By Lisa Esile, MS,
With the dog days of summer upon us, there is nothing like a cool dessert to satisfy sweet cravings and cool you down at the same time. With so many fresh fruits in season, from berries to stone fruit, melons, mangoes, and more, the possibilities for healthy treats that taste incredible are endless. Here are some of our favorite chilled and frozen dessert recipes to enjoy this season. Whether you’re cooking just for you or feeding a crowd, there’s something for everyone. All of the recipes are free from dairy or animal products and are cholesterol-free.
For more summery inspiration, check out:
- Our Top Healthy Mango Recipes
- Fruit-Forward Vegan Summer Desserts
- Juicy Cantaloupe, Honeydew, and Watermelon Recipes
Southern-Style Banana Pudding Parfaits
This dreamy layered dessert combines an easy stovetop vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and crispy cinnamon-kissed oats for a wholesome treat with just the right amount of indulgence. Serve in glass parfaits so you can see all the layers!
“I make this a lot! My grandkids love it, and so do we!” —Cindy
“I make this a lot! My grandkids love it, and so do we!” —Cindy
Cherry-Almond Nice Cream
A reader favorite, this dreamy almond ice cream is ready in 20 minutes and is made with a healthful base of frozen bananas and plant-based milk. Cherries add juicy, fruity flavor and a gorgeous deep pink hue, while a splash of almond extract gives it the nostalgic flavor of Amarena gelato.
“This is so yummy! We’ve been making this a lot this summer.” —Grace
“This is so yummy! We’ve been making this a lot this summer.” —Grace
Chocolate Chia Pudding
Naturally sweetened with dates, Dreena Burton’s pudding has all the creamy chocolate flavor you want in a dessert but none of the heaviness you’ll find in a traditional chocolate pudding. This family-friendly treat is fancy enough to serve to guests and sets in just 30 minutes (though you can eat it straight away, if needed). Add-ins like shredded coconut or vegan chocolate chips make it extra special. It’s so easy, you’ll find yourself making it again and again!
“I adore this quick and easy recipe for a perfect after-dinner sweet.” —Leeza
“I adore this quick and easy recipe for a perfect after-dinner sweet.” —Leeza
Strawberry-Lemonade Nice Cream
With just three ingredients—frozen banana, strawberries, and lemon—this refreshing nice cream delivers bright, sorbet-like flavor. Lemon zest and pulp add a citrusy kick without watering down the base, while less-ripe bananas keep the lemon front and center.
“This was super successful! So delicious. The texture was amazing. We and our dinner guests enjoyed it very much! Will be repeating this treat again this summer.” —Karin
“This was super successful! So delicious. The texture was amazing. We and our dinner guests enjoyed it very much! Will be repeating this treat again this summer.” —Karin
The Best Vegan Strawberries and Cream
There’s nothing like munching on a bowl of in-season strawberries! Add a dollop of silky tofu cream infused with lemon zest and cardamom for a fabulous no-cook dessert. For fancy presentation, use glass parfait glasses and layer the strawberries and cream.
Watermelon-Basil Ice
This three-ingredient sorbet is the ultimate refreshing summer treat. Simply blend ripe watermelon, fresh basil, and a splash of lemon in a food processor or high-speed blender, then freeze until firm enough to scoop. Got a Ninja Creami? It’s perfect for this recipe!
Healthy Chocolate Hummus
This rich, creamy chocolate hummus doubles as a satisfying snack and a wholesome dessert. Chickpeas blended with almond butter, cinnamon, and maple syrup transform into a silky, pudding-like dip that's naturally sweet and packed with nutrients. Pair it with fresh fruit like strawberries, bananas, or apple slices for a treat everyone will love, any time of day.
“Wow! I’m blown away by this. I had it with apple slices. I’ve been craving a chocolate dessert but haven’t felt like baking. Just Amazing!” —JJ
“Wow! I’m blown away by this. I had it with apple slices. I’ve been craving a chocolate dessert but haven’t felt like baking. Just Amazing!” —JJ
Caramelized Pineapple Nice Cream
You’ll savor every fragrant bite of this luscious tropical nice cream, which blends caramelized pineapple and frozen bananas into a dreamy, soft-serve delight. Set aside a few chunks of pineapple to scatter on top when serving.
