What is a good dairy free dessert? Delicious and Easy Alternatives

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2017 study in the journal Food Science and Nutrition, a growing number of people are adopting dairy-free diets, increasing the demand for innovative and delicious dessert options. So, what is a good dairy free dessert? It turns out the options are incredibly diverse and flavorful, moving far beyond simple fruit salads to include rich, creamy, and decadent treats.

Quick Summary

This guide outlines a variety of fantastic dairy-free dessert options, exploring creamy concoctions made with coconut and cashews, refreshing fruit-based treats, and reimagined classic bakes. It provides simple recipes, comparisons of common dairy-free bases, and answers frequently asked questions.

Key Points

Coconut is a creamy base: Use full-fat coconut milk for rich, dairy-free whipped cream, puddings, and ice cream alternatives.
Cashews create indulgence: Soaked and blended cashews make a velvety, neutral base ideal for cheesecakes, custards, and mousses.
Frozen bananas are a go-to: Blend frozen bananas for a simple, naturally sweet "nice cream" or smoothie base.
Avocado adds richness: This fruit provides a smooth, buttery texture for chocolate mousse or key lime pie filling.
Many classics are adaptable: Puddings, tarts, and cakes can be easily made dairy-free using ingredients like plant-based milks, butters, and cornstarch.
Healthy doesn't mean boring: Refreshing options like fruit sorbets, frozen grapes, and chia seed puddings are simple and delicious.
Read the labels: Be sure to check ingredients for store-bought vegan items to ensure they meet your dietary needs.

The World of Dairy-Free Desserts

Moving away from dairy doesn't mean sacrificing dessert. The world of plant-based ingredients has opened up a treasure trove of possibilities for creating rich, creamy, and satisfying sweet treats. From lush mousses to decadent cheesecakes, the foundation for these desserts often comes from a few key ingredients that mimic the texture and richness of their dairy counterparts. The right base can be transformed into a fantastic final product, whether you are craving something chilled, baked, or frozen.

Creamy & Indulgent: Coconut and Cashew Creations

For those who love a creamy texture, full-fat coconut milk and cashews are culinary heroes. The thick, chilled cream from a can of coconut milk can be whipped into a light and fluffy topping, a perfect substitute for traditional whipped cream. This is ideal for topping puddings, parfaits, and cakes. Similarly, when soaked and blended, cashews create a smooth, velvety base that can be used for cheesecakes, custards, and mousses. Cashew-based cheesecakes are particularly popular because they achieve a dense, rich texture without any dairy products.

Coconut Cream Pie Parfaits: Layer coconut cream pie filling with dairy-free graham cracker crumbs and toasted coconut flakes for a quick and impressive dessert.
Vegan Kiwi Cheesecake: A no-bake, creamy cheesecake made with avocado and cashew cream offers a rich and tangy flavor with a vibrant green hue.
Dairy-Free Chocolate Pudding: Rich, silky, and easy to make, a chocolate pudding using cocoa powder and coconut milk can be ready in just 15 minutes.

Refreshing & Fruity: Naturally Sweetened Options

When a lighter, fresher dessert is desired, fruit-based options are a perfect choice. "Nice cream" made by blending frozen bananas and other fruits is a simple and delicious alternative to ice cream. Sorbet, a naturally dairy-free option, can be made at home with a fruit puree and a sweetener. For a more decadent fruit-focused treat, trifles layered with fresh berries, dairy-free custard, and sponge cake are visually stunning and packed with flavor.

Strawberry Vegan Froyo: Just two ingredients—frozen yogurt alternative and frozen strawberries—can be blended for a quick, delicious froyo.
Millet & Berry Mousse: This dessert uses cooked millet blended with berries and coconut yogurt for a unique, creamy, and healthy mousse.
Paleo AIP Peach Pudding: A creamy, rich pudding using blended peaches, coconut milk, and maple syrup, set with gelatin.

Classic Comforts, Reimagined: Puddings, Cakes, and Tarts

Many classic desserts can be easily adapted to be dairy-free. With the right substitutions, you can enjoy all your comforting favorites. Store-bought dairy-free butters, milks, and yogurts make ingredient swaps simple and reliable. From rich brown sugar pop tarts to comforting custard tarts, the possibilities are extensive. Using alternatives like almond milk and tapioca flour allows for creating creamy vanilla puddings that rival their dairy-filled counterparts.

