11 Easy Desserts That Are Low in Sugar

We have a secret: Behind the richest, fudgiest brownies, there's a can of black beans. But shhh! Don't tell anyone and they'll be none the wiser. All you really need is a blender to keep making delicious vegan, gluten-free brownies on demand. Talk about making cleanup a breeze, too!

On the hunt for a treat that satisfies your sweet tooth without busting your diet? Pack these cinnamon-laced, air-fried apple chips in your lunch bag.

Apples deliver natural sweetness and a handsome amount of fiber, making them a smart choice for any diet, and the air fryer transforms them into something altogether more delicious, thanks to its signature move—adding fat-free crunch. Cutting almond butter with low-fat Greek yogurt adds protein to the dipping sauce, as well as extra creaminess.

Nutella is sinfully delicious, but the ingredients are downright troubling. It’s packed with artificial flavoring and has 21 grams of sugar per two-tablespoon serving—not to mention there’s more sugar in it than there are hazelnuts, so it’s closer to candy than actual food.  Our recipe is tastier, simpler, and more nutritious, plus it stars the most essential ingredient of all—hazelnuts.

Three extra ingredients (salt, vanilla extract, and a small amount of dark chocolate) are all you need. For a two-tablespoon serving, our version saves you 18 grams of sugar and slashes the saturated fat in half. You also get twice the amount of protein and fiber, plus all the antioxidant benefits of dark chocolate. Eat it by the spoonful or try it in these delicious Nutella-friendly recipes. No artificial flavors, no emulsifiers, and no unnecessary amounts of sugar necessary—just pure nutty, dark chocolate decadence.

To create the cookies, all you need are a few overripe bananas and some old-fashioned oats. When combined, they bake into soft, chewy cookies that are especially delicious when warm—and will fill your kitchen with the sweet smell of banana bread. If you're okay with just a few more ingredients, try tossing in some chocolate chips, raisins, a spoonful of peanut butter, or a handful of nuts.

These two-bite treats taste rich and indulgent, with absolutely no added sugar. Each also contains 3g fiber and 3g protein. We find one to be satisfying, but don't feel bad about eating two—that's only 222 calories. Store chilled in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Perfectly flaky pies from your air fryer? You bet! Store-bought piecrust is a smart shortcut; it bakes up nice and flaky in the air fryer. Naturally, fresh peaches will make the best filling, but you can use thawed frozen peaches if the fresh kind aren’t in season. Don’t toss out the leftover peach juice—simmer it down in a small saucepan until thickened for a fantastic ice cream topper.

Pumpkin spice meets chocolate: a match made in heaven. The hypnotizing smell that fills your kitchen when these brownies are done baking is unbeatable. If you don't have canned pumpkin puree on hand, you can make it from scratch. If you don't like pumpkin, butternut squash and sweet potato purees will work interchangeably, too. And feel free to store any extra brownies in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Even though this quick bread is low in sugar, it doesn't lack for flavor. Bake it once to fall in love with the recipe. Then back it again and get creative—switch out the walnuts for pecans, stir in a handful of chocolate chips or blueberries, or pour the batter into a muffin tin for an easy grab-and-go breakfast. It's also packed with nutrient-rich seeds that create the perfect egg substitute. "Flax eggs," commonly used in vegan baking, is a mixture of ground flaxseed and water that mimics the consistency and texture of an egg. If you don't have ground flaxseeds on hand, ground chia seeds will work, too. Save that tip to convert any recipe into an eggless one.

Store-bought chocolates fall short compared to these homemade peanut butter and chocolate truffles. Made with almond butter and antioxidant-rich dark chocolate, you can add any toppings you like, such as coconut, chopped nuts, cocoa powder, or dried fruit. For only 6 grams of sugar per serving, the options are plentiful.

If you (or your kids) aren't a big fan of beans, we've found the ultimate solution to get you munching on legumes: dessert hummus! Creamy and mild navy beans pair with naturally sweet applesauce and honey, plus a dash of spices, to create an easy-to-eat dip that will have you consuming beans by the bowl-full. Pair with fresh apple slices or cinnamon pita chips for a healthy treat.

Inspired by our very popular chickpea cookie dough recipe, these gluten-free bars are the perfect sweet and salty balance to satisfy any craving. With creamy almond butter, hearty oats, and sweet honey, these no-bake cookie dough bars are truly the easiest dessert ever. Topped with rich dark chocolate and flaked sea salt, you'll love everything about the familiar cookie dough flavor without the hassle of actually baking. These bars can be made-ahead and kept in the fridge or frozen if properly stored with plastic wrap. Make them vegan by substituting your favorite vegan chocolate variety.