Gluten-free baking can seem intimidating, but with a few ingredient swaps and tricks, you can make delicious desserts that don’t compromise on taste or texture.
In this roundup, I’m sharing 30 of my favorite gluten-free dessert recipes perfect for any occasion. You’ll find everything from cookies and brownies to ice cream and pies.
Many are naturally gluten-free or have simple substitutions to make them gluten-free. I also included dairy-free and vegan options for those with multiple food sensitivities.
1. Microwave Baked Apples
Baked apples make a warm, sweet treat that’s perfect for breakfast served over morning oats or vanilla ice cream.
The microwave method takes just 2-4 minutes for soft, tender apples bursting with flavor. For added texture, broil the apples for a couple of minutes after microwaving.
Cinnamon sugar, raisins, chocolate chips, and nut butter all make tasty fillings.
2. Salted Tahini Caramel Millionaire Bars
Getting that rich caramel flavor without dairy can be tricky, but these genius millionaire bars use maple syrup in the base for a creamy, melty caramel that perfectly complements the chocolate shortbread crust.
They aren’t overly sweet, making them even more addicting. The bars are also nut-free by using gluten-free oat flour, but you can adjust quantities if needed.
3. Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Chocolate-covered strawberries are a dessert staple for their fabulous appearance and crowd-pleasing taste.
The juicy berries dipped in velvety chocolate make elegant yet approachable treats for any gathering.
Use high-quality chocolate and allow it to fully set for the best presentation and texture.
4. 3-Ingredient Chocolate Almond Clusters
Sometimes dessert doesn’t need to be a massive layered cake. These small clusters packed with chocolate and almond are the perfect after-dinner bite.
Adding a touch of sea salt balances the sweetness. Keep a batch in the fridge for instant chocolate cravings.
5. Easy No-Churn Homemade Ice Cream
Treat your gluten-free friends to homemade ice cream made with love. All it takes is whipping cream, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract.
Such a fun blank slate for flavors. Try salted caramel swirl, rocky road with fudge ripple, raspberry sorbet, white chocolate, mocha chip, mango passion fruit swirl – anything goes!
6. Chocolate Cornstarch Pudding
Chocolate pudding doesn’t have to be just for kids. Dress up this quick and easy homemade pudding like a restaurant-style dessert.
Fold in whipped cream for a lighter finish. Layer it in glasses with fresh berries and toasted coconut. Comforting, chocolatey, and smooth.
7. 5-Ingredient Chewy Coconut Macaroons
This classic Passover dessert crosses cultural boundaries for its simplicity and delicious coconut flavor.
After whipping the egg whites to stiff peaks, gently fold in the coconut, sugar, salt and vanilla, breaking up any large clumps.
Use a silicone baking mat or parchment paper on baking sheets. Scooping the sticky mixture with a spoon or ice cream scooper onto chocolate wafers makes for easy removal after baking.
8. Vegan Flan
Flan is a custard naturally gluten-free, but traditional recipes use eggs and dairy.
Enter this 5-ingredient vegan flan using full-fat coconut milk, maple syrup, cornstarch, and agar-agar as an egg substitute.
The texture is spot on! Start with the classic vanilla and milk pairing, then branch out to new flavors.
9. Almond Flour Blondies
These blondies are perfectly chewy and fudgy with white chocolate morsels and buttery pecans.
The almond flour makes them naturally gluten-free. Go dairy-free by using coconut oil in place of butter.
Be sure to use solid coconut oil and “cream” it with sugar for the signature chewy texture. There are great vegan white chocolate alternatives too!
10. Lemon Almond Flour Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread is a simple classic, delivering that signature crumbly, richly-flavored, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Crisp edges with a tender center is the goal. Since traditional shortbread uses wheat flour, substitutecup for cup with almond meal while keeping the same bake time and method.
A touch of lemon brightens up this gluten-free shortbread.
11. Tiger Butter Fudge
I adore the swirled effect of tiger butter fudge. It’s straightforward to recreate the two-toned fudge at home by pouring melted white chocolate then spoon dolloping peanut butter fudge on top.
Run a knife through to swirl and marble. Cool completely before cutting for defined lines.
12. Nourishing Almond Flour Banana Bread
Ripe bananas are asking to be turned into this nourishing gluten-free banana bread. The almond flour has a pleasant, nutty flavor.
I added protein-packed flax seeds for extra nutritional value. Enjoy a slice with your morning coffee or as an energy-boosting snack.
13. Neapolitan Parfaits {Gluten-free}
Neapolitan ice cream always makes me think of summer. For a gluten-free spin, build parfaits with layers of homemade whipped cream, vanilla yogurt, and crumbled chocolate muffins.
Use any gluten-free chocolate cake or brownies you have leftover too. Top it off with fresh diced strawberries and you have an edible work of art!
14. Easy Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake
This is the moistest, lightest, and super rich chocolate cake that just happens to be gluten-free. Gluten provides structure, so substitutions are needed.
I use homemade flour blends with xanthan gum. Bob’s Red Mill makes a great gluten-free all-purpose baking flour with xanthan gum added already – it’s a lifesaver for fluffy cakes.
15. Almond Flour Snickerdoodles
I love trying new cookie recipes, and these snickerdoodles have become a fast favorite. The cookies are a one-bowl wonder, only requiring pantry staples like cream of tartar, baking soda, butter, sugar, and cinnamon-sugar coating.
