One of the biggest fears when going gluten-free is that you'll have to give up dessert forever. No more cookies, no more chocolate cake, no more brownies. But here's the delicious truth — some of the best desserts in the world are either naturally gluten-free or incredibly easy to make gluten-free with simple swaps. These easy gluten free dessert recipes will satisfy every sweet tooth without any complicated specialty flours or baking skills.
In this post you'll find 20 easy gluten-free dessert recipes — from no-bake treats ready in 10 minutes to show-stopping cakes that nobody will believe are gluten-free. Most use ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen right now.
💡 The best kept secret in gluten-free baking: Many of the most beloved desserts — chocolate mousse, pavlova, coconut macaroons, peanut butter cookies, crème brûlée — are naturally gluten-free and have been all along. You don't always need to reinvent the wheel.
🍫 No-Bake Gluten Free Desserts (Ready in 15 Minutes or Less)
#1 — Chocolate Mousse
Classic chocolate mousse is naturally gluten-free and one of the most impressive desserts you can make. Melt dark chocolate and allow to cool slightly. Whip heavy cream to soft peaks. Whisk egg yolks with sugar until pale, fold in the melted chocolate, then gently fold in the whipped cream. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve in individual glasses topped with a dusting of cocoa powder and fresh raspberries.
✅ Ready in: 15 minutes + 2 hours chilling | Naturally gluten-free | Impressive enough for guests
#2 — No-Bake Cheesecake Jars
Individual no-bake cheesecake jars are one of the easiest gluten-free desserts you can prepare. Make a crust from crushed certified gluten-free graham crackers mixed with melted butter. Press into the bottom of small jars. Beat cream cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla, and a little lemon juice until smooth and creamy. Spoon over the crust and top with fresh berries or fruit compote. Make a batch of 6 and refrigerate — they keep for up to 3 days.
✅ Ready in: 20 minutes + chilling | Make-ahead | Crowd pleaser
#3 — Chia Seed Pudding
Combine 3 tablespoons of chia seeds with 1 cup of coconut milk, a little honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir well and refrigerate overnight. The chia seeds absorb the liquid and create a thick, creamy pudding. Top with sliced mango, toasted coconut flakes, and a drizzle of honey for a tropical twist that feels indulgent but is surprisingly healthy.
✅ Ready in: 5 minutes + overnight chilling | Meal prep friendly | Naturally gluten-free
#4 — Chocolate Energy Balls
No-bake chocolate energy balls made from certified gluten-free oats, almond butter, honey, cocoa powder, and mini chocolate chips take 15 minutes to make and taste like a decadent treat. Roll into balls and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up. They keep for up to a week in the fridge — making them a brilliant make-ahead dessert or sweet snack.
✅ Ready in: 15 minutes | No baking | Kid-friendly
#5 — Banana Ice Cream (2 Ingredients)
Slice ripe bananas and freeze until solid. Blend in a food processor until completely smooth and creamy — the texture is remarkably similar to soft-serve ice cream. Add a spoonful of peanut butter for peanut butter banana ice cream, or a tablespoon of cocoa powder for chocolate. Completely naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and takes 5 minutes to make.
✅ Ready in: 5 minutes | 2 ingredients | Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free
🍪 Easy Gluten Free Cookie Recipes
#6 — 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
This is probably the most famous naturally gluten-free cookie recipe in existence. Combine 1 cup of peanut butter, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 egg. Mix well, roll into balls, press with a fork, and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. No flour whatsoever. The result is a chewy, dense, incredibly satisfying peanut butter cookie that even non-gluten-free eaters love.
✅ Ready in: 20 minutes | 3 ingredients | No flour needed
#7 — Coconut Macaroons
Combine shredded sweetened coconut with sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites for a lighter texture. Scoop into mounds on a lined baking sheet and bake at 325°F for 20-25 minutes until golden on the outside and chewy in the centre. Dip the bottoms in melted dark chocolate for a beautiful finish.
✅ Ready in: 35 minutes | Naturally gluten-free | Beautiful with chocolate
#8 — Flourless Chocolate Brownie Cookies
These rich, fudgy chocolate cookies are made entirely without flour — just cocoa powder, egg whites, powdered sugar, and chocolate chips. Beat egg whites to soft peaks, fold in cocoa powder and powdered sugar, stir in chocolate chips, and bake at 350°F for 12 minutes. They come out with crackly tops and a chewy, brownie-like interior.
✅ Ready in: 25 minutes | No flour | Rich and fudgy
#9 — Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
Combine almond flour, a little coconut oil or butter, an egg, maple syrup, vanilla, baking soda, and chocolate chips. Roll into balls and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. These cookies are naturally gluten-free, grain-free, and taste so good that most people can't tell them apart from regular chocolate chip cookies.
✅ Ready in: 25 minutes | Grain-free | Everyone loves these
🎂 Easy Gluten Free Cake Recipes
#10 — Flourless Chocolate Cake
Melt dark chocolate with butter. Beat eggs with sugar until pale. Fold in the chocolate mixture. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes in a springform pan. The result is an intensely chocolatey cake with a dense, truffle-like interior. Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar and fresh raspberries. This dessert regularly impresses guests who have no idea it contains no flour whatsoever.
