If you’re on the paleo diet, you might think desserts are off-limits. After all, the eating plan involves ditching grains and dairy and limiting sugar—all the best ingredients for a decadent sweet treat.
But you can totally get your sweet fix with these 20 paleo dessert recipes, all of which are easy to make and call for simple, wholesome ingredients. Tuck in and enjoy!
Ambitious Kitchen
These cookies from Ambitious Kitchen are way indulgent—just look at those chocolate chips—but they're also grain-free, gluten-free, and paleo. The hazelnuts give it that delicious nutella taste, and they take only 33 minutes to whip up.
Almond Butter Cookies
Low in carbs and sugar, this cookie recipe from Real Simple Good is paleo- and keto-approved. If you don’t want almond butter, you can swap for a different nut butter.
Chocolate Pecan Pie
Perfect for the holidays, this pecan pie from Paleo Running Momma is also gluten- and dairy-free, with coconut vanilla ice cream on top. Yum!
Caramel Cinnamon Baked Apples
For an easy dessert that tastes sweet and indulgent but is actually pretty low in sugar and carbs (think of apple pie without all the crust!), make this dish from Paleo Running Momma.
Coconut Vanilla Ice Cream
This ice cream recipe from A Saucy Kitchen is the perfect scoop to cool you down in the summer or to help balance out a warm slice of cake or pie. Make it this holiday season with a slice of paleo pumpkin or pecan pie!
Flourless Chocolate Cake
This rich chocolate cake from One Lovely Life is free of flour, making it paleo approved. Sprinkle with slivered almonds or shredded coconut for more healthy fats and some extra crunchy flavor.
Paleo No Bake Cookie Dough Truffles
If you want a dessert that requires zero bake time and is in bite-sized portions to keep servings in check, this paleo recipe from Ambitious Kitchen for you.
Layered Banana Cream Dessert
A great dessert option for vegans and paleo dieters, this creamy, fruity dessert from Real Simple Good has a soft serve ice cream type of texture that just melts in your mouth. Top with nuts, like salted pecans, or almonds, for some extra healthy fats.
Almond Flour Lemon Cake
This light, fluffy cake from One Lovely Life is made with almond flour, making it gluten- dairy- and grain-free—as well as paleo, of course. Plus, it’s super pretty to look at—make it for a special occasion, as it’s bound to impress!
Chocolate Chunk Paleo Vegan Blondies
These paleo blondies from A Saucy Kitchen have thick chunks of chocolate and gooey almond butter. Yes please.
Paleo and Keto Chocolate Pudding
This high-fat, low-carb, and low-sugar pudding from The Movement Menu is made with avocado. Feel free to add in toppings, like shredded coconut or berries.
Baklava Paleo Donuts
These tasty donuts from The Movement Menu have a crispy, crunchy exterior from pistachios, and a rich honey glaze on top. Add in cashew or almond butter for another layer of creaminess.
Paleo Carrot Cake With Cashew Cream Frosting
This moist carrot cake from A Saucy Kitchen is low in sugar and paleo-approved. The maple cashew cream cheese is just the icing on the cake—literally. Top with nuts for some added crunch!
Paleo Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
This gluten-free banana bread is rich and decadent from the chocolate chips but also free of grains and dairy, making it perfect for many diets. You can bake a big loaf of this recipe from Real Simple Good at once to have on hand throughout the week.
Paleo Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
This creamy, delicious ice cream from The Movement Menu has all the chocolate flavor you want but is totally dairy-free, as well as paleo. There is zero refined sugar, and you can scoop it into a paleo-approved cone, too!
Paleo Pumpkin Pie
Just in time for the holidays, this paleo pumpkin pie from 40 Aprons will help you stay strong on your diet while still providing that delicious pumpkin flavor you’re looking for. Top with some whipped cream for that extra hit of creaminess to go with the crunch from the crust.
Pumpkin Crumble
Pumpkin during the holiday season can do no wrong, and this pumpkin crumble pie with whip from Paleo Running Momma should definitely at your holiday potlucks this year! Top with maple sugar or coconut sugar, as well as walnuts or pecans, for some added sweetness and crunch.
Paleo Zucchini Banana Bread Bars
The best way to add in more green veggies in dessert is when it’s paired with other sweet flavors that mask it well—you won’t even notice how healthy these bars from Ambitious Kitchen really are!
Isadora Baum is a freelance writer, certified health coach, and author of 5-Minute Energy. She can't resist a good sample, a margarita, a new HIIT class, or an easy laugh. Learn more about her on her website: isadorabaum.com.
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