They bake up tender on the inside with crackly edges and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
The versatile dough takes nicely to mix-ins like mini chocolate chips, chopped pecans, orange zest, and dried cranberries. Yum!
16. Panna Cotta
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As a huge fan of creamy, smooth desserts, panna cotta is one of my favorites. The taste is clean and not overly sweet.
Boil cream with sugar and gelatin, then pour into molds and refrigerate until set. Experiment with new flavors once you perfect the classic vanilla.
Try a salted caramel drizzle, lemon blueberry compote, mango passionfruit puree, or raspberry sauce. Fancy yet easy.
17. No-Bake Cookies
Let’s be honest – no-bake cookies are not light and fluffy. They’re thick, rich, and chewy with an intense chocolate and peanut butter flavor.
Double check your oats are certified gluten-free, since oats naturally contain avenin, a form of gluten protein.
Some countries don’t consider oats legally “gluten-free.” These cookies are worth finding compliant oats!
18. Microwave Peanut Brittle
Peanut brittle takes sugar to the hard crack stage, around 300°F. This microwave method is super quick and requires thick oven mitts to handle the hot bowl when done.
Be extremely careful when adding the baking soda, as the mixture bubbles rapidly.
Let cool completely before breaking into pieces. Wrap up brittle squares as gifts for homemade candy your gluten-free friends can safely enjoy.
19. 3-Ingredient Mounds Bar Recipe
Mounds candy bars have such a distinct texture from the coconut. If you’re someone who doesn’t love the shredded coconut texture, these bars are not for you!
Otherwise, they’re delicious and simple to make at home. For bite-size portions, use ice cube trays. Let set, then add a toothpick to each for easy dipping and decorating.
20. Easy Gluten-Free Fruit Cobbler Recipe
Nothing says comfort food like a tender, sweet fruit cobbler. The topping can be a crumble style with flour, sugar, egg and butter or a biscuit-like pastry.
For a truly gluten-free cobbler, use almond meal or the shortbread recipe above for the topping.
Any summer fruit works wonderfully baked under a golden crispy cobbler topping.
21. Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge
A staple candy to have on hand, this microwave peanut butter fudge takes 5 minutes and impresses everyone. Mix peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and an optional pinch of salt if you want.
Microwave in bursts until thick and smooth. Pour into a pan, chill until set, and cut into squares. Wrap them up in wax paper as gifts for family and gluten-free friends.
22. Vegan Almond Flour Brownies
This recipe produces fudgy, drool-worthy gluten-free brownies that also happen to be vegan. For best results, use Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer.
You can also swap 2 tablespoons of flax seed meal whisked with warm water for each egg, or 1 whole mashed banana per egg.
The brownies are so decadent and chocolatey, no one will guess they’re vegan and gluten-free!
23. Bananas Foster For One
Bananas Foster is a classic dessert of caramelized bananas in an irresistible butter rum caramel sauce, often served over vanilla ice cream.
While traditionally made tableside, you can easily make a single portion at home. Sauté banana halves in butter, brown sugar, and a splash of rum until caramelized.
Enjoy spooned-over pancakes, pound cake, or a scoop of homemade gluten-free ice cream.
24. Gluten-Free Strawberry Cream Cheese Trifle
A show-stopping trifle needs layers, and this gluten-free stunner alternates freshly diced strawberries, vanilla pudding or whipped cream, and chunks of angel food cake.
Feel free to switch up the layers, doing chocolate cake with chocolate pudding and chocolate ganache. Just make sure at least one component is brightly colored!
25. Brown Sugar Grilled Peaches
For a lighter dessert option that’s still decadent, try grilling peaches. The high heat caramelizes the natural sugars and intensifies the juicy flavor.
Halve and pit ripe peaches, brush with melted butter, then grill cut-side down until charred. Flip and sprinkle with brown sugar. Grill 30 more seconds.
The brown sugar will melt and caramelize. Serve with frozen yogurt or lightweight whipped cream.
26. Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
Since peanut butter cups aren’t readily available in certain countries, I make them myself! Use silicone molds to form the cups.
Spoon chocolate ganache into the cups, then peanut butter flavored with whatever you like – I love salted caramel swirls.
Top with more chocolate to fully enclose. Chill until set. Customize to your heart’s content for an addicting, homemade treat.
27. Disney Dole Whip Recipe
This pineapple soft serve is the stuff of legends. Dole Whip is a must for Disney park visits, with its bright, creamy texture and tropical fruit flavor.
Recreate the magic at home by blending vanilla ice cream, pineapple juice, and frozen pineapple chunks.
A high-powered blender helps create a light, smooth consistency akin to a soft serve. Add rum for the adult-inspired Lapu Lapu version.
29. Blueberry Almond Crisp
When blueberries are cooked down into filling, the burst berries create a stunning purple and blue marbled effect.
The almond crisp topping adds a nutty crunch and golden brown color. Naturally sweetened with vanilla and lemon, the fruit filling needs little else.
Use certified gluten-free old-fashioned oats or almond meal for the topping if you’re very sensitive.
30. Eagle Brand Fudge
This simple 3-ingredient fudge is a tried and true classic. For those avoiding nuts, it’s the perfect solution.
Simply mix a can of Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk with chocolate chips and a splash of vanilla.
Chill until firm, then cut into squares. Jazz it up with toppings like chopped nuts, crushed candy canes, Reese’s Pieces, freeze-dried fruit, or flaky sea salt.
