25 Low-Calorie Healthy Dessert Recipes With Fruit

September 20, 2022September 18, 2022 by meg

Last updated on September 20th, 2022 at 09:19 pm

Fresh fruit is the perfect summer dessert item. They’re juicy, succulent, packed with beneficial nutrients, and sometimes just what you need to fill that sugar craving without the unhealthy indulgence.

There are many ways to chow down on the fresh fruit of your choice. You can choose to slice your mango and have it as is. For an extra rich flavor, douse fresh raspberries, apple slices, or any other fruit in a dab of maple syrup, frozen yogurt, or whipped cream.

The slathered fruit will take on sweet-savory flavors and smooth creamy surfaces while remaining crunchy on the inside.

Fruit can also make excellent additions to decadent dessert items like graham cracker crust, pecan pie, key lime pie, and vanilla pudding. With these recipes, fruits significantly scale back on added sugar.

Fruit can also add intense flavors to the recipes, and as the sugar caramelizes, it introduces a lovely crust to the baked desserts.

This list of 25 fruit dessert recipes will guide you in creating sumptuous dessert treats that are equally delicious and healthy.

Table of Contents

1. Cherry Yum Yum

Cherry Yum Yum is one of the most straightforward frothy dessert items you’ll make. This recipe is like a delicate mash of cheesecake and cherry pie. The results? A crunchy pecan crust envelops a light buttery cherry pie filling.

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1 (1.3-ounce) envelope whipped topping mix

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling

2. Fresh Fruit Tarts

The recipe is an assortment of all your favorite seasonal berries atop a delicious pie crust. The melted apricot glaze is drizzled throughout as a topping to add a savory flavor.

Ingredients

For the crust:
¼ cup powdered sugar

¾ cup all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperture
For the filling:

2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
½ cup lemon curd (see NOTES for recipe link)
For the topping:

Assorted sliced fruits and berries kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries
Powdered sugar for garnish if desired

3. Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars boast healthy ingredients, including fresh strawberries, pure vanilla extract, and whole-grain butter crumbles. The squeeze of lemon adds tangy flavor, while the vanilla gives sweet, floral scents we’ve all come to love.

Ingredients

For the Strawberry Bars:
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats gluten free if needed
3/4 cup white whole wheat flour or substitute all-purpose flour or 1:1 baking flour to make gluten free

1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (or substitute melted coconut oil to make vegan/dairy free)
2 cups small-diced strawberries about 10 ounces, divided
1 teaspoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice from about 1/2 small lemon
1 tablespoon granulated sugar divided
For the Vanilla Glaze (optional but delicious, especially if you prefer a sweeter bar):

1/2 cup powdered sugar sifted
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk any kind you like

4. Punch Bowl Cake

Punch Bowl Cake is a delicious bowl of tropical flavors made with coconut flakes, canned peaches, crushed pineapples, and your favorite cherry pie filling. The decadent bowl comes out frothy to melt right in your mouth.

Ingredients

1 (18.25-oz) package yellow cake mix
2 (5-oz) packages instant vanilla pudding mix

5 cups milk
6 bananas
2 (20-oz) cans crushed pineapple, drained

2 (21-oz) cans cherry pie filling
6 oz flaked coconut
1 (16-oz) package frozen whipped topping, thawed

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

5. Fruit Pizza Cookies

If you have an assemblage of your favorite fruits and are wondering how you can have them all at once in a delicious fashion, this recipe answers your question. Slather a cream mixture atop your favorite cookie crust before topping it up with your favorite fruits. To save even more time during preparation, use frozen cookie dough since the recipe needs to be served chill.

Ingredients

Cookie Crust

½ cup butter softened
½ cup granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg white
1 tsp baking powder
1 ½ cups flour

Whipped Cream Frosting
¼ cup butter
1 ½ cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp milk
½ cup heavy whipping cream

Fruit Toppings- strawberries, raspberries, kiwi, blackberries, mango…just to name a few ideas!

6. Easy & Healthy Fruit Dessert Pizza

With this recipe, add a dribble of coconut milk to the shredded coconut for that extra nutty, floral, sweet coconut flavor. Then, serve this as a snack or dessert during hot summer afternoons.

Ingredients

3 cups soft pitted dates

2 cups whole almonds
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup almond butter (or peanut butter)
for the middle

2 1/2 cups vanilla Greek yogurt
for the toppings
strawberries, sliced

blueberries
blackberries
raspberries

7. Bisquick Strawberry Shortcake

The original Bisquick mix will carry the recipe to ensure a light, fluffy shortcake result. The strawberry and whipped creamy topping will add bouts of fresh sweet flavors to compliment the shortcakes.

Ingredients

strawberries (sliced)
1/4 cup sugar

2 1/3 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1/2 cup milk
3 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons butter or margarine (melted)
1/2 cup whipping cream

8. Fruit Salad Trifle: The Perfect No-Bake Summer Dessert

This no-bake, no-cook trifle dessert is complete with blueberries, watermelon chunks, unpitted peaches, and swirls of either vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or frozen yogurt. The fruit trifle is served chilled as the ultimate sweet summer treat.

