If you’ve ever felt stuck coming up with healthy vegan desserts for kids, that are free of refined sugar, then this article is for you.
I personally find it especially frustrating when I come across what I believe to be a “sugar-free dessert recipes” only to click on it and discover that the sugar has simply been swapped for maple syrup, coconut sugar or agave syrup.
While these other sweeteners may contain slightly more nutrients than white sugar, they’re still considered refined. And if you’ve read my article about introducing babies to sugar, you’ll know that the reasons to limit refined sugar for kids are plentiful.
That’s why in this article, I thought I’d share a roundup of 20 vegan dessert ideas that are completely free of refined sugars. As a bonus, they’re easy to make and make for a great treat for kids and adults alike.
1-7. Fruit desserts for kids
Fruit are often considered “nature’s dessert” because they’re naturally sweet. They’re also richer in fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial compounds than refined sugar, and thus definitely worth incorporating into your deserts.
Here are a few creative ways to turn fruit into delicious vegan desserts:
- Fruit roll-ups: This recipe can be made using any of your favorite fruits. I typically skip the sweetener, but if you prefer a slightly sweeter flavor, simply replace the maple syrup with dates.
- Banana sushi: You can make these banana sushis using the nut butter of your choice. Another option is to skip the chocolate all-together, and simply roll your peanut butter-covered banana in ground nuts or seeds instead.
- Lime-coated grilled pineapple: This one is a family favorite during BBQ season. I typically skip the agave nectar, add a sprinkle of shredded coconut or serve the grilled pineapple with a dollop of coconut yogurt.
- Grilled peaches: Here’s another fruit recipe to make on the grill. If short on time, simply substitute the whipped coconut milk for the plant-based yogurt of your choice. I’d personally skip the maple syrup and add a sprinkle of ground walnuts.
- Cinnamon oat crisp-stuffed baked apples or baked pears: I especially love baked apples or pears in the fall. I skip the sugar or replace it with chopped dried fruit. Top with the plant-based yogurt of your choice.
- Banana and oatmeal mug cake: One of the easiest and definitely quickest ways to make a cake without ever turning your oven on!
- Apple crumble: I absolutely love apple crumbles (or any other fruit crumbles for that matter). This one is vegan, free of refined sugars and gluten-free.
IN SUM — Fruit are naturally sweet and a nutrient-rich way to sweeten up vegan desserts for kids.
8-11. Frozen desserts for kids
Frozen desserts are one of my family favorites, especially in the spring and summer time. Here are a few refined sugar-free frozen desserts, perfect to share with your child.
- Chocolate-covered kiwi popsicles: I’d top these kiwi popsicles with puffed quinoa, ground walnuts or unsweetened shredded coconut. You can also swap the chocolate topping with the plant-based yogurt of your choice.
- Fruit popsicles: Fruit and vegetable popsicles are delicious and can be made in a variety of ways. Plus, since ripe fruit are naturally sweet, you can often skip the sweetener. If you prefer a sweeter flavor, simply swap it out for dates instead.
- Watermelon shaved ice: Interesting alternative to the refined sugar- and artificial color-laden snowcones of our youth. Feel free to replace the lemon and orange paste recommended in this recipe by lemon juice and orange zest.
- Banana nice cream: This delicious, whole-food, vegan alternative to ice cream can be made in minutes, and in various different ways. The riper your bananas, the sweeter the result.
IN SUM — These vegan desserts are a great alternative to sugar-laden frozen desserts. They’re satisfying for both adults and children alike.
12-16. No-bake vegan desserts and mousses
- No bake peanut butter cookies: In true Dutch fashion, my little one is obsessed with peanut butter. Hence, these cookies are a sure hit in our household. They require only 3 ingredients and are ultra easy to make.
- Raw hempseed brownies: These decadent brownies require no baking. Simply blend the ingredients together, place in a brownie mold, and allow to firm in your freezer for a couple of hours.
- Vegan chocolate mousse: Here’s an easy-to-make recipe that’s very likely to fulfills any craving for chocolate. I prefer to skip the stevia and sweeten this mousse with dates instead.
- Chocolate spinach avocado mousse: This chocolate mousse version incorporates both avocados and spinach into it. Simply replace the refined date syrup with whole dates to make it free of refined sugars.
- Vegan pumpkin mousse: This is an interesting way to incorporate squash in your desserts. Simply switch out the maple syrup for raisins or dates, and sweeten to taste.
IN SUM — These no bake desserts are my go-to for when I want to get a quick and delicious vegan dessert on the table without having to turn my oven on.
17-20. Vegan desserts for kids made with 5-ingredients or less
- Homemade vegan dark chocolate turtles: This nutrient-rich take on the popular candy makes for an awesome dessert to bring to birthday parties. It’s quick to make and sure to satisfy a sweet tooth.
- No bake cashew and tahini bars: This recipe is perfect for kids who love tahini. It’s super easy to make and perfect as a party or lunchbox treat.
- Berry crumble: This recipe will put your air fryer to good use. Follow it to make a berry crumble using only 5 ingredients and in only 20 minutes. What a feat!
- Apricot Energy Bites: These apricot energy bites take less than 10 minutes to make. Make them with the dried fruit and nut combination of your choice and roll them in your favorite toppings. Perfect both as a dessert or snack.
IN SUM — The recipes above are proof that vegan desserts don’t have to require tons of ingredients nor tons of time.
To sum it all up
Healthy vegan desserts for kids that are free of refined sugars aren’t the easiest to come by. But they do exist.
The collection of recipes above are a few of my favorite healthy vegan desserts for kids. And as a bonus, they satisfy my (adult) sweet tooth too!
What are your favorite, easy-to-make, vegan desserts? I’m always on the lookout for new ideas so I encourage you to share your family’s go-to recipes below, so that I can give them a try.