What if your favorite treat could do more than just satisfy a craving? If you’re someone who needs a little something sweet everyday, try one of these functional desserts that provide additional health benefits as well.
This post contains over 26 functional desserts that serve more than just one purpose -like increasing protein and fiber consumption, filling in micronutrient gaps, and even altering the composition of your gut microbiome. That way, you can enjoy that dessert while also improving your health. Or, at the very least, you can justify it easily.
Sweet Potato Brownies (Living Chirpy)
Chewy, fudgy brownies but made with sweet potatoes! Sweet potatoes are good sources of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc. The perfect treat for those fall and winter months because sweet potatoes are packed with immune boosting antioxidants.
Healthy Biscoff Protein Balls (hugs on a PLate)
Portable, nutritious little dessert balls with ingredients like oatmeal, Biscoff cookies, and peanut butter. Each protein ball has 4 grams protein and 4 grams of fiber!
The recipe makes 16 balls that you can keep on hand for a healthier option when that sweet tooth craving hits. Two bites after dinner = 8 grams of protein and fiber!
“candy Bar” Chocolate Chia Pudding (Two Healthy Kitchens)
Chia pudding is often seen as a super healthy snack or breakfast option. However, when you transform it into an Almond Joy it becomes a delicious dessert with 6 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber. Creamy, decadent and topped with coconut and mini chocolate chips.
Kefir Chia Pudding
Another twist on chia pudding: using kefir, which is like a drinkable yogurt with 12 probiotic strains. The kefir actually makes the chia pudding super creamy and luscious. I created this recipe, which is also high in both protein and fiber, to improve that good bacteria in the gut. It’s topped with crushed Oreos and whipped cream!
The prebiotic fiber from the chia seeds in this pudding act as food for the probiotics, which helps to create a more balanced gut microbiome. Combined with the probiotics from the kefir, this helps to increase the diversity of bacteria, which can offer numerous health benefits and is directly correlated with overall health and well-being.
Peppermint White-Chocolate CHickpea Blondies (Two Healthy Kitchens)
These peppermint and white chocolate blondies are made with 100% whole grains – but the secret ingredient? Chickpeas, which provide additional protein and fiber. This recipe is very easy to make, and uses less butter and sugar than a traditional blondie.
For another recipe utilizing beans, try Black Bean Brownies (Chocolate Covered Katie).
Cottage Cheese Blueberry Pie Ice Cream (Sunglow Kitchen)
A decadent, refreshing cottage cheese ice cream with just 4 ingredients! Make it in just 10 minutes. Each serving provides 12 grams of protein! The perfect sweet treat to increase overall protein consumption.
More Cottage Cheese Ideas
The Best Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough (Lifestyle of a Foodie); 8 grams of protein per serving.
Cottage Cheese Mousse (Simple and Fraiche); 15 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber and just 5 minutes of prep.
Cottage Cheese Banana Bread (Simple and Fraiche)
Air Fryer Apple Crisp (The Oregon Dietitian)
This air fryer crisp is ready in just 20 minutes! It’s made with whole-wheat flour and all those delicious traditional flavors you love: buttery, cinnamon-spiced apples and a decadent crumble topping. The catch? This recipe has 6 grams of fiber!
On that same note, also try this Sugar Free Crumble from Cinnamon and Kale with 8 grams of fiber per serving. A dessert that includes 1) fruit and 2) healthy whole grains from whole-wheat flour or oats is a win for some extra nutritional benefits.
Oreo Protein Milkshake
Essentially, this is a “healthier” Oreo milkshake with protein powder. It’s so good, though, you won’t even be able to taste it. If you love a good milkshake but don’t want to feel quite as guilty about it – give this recipe a try! One large shake has about 28 grams of protein.
Also try my Banana Pudding with Chessmen Cookies Protein Shake – similar concept but a transformation of my favorite banana pudding recipe. Plus, bananas are an excellent source of potassium.
Vanilla Protein Cheesecake (like Hot Keto)
This vanilla protein cheesecake is much like a traditional cheesecake recipe with the addition of protein powder. The cheesecake is cooked at a low temperature for a longer time to prevent cracks, resulting in the creamiest and most delicious dessert with an estimated 10 grams of protein per slice.