Ingredients

1 whole medium pineapple peeled, cored, and chunked
2 cups watermelon cut into smaller chunks
1 pint blueberries washed and dried

1 pint strawberries washed, dried, hulled
2 whole peaches remove pit, cut into chunks
16 ounces whipped topping

9. Lemon Fruit Parfaits

This recipe gives ordinary parfaits a healthy twist by incorporating an assortment of succulent fruits. Feel free to use any fruit of your choice, but we recommend a few drizzles of lemon juice for that tangy cheek puckering sensation.

Ingredients

1 – 21 ounce can Lucky Leaf lemon pie filling
1 – 8 ounce container Cool Whip, thawed and divided

10 cream filled sponge cakes
1 ¼ cups sliced strawberries
1 ¼ cups blueberries

10. Spiced Hot Fruit Bake

This simple-to-bake dessert recipe is gluten-free, paleo-friendly, and bursting with sticky amazingness. Before baking, the fruits are tossed with nutmeg, orange juice, coconut oil, and maple syrup. Cinnamon is then sprinkled as a topping to add a sweet, woody-spicy flavor to the baked fruits.

Ingredients

3 Large Apples of choice cored and sliced
3 Pears cored and sliced

1/2 Lemon juiced
1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon (extra for topping)
¼ Tsp Ground Nutmeg

½ cup Pecans
2 Cups Grapes
1½ Cups Fresh cranberries

⅓ Cup Maple Syrup
1 Orange Juiced
½ Tbsp Orange Zest

2 Tbsp Coconut Oil

11. Banana Cake

This recipe is recommended for anyone craving grown-up flavors. In your ordinary banana cake batter, add some chocolate chunks, grilled fruits, and a side of nuts for some crunch.

Ingredients

For the cake:

1 1/2 cups ripe, mashed bananas
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, room temperature

2 1/8 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups buttermilk
For the frosting:
1/2 cup butter, softened

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

12. Pineapple Dream Cake

This is the perfect picnic or party cake. Crushed pineapple together with pineapple cream filling is gently folded into the cake batter resulting in a moist cakey goodness bursting with fresh, sweet, and tangy pineapple flavor.

Ingredients

Cake
1 (18 1/4-ounce) box yellow cake mix

1 1/4 cups water
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 eggs

1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 cup sour cream
Whipped Cream Frosting

1 (3 1/2-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding
1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (6-ounce) package whipped topping

13. Angel Fruit Dessert

In the mood for an angelic treat? Combine shortcakes, cream, and strawberries in this delicate blend that’s a cinch to whip up. But, of course, feel free to use any fruit you choose instead of strawberries.

Ingredients

8 oz Cool Whip
1 angel food cake

1 lb fresh strawberries

14. Summer Fruit Galette

We present a tarty, sweet pie crust with strawberry peach and blueberry fillings. The baked fruits come out slightly sticky and tinged with lovely darker hues. However, the robust fruit flavor remains intact, only intensified by the baking process.

Ingredients

2 peaches , pitted and sliced
1 cup blueberries
1 cup strawberries , sliced
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 refrigerated pie crust
1 large egg white , lightly beaten
1 tablespoon coarse sanding sugar

15. Peach Cobbler With Cake Mix

If you want potent layers of flavors in a simple to whip-up recipe, this brew of summer peaches, cake mix, and cinnamon powder will have you covered. The cobbler comes out gooey delicious and dripping with peach goodness.

Ingredients

2 (16 ounce) cans peaches in heavy syrup
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, or to taste

16. Strawberry Cheesecake Lasagna

This chilled strawberry pie recipe is reminiscent of eclair cake. Layered with graham crackers, sliced strawberries, and cheesecake, the parfait of ingredients sits in the freezer overnight and is served chilled in the middle of a hot summer day.

Ingredients

2 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon amaretto
1 (16-ounce) tub whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
Non-stick coconut oil spray
14 pieces graham crackers
2 (10-ounce) jars of strawberry jam
2 cups fresh or frozen and thawed sliced strawberries, divided

17. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Characteristically sweet strawberries, but made better with a total chocolate drench. The recipe blends chocolatey, sweet, tangy strawberry notes in a pleasant sensation of flavors.

Ingredients

10 ounce package Ghirardelli Baking Chips Bittersweet, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate
2 pounds fresh strawberries stems attached

18. Trisha Yearwood Key Lime Cake

This key lime cake comes light, delicious, and bursting with sweet, tangy flavors. The oil and eggs used here will make the cake moist and fluffy, while the lime gelatine gives this cake characteristic sour notes and those lovely green hues.

Ingredients

Butter and Flour (for greasing and dusting the pan)
1 (3-ounce) package lime-flavored gelatin
1 /13 cups granulated sugar
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 large eggs, slightly beaten
For The Glaze
1/2 cup key lime juice (about 25 small key limes or 4 large limes)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
For The Icing
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
1 (1-pound) box powdered sugar

19. Cherry Clafoutis (Clafoutis Aux Cerises)

This lovely dessert hails from the southern countryside of France and can be served chilled or sizzlingly hot. Ripe, juicy cherries are drowned in a custard batter and then baked to perfection. The result is a fancy dessert melting with all the sweet flavors. This classic dessert item will be the perfect dinner finale item the next time you host a formal dinner.