“Just made this today! Great use for leftover pineapple. I added Tajin on top, and it’s a perfect combo.” —Peyton
“Just made this today! Great use for leftover pineapple. I added Tajin on top, and it’s a perfect combo.” —Peyton
The Great Purple Sweet Potato Pie
This stunning sweet potato pie boasts a rich, velvety filling that gets its bold hue from naturally sweet purple sweet potatoes, brightened with a touch of lime zest and a hint of sugar. A zesty blueberry sauce takes everything up a notch, while a walnut-cinnamon crust provides a warm, spiced foundation.
“I made this for a WFPB class potluck and everyone loved it!” —Coco
“I made this for a WFPB class potluck and everyone loved it!” —Coco
Watermelon-Kiwi Ice Pops
The contrast of tangy kiwifruit and sweet watermelon works beautifully in these two-ingredient ice pops. If you don’t have kiwi, feel free to use another fruit or make them all watermelon! Once you’ve tried these, you’ll want to keep a stash in the freezer all summer long.
Vanilla Nice Cream With Real Vanilla Bean
The creamy sweetness of frozen bananas makes them the perfect base for this company-worthy nice cream. If you’ve never used vanilla beans, this is the perfect recipe to try them out. No bean? No problem—a splash of pure vanilla extract works great, too! Serve in a bowl with fresh fruit, or pair with a warm berry cobbler.
“All of my guys love this, and when I make a big batch, it stays relatively soft for a few days.” —Suzie
“All of my guys love this, and when I make a big batch, it stays relatively soft for a few days.” —Suzie
2-Ingredient Chocolate Banana Ice Cream
This dead-simple two-ingredient chocolate ice cream is a reader favorite—and for good reason! Just blend frozen bananas with cocoa powder for a creamy, chocolatey treat in minutes. Customize with whatever toppings you have on hand. Some ideas include cacao nibs, fresh berries or other fruit, and shredded coconut.
“So easy and incredibly tasty! My kids love it.” —Amanda
“So easy and incredibly tasty! My kids love it.” —Amanda
Watermelon Salad with Passion Fruit Dressing
In this cool, crisp, and totally refreshing watermelon salad, juicy melon and sweet jicama pair deliciously well with a tangy passion fruit dressing. Topped with fresh mint, this colorful hydrating salad is just what you need to beat the heat.
Strawberry Nice Cream Sundaes
Harness the tangy goodness of strawberries with these dreamy nice cream sundaes. A warm strawberry-apple compote adds extra zing, while toasted almonds offer a satisfying crunch. This sweet treat feels indulgent yet is made with wholesome ingredients.
“Super easy and my teenage grandsons loved it!”—Cindy
“Super easy and my teenage grandsons loved it!”—Cindy
Frozen Grapes with Chocolate Sauce
Frozen grapes are a delicious snack all on their own; pair them with a naturally sweetened chocolate sauce, and you’ve got a winning recipe. Feel free to use the sauce with other fruits, as well: kiwi, bananas, or pineapple all taste delicious when frozen and would make great dippers.
“Delicious.” —Michele
“Delicious.” —Michele
Chocolate Raspberry Parfaits
Silken tofu, cocoa powder, and fresh raspberries come together in these velvety parfaits that are as delicious as they are satisfying. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup, they’re a healthy way to indulge the occasional sugar craving. Short on time? Skip the raspberry cream and top the chocolate mousse with fresh or frozen raspberries.
“I absolutely love this recipe. So simple. It's truly delightful. Sometimes I'll just make one layer or the other, top with fruit, and enjoy!” —Holly
“I absolutely love this recipe. So simple. It's truly delightful. Sometimes I'll just make one layer or the other, top with fruit, and enjoy!” —Holly
Grape Ice Pops
With just one ingredient (grapes), a blender, popsicle molds, and a freezer, you’ve got yourself a winning summer snack! Note: If you don’t have ice block molds, you can use small paper cups as an alternative.
“My kids love these! —AJ
“My kids love these! —AJ
Loaded Strawberry Ice Pops
Juicy strawberries, nectarines, and blueberries are suspended in lightly sweetened almond milk, creating fruit popsicles that look like stained glass and taste like heaven. Fun to make and even more fun to eat, they’re a refreshing treat for the whole family, while being fancy enough to serve to guests.
“These were delicious - I was looking for a recipe to use up all the strawberries we just picked from the garden. They were a big hit with my five-year-old, too.” —Lucy
“These were delicious - I was looking for a recipe to use up all the strawberries we just picked from the garden. They were a big hit with my five-year-old, too.” —Lucy
Mexican Chocolate Nice Cream
Inspired by Mexican hot chocolate, this spicy chocolate nice cream gets its flavor from cocoa powder, cinnamon, and a hint of ancho chile powder. If you don’t have ancho chili powder, you can substitute black pepper.