For more healthy cheesecake, try this Easy Healthy Cheesecake in a Jar from Happy Kitchen made with a yogurt and cottage cheese filling.
Chocolate Avocado Donuts (The Healthy Epicurean)
A “healthier” donut with wholesome ingredients like avocado, eggs, nuts, and whole wheat flour. The avocado does not have a noticeable taste – it actually adds richness to the donut. One donut has about 3 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. Plus, they are baked – not fried!
Lemon Berry Protein Popsicles
This is my version of popsicles for the moms! Cool down with these refreshing lemon berry protein popsicles made with a combination of creamy Greek yogurt and protein powder. Each popsicle has an estimated 11 grams of protein and almost 4 grams of fiber!
Chocolate Covered Pineapple (Carrots & Cookies)
Increase your daily fruit consumption with these easy, three-ingredient chocolate covered pineapple slices. Pineapple is a good source of antioxidants and the enzyme bromelain – which may help reduce inflammation. A sweet and simple yet healthy dessert!
Brownie Batter Dip (PCOS Nutritionist Alyssa)
A delicious brownie batter dip made with just Greek yogurt, maple syrup, cacao powder and vanilla extract. Each serving provides 13 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber. Plus, this is another great way to increase fruit intake. Greek yogurt also has live, active cultures or “good bacteria” for your gut. This increases the diversity of our gut microbiome– which correlates with improved digestion, immunity, and even mental health.
Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies (Joy Filled Eats)
Low carb chocolate chip cookies with the addition of collagen protein. Each cookie bar has about 18.8 grams of protein!
Fresh Pineapple Crisp (Get Inspired Everyday)
Fresh pineapple with a macadamia nut topping and a coconut lime whipped cream. So simple, yet the toppings take it to the next level so it feels more like a decadent dessert. Also try this Cinnamon Glazed Grilled Pineapple by the same food blogger.
Caramel Apple Skewers (Haute & Healthy Living)
I don’t know about you, but I love a good caramel apple in the fall. In fact, my mother-in-law sends us a box of 15 caramel apples every year – and I don’t feel bad about eating one every night.
This recipe is a deconstructed version with a healthier vegan caramel sauce made with almond butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract. The best part is the toppings! Easily customizable and kids will love them, too.
Peanut Butter Cookies (Summer Yule)
3-ingredient peanut butter cookies with almost 5 grams of protein each. For this recipe, they are made in the air fryer! Similar to just scooping peanut butter out of the jar- but much tastier!
Mini Easter Egg Fruit Pizza (Little Healthy Bites)
Add some fruit to a cookie and it’s a functional dessert! This is especially helpful for those toddlers who won’t touch their vegetables. The variety of different fruits looks so pretty, and each color provides a different benefit. It’s like “eating the rainbow” but in the form of a cookie.
Vegan Pumpkin Pie Bites (Chef Ani)
Delicious little bites of goodness! The filling is made with creamy coconut milk, tofu and pumpkin. Therefore, you’ve got some plant-based protein as well as beta carotene from the pumpkin. Beta carotene is one of the best nutrients to help our immune system fight off infections.
Caramel Walnuts (Kitchen at Hoskins)
ready in 5 minutes using 3 ingredients! They are chewy, crisp, salty, not overly sweet and highly addictive
These caramel covered walnuts are the perfect combination of sweet and savory. They’re a little bit chewy and crispy as well. Walnuts are actually one of the healthiest foods you can eat!
Consuming at least one serving of walnuts per day may reduce age-related chronic diseases, risk for cognitive decline, and cardiovascular disease. They are rich in antioxidants, and therefore, can reduce decrease inflammation of the brain – with some studies suggesting improvements in mental clarity.
You Get the Picture
Alright, so I think you get the picture. Most of these recipes contain fruits and/or vegetables, healthy fats from nuts, added protein from yogurt or cottage cheese, or fiber by incorporating beans or chia seeds.
With functional beverages becoming increasingly popular, why not have a functional dessert? Get creative and try to come up with ways to make your favorite dessert more “functional”.