5 Clean Eating Dessert Recipes Made With 5 Ingredients or Less You’ll Crave

By Brandon D / September 25, 2025

Short ingredient lists, big flavor, and zero fuss—yes, dessert can be both clean and wildly satisfying. These five recipes keep it tight with five ingredients or fewer, no weird additives, and minimal prep. They’re weeknight-friendly, dinner party–worthy, and totally snackable.

We’re talking bright fruit, creamy textures, deep chocolate, and sweet spice—without the sugar crash. Ready to meet your new go-to sweets?

1. Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups With Sea Salt

Think Reese’s, but glow-up. These homemade cups are rich, salty-sweet, and melt-in-your-mouth creamy, with just five clean ingredients. Keep a stash in the fridge for when the chocolate monster strikes—trust me, they disappear fast.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dark chocolate chips (70% or higher)
• 1/2 cup creamy almond butter (no sugar added)
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)
• Flaky sea salt, to finish

Instructions:

1. Line a mini muffin tin with 12 paper liners.
2. In a heatproof bowl, melt the dark chocolate and coconut oil together (microwave in 20–30 second bursts, stirring until smooth).
3. Stir almond butter with maple syrup until silky.
4. Spoon 1 teaspoon melted chocolate into each liner. Chill 5 minutes to set slightly.
5. Add 1 teaspoon almond butter to each, then top with enough chocolate to cover (about 1–1.5 teaspoons).
6. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Chill 20–30 minutes until firm.

Pro tip: Want a crunch? Add a few crushed roasted almonds to the almond butter layer. Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 10 days or freeze for longer.

2. Honey-Lime Grilled Pineapple With Coconut “Whip”

Juicy pineapple gets caramelized on the grill, then topped with a cloud of coconut. It’s tropical, bright, and naturally sweet—perfect after a light dinner or as a BBQ showstopper. Plus, it looks fancy with almost zero effort.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe pineapple, peeled, cored, cut into rings or spears
• 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup)
• 1 lime, zested and juiced
• 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk, chilled overnight
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Scoop the thick coconut cream from the chilled can into a cold bowl. Add vanilla and 1 teaspoon lime juice; whip with a hand mixer until fluffy. Keep chilled.
2. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Mix honey with remaining lime juice and half the zest.
3. Brush pineapple with the honey-lime mixture. Grill 2–3 minutes per side until grill marks appear and edges caramelize.
4. Serve warm pineapple with a dollop of coconut whip. Finish with remaining lime zest.

Pro tip: No grill? Sear in a hot cast-iron skillet. Add a pinch of chili flakes to the glaze for sweet-heat vibes. Leftover pineapple is amazing over yogurt or oatmeal.

3. Strawberry Basil Chia Pudding Parfaits

Breakfast-for-dessert energy. This chia pudding layers jammy strawberries with fresh basil for a bright, slightly fancy treat that’s still weeknight easy. It firms up in the fridge, so you can make it ahead for a no-stress finish.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
• 1/3 cup chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup (or to taste)
• 1 1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• 6–8 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

Instructions:

1. Whisk almond milk, chia seeds, and maple syrup in a bowl for 30 seconds. Rest 5 minutes, whisk again to break clumps.
2. Cover and refrigerate 2–3 hours (or overnight) until thick and spoonable.
3. Toss strawberries with half the basil. Lightly mash 1/3 of the strawberries to create a quick “sauce.”
4. Layer chia pudding and strawberries in glasses. Top with remaining basil.

Pro tip: Want extra creaminess? Swap half the almond milk for coconut milk. No basil on hand? Mint works beautifully. Serve chilled with a sprinkle of cacao nibs for crunch.

4. Baked Cinnamon Pears With Crunchy Walnut “Crust”

Like pear crisp, minus the heavy topping. These tender baked pears get cozy with cinnamon and toasted walnuts for a warm, comforting dessert. It’s elegant enough for guests and simple enough for Tuesday night—seriously.

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe but firm pears (Bosc or Anjou), halved and cored
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place pear halves cut-side up in a small baking dish.
2. Drizzle pears with 1 tablespoon maple syrup and sprinkle with half the cinnamon.
3. Stir walnuts with remaining maple syrup, cinnamon, and melted coconut oil until coated.
4. Spoon walnut mixture into the pear cavities. Cover dish loosely with foil.
5. Bake 20 minutes, remove foil, and bake another 10–15 minutes until pears are tender and walnuts are toasted.

Pro tip: Serve warm with a dollop of Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt. Add a pinch of cardamom for extra coziness. Leftovers reheat nicely for breakfast.

5. Two-Ingredient Banana Nice Cream With Chocolate Shell

Ice cream vibes without the dairy or refined sugar. Frozen bananas whirl into soft-serve in minutes, and a quick dark chocolate shell brings the crunch. It’s endlessly riffable and kid-approved.

Ingredients:

• 3 large ripe bananas, sliced and frozen
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (70% or higher)
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

1. Add frozen banana slices (and vanilla, if using) to a high-powered blender or food processor. Blend, stopping to scrape down as needed, until creamy and smooth.
2. In a small bowl, melt chocolate chips with coconut oