11 Vegan Desserts That Get Their Sweetness Without Added Sugar

Vegan desserts can satisfy a sweet tooth without relying on added refined sugar. These 11 recipes draw sweetness from fruit, dates and stevia, with options ranging from chilled oats to frozen treats and a savory-leaning blueberry bread.

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Where the sweetness comes from

Bananas and berries bring natural sweetness to several of these recipes; Medjool dates add a caramel note to popsicles and a smoothie. Stevia sweetens the oatmeal cookies, while cacao nibs add chocolate flavor and crunch. The ingredients also shape each dessert’s texture, from creamy banana ice cream to chia pudding.

For people who are limiting added sugar, those swaps offer room for dessert while keeping refined sugar out of the recipe. Harvard Health says, "Consuming too much added sugar can raise blood pressure and increase chronic inflammation, both of which are pathological pathways to heart disease." Harvard Health provides more on the health effects of added sugar.

11 vegan desserts with no sugar added

These recipes take different routes to a sweet finish, including make-ahead oats, fruit-based frozen desserts and a slow-cooked breakfast that can double as an evening treat.

Mareya Ibrahim

1 No-Bake Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Granulated stevia sweetens these peanut butter and oatmeal cookies. For a version without chocolate, the chips can be replaced with dried fruit and nuts.
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2 Strawberries and Cream Overnight Oats

Oats, strawberries, coconut yogurt, chia seeds and vanilla come together in a make-ahead dish that works for dessert or breakfast. It takes about 10 minutes to prepare the night before.
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Chef Ahki

3 Coconut Lime Smoothie

Avocado gives this drink a creamy body, while lime, dates and coconut water bring brightness and sweetness. Served over ice, it’s a lighter way to end a large meal.
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Blissful Basil

4 Double Chocolate Cherry Chunk Ice Cream

Bananas provide the base for this frozen dessert, while raw cacao powder and cacao nibs deliver its double-chocolate character. Cherry adds a fruity counterpoint.
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5 Banana Tahini Chia Pudding

Banana and tahini anchor this filling chia pudding. For a richer finish, top it with homemade peanut butter chocolate sauce.
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Norwegian Baking Through the Seasons

6 No-Knead Wild Blueberry Oregano Bread

Blueberries lend this no-knead bread a jammy sweetness, while oregano gives it an herbal edge. It’s an unconventional dessert that can also suit a less-sweet finish.
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Amy Angelo

7 Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Smoothie Bowl

This bowl works as a snack, breakfast or dessert. Fresh raspberries, hemp seeds and cacao nibs add extra flavor and texture to the strawberry and chocolate base.
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Sarah Bond

8Dulce Date Leche Popsicles

Medjool dates bring a caramel-like sweetness to these popsicles, balanced with full-fat coconut milk, vanilla and a pinch of salt. The result is a cool, creamy option for warm days.
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Alleko

9 Chocolate Chip Oat Milk Banana Ice Cream

Frozen bananas, oat milk and vanilla make a creamy base for this quick ice cream. Chocolate chips add crunch; choose sugar-free chips to keep added sugar out of the recipe.
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10 Slow Cooker Apple Pie Coconut Oatmeal

Slow-cooked coconut oatmeal with apple pie flavors can make a warming breakfast or dessert. Its rich texture makes it a natural fit for colder fall and winter evenings.
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Natalie Norman

11 Mango Basil Sorbet

Banana and mango form the fruit-forward base of this sorbet, with lime juice for a tart note and basil for a subtle herbal finish. It’s a straightforward choice when a refreshing dessert is the goal.
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The range here makes the point: fruit, dates and stevia can take dessert in very different directions, from a spoonable pudding to a frozen pop. Check ingredient labels, especially for chocolate chips, when keeping added sugar to a minimum.