10 Dairy-free Desserts That Are Easy To Meal Prep
- Emma Lisa
- Nov 8, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Aug 23
If you enjoy desserts and have recently switched to a dairy-free diet, you are going to love this collection of delightful dairy-free dessert recipes. Curated by a Nutritionist, these dairy-free recipes are made with only whoelfood ingredients and goodness, so you can enjoy a little indulgent guilt-free and as well as dairy-free. Napkins ready? Let’s make eating dairy-free easy, and fun.
There are so many reasons why people choose to go dairy-free. For a lot of my clients, it's often due to food allergies or intolerance, while for others it is a shift to a more plantbased or vegan lifestyle. Eating dairy-free just means reducing the amount of milk products you consume each day, and replacing them with healthy, non-dairy swaps, and plantbased options.
How To Eat Dairy-free
Eliminating dairy, doesn't mean you need to go without, you just need replace the milk, cheese, butter, and yoghurt etc with non-dairy alternatives and plantbased options. Here are some healthy, non-dairy swaps to try if this is all brand new to you:
milk: try unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or cashew milk.
cheese: dairy-free cheeses are vegan, and usually made from cashews, coconut or soy beans; nutritional yeast is a nutritious vegan swap, and adds a cheesy flavour to foods.
butter: try plantbased butter/oil options like avocado, coconut butter or olive oil based spreads.
yoghurt: there are many dairy-free yoghurt options these days, most made from coconut, almond, or soy milk; look for low-sugar brands, and those with live cultures for probiotics.
cream or ice cream: you cannot get any better than coconut cream for a dairy-free substitute; also try oat cream, or cashew cream; these work well in most recipes and replace milk-based ice cream.
As you can see, there are actually a lot of healthy, wholefoods that can be used instead of dairy products to maintain a well-balanced diet. And now it's time to explore what dessert options you can enjoy after cutting out the milk and dairy from your diet..
RELATED:
You Might Like:
10 Delicious Dairy-free Desserts
Quick & Easy To Make
Ready to make 10+ healthy dairy-free recipes? Then you'll first want to bookmark this page or email it to yourself for handy reference. I've rounded up some of my favourite, Nutritionist-approved dairy-free recipes for those wanting to cut milk products, and maintain a well-balanced diet. These simple dessert ideas are quick and easy, and I bet will soon become some of your family's favourites.
Chickpea Cookie Dough
Ingredients
Chickpeas, almond butter (or any nut or seed butter), stevia or maple syrup, dairy-free chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and salt. To make this delicious vegan cookie dough, blend the chickpeas until smooth in a food processor. Add the almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Blend again until creamy and well combined, then fold in the chocolate chips and mix by hand. Store the cookie dough in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week. Enjoy a little with a spoon or roll into small bite-sized balls for a guiltless dessert or treat.
Chocolate Avocado Pudding
Ingredients
Avocado, raw cacao powder, almond milk, chia seeds, stevia or maple syrup, vanilla extract. To make this chocolatey dessert pudding, whisk the chia seeds in the milk, vanilla and sweetener, and then set aside. Add the avocado and raw cacao to a blender, and process until smooth and creamy. If you like the chia seed texture, add the avocado mixture to the chia mix and whisk to combine. Alternatively, you a can the chai mix to the blender with the avocado to make a smoother consistency. Pour the blender mixture into small ramekins and then chill for 30 minutes before serving.
Coconut Ice Cream
Ingredients
Coconut milk or almond milk, stevia or maple syrup, and vanilla extract. To make this versatile vegan cream, blend all the ingredients together, and then freeze in a sealable container. Blend the now frozen ice cream, and return the freezer for 1-2 hours to help it become a creamy, soft-serve consistency. I like to use my Ninja Creami or my handy Cuisinart ice cream/yoghurt maker for this; it always comes out just perfect.
Chocolate Coconut Macaroons
Ingredients
Shredded coconut, egg whites, stevia or an all-natural sweetener, raw cacao powder, and vanilla extract. To make these tasty bites, mix all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl by hand and form into small, gently flattened balls. Bake the bites at 180°C for 15-20 minutes. If you want icing for the middle, combine raw cacao, dairy-free butter or coconut oil, milk, vanilla and whisk until thick. Press into each ball and fold the dough around the filling. Bake as above for a chocolatey dairy-free surprise in each bite.
Dairy-Free Banana Bread
Ingredients
Overly ripe bananas, almond milk, flour (whole wheat or gluten-free), baking soda, vanilla, and dairy-free butter or coconut oil. To make, first combine the wet ingredients, then add in dry ingredients; combine well. Bake at 180°c for 40-50 minutes (until a toothpick comes out clean).
Dairy-Free Chocolate Mousse
Ingredients
Avocado, coconut milk (or any dairy-free milk), raw cacao powder, vanilla extract, and sweetener of choice. This pudding comes out so thick and creamy, you won't even taste the avocado. To make it, you'll need a blender or food processor. Add the avocado, raw cacao, sweetener, milk and vanilla. Process on high until well-combined and forms a thick, mousse-like consistency. Portion into small ramekins and place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of each, pressing down onto the surface. This is the secret to preventing the avocado from browning and is removed before serving. Chill the pots until firm for 1-2 hours and then serve with a few grating of dark chocolate (usually its dairy-free) and a few berries.