Rhubarb and Custard Tarts: A no-bake tart with a gluten-free biscuit base, stewed rhubarb, and dairy-free custard.
Orange and Coconut Traybake: This light, fluffy cake uses dairy-free yogurt and coconut for a moist texture and bright flavor.
Vegan Crème Anglaise: A smooth, velvety custard sauce made with almond milk, perfect for drizzling over fruit or cake.

Easy Dairy-Free Dessert Ideas

Here are some simple and fast dairy-free dessert options for when you need a quick sweet fix:

Chocolate Avocado Mousse: Blend ripe avocados, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and a splash of dairy-free milk until smooth. Chill for 30 minutes.
Frozen Grape Skewers: Simple, refreshing, and naturally sweet. Just freeze grapes on a stick.
Baked Apples with Cinnamon: Core apples, fill with a mix of oats, cinnamon, maple syrup, and walnuts, and bake until soft.
Chia Seed Pudding: Mix chia seeds with your favorite dairy-free milk and a sweetener. Let it set in the fridge overnight.
Nut Butter Stuffed Dates: Stuff Medjool dates with your favorite nut butter and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
Fruit Sorbet: Blend frozen fruit (like berries, mango, or peaches) with a little liquid and sweetener until smooth.

Dairy-Free Dessert Base Comparison


Base Ingredient	Taste/Texture	Best For	Common Desserts
Full-Fat Coconut Milk	Rich, slightly tropical flavor; creamy texture	Whip, puddings, ice cream	Whipped cream, puddings, cheesecakes, ice cream
Cashews	Neutral flavor; very creamy when blended	Creamy desserts, no-bake recipes	Cheesecakes, mousse, sauces, custards
Avocados	Rich, buttery texture; neutral flavor when paired with chocolate or citrus	Quick, no-bake recipes	Chocolate mousse, key lime pie filling
Frozen Bananas	Naturally sweet; creamy, thick texture when blended	"Nice cream"	Dairy-free ice cream, thick smoothies
Almond Milk / Soy Milk	Lighter texture; taste varies by brand	Thinner puddings, baking	Puddings, cakes, custards
Fruit Puree	Varies by fruit; fresh, sweet flavor	Light, refreshing desserts	Sorbets, trifles, compotes

Conclusion: Embracing Flavor Without Dairy

Discovering what is a good dairy free dessert is a journey of delicious exploration. From rich coconut cream pies to refreshing fruit-based sorbets, the options are plentiful and exciting. Substituting dairy with plant-based alternatives like coconut milk, cashews, and even avocados opens up a world of creamy textures and rich flavors. The abundance of available ingredients and online resources makes adapting classic recipes or trying something new easier than ever. Whether you have an intolerance or simply want to explore new flavors, embracing dairy-free desserts is a treat for the taste buds. For more creative and healthy dessert ideas, exploring blogs like Health Glows can provide excellent inspiration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, by definition, all vegan desserts are dairy-free because the vegan diet excludes all animal products, including milk, butter, and cream. However, a dessert can be dairy-free but not vegan if it contains other animal products, such as eggs or honey.

Easy, no-bake dairy-free desserts include chocolate avocado mousse, chia seed pudding, frozen banana 'nice cream,' nut butter-stuffed dates, and fruit sorbets. These require minimal cooking and can be prepared quickly.

You can make a dairy-free dessert creamy by using full-fat coconut milk, soaked and blended cashews, or ripe avocados as a base. These ingredients naturally replicate the rich texture of dairy-based desserts.

The best dairy-free milk for baking depends on the recipe. Oat milk and soy milk are often recommended for their creamy texture and neutral flavor. For richer desserts, full-fat canned coconut milk can add creaminess and body.

Dairy-free butter alternatives can be used in most recipes, from baking to sautéing. The quality and flavor profile vary by brand, so it's a good idea to experiment to find your favorite for different purposes.

Not necessarily. The healthiness of a dessert depends on its ingredients, not just the absence of dairy. Many dairy-free desserts can be high in sugar and fat, so it's important to check the nutritional content and ingredients list, especially for store-bought items.

Many food blogs and recipe websites specialize in dairy-free and vegan recipes. Simply searching for terms like 'dairy-free dessert recipes,' 'vegan baking,' or 'plant-based sweets' will yield a wealth of options.

Dairy-free custard can be made using a blend of plant-based milk (like almond or soy), cornstarch, and egg yolks, or entirely vegan with a different thickening agent. Recipes for vegan crème anglaise often provide a smooth, versatile alternative.