Ingredients

4 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 tablespoon kirsch liquor (optional)
Zest one lemon
2 tablespoons melted butter
3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 cups black cherries, pitted and halved
Powdered sugar for dusting

20. Apple Brown Betty

For this recipe, use fresh slices of apple, a dab of lemon, and all the cinnamon nutmeg crumbles you can take. The baked blend of ingredients caramelizes into a delicious light brown tinge while the apples take on a crispy sweet texture. Top this off with a side of caramel sauce or your favorite vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

4 cups thinly sliced apples (about 2 apples)
1/4 cup of orange juice
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
A pinch of salt
1/2 cup cold butter, sliced into cubes

21. Caramel Apple Dump Cake

When looking for a sweet treat to cure your sweet tooth fixation, turn to Caramel Apple Dump Cake. The dessert is brimming with sugary sweet ingredients like apple pie filling, cake mix, and nutmeg.

Ingredients

2 (20 oz) cans apple pie filling (or 5 cups Homemade Apple Pie Filling)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, optional
1 1/2 cups caramel squares, sliced in half
1 box yellow cake mix
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) melted butter
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS:
Caramel Sauce
Vanilla Ice Cream

22. 2-Ingredient Watermelon Ice Cream

With these recipes, you can either use freshly cut watermelon cubes or a watermelon sorbet. Coconut milk will add that buttery ice creamy flavor underlaid with earthy, creamy coconut notes. This cold dessert is perfect for an afternoon at the beach when you require a creamy dessert with bright punches of watermelon flavors.

Ingredients

3 cups watermelon
1/2 cup lite canned coconut milk (or yogurt or sweetened condensed milk)

23. Chocolate-Dipped Kiwi Slices

Chocolate-Dipped Kiwi Slices will take minutes to make. This recipe involves dipping slices of kiwi fruit in melted chocolate, so both ingredients retain their original flavors. The succulent kiwi fruit will hit you with sweet, tangy notes, and as you get to the chocolate bit, nutty, earthy notes will add to the sumptuous deliciousness.

Ingredients

2 kiwi’s peeled and sliced
1/2 cup dark chocolate I used Trader Joe’s brand
1 Tbsp. Kerrygold butter

24. Lemon Sour Cream Cake

Lemon Sour Cream Cake is a homely dessert that is deliciously crumbly and full of flavor. Additionally, this delicacy packs a severe tangy punch because it’s laced with zest and lemon juice. And to stay in that sharp flavor theme, a spicy glaze made by merging butter and lime juice tops off the cake.

Ingredients

For The Cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs
1 cup sour cream
For The Glaze
3 teaspoons lemon juice, plus zest from the lemon
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted

25. Banana Pudding Cheesecake

This Banana Pudding Cheesecake will be your next dessert obsession. The recipe blends vanilla wafer crumbs, banana cream pudding, and mashed bananas to create a delicate mixture of flavors dominated by the characteristic banana flavors.

Ingredients

CRUST
2 ¼ cups (302g) vanilla wafer crumbs
5 tbsp (65g) sugar
10 tbsp (140g) salted butter
CHEESECAKE FILLING
24 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup (207g) sugar
3 tbsp (24g) all-purpose flour
3.4 oz instant banana cream pudding mix, dry
1/4 cup (58g) sour cream
3 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2–3 bananas)
TOPPING
1 ¼ cups (300ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
6 tbsp (43g) powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2–3 medium sized bananas
11 vanilla wafer cookies, whole

Final Take

With healthy eating, the only temptation that stands in your way is an insatiable craving for a sweet dessert. With these healthy fruit desserts, you can indulge in that temptation without the health repercussions.

If you need a quick snack or a refreshing dessert, turn to these recipes to delight your taste buds in a savory extravagance.

FAQS on Healthy Dessert Recipes With Fruit

How long after dinner should you have dessert?

Ideally, it would be best to wait about an hour before having dessert. This will allow you to enjoy your dessert more while avoiding bloating.

How do you store desserts properly?

To properly store your fruity dessert, freeze it while uncovered until everything firms up, then wrap it with plastic paper followed by a foil wrapping sheet, then freeze. For desserts, you’ll use later in the day, place them in an airtight container at room temperature.

What type of dessert is the simplest to make?

The simplest desserts to make are fruits because they only involve slicing, and you can eat them as is or mix them with a few ingredients and lightly bake. Fruits are also nutritious and have a robust, delicious flavor.

Why is it essential to have dessert as part of a meal?

Desserts are an essential meal finale item; they make us feel satisfied and are perfect for boosting blood sugar levels.

Are fruit desserts healthy?

Fruit desserts are an excellent option to satiate your sugar cravings without risking your diet. Fruits are naturally delicious and fat-free and have many positive health effects.