It’s easy to think of desserts as off-limits when you’re trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. But with a few creative tricks, you can enjoy decadent treats without feeling guilty! Read on to discover delicious and nutritious desserts that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
1. Reimagining Indulgence: Sweet Treats, Healthy Swaps
Healthy snacks your taste buds are sure to crave!
Satisfying cravings can be tricky for health seekers looking to indulge in sweet treats. Fortunately, its possible to have your cake and eat it too! Here are three delicious recipes that reimagine the concept of “indulgence” and bring this treat into the 21st century.
- Chocolate Fondue – dip your favorite fruits into a mouthwatering bowl of melted chocolate.
- Banana Bread Ice Cream – a treat that creates balance between the rich smoothness of ice cream with the nutty texture of banana bread.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Tart – a perfect combination sweet and salty and is sure to please everyone!
Chocolate Fondue is the perfect dish to start with. All you need is a stove top or a hot plate, one bowl and one cup of chocolate chips – dark, semi-sweet, milk, or a combination of all three. Heat up the chocolate chips and stir until they melt together like a smooth liquid. Once the chocolate has been melted, place a plate of sliced fresh fruit around the bowl and lightly sprinkle it with powdered sugar or unsweetened cocoa. If you’re feeling ambitious you can also add a few tablespoons of butter, cream, or liqueur for added richness. Enjoy while the chocolate is still warm!
Banana bread ice cream is another amazing treat to try. You don’t need an ice cream maker to enjoy this delicious recipe – all you need is a banana, a food processor or blender, a loaf of banana bread, and some honey or maple syrup. Start by blending the banana into a creamy puree. Add a few small chunks of banana bread and blend on low until the big chunks are blended completely. Finally, add the honey or maple syrup and blend until the mixture reaches an ice cream-like consistency. If desired, top with some chopped nuts, greek yogurt or peanut butter. It’s the perfect dessert to enjoy anytime, day or night!
Finally, indulge your sweet tooth with this calorie-conscious dessert – the Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Tart. Start by layering the crust which can be made with one cup of cashews, half a cup of pitted dates, 2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil, and 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder. Blend all ingredients together until a thick and crumbly mixture is formed. Grease a tart pan with butter and press the mixture into it until it forms an even layer. To make the filling, melt a cup of peanut butter and combine it with 3 tablespoons of maple syrup and half a cup of coconut milk. Blend until creamy and then pour over the crust. To finish it off, top your tart with a sprinkle of chopped peanuts and a few slices of banana. Freeze for two hours and you’re done! This tart is a delightful combination of the rich and creamy flavors of peanut butter ice cream, without the guilt.
2. Guilt-free Pleasures in the Kitchen
Baked Chimichangas
A criminally delicious dish that is also healthy. Replace ground beef with quinoa and beans, and use the same amounts of cheese and avocado. Instead of deep-frying, fill a baking sheet with a single layer of your chimichangas and bake on 375°F for 20 minutes and until golden brown. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, some freshly chopped cilantro, and a spoonful of salsa. A weight-friendly meal that packs a punch.
Smoothie Bowls
Blend up some nutritious greens and fruits of your choice, throw in some coconut flakes or chia seeds for texture, and top with your favorite goodies. Pomegranate seeds, granola, and nuts are all great options to sneak in more vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber. Enjoy a tasty and healthful breakfast or mid-day snack bowl that won’t leave you feeling guilty.
Veggie Fajitas
The joys of convivial eating at home. Lay bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms on a baking sheet on 375°F. Drizzle some oil and sprinkle your favorite spices like cumin, chili, and garlic. Roast everything for 25 minutes or so and stuff them in lightly toasted tortillas. Serve with sour cream, salsa, and a sprinkle of cheese. Delicious and much healthier than take-out from a restaurant.
Air-fried Sweet Potatoes
A simple and healthier alternative to french fries. Slice up some sweet potatoes into thick wedges. Arrange them in a single layer in your air-fryer basket. Sprinkle with olive or avocado oil and your favorite spices. Air-fry for about 20 minutes and enjoy your guilt-free dinner.
3. Delectable Recipes for Delicious Healthy Desserts
These days, eating healthily doesn’t have to mean foregoing sweet treats. Here are three of our favorite recipes that are both delicious AND nutritious.
- Mini Coconut Flour Pizzas: No pizza party is complete without dessert pizza, and this version is sure to please. Start with a base of coconut flour, agave syrup and almond butter. Next, top with your favorite frozen berries. Finish by sprinkling the pizza with ground flaxseed, for an extra nutty crunch.
- Mango-Banana Ice-Cream: Frozen fruit is a great way to create a cool, smooth, and refreshing treat. To make this thick and creamy ice-cream, combine frozen banana and mango with coconut milk, honey and a pinch of salt.
- Almond Flour and Chocolate Chip Blondie: Chewy, ooey-gooey goodness in the form of a cake-like bar. This lightening-quick recipe replaces traditional white flour, sutting down on refined sugar and fat. Swap the all-purpose flour for almond flour, and coconut sugar and coconut oil in place of regular sugar and butter. Don’t forget the mini chocolate chips!
There you have it. Three desserts that any health-conscious sweet-tooth can savor. And the best part? The leftovers! These recipes freeze and reheat beautifully, so when you feel like indulging again- you just have to thaw.
So go ahead, and enjoy the sweet taste of guilt-free goodness!
4. A Sweet Confectionary Adventure for All Diets
When it comes to sweet treats, no diet is off limits! Here are some of the ways you can go on a delicious confectionary adventure without breaking your dietary habits.
Vegan Desserts
Are you staying away from animal derived products? Not to worry, there’s a wide range of vegan desserts out there for you to explore. Try mouthwatering vegan brownies, homemade vegan ice cream, vegan truffles, and so much more.
Gluten-Free Options
If you’re looking for desserts that are free from gluten, there are a few delicious treats to try. Start with scrumptious gluten-free cookies, then move on to gluten-free cakes and cupcakes, and even a decadent gluten-free apple pie.
Paleo Treats
Cut out grains and dairy? There are still many sweet treats that can satisfy your sweet tooth. It’s easy to make paleo chocolate chip cookies, paleo mango mousse, paleo chocolate banana ice cream, and plenty more. A paleo diet doesn’t have to mean missing out on dessert!
Diabetic Delights
For those with diabetes, it’s still possible to indulge in desserts. Try these yummy desserts, each with sweetness and health in mind:
- Lemon yogurt parfait
- No-bake blueberry cheesecake
- Baked apples
- Fruit ice pops
- Blackberry tart
Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, Paleo, diabetic, or just have a sweet tooth, there are plenty of ways to explore a sweet confectionary adventure. Enjoy!
Indulging in dessert doesn’t have to mean sabotaging your healthy habits. With these creative and nutritious twists, you can have your cake and eat it too! So, call up your friends, grab your ingredients, and start your sweet journey into the world of ‘Delightful Desserts Made Healthy’.
