30 Healthy Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes (Gluten-Free Recipes)
Introduction
Thanksgiving is a time to gather and indulge, but that doesn’t mean you have to set aside your health goals or dietary needs. With these 30 Healthy Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes, all gluten-free, you can treat everyone to festive flavors while staying mindful of nutrition. Whether you’re accommodating celiac guests, aiming to cut back on processed ingredients, or simply seeking some lighter sweet treats, this collection offers something for every palate.
Why These Gluten-Free Desserts Are a Thanksgiving Game Changer
Gluten-free baking has come a long way, and these desserts prove it. Each recipe focuses on wholesome alternatives and natural sweeteners, retaining all the classic warmth and taste of Thanksgiving without the gluten or extra sugar. They’re easy to prepare, crowd-pleasing, and just as tempting as traditional options—perfect for hosts who want everyone to feel included at the dessert table.
Preparing Flavors Everyone Will Love
From pumpkin to apple, cranberry to pecan, this lineup covers all your favorite Thanksgiving flavors, but lightens them up with creative swaps like almond or oat flour, honey, or coconut sugar. Many recipes also incorporate nutrient-rich ingredients such as sweet potatoes, nuts, and dark chocolate. Tip: For best texture, allow baked goods to cool completely before serving, as gluten-free treats benefit from a little extra set time.
Recipe Highlights in This Collection
Expect a mouthwatering variety:
- Pumpkin Pie Bars (almond flour crust, light maple syrup sweetness)
- Dark Chocolate Avocado Mousse (dairy-optional, naturally gluten-free)
- Spiced Apple Crisp (rolled oats and almond flour for crunchy, toasty topping)
- Pecan Pie Energy Bites (dates, pecans, a touch of cinnamon)
- Cranberry Orange Sorbet (refreshing and palate-cleansing)
- Almond Butter Blondies (no flours—just nutty goodness!)
- Dairy-Free Sweet Potato Cheesecake (coconut-based, delightfully tangy)
- Classic Pumpkin Custard (silky and simple, minus the crust)
Serve Up a Festive Dessert Platter
For Thanksgiving, why not create a dessert sampler platter? Offer bite-sized portions of bars, truffles, and crisps for guests to mix and match. A platter ensures everyone, gluten-free or not, gets to try an array of seasonal favorites without overindulging.
Nutritional Information and Portion Control
These recipes are designed to offer balance. Many use reduced sugar and heart-healthy fats. Expect most single-serving treats to range from 80 to 250 calories—ideal for savoring sweetness without excess.
30 Healthy Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes (Gluten-Free) Recap
From creamy pies to no-bake bites and fruity crisps, these recipes let you enjoy classic Thanksgiving desserts in a wholesome, inclusive way. Their gluten-free nature ensures all your guests can join in on dessert, and each option is as satisfying as it is nutritious.
Ingredients
💡 Meal Planning Tip: Save all these healthy dessert recipes to create a custom Thanksgiving menu and instantly generate a shopping list sorted by grocery aisle—making prep stress-free and organized.
Instructions
- Choose your favorite recipes from the list above based on flavor and prep preferences.
- Read through each recipe before shopping to ensure you have all special ingredients or substitutions prepared.
- Combine dry ingredients according to each recipe. Mix in wet ingredients until smooth and just combined.
- Bake, chill, or freeze as directed—most gluten-free recipes do best when cooled completely before serving.
- For no-bake options, form energy bites or spoon mousse into individual cups and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Plate desserts on a festive platter, garnishing with citrus zest, extra spices, or a light drizzle of maple syrup as desired.
Weekly Meal Planning
Whether you’re planning for Friendsgiving or want to prep desserts ahead, these treats keep well and can easily be portioned in advance. Save and schedule multiple recipes to your weekly meal plan on CookifyAI—track ingredients across all planned meals, organize shopping, and ensure you have enough for every dish.
Planning Benefits:
- Automatic total ingredient calculations for multiple recipes
- Organized shopping lists by grocery section
- Prevents duplicate or missed ingredients
- Streamlines your weekly prep and minimizes food waste
Pro tip: When you add all your desserts and main courses, CookifyAI consolidates all shared items, so you don’t overbuy and your Thanksgiving week runs smoothly.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 10–20 minutes per recipe
Cook Time: 20–45 minutes per recipe (bake or chill as needed)
Total Time: 30–60 minutes per dessert (many can be made ahead for convenience)
Ready to make your Thanksgiving sweet, healthy, and inclusive? These 30 gluten-free dessert recipes ensure everyone gets a taste of the holiday—without any stress in the kitchen.
