12 Healthy Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

Celebrate the holiday season with Healthy Thanksgiving Desserts everyone will love!

This collection features a dozen of my favorite lightened-up and naturally sweetened treats that make holiday dessert spreads both delicious and nutritious.

A collage of Thanksgiving desserts. Text overlay saying: healthy Thanksgiving desserts.

Over the years, as a recipe developer with a background in holistic nutrition, I’ve learned that enjoying desserts at the Thanksgiving table doesn’t have to come with a sugar crash – and this collection of healthy holiday dessert recipes proves it’s possible to have your cake and eat it too!

These recipes find that sweet spot between wholesome and indulgent, ensuring the classics we all know and love are a little lighter and more nutrient-dense – no overly processed ingredients or refined sugars needed.

Plus, many of these recipes are naturally gluten-free and/or dairy-free, and most can be easily adapted.

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What Makes a Dessert “Healthy”

Before we dig into the recipes, I’d like to emphasize that making a dessert healthier isn’t about taking away the good stuff – it’s about making smart ingredient swaps that taste as good as they make you feel.

Here’s what I focus on:

Real Ingredients First – Whole, minimally processed ingredients bring more flavor and better texture to desserts. Think oats, nuts, real fruit, and lots of warm spices.
Naturally Sweetened – Using ingredients like maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar adds sweetness without overpowering the dessert (or your blood sugar).
Fits a Variety of Dietary Preferences – These recipes are designed to be inclusive without compromising taste or texture, whether looking for gluten-free, dairy-free (vegan), or high-protein options.

My Favorite Healthy Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

I like preparing a few healthier desserts on Thanksgiving to ensure the grand finale of our feast ends on a festive, feel-good note. Here are my top picks:

Cottage cheese chocolate mousse in glass dessert bowls garnished with whipped cream, raspberries, blueberries, and mint leaves.

3-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse

✅ Gluten-Free ✅ High-Protein ✅ Low-Carb ✅ No Added Sweetener

This 3-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse is a dream come true for chocolate lovers who want a health-conscious Thanksgiving dessert that feels indulgent. Cottage cheese provides a luscious, creamy base, while dark chocolate adds deep flavor and antioxidants. The addition of whipping cream gives it a velvety texture –no eggs or gelatin needed. Low-carb, high-protein, and surprisingly simple, this recipe delivers a sweet treat with staying power. Plus, it’s totally customizable with toppings like berries, nuts, and more!

Check out this recipe!

Apple Cake

✅ Made with Whole Grains ✅ Dairy-Free Friendly ✅ Naturally Sweetened

Made with spelt flour for a soft, wholesome crumb and delicately sweetened with maple syrup and juicy raisins, this healthy apple cake feels both nostalgic and nourishing. The cinnamon-spiced aroma that fills the kitchen is one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving baking. There’s truly no better way to wind down after dinner than with a warm slice and a cup of coffee or tea.

Check out this recipe!

Healthy apple crisp in a glass baking dish standing on a tea towel.

Apple Crisp without Flour

✅ Gluten-Free ✅ Dairy-Free ✅ Vegan ✅ Naturally Sweetened

Celebrate fall with a lightened-up version of classic apple crisp! Instead of using all-purpose flour, the perfectly crisp, golden oat streusel topping is made with gluten-free oats and almond flour, delivering a warm, nutty flavor that complements the tender, cinnamon-spiced apples perfectly. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of coconut whipped cream for an extra decadent dessert without the heaviness.

Check out this recipe!

Baked Apples with Ricotta Cheese

✅ Gluten-Free ✅ Naturally Sweetened ✅ High-Protein

These baked apples with ricotta cheese are the kind of easy yet elegant dessert that looks fancy but is totally fuss-free. Tender, juicy baked apples are filled with warming spices and honey-sweetened ricotta cheese for the perfect balance of cozy and creamy. Serve them fresh out of the oven for a simple Thanksgiving dessert that feels special.

Check out this recipe!

Cottage Cheese Mousse

✅ Gluten-Free ✅ Naturally Sweetened ✅ High-Protein

This smooth, velvety cottage cheese mousse features dreamy homemade mousse layered into a lighter Thanksgiving dessert that is actually high in protein. The base is simple: blended cottage cheese, a touch of maple syrup, and vanilla, lightened with fluffy whipped cream and gently set with a bit of gelatin. I couldn’t decide between vanilla and chocolate, so I went with both, giving you the best of both worlds in every sweet and creamy spoonful.

Check out this recipe!

Close up shot of baked persimmons on a baking dish.

Easy Baked Persimmons

✅ Gluten-Free ✅ Dairy-Free ✅ Vegan ✅ Natually Sweetened

Since persimmons are in season during the fall and early winter, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to bake up a batch. These super simple baked persimmons are lightly spiced with warm winter spices, then roasted until caramelized and golden, resulting in a stunning dessert that quietly steals the show. I love serving them on their own, but they’re also delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or as a topping for yogurt or oatmeal.

Check out this recipe!

