With no added sugar, dairy, or processed foods on a whole30 diet, it can be hard to think outside the box when it comes to desserts. But as someone who’s followed the month-long whole30 program more times than I can count, I know too well the importance of small luxuries when it comes to following such a strict diet. Similar to my whole30 breakfast and snack recipes, this list combs through the hundreds of recipes on my blog to find the desserts that perfectly adhere to the whole30 lifestyle. In addition, many of them are gluten-free, vegan, and paleo, so you can easily fold them into your day-to-day even after the month is over.
What makes a whole30 dessert?
The whole30 diet is a 30-day diet focused on eliminating processed and hard-to-digest foods like alcohol, dairy, grains, legumes, and sugar. Instead, you’re encouraged to eat whole ingredients like fruits, vegetables, eggs, and lean protein (see whole30 recipes). This might seem counterintuitive to the whole dessert concept, but surprisingly, there are more options than you think. Here are a few tips for finding delicious whole30 desserts:
Rethink sweeteners. Added sugar is a no-go for the whole30 diet, but you can have all the fresh fruits you want. So the next time you crave something sweet, grab a piece of fruit or opt for a fruit-sweetened dessert like fruit leather. Transform your favorite treats. When you’re craving a milkshake or a brownie, nothing else quite satisfies. Simple swaps like mashed bananas instead of sugar (like in banana fudge) or almond milk instead of dairy milk (like in this almond milk smoothie) are foolproof substitutions to instantly make any recipe whole30-approved. Spice it up. Even for a 30-day diet, it’s important to keep things interesting, so try new desserts often to treat yourself!
Whole30 fruity desserts
Each of these desserts is naturally sweetened with fruit and packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
3-ingredient banana smoothie– Technically a “breakfast smoothie,” this sweet, creamy treat comes together in minutes and tastes just like a milkshake. Apricot Delight– Perfect if you’re not a huge sweets person, but enjoy a midday treat every now and then. Just swap the sugar for dates and it’s whole30-approved. Blueberry smoothie– Thick, creamy, refreshing, and deceptively low-carb. This blueberry smoothie comes together effortlessly and is just sweet enough to satisfy your sugar craving. Banana bread mug cake– Just 4 ingredients and 1-2 minutes in the microwave is all you need to get the perfect sweet and fluffy mug cake that tastes just like banana bread.
Whole30 chocolate desserts
Chocolate is a staple in my day-to-day diet, and even a month off is a hard no for me. Luckily, these recipes allow me to indulge in my chocolate craving while staying energized and on track.
Keto energy balls– These little balls of brownie goodness come together in minutes and make the perfect midday snack. Applesauce brownies– Skip the stevia, and you’ll still get unbelievably fudgy, chocolatey, and perfectly sweetened brownies. You may never make a normal brownie recipe again once you use applesauce this way! Pumpkin brownies– Similar to applesauce, a little pumpkin puree makes moist, fluffy brownies with incredible depth of flavor. Chocolate coconut cookies– Naturally sweetened chocolate and coconut cookies that taste exactly like Almond Joys.
Whole30 no-bake desserts
Whoever coined the term “no-bake desserts” deserves a medal. Not only are these desserts effortless to make and made with wholesome ingredients, but they’re vegan, gluten-free, and easy to customize.
Larabars– I used to buy Larabars by the box before I came up with this copycat recipe. Now, I have them in my fridge at all times, just in case I need a little pick-me-up. There are over 10 flavor options, and aside from the base, the cherry pie, peanut butter cookie, and cashew cookie flavors are all whole30-approved. Keto chia pudding– Swap the sweetener for mashed bananas or chopped dates, and you have an easy make-ahead treat full of flavor, healthy fats, fiber, and protein. Coconut energy balls– Soft and fudgy energy balls that work equally well as a grab-and-go breakfast, snack, or dessert. Cranberry energy bites– Naturally sweetened with dates, these sweet yet tart energy bites work equally well as a snack or after-hours treat.
