The Best Gluten-Free Treats

Whether you have celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or are simply trying to cut back on gluten, it can be incredibly challenging to find desserts that fit into your diet—especially since so many cookies, cakes, and brownies are made with white flour. But the good news is that it is possible to find delicious gluten-free recipes that are dessert-worthy. Here, our favorite healthy treats that don't contain any gluten, from a decadent-tasting chocolate mousse to banana "nice" cream to a citrus-flavored fruit dip. Even better, many of these gluten-free dessert recipes also contain nutrient-rich substitutes, such as avocado and almond flour. Satisfy your sweet tooth (sans gluten) with one of these delicious treats.

Try this recipe: Avocado Truffles

Avocados for dessert? Yes, really! With this four-ingredient, gluten-free recipe, you get the creamy texture of classic truffles without all the sugar. And you load up on healthy monounsaturated fats from the avocado, plus plenty of chocolate-y goodness.

Ingredients: Chocolate, cocoa powder, avocado, sea salt

Calories: 62

Try this recipe: Lemon Drop Energy Balls

These bites may be low-calorie and gluten-free, but they taste just like a decadent lemon cookie. Even better, you'll load up on protein from the nuts without too much sugar (Medjool dates and maple syrup add subtle sweetness). 

Ingredients: Almonds or cashews, pitted Medjool dates, unsweetened shredded coconut, maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla extract, sea salt, grated lemon zest

Calories: 85

Try this recipe: Grain-Free Double-Ginger Gingersnaps

Spice up your dessert with these gingersnap cookies. Made with two different grain-free flours (almond and coconut) plus both fresh and ground ginger and molasses, they're just the right mixture of sweet and spicy. 

Ingredients: Fresh ginger, ground ginger, coconut sugar, molasses, unsalted butter, egg, vanilla extract, baking soda, almond flour, coconut flour, cinnamon

Calories: 76

Try this recipe: Banana and Raw Cacao Ice Cream

This 'nice' cream recipe is completely dairy- and gluten-free. Tip: Whenever you have a very ripe banana, peel it, slice it, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze in a ziplock bag: use in recipes like thiso ne for up to six months.

Ingredients: Bananas, raw cacao powder, almond milk, maple syrup, pomegranate seeds, cacao nibs

Calories: 244

Try this recipe: Matcha-Pistachio-Chocolate Truffles

Fill up on delicious superfoods with these triple-threat truffles. Matcha powder, pistachios, and dark chocolate chips make them both sweet and salty. The best part? This decadent dessert is no-bake, making it perfect for hot summer days.

Ingredients: Dark chocolate chips, heavy cream, matcha powder, pistachios

Calories: 146

Try this recipe: Mango and Chia Pudding

Chia seeds deliver lots protein, fiber, calcium, iron, and omega-3s into this fruity pudding recipe. Let the chia seeds expand in a yummy mixture of orange juice, pomegranate seeds, and mango overnight for a filling snack or refreshing breakfast.

Ingredients: Mango, orange juice, chia seeds, pomegranate seeds

Calories: 255

Try this recipe: Chocolate-Almond Tassies

These little cookie cups are the perfect gluten-free dessert. Filled with a creamy mixture of chocolate and almond butter, these tassies will remind you of a peanut butter cup (but healthier!).

Ingredients: Olive oil or coconut cooking spray, finely shredded unsweetened coconut, egg whites, coconut palm sugar, semisweet chocolate, Almond butter, roasted salted almonds, preferably Marcona

Calories: 139

Adapted from Better Baking (C) 2016 by Genevieve Ko. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Rux Martin Books. All rights reserved.

Try this recipe: Pumpkin-Pie Pudding

This creamy pudding boasts half the fat of most other puddings, yet still delivers about 10% of your daily calcium, so there's no need to feel guilty about indulging in dessert.

Ingredients: Milk, brown sugar, cornstarch, eggs, canned pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice

Calories: 168

Try this recipe: Lemony Fruit Dip

Give your fruit the perfect gluten-free companion with this delicious whipped dip. Tip: Make sure you use a cornstarch brand that is 100% cornstarch and, therefore, gluten-free.

Ingredients: Reduced-calorie whipped topping, cornstarch, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, lemon juice

Calories: 39

Try this recipe: Decadent Chocolate Mousse

This avocado and banana-based mousse tastes like the real deal, but it actually significantly reduces the calories, cholesterol, and fat from the usual milk-based version. Top off the chocolaty goodness with a compote made of raspberries, lemon juice, and honey—you won't be disappointed.

Ingredients: Raw honey, banana, avocado, cacao powder, vanilla bean seeds, raspberries, lemon juice, rose water, pistachios

Calories: 356

Try this recipe: Honey Flan

Honey delivers subtle sweetness in this gluten-free recipe, which requires just five ingredients (that you probably already have in your kitchen) and 15 minutes of easy prep to whip up.

Ingredients: Honey, whole milk, eggs, vanilla extract, salt

Calories: 224

Try this recipe: Maple and Bacon Popcorn

Maple syrup gives plain popcorn kernels subtle sweetness, while Canadian bacon adds salty flavor. The result? This movie-time classic is a far cry from plain buttered popcorn. Also good: this particular kind of bacon is leaner than most, so it reduces the amount of saturated fat in the recipe, while virgin coconut oil adds good-for-you fats.

Ingredients: Canadian-style bacon, maple syrup, coconut oil, popcorn kernels

Calories: 186

Try this recipe: Honey Grapefruit with Banana

This fruity recipe is packed with potassium and vitamin C, and it's incredibly easy to whip up with only three ingredients. Garnish with honey and mint for a special, subtly sweet twist.

Ingredients: Honey, mint, banana, grapefruit

Calories: 122

Try this recipe: Berry Breakfast Smoothie

It's easy to nix gluten when you fill your glass with tons of fresh fruits and veggies. Kale and broccoli add vitamins K, C, E, and A to this drink, while berries act as antioxidant-rich powerhouses. Plus, avocado adds a creamy texture and healthy monounsaturated fats.

Ingredients: Berries, kale, broccoli, banana, pineapple, avocado, orange juice

Calories: 225

Try this recipe: Roasted Almonds With Lemon and Salt

Give plain almonds a tasty twist. While this snack requires a bit of prep, one batch can last you throughout the week. To make, soak almonds in lemon juice to create a subtle citrus flavor that's enhanced by a sprinkling of salt. With 5 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber, a serving of these nuts will keep you feeling full and satisfied between meals.

Ingredients: Unblanched almonds, lemon juice, salt, olive oil

Calories: 158

Try this recipe: Arctic Lime Freeze

This low-calorie dessert is incredibly refreshing, but tofu delivers some protein. Make sure to choose a gluten-free frozen juice concentrate and gluten-free tofu. 

Ingredients: Limeade concentrate, reduced-fat silken firm tofu, mint sprigs and grated lime rind (both optional)

Calories: 196