Dessert doesn't have to be a bad word for those with diabetes. As long as you steer clear of treats with OTT sugar and carb contents, dessertscan be part of a healthy eating regimen. From low-sugar cookies and frozen yogurtbites to cheesecake fat bombs and pudding, get your fix with these diabetic dessert recipes that keep the carb count tight and right while still satisfying your sweet tooth with limited sugar.
Diabetes-Friendly Desserts We Love
Brit + Co
Image via Munching With Mariyah
Coconut Matcha Energy Bites
Energy bites are so good we had to include them twice! This version serves up a healthy doses of coconut and matcha for a dessert your body will thank you for.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 6 grams
The Real Food Dieticians
Paleo Pumpkin Pie Bars
If you're looking for a pumpkin pie dessert, these dairy-free, low-carb bars with a coconut butter glaze do the trick.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 9 grams
Vikalinka
Chocolate Madeleines
These French-inspired sponge cakes, made in a shell shape, are the perfect little cake treats on Christmas day.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 11 grams
Image via Brit + Co
Keto Matcha Cheesecake
With a time-saving gadget like the Instant Pot, life as a low-carb dieter gets much easier. One of our favorite recipes from the book The Essential Instant Pot Keto Cookbook($15) by Casey Thaler, is this silky, antioxidant-rich matcha cheesecake. Sprinkle diabetic-friendly toppings (like nuts, ground cinnamon, or sugar-free sprinkles) to add even more flavor.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 4.6 grams
Vanilla and Bean
Cocoa Nibby Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Chock full of pecans and cocoa nibs, these shortbread cookies are buttery and crunchy and relatively low in carbs.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 7 grams
Image via I Heart Naptime
Frozen Berry Yogurt Bites
Seriously, how can you resist a medley of sweet and tart fruit surrounded by dreamy (and creamy) yogurt? We recommend using sugar-free yogurt or good ol' plain yogurt without any additions to the two-ingredient recipe.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 5.2 grams (with low-carb substitutions)
Image via Baker by Nature
Greek Yogurt Chocolate Fudge Pops
Chocolate and yogurt come together for a healthified Fudgsicle. Instead of the semi-sweet chocolate chips as called for in the recipe, use sugar-free chocolate or 100 percent cacao baking chocolate to minimize carbs. And opt for a sugar-free or plain yogurt and unsweetened almond milk to lessen that overall carb count.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 14 grams (with low-carb substitutions)
Vanilla and Bean
Mini Tea Cakes With Brown Butter
Have something sweet with your tea that isn't full of sugar. These little flavor bites are bursting with citrus, almond and vanilla flavors.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 7 grams
Image via Culinary Hill
No-Bake Energy Bites
Made with oats, coconut flakes, flaxseed, peanut butter, and vanilla, these energy bites get a hint of sweetness from mini chocolate chips and honey or maple syrup.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 13 grams
Image via Skinny Taste
Coconut Lime Raspberry Chia Pudding
Summer berries are put to good use in this gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian recipe that's as easy as fill, shake, and spoon. Go for unsweetened shredded coconut to keep sugar levels as low as possible.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 15 grams
Image via Feel Good Foodie
Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
Mix cream cheese with Greek yogurt, honey, and vanilla extract to make this easy cheesecake dip. Serve with your favorite fruit.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 11 grams
Image via The Roasted Root
Banana Bread Oat Protein Smoothie
Step away from that communal plate of sliced cakes and breads. Next time you've got a hankering for a sweet loaf, whip up this protein-packed smoothie that is even more delicious than it looks. Because four inches of a banana can have up to 15 grams of sugar, only use that amount when whipping up your smoothie. Even with that adjustment, this smoothie has 30 grams of carbs, so split the smoothie with a friend to stay under 15 grams.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 15 grams (per 1/2 smoothie)
Image via Little Spice Jar
Glowing Berry Fruit Salad
This fruit medley is exactly what every plate should be: delicious, nutritious, and vibrant in color. We love the addition of chopped herbs for a savory taste. Omit the honey, and you'll have an equally sweet bite. In addition, stick to a serving size of roughly 3/4 to one cup, depending on the carb levels of the fruit you choose, to stay within the recommended carb amount.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 15 grams (with low-carb substitutions)
Image via Live Laugh Rowe
Low-Fat Cappuccino Pudding
Coffee lovers, rejoice. This cinnamon-dusted pudding is going to give you your caffeine fix in an unexpected and unbelievably tasty way.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 12.7 grams
Image via A Spicy Perspective
Coconut Milk Popsicles
Be sure to use full-fat unsweetened coconut milk for these Popsicles that get a hint of sweetness from granulated sugar.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 11 grams
Image via Cotter Crunch
Berry Mini Cheesecake Smoothies
If the very thought of cheesecake makes you smile all over, then you're in for a real creamy and fruity treat. We are *totally* here for the addition of the toasted nuts adding protein and texture. To keep each serving size under 15 grams of carbs, divide the cheesecake smoothie into seven cups.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 13.1 grams (with low-carb substitutions)
Image via Well Plated
Avocado Chocolate Mousse
The magic of creamy avocado and melted chocolate create this healthy (and easy) mousse to serve for romantic dinners or a night in watching your favorite shows on Netflix. Use sugar-free stevia as the sweetener and at least 70 percent dark chocolate, so you can indulge in the whole pot de crème.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 14.6 grams (with low-carb substitutions)
Image via A Spicy Perspective
No-Bake Keto Cheesecake Bits
Made with peanut butter, oats, and coconut, these cream cheese fat bombs taste a lot like cheesecake with sweetening from erythritol. (via A Spicy Perspective)
Total Carbs Per Serving: 1 gram
Image via The View From Great Island
Pickled Blackberry and Grapefruit Salad
For a twist on an all-time favorite, grab some vinegar and pickling spice. The flavor combo will give you a pop of sweetness AND a burst of tartness. Please note: One cup of blackberries has 14 grams of carbs, while 1/2 of a grapefruit contains 15.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 14.6 grams
Image via The Endless Meal
Snowball Keto Christmas Cookies
These may be Christmas cookies, but we think you can make them any time of year. With almond flour and calorie-free erythritol as sweetener, these are about as low-carb and low-sugar as it gets. (via The Endless Meal)
Total Carbs Per Serving: 3 grams
Image via The Roasted Root
Berry Nice Cream
No need to grab your wallet for the ice cream truck, instead freeze some strawberries, blueberries, and bananas for an ice cream scoop that's so refreshing, there's no need for any toppings. Though we may sound like a broken record, monitor your portion of Nice Cream, as bananas especially are high in carbs. Divide this recipe into eight (rather than four) to stay under 15 grams. (via The Roasted Root)
Total Carbs Per Serving: 14.8 grams
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Yasmein James
Yasmein James is a food writer living in New Jersey, but her heart’s on the other end of The Lincoln Tunnel. When she isn’t writing, you can find her eating her way to the most authentic ethnic restaurants in her travels. And writing all about it on her lifestyle blog, She’s Facing Freedom.