Protein Mug Cake
Ingredients
Dairy-free milk or water, egg, baking powder, vanilla or chocolate protein powder, raw cacao powder, cinnamon and stevia granules or sweetener. Yes, you can eat cake for breakfast and it be healthy for you! Mug cakes are made with only a few ingredients and ready in less than 2-3 minutes. To make, add all the above to a mug, whisk and microwave for 1-2 minutes to form a cake-like texture. For a cinnamon bun flavour, try vanilla protein, cinnamon, and finely chopped walnuts. Experiment with strawberry, salted caramel and other protein powder flavours, and don't forget to add healthy, wholefood toppings to make it a full meal.
Raw Chocolate Bark
Ingredients
Coconut oil, nut butter, vanilla extract, raw cacao, stevia or sweetener, plant-based protein powder (optional). To make the raw chocolate, melt the oil and butter together, then stir in the remaining ingredients until well combined. Pour into a shallow baking tray and freeze for 1 hour to harden. Break into piece to serve. If you'd like a tutorial, try my Guiltless, Sugar-free Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe
Vegan Cheesecake
Ingredients
Cashews (pre-soaked), coconut cream, stevia or maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla extract, almond flour (for crust). To make this vegan cheesecake, all you need to do is blend the cashews with the coconut cream, sweetener, and remaining ingredients to make a silky smooth, creamy filling. Pour this mixture into a simple gluten-free crust made from blended dates, nuts, and almond flour, then chill overnight.
Vegan Yoghurt Parfaits
Ingredients
Dairy-free yoghurt, plain or flavoured plant-based protein powder, granola, fresh fruit like berries, chopped mango, kiwi or spiced apples. To make the vegan parfaits, simply combine the protein powder with the dairy-free yoghurt, and then layer into a serving jar alternating layers with yoghurt, fruit and granola. You can even get a bit fancy, and add a layer of smoothie or chia pudding to your parfaits.
These dairy-free recipes are all super easy micro meal prep and make healthy desserts in a matter of minutes with no milk or dairy. If you have enjoyed theses, you'll find more recipe ideas and support inside the Facebook Community, click here.
You Might Like:
FAQs Dairy-Free Desserts & Meal Prep
What are the best dairy-free substitutes for dairy dessert ingredients?
For a non-dairy or vegan milk, try unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or cashew milk. You can replace butter in recipes with plant-based options such as avocado, coconut butter or oil, or olive oil-based spreads. For dairy-free cream and ice cream, coconut cream is an excellent choice, along with oat cream or cashew cream. Dairy-free yoghurt can be made from coconut, almond, or soy milk work well for parfaits and other desserts. You can even freeze it into homemade, dairy-free ice cream.
How long will dairy-free desserts keep?
Most of dairy-free desserts will keep well if stored in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer. For example, my diary-free chickpea cookie dough can be rolled into balls and stored in the fridge; chocolate avocado pudding can be made in individual ramekins and chilled for a day or two (if covered), while recipes like coconut ice cream and bliss balls can be frozen for weeks or months. The raw chocolate bark recipe above can be frozen for an hour to set and then stored for a week in the fridge, while my vegan cheesecake needs to chill overnight and will for several days.
Are dairy-free desserts suitable for those with other dietary restrictions?
Yes, many of these dairy-free recipes can be adapted for a variety of dietary needs. For diabetics, use wholefood ingredients and natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit to sweeten recipes. Banana bread can be made with gluten-free flour; the protein mug cake can use whey-based or vegan protein powder, and many of the recipes you'll find here are already sugar-free and mostly plant-based or vegan. If you have food sensitives, it always best to check individual ingredients against your specific dietary requirements.
What kitchen equipment do I need to make dairy-free desserts?
Most of the dairy-free recipes you'll find here require only basic kitchen equipment you mostly likely already have on hand. A high-speed blender like this one I love by Smeg or a robust Ninja Blaster Portable Blender will create extra creamy desserts and makes prep time a snap. A food processor like my go-to Cuisinart Mini Prep is helpful for recipes like chickpea cookie dough and chocolate avocado pudding put you can easily whisk or mix hand. You'll need just basic baking bowls and measuring cups for the coconut macaroons and banana bread, a microwave for the protein mug cake, and a freezer is needed for ice cream and chocolate bark.
Can I make these desserts sugar-free?
Absolutely! The dairy-free recipes I shared already emphasise natural sweeteners and use only wholefood ingredients. For a sweetener, I love to use stevia, a natural, low-calorie sweetener or you use the natural sweetness from ingredients like ripe bananas and dates (used in vegan cheesecake crusts). Many of the recipes you'll find here are already sugar-free or allow you to adjust sweetness to taste, making them perfect for diabetics like myself, or for those reducing their processed sugar intake while maintaining a well-balanced diet.
Nutritionist Note
As a Nutritionist, I love creating healthy desserts that are dairy-free, well-balanced, and of course still taste good. You might like to browse my other dairy-free recipes that you can enjoy guilt-free without compromising your healthy eating goals. Try my sugar-free desserts, plant-based meals and low sugar smoothies.
Emma Lisa, Nutritionist & Women's Practitioner
Emma Lisa is a Nutritionist & Women's Health Practitioner with over 14+ years experience in wholefood nutrition, meal planning and health coaching. She is a published cookbook author, passionate food recipe creator and lifestyle blogger, and an advocate for women's health and anti-diet culture. When she's not in clinic, Emma is mum to five kids, cooking in her test kitchen and a wellness digital creator. She lives in Sydney, Australia.
Healthy + happiness,
Emma Lisa xx
HEALTH & NUTRITION PRACTITIONER
Loving this recipe ideas, thanks so much. You’re blog is great!
Thanks for this collection Emma Lisa, I’ve been enjoying them on rotation for my week meal plans. Much appreciated, lovely blog by the way. I’m loving no annoying ads just your delicious recipes!!
Thanks, Deanna