!
This Mexican fruit salad is a refreshing and unique twist on the traditional fruit salad. I use a combination of cubed melon, mango, papaya, and pineapple, along with a hint of mint, lime juice, and chili lime seasoning to enhance the natural sweetness of the fruit.
Perfect for an outdoor BBQ, picnics, holidays like Cinco de Mayo, or any time of year, my fruit salad recipe has just 16 grams of sugar per serving. It’s a great example of how even fruit-packed dishes can still be low fat and sugar desserts.
Low sugar fruit desserts are one of my all-time favorites, and my easy breakfast fruit salad is no exception. Made with a mix of fresh fruits and topped with creamy yogurt, it comes together in less than 15 minutes.
Plus, it only has 22 grams of sugar per serving with zero refined sugar. All the sweetness comes from the fresh fruits and a little honey.
I love to serve this kid-friendly dessert for any occasion, not just breakfast!
My healthy red velvet cupcakes are low in sugar and incredibly delicious! I know it sounds impossible, but with a few secret healthier swaps, I’ve created a lightened-up version that definitely isn’t lacking in flavor.
With only 14.5 grams of sugar per cupcake, they’re waistline-friendly, making this one cupcake you can feel good about eating.
Creamy, soft, and naturally sweetened, my healthy chocolate banana ice cream is a delicious treat perfect for any time of year. Made with frozen ripe bananas, dark chocolate, walnuts, and your choice of yogurt, it’s packed with natural fiber and can easily be made vegan too!
But the best part is that each serving has only 13.2 grams of sugar! I don’t think life gets much better than a healthy ice cream!
My creamy and delicious chocolate almond milk pudding is sure to become your new favorite dessert. I blend the creaminess of avocado with the rich chocolatey flavor of cacao powder and almond milk to create a naturally sweetened, decadent treat!
This is one of my favorite easy, low sugar healthy desserts that takes just 5 minutes to make and has only 6 grams of sugar per serving. Chocolate pudding has never tasted so good!
Low sugar desserts for dinner party gatherings don’t have to be bland or boring! My mini bundt cakes are pretty little banana cakes that are sure to impress your friends and family.
My recipe uses much less sugar and ingredients like yogurt for oil and whole grain flour. Each mini cake has just 6 grams of sugar and only 108 calories!
Family-friendly and easy to make gluten-free, my vegan French toast casserole is a quick, healthy breakfast that tastes like dessert. I use sprouted wheat bread, apples, soy milk, flax seeds, and maple syrup, to deliver all the yumminess of bread pudding in a nutritious package.
With just 8 grams of sugar per serving, my French toast casserole is a fantastic way to treat your family to something delicious and healthy.
What Is The Difference Between Refined Sugar And Natural Sugar?
Natural sugars are found in fruits and dairy products, where they appear as fructose in fruit and lactose in dairy. In my research, I’ve learned that foods with natural sugars provide essential vitamins and minerals and are digested more slowly, helping you stay full longer, which makes them ideal for low sugar sweets recipes (source).
In contrast, refined sugars come from sources like cane sugar or sugar beets, which are processed to extract the sugar. You’ll also find processed sugars, such as high fructose corn syrup, in many packaged foods and beverages (source).
Unlike natural sugars, I’ve learned that refined sugars are absorbed quickly by the body, causing a rapid spike in blood sugar followed by a sharp drop. They provide no vitamins or nutrients and often leave you feeling hungry soon after.
What Are The Best Sugar Substitutes?
White sugar and high fructose corn syrup are some of the worst sweeteners. However, I’m going to introduce you to some alternatives that you can use for making lower sugar desserts. These natural substitutes for sugar are less processed than white sugar.
- Monk Fruit Sweetener: A type of sweetener that is extracted from monk fruit, it gets its sweetness from antioxidants called mogrosides. It’s 100-250 times sweeter than white sugar but contains zero calories. I use monk fruit often in my low sugar desserts recipes.
- Coconut Sugar: Extracted from the sap of the coconut palm, coconut sugar is still high in calories, but it’s lower on the glycemic index than regular sugar. It also has some nutrients including iron, zinc, calcium, potassium, and antioxidants, making it a better choice.
- Honey: Produced by bees, honey is still high in calories but contains small amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in the form of flavonoids. It’s a much better choice than refined white sugar and I love the flavor it adds to my low sugar desserts.
- Maple Syrup: Made from maple tree sap, I frequently use maple syrup to make my healthy desserts low sugar. It’s rich in minerals like calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, and manganese, and contains even more antioxidants than honey. While it’s still high in calories, maple syrup has a slightly lower glycemic index than regular sugar.
What Foods Can You Eat To Fight Sugar Cravings?
Fresh Fruit: In my experience, the best way to enjoy something sweet and nutritious is to stick with fresh fruit. I love slicing up an apple and pairing it with a tablespoon of peanut butter , almond butter, or my pumpkin seed butter. Raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries are also delicious when topped with a dollop of plain, unsweetened yogurt.
Dark Chocolate: If you’re a chocolate lover like me, dark chocolate is the way to go! It has much less sugar than milk chocolate, and the higher the cocoa content, the lower the sugar. While 90% dark chocolate can be a bit bitter, I find that 70% or 80% strikes the perfect balance. Just a small square is enough to satisfy my sweet tooth!
Homemade Smoothies: Whip up a smoothie at home like my raspberry smoothie or fruit and vegetable smoothie. The ones you get from the smoothie places are usually high in sugar. But making your own doesn’t have to be!
Trail Mix: I love making my own trail mix with a variety of nuts and dried fruit. You can even toss in some chocolate chips. Just be sure to stick to 1/4 cup serving.
More Low Sugar Healthy Desserts!
Strawberry Santa Hats – These strawberry Santa hats are an easy and fun snack to make with the kids! With only three ingredients and a few minutes, you’ll have a healthy snack for the holidays!
Gluten Free Lemon Bars with Coconut Custard – With a sweet, tart coconut milk lemon curd filling, and almond flour crust, these gluten free lemon bars are the perfect dessert for picnics, bake sales, and more! What’s best is that they’re naturally sweetened and vegan friendly.
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