Make your heart go pitter-patter with 14 nourishing and delicious heart-healthy desserts! All the recipes are gluten-free, and most are vegan too.
Heart-Healthy Desserts for Your Sweet Tooth
Sweet tooth be damned! As a fellow dessert lover (in moderation) and heart health aficionado, there’s no way I’m giving up dessert. And you shouldn’t have to either!
So, in honor of a special day that occurs every February 14 around the world (hint, hint!), I’ve scoured the Spicy RD Dessert Index and created my perfect list of 14 heart-healthy dessert recipes you’ll love all year long. Fair warning: there’s a lot of chocolate involved!
These heart-healthy desserts are packed with wholesome ingredients that promote cardiovascular wellness without sacrificing flavor.
The Secret to Heart-Healthy Desserts
Nutrient-dense ingredients rich in cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber, heart-healthy fats, and plant-based polyphenols are the key to creating delicious heart-healthy desserts. Some of my favorite heart-healthy ingredients to include are:
- Chocolate—Dark chocolate (70% or higher cacao) is a heart-healthy ingredient. It is rich in flavanols, a polyphenol that supports healthy heart function.
- Nuts and seeds—All nuts and seeds are good sources of heart-healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats. In addition, walnuts, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flaxseeds are all rich in plant-based anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats.
- Beans and legumes—Believe it or not, fiber-rich chickpeas, lentils, soy foods, and black beans can make great bases for heart-healthy desserts like brownies, pudding, and cookie dough bites. And they don’t taste like beans!
- Oats and whole grains – Oats and other whole grains, like barley, rye, and whole wheat, contain beta-glucans. This soluble fiber source helps lower LDL cholesterol. Choose certified gluten-free oats if you’re following a gluten-free diet.
When it comes to making your desserts good for your heart, you’ll also want to minimize the following ingredients:
- Foods high in saturated fat: Butter, cream, full-fat coconut milk
- High added sugar: Naturally, you’ll want to sweeten your heart-healthy desserts. Just don’t add too much! Many of my recipes call for maple syrup, not because it’s inherently better for you than other sweeteners, but because I like the taste. If you’re really cutting back on added sugar, some low/no-calorie sweeteners to try are allulose, monk fruit, and stevia. Often, a combination of these sweeteners tastes best. Tip! Experiment with moderately reducing the amount of sweetener in your favorite desserts until you arrive at the perfect balance!
Now, let’s explore some mouthwatering, heart-healthy dessert recipes!
No-Bake Heart Healthy Desserts
1. Chocolate Chip No Bake Energy Bites
Get your chocolate fix in 5 minutes with these easy, no-bake chocolate chip energy bites! Packed with wholesome ingredients, they’re gluten-free, plant-based, and irresistibly delicious.
2. German Chocolate Cake Bites
These no-bake Raw German Chocolate Cake Balls are a deliciously healthy twist on the classic dessert. They are lightly sweetened and dipped in flavanol-rich melted dark chocolate chips.
3. No Bake Vegan Caramel Date Energy Bites
No-bake nutty caramel energy bites are the perfect sweet and satisfying combination. Made with wholesome, heart-healthy ingredients, they’re a delicious, nutrient-packed snack or dessert anytime you need a boost!
4. Chocolate Cheesecake Cookie Dough
This Edible Cookie Dough Cheesecake with a secret heart-healthy ingredient is the ultimate no-bake treat. It’s rich, creamy, and low in added sugar, with a low/no-calorie sweetener option.
High Protein Heart-Healthy Desserts
5. Chocolate Peanut Butter High-Protein Sundae
Calling all peanut butter chocolate lovers! This Chocolate Peanut Butter High-Protein Sundae is packed with nourishing, heart-healthy ingredients.
6. Ridiculously Easy Vegan Chocolate Pudding
Indulge in this dreamy Vegan Chocolate Walnut Pudding—a decadent yet wholesome treat made with heart-healthy walnuts, high-fiber black beans, and polyphenol-rich cocoa for a dessert that’s as nourishing as it is delicious!
7. Creamy Tofu Chocolate Mousse
You’ll love his luscious chocolate mousse, made with tofu for a decadent, dairy-free treat that’s irresistibly smooth and easy to whip up! Perfect for chocolate lovers looking for a simple yet heart-healthy dessert.
Heart-Healthy Desserts: Brownies & Chocolate
8. Easy Vegan Black Bean Brownies with Walnuts
These rich and fudgy Black Bean Brownies are a deliciously healthy treat—gluten-free, dairy-free, and packed with plant-powered goodness. Walnuts add another layer of heart health and crunch!
9. Homemade Mexican Chocolate Almond Butter
Mexican Chocolate Almond Butter is the perfect blend of roasted almonds, cocoa, cinnamon, and a touch of sweetness. Spread it on apple slices for a heart-healthy snack or dessert!
10. Chocolate Chia Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
Cookies for breakfast? You bet! These Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chia Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies are packed with wholesome gut and heart-healthy ingredients for a delicious dessert or breakfast treat.
11. Dark Chocolate Pecan Love Bites
These Pecan Love Bites are SO easy to make and packed with heart-healthy ingredients, including chickpeas, flaxseeds, pecans, and dark chocolate chunks. Enjoy them all melty, chocolatey, and delicious hot out of the oven!
Heart-Healthy Desserts with Fruit
12. Sunshine Chocolate Orange Slices
Heart-healthy desserts don’t get any easier than dipping orange slices in melted dark chocolate. Top with a sprinkle of sea salt-I dare you!
13. Gluten-Free Berry Crisp with Oats & Chia Seed
Packed with juicy berries, wholesome oats, and omega-3-rich chia seeds, this Oatmeal Berry Chia Crisp perfectly balances cozy, nourishing, and delicious!
14. Low-Added Sugar Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
These gluten-free, vegan strawberry oatmeal bars are packed with heart-healthy strawberries, oats, and chia seeds. Bonus: They’re low in added sugar and are perfect for a healthy snack or dessert!
Did you enjoy this post?
Please leave your comments or questions and share this post with your friends and family. I truly appreciate your support!
