Eating should always bring joy as far as we’re concerned, but if you are looking to eat healthier, it can be hard to know how to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Here to show you that you can still indulge in bakes, puddings, and sweets, this collection of lighter recipes proves that you don’t need to cut out your favourite treats in order to stay on-track with your personal goals.
Air Fryer Caramelised Baked Bananas
This easy, calorie-counted air fryer recipe celebrates the natural sweetness of bananas. Better still, it requires only 6 ingredients and 15 minutes to make.
Melissa Hemsley’s Three-Ingredient Chocolate Pots
Perfect for feeding a crowd, these plant-based treats are customisable, rich in flavour, and can be stored in the fridge for up to three days.
Rocky Road (gluten-free, dairy-free)
Make a batch of these on a Sunday and you’ll be safe from the 3pm slump all week. These heavenly rocky road bars from The Little Green Spoon also happen to be dairy and gluten-free.
Chocolate and Hazelnut Truffles
The perfect healthy treat for fans of Ferrero Rocher, these dairy-free truffles can store in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Melissa Hemsley’s Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Flour-free and with an easy vegan swap, we love these gooey, nutty tahini cookies.
Mini Carrot Cakes
This healthier twist on a classic bake is great for any special occasion or afternoon tea.
Beauty Bars
Make up a batch of Amelia’s seed-studded beauty bars and take them with you for a healthy pick-me-up when you’re on-the-go.
My Tasty Energy Balls, Date, Cocoa and Pumpkin Seed
Sweet, nutty and substantial enough to see you through the day, these delicious energy balls from Everyday Super Food are the perfect snack.
Little Chocolate Pots
Chocolate lovers, we’ve got you. These heavenly little desserts from Eat Happy use just five ingredients and under thirty minutes of your time to make. Perfect as a lighter dinner party dessert.
Gluten-free Rhubarb Crumble
With a delicious nutty topping atop a sweet and tart rhubarb base, this lighter twist on a comfort food classic from Eat Beautiful is perfect as a healthy winter dessert.
Crunchy Custard-Baked Apples
These soft apples, steeped in custard, are topped with a crunchy crumble-like topping for a taste and texture sensation that will round off your Sunday lunch nicely.
Quinoa, Plum and Cardamom Frangipane Pudding
Soft, buttery, and fragrant with cardamom and plum, this healthy pudding from 26 Grains uses quinoa flakes and ground almonds for a gluten-free bake.
BB Brownies
The ultimate chocolate snack gets a lighter makeover in this recipe from The Art of Eating Well. Made using black beans to create that perfect gooey texture, they’ll soon become your new go-to.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Your eyes do not deceive you, that is a healthy sticky toffee pudding. Gluten- and dairy-free, it’s also a great option for vegans or those with food intolerances.
Apple Pie
Specially designed for people with type 1 and 2 diabetes, this apple pie is made with grain-free pastry and no refined sugar.
Raw Cheesecake
Dairy- and refined sugar-free, with a hidden hit of nutrients from the courgette, you won’t believe how creamy and moreish this recipe from Everyday Detox is.
Pear and Almond Traybake
Make the most of orchard fruit season with this delicious traybake made with unprocessed ingredients – including olive oil and yoghurt, which keeps the sponge beautifully moist.
Looking to cut down on ultra-processed food? Discover more must-try whole food recipes here.
Baked Grain Bowl with Blackberries and Maple
This recipe makes crumble with a nutritious, plant-based twist. Almonds, oats and flaxseeds make the crumble topping extra hearty, while the three-ingredient filling of warm, jammy blackberries cooked in maple syrup makes it the perfect comforting winter pudding.