✅ Ready in: 40 minutes | Naturally gluten-free | Show-stopping presentation
#11 — Almond Flour Banana Cake
A moist, tender cake made from almond flour, very ripe mashed bananas, eggs, coconut oil, maple syrup, and a little baking soda. Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes. Top with a simple cream cheese frosting or sliced banana and a drizzle of honey. This cake is naturally gluten-free and works beautifully as both a dessert and a breakfast treat.
✅ Ready in: 50 minutes | Grain-free | Works as breakfast or dessert
#12 — Gluten-Free Mug Cake (5 Minutes)
Combine 3 tablespoons of almond flour, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons of milk, 1 tablespoon of melted butter, and a pinch of baking powder in a large mug. Stir well and microwave for 90 seconds. A warm, chocolatey individual cake with zero preparation time.
✅ Ready in: 5 minutes | One mug, no dishes | Perfect late-night treat
🍮 Naturally Gluten Free Desserts
#13 — Pavlova
Beat egg whites with sugar until stiff and glossy. Spread into a round on a lined baking sheet. Bake at 250°F for 90 minutes then turn off the oven and leave to cool completely inside. Top with whipped cream and a generous pile of fresh berries, passion fruit, and kiwi. A guaranteed crowd-stopper that everyone will ask for the recipe for — and it's been naturally gluten-free all along.
✅ Ready in: 2 hours | Naturally gluten-free | Stunning presentation
#14 — Crème Brûlée
Whisk egg yolks with sugar and vanilla. Heat heavy cream until just simmering. Slowly combine the two, pour into ramekins, and bake in a water bath at 325°F for 40-45 minutes until just set. Refrigerate until cold, then caramelise the sugar top with a kitchen torch. The satisfying crack of the top is one of dessert's greatest pleasures — and completely naturally gluten-free.
✅ Ready in: 1 hour + chilling | Naturally gluten-free | Restaurant quality
#15 — Baked Cinnamon Apples
Core apples and fill the centre with a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and chopped walnuts. Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until the apples are tender and the filling is bubbling and caramelised. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
✅ Ready in: 35 minutes | Naturally gluten-free | Warm and comforting
#16 — Rice Pudding
Combine white rice with milk, sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of nutmeg in a baking dish. Bake at 300°F for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and the pudding is thick and creamy. Serve warm with a spoonful of jam or fresh berries. One of the cheapest and most comforting naturally gluten-free desserts available.
✅ Ready in: 1.5 hours | Naturally gluten-free | Budget-friendly comfort food
🍓 Fruit-Based Gluten Free Desserts
#17 — Gluten-Free Berry Crumble
Fill a baking dish with mixed berries tossed with a little sugar and cornstarch. Make the crumble topping from certified gluten-free oats, almond flour, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon. Bake at 375°F for 35-40 minutes until the topping is golden and the fruit is bubbling. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. This is one dessert that tastes even better gluten-free than the original.
✅ Ready in: 50 minutes | Crowd favourite | Better than the original
#18 — Strawberry Shortcake
Make simple almond flour biscuits by combining almond flour, egg, coconut oil, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes. Macerate sliced strawberries with sugar and lemon juice. Assemble with strawberries and whipped cream between biscuit halves. A beautiful, naturally gluten-free summer dessert.
✅ Ready in: 30 minutes | Perfect summer dessert | Beautiful presentation
#19 — Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Melt good quality dark chocolate and dip clean, dry strawberries halfway into the chocolate. Place on parchment paper and refrigerate for 15 minutes until set. Add a drizzle of white chocolate on top for a professional finish. Always use plain dark chocolate and check the label for any wheat-based additives.
✅ Ready in: 20 minutes | Elegant | Perfect for entertaining
#20 — Mango Coconut Panna Cotta
Heat coconut milk with sugar and vanilla until the sugar dissolves. Dissolve gelatine in the warm mixture, pour into glasses or ramekins, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours until set. Top with fresh mango purée made by blending ripe mango with lime juice and honey. A stunning, restaurant-quality gluten-free dessert that takes 15 minutes to prepare.
✅ Ready in: 15 minutes + chilling | Dairy-free option | Stunning presentation
💡 Tips for Making Easy Gluten Free Desserts
- Start with naturally gluten-free recipes — flourless chocolate cake, pavlova, and coconut macaroons require no flour swaps at all
- Use almond flour for cookies and cakes — it creates a tender, slightly chewy texture that works beautifully in baked desserts
- Check chocolate labels — plain dark chocolate is usually gluten-free but always check for "may contain wheat" warnings
- Use certified gluten-free oats — if a recipe calls for oats, always use certified gluten-free versions to avoid cross-contamination
- Don't skip the chilling time — many gluten-free desserts need adequate chilling to set properly
Final Thoughts
As you can see, easy gluten free dessert recipes are absolutely everywhere — from naturally gluten-free classics like chocolate mousse and pavlova to brilliantly simple swaps like almond flour cookies and flourless chocolate cake. You don't need a pantry full of specialty flours or advanced baking skills to make incredible gluten-free desserts.
Start with 2 or 3 recipes from this list that appeal to you most. Once you discover how delicious gluten-free desserts can be, you'll never feel like you're missing out again.
Which gluten-free dessert will you make first? Let me know in the comments — I'd love to see what you create! 🌿