“A perfectly healthy indulgence; yumm!” —Kat
“A perfectly healthy indulgence; yumm!” —Kat
Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding
Juicy strawberries take center stage in these dreamy chia puddings, sweetened with orange juice and a hint of maple syrup. As the puddings chill, the chia seeds thicken into a luscious, jammy treat. Top with fresh berries—or try bananas, granola, cacao nibs, or anything else that takes your fancy!
“Pudding is very good! Light, not too sweet!”
“Pudding is very good! Light, not too sweet!”
Cantaloupe-Cucumber Soup
Cool, sweet, and bursting with flavor, this chilled cantaloupe soup is a standout dessert for summer. Lime and ginger add zing without detracting from the utter deliciousness of sweet, ripe cantaloupe. Effortlessly elegant, this palate-pleasing summer dessert is perfect for entertaining or when you have an overabundance of ripe cantaloupe.
Dark Chocolate Almond Nice Cream
This creamy vegan ice cream uses steamed white sweet potatoes for a velvety, banana-free base. Blended with cocoa and almond butter and topped with toasted almonds, this scoop-worthy treat is a must-try.
Grilled Pineapple with Minty Mango Nice Cream
Grilled pineapple gets a flavor boost from a maple-jerk sauce, which you slather on before grilling, and a scoop of minty mango nice cream. The fresh mint pairs perfectly with the sweet mango and spicy glaze—ideal for a party-ready dessert.
Black Bean Chocolate Mousse with Whipped Strawberry Cream
Blended with sweet Medjool dates, this black bean–centric mousse whips into a smooth, decadent, and completely dairy-free dessert. A fluffy aquafaba “cream” gets a tangy twist from ground freeze-dried strawberries. For an easier option, feel free to skip the cream and serve with berries or other fruit instead.
Strawberry-Orange Custard Cups
In these party-worthy desserts, orange zest and juice infuse the vanilla-cashew custard with aromatic citrusy notes, while a tangy strawberry compote adds color and extra juiciness. The bottom layer includes juicy orange pieces, and a topping of fresh chopped strawberries adds a final flourish.
Awesome Sugar-Free Ice Pops
The traffic-light effect on these sugar-free ice pops, made with nothing but blended fruits, adds extra interest and contrasting flavors. Start with lighter fruits, such as kiwi, and move on to darker ones, like berries, for easy cleanup. Try peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums, or grapes for other smooth, blendable options.
Cherry Panna Cotta Parfaits
This low-fat vegan panna cotta achieves a creamy texture without using gelatin, instead relying on plant milk and cornstarch. A date-sweetened oat-walnut crust anchors the parfait, and a cherry-orange topping adds a fruity finish. Chill and serve in parfait glasses—or use small jars for a fun, portable, picnic-ready treat!
“This is a really tasty recipe. I made it for a group of non-vegan friends. They all enjoyed it and one friend asked if I would make it again.” —Sylvia
“This is a really tasty recipe. I made it for a group of non-vegan friends. They all enjoyed it and one friend asked if I would make it again.” —Sylvia
Banana Nice Cream with Easy Peach Compote
Is your freezer stocked with frozen bananas, ready for blending into an almost-instant dessert or snack? A hint of vanilla extract complements the banana flavor. Enjoy immediately for a soft-serve-style nice cream or freeze for a few hours for a firmer scoop.
Kiwi Blueberry Orange Ice Pops
This three-ingredient sorbet is the ultimate refreshing summer treat. Simply blend ripe watermelon, fresh basil, and a splash of lemon in a food processor or high-speed blender, then freeze until firm enough to scoop. Got a Ninja Creami? It’s perfect for this recipe!
Vegan Ube Ice Cream
Ube, the vibrant purple sweet potato beloved in Filipino cuisine, makes this vegan ice cream as visually appealing as it is delicious to eat. If you don’t have ube, you can use purple sweet potato instead. Maple syrup rounds out the sweetness, while plant milk keeps things creamy. Add banana for an extra creamy touch. Garnish with shredded coconut to finish.
“I never tire of this sweet treat.” —Patricia
“I never tire of this sweet treat.” —Patricia
About the Author
About the Author
Lisa Esile, MS
As an author, Do Nothing meditation instructor, and wellness coach, Lisa Esile combines her love for food and nutrition with her mental health background and delights in helping people find a stress-free way to make lasting lifestyle changes. Esile has a master’s degree in human nutrition and is the co-author/illustrator of Whose Mind Is It Anyway? Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life. Learn more at lisaesile.com.
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