Fall and Winter Baked Fruit

✅ Gluten-Free ✅ Dairy-Free ✅ Vegan ✅ No Added Sweeteners

This fiber-packed fall and winter baked fruit recipe is one of those cozy desserts that makes the whole house smell like cinnamon. It’s made with a colorful mix of seasonal fruit like apples, pears, cranberries, and persimmons, gently sweetened with raisins and warming spices. The natural sweetness from the fruit does all the work here, making it a delicious Thanksgiving dessert –no added sugar needed. Leftovers are amazing spooned over pancakes or waffles, or paired with Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or a sprinkle of nuts for a nourishing snack.

Check out this recipe!

Fall and Winter Fruit Salad

✅ Gluten-Free ✅ Dairy-Free ✅ Vegan ✅ No Added Sweeteners

This gorgeous fall and winter fruit salad is loaded with a colorful variety of naturally juicy, sweet seasonal fruits, all tossed in a simple citrus-poppyseed dressing –no added sweeteners required. The vibrant colors and fresh flavors make it a light and refreshing dessert for any festive gathering. You can even customize it with your favorite fruits to make it your own.

Check out this recipe!

Healthy peach crisp in a round baking dish.

Peach Crisp Recipe

✅ Gluten-Free ✅ Dairy-Free ✅ Vegan ✅ Naturally Sweetened

Thanksgiving may not be peak peach season. However, this healthy peach crisp recipe is just as delicious with frozen peaches. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup, the filling bakes up juicy and sweet, while the oat and almond crumble on top turns golden and crisp despite no flour or cornstarch in the recipe. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or enjoy it chilled for breakfast the next day (if there’s any left!).

Check out this recipe!

Four dessert bowls with mango mousse garnished with whipped cream, mongo slices and fresh mint.

Mango Mousse Recipe

✅ Gluten-Free ✅ Naturally Sweetneed

Mangoes aren’t quite seasonal, but trust me when I say that this refreshing Mango Mousse really hits the spot after a heavy Thanksgiving dinner. Silky mango puree is gently sweetened with maple syrup and folded into freshly whipped cream, creating an airy, melt-in-your-mouth experience. You can stabilize it with or without gelatin, so it holds perfectly every time. I like to serve this mousse in individual coconut crusts, but that’s totally optional. Either way, it’s a dessert that feels indulgent, yet is light enough to enjoy even after a big Thanksgiving feast.

Check out this recipe!

Pear Cranberry Crisp

✅ Gluten-Free ✅ Dairy-Free ✅ Vegan ✅ Naturally Sweetened

This pear cranberry crisp is made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen and two fruits that shine during the colder months: juicy, overripe pears and tart cranberries that get baked until bubbly, then topped with a golden oat and almond crumble that’s naturally sweetened with maple syrup. Thanks to the fruit’s natural sweetness, you don’t need a ton of added sugar to make it taste like a decadent dessert, making it the perfect healthy dessert for the holidays (or honestly, any cozy night in).

Check out this recipe!

Roasted Pineapple

✅ Gluten-Free ✅ Dairy-Free ✅ Naturally Sweetneed

Pineapple isn’t just delicious, it’s naturally rich in nutrients, which adds a little boost to your holiday dessert table. This roasted pineapple recipe delivers a batch of fresh pineapple chunks coated in a honey cinnamon glaze, then baked until golden and caramelized. It’s a simple dessert that tastes way more decadent than it actually is. Not to mention, it pairs just as well with ice cream as it does with the savory turkey or ham during the main event.

Check out this recipe!

Final Tips for Building a Healthier Dessert Spread

Before we part ways, here are my top tips for building a healthier holiday dessert table that everyone will love:

Focus on balance – Include a mix of naturally sweetened treats, fruit-forward desserts, and lighter versions of classics. This way, guests can indulge after dinner without overdoing it.
Natural sugar alternatives – Swap refined sugar for natural sweeteners like real fruit, maple syrup, and honey. These not only add sweetness but also contribute subtle depth and flavor to desserts.
Simple ingredient swaps – Experiment using Greek yogurt or cottage cheese for creaminess, avocado or nut butters for healthy fats, and unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana for moisture in your baked goods.
Whole food essentials – Keep staples like oats, spices, extracts, dried fruit, nuts, and seeds on hand for all your healthy baking needs. Flours like spelt, coconut, almond, or oat flour are perfect swaps in whole-grain or gluten-free Thanksgiving desserts.
Focus on healthy fats – Use coconut oil, butter, olive oil, nut butters, or avocado instead of shortening to give your baked goods a tender, moist texture and subtle richness.

These strategies aren’t just for the recipes here –they’re tools you can use to reimagine any classic holiday dessert (pies, cakes, cookies, you name it!) into treats you can feel great about sharing (and enjoying!).

FAQs

Yes! Many of these desserts can be made a day or two in advance. In fact, baked fruit desserts, crisps, and mousses often taste even better after the flavors have melded. Just store them in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat gently if needed.

The key is using naturally moist ingredients with a touch of healthy fat like cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, nut butters, coconut oil, or avocado. Natural sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar can also help retain moisture.

More Thanksgiving Inspiration

Check out these savory Thanksgiving Recipes for ideas that pair perfectly with your dessert lineup and make your Thanksgiving meal feel complete:

Meet Maria

Maria Ushakova is a holistic nutritionist and food blogger. She focuses on developing easy recipes using real food ingredients. She believes that healthy food is delicious and anyone can learn how to cook it. Maria’s work has appeared on numerous popular websites as well as in print.