17 Low-Sugar Desserts That Will Still Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Cherry-Almond Half Moons
Photo: Brie Passano

Staying healthy doesn't have to mean skipping out on sweets. These low-sugar desserts will allow you to enjoy all your favorites—chocolate chip cookies, cheesecake, pie, and more—all for 10 grams of sugar or less per serving. Whether it's a reduced amount or made with naturally sweet ingredients, these healthy low-sugar desserts taste indulgent without the high sugar count.

01 of 17

Easy Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Easy Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
Carson Downing

Grams of sugar: 8

A low-sugar dessert that also happens to be gluten-free? Absolutely! The 3-ingredient recipe only requires peanut butter, sugar, and an egg for freshly-baked cookies that taste just like the classic you know and love.

02 of 17

Fudgy Black Bean Brownies

Fudgy Black Bean Brownies cut into circles on white plates
Brie Passano

Grams of Sugar: 7

Beans in brownies? Stick with us here. Blending black beans with applesauce and chopped chocolate leaves any trace of bean flavor behind. The result is a healthy low-sugar dessert that tastes rich and fudgy while providing an added fiber boost.

03 of 17

Key Lime Mason Jar Cheesecakes

Key Lime Mason Jar Cheesecakes in mini jars with lime slices
Jason Donnelly

Grams of Sugar: 8

The secret to our tangy low-sugar dessert filling? Reduced-fat cream cheese, key lime juice (plus zest!), and frozen whipped topping. Pour the ultra-smooth fluff over our easy graham cracker crust, then garnish with key lime slices for lip-puckering appeal. Make the mini desserts in jars to tote to picnics.

Buy It: Ball Canning Jars ($12, Target)

04 of 17

Reduced-Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies

Reduced-Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies
Jason Donnelly

Grams of Sugar: 5

Are you ever going to pass up a chocolate chip cookie? Probably not. Our Test Kitchen slightly tweaked our classic recipe to only call for ½ cup of sugar versus the usual 1½ cups. It's still sweet and satisfying without the sugar rush.

05 of 17

Cherry-Almond Half-Moons

Cherry-Almond Half Moons
Brie Passano

Grams of Sugar: 5

These adorable treats achieve just the right amount of sweetness due to a filling of cherry preserves. You won't be able to get over the flaky cookie exterior made with cream cheese and butter.

06 of 17

Banana Ice Cream

Banana Ice Cream
Blaine Moats

Grams of Sugar: 10

A creamy, easy low-sugar dessert is just a blender and three ingredients away. Ripe bananas, coconut milk, and vanilla combine for a low-sugar frozen treat.

Buy It: Ninja Power Blender ($200, Target)

07 of 17

Dessert Pizza with Banana Ice Cream

Dessert Pizza with Banana Ice Cream
Blaine Moats

Grams of Sugar: 9

Take that banana ice cream and smother it over a cocoa-cereal crust. Top with your favorite fruits for a stunning low-sugar dessert pizza. It's definitely going to disappear before it melts.

08 of 17

Clementine Spritz

Clementine Spritz cookies dipped in chocolate on white background
Brie Passano

Grams of Sugar: 1

Clementines provide a nice citrusy flavor to this low-sugar dessert recipe. Dipping just a portion of the cookies in dark chocolate allows for decadent flavor while keeping the sugar grams down. Spritz cookies are usually made with a cookie press, but you can also roll out the dough and cut them into shapes.

Buy It: OXO Cookie Press ($34, Bed Bath & Beyond)

09 of 17

Apple-Maple Snack Cake

Apple-Maple Snack Cake
Andy Lyons

Grams of Sugar: 9

Instead of a blondie, try this spiced low-sugar dessert that boasts apple chunks and sliced almonds. With only a handful of pantry ingredients added to the mix, you'll have this apple dessert baking in just 15 minutes. It's an easy low-sugar dessert when you're craving a fall treat and don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

10 of 17

Strawberry-Banana Donuts

Strawberry-Banana Donuts
Andy Lyons

Grams of Sugar: 9

Yes, we include donuts in a collection of low-sugar dessert recipes. The sweetness comes from fruit and low-fat yogurt, which keeps the sugar to a minimum. Baking instead of frying reins in calories and fat.

11 of 17

Pineapple, Mint, and Coconut Water Pops

Pineapple, Mint, and Coconut Water Pops
Jason Donnelly

Grams of Sugar: 8

These frozen pops are perfect for when you're in the mood for something sweet but refreshing. Fresh pineapple (this is key, as the canned versions have added sugars) and mint leaves give the treats their flavor.

Buy It: Silicone Ice Pop Molds ($9, Walmart)

12 of 17

Mocha Cream Shake

Mocha Cream Shake
Jason Donnelly

Grams of Sugar: 1

Coffee and chocolate go together like peanut butter and jelly. Enjoy the unbeatable combo shake style by blending with frozen yogurt for a healthy, low-sugar dessert. Grated dark chocolate makes an indulgent garnish.

13 of 17

Cornmeal Sandies

Cornmeal Sandies
Alison Miksch

Grams of Sugar: 3

Sweet and snappy, these crisp cornmeal cookies have just enough zip, thanks to equal parts orange and lemon peel. Roll them in sugar for a shimmery finish, or skip the shimmer to reduce the grams of sugar even more.

14 of 17

Peach Air-Fryer Hand Pies

Peach Air-Fryer Hand Pies
Caitlin Bensel

Grams of Sugar: 10

Grab a refrigerated pie crust and a few peaches on your next grocery run to make this low-sugar dessert recipe. The best part about these portable pies is that you don't have to turn on the oven, as they're cooked to perfection using your air fryer.

Buy It: Chefman Air Fryer ($37, Target)

15 of 17

Pressnitz (Walnut Crescents)

Pressnitz Walnut Crescents
Blaine Moats

Grams of Sugar: 5

Inspired by the bakeries of Italy, these little golden crescents are baked with creamy ricotta and then stuffed with walnuts, dreamy orange marmalade, and fresh citrus peel. The low-sugar dessert pairs nicely with a cup of tea.

16 of 17

Easy Spiced Pastries

Easy Spiced Pastries
Kritsada Panichgul

Grams of Sugar: 1

Packaged pie crust, butter, brown sugar, and pumpkin spice make up these irresistible low-sugar desserts. Use a pizza cutter to cut the dressed-up dough into perfect little squares.

17 of 17

Low-Sugar Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins

Low-Sugar Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins in paper cups on cooling rack
Brie Passano

Grams of Sugar: 7

Unsweetened applesauce, mini chocolate chips, and just a couple of tablespoons of brown sugar are all it takes to sweeten this low-sugar dessert. Shredded zucchini in the batter keeps the muffins moist while also boosting your fiber intake. It'll make a perfect breakfast or after-dinner sweet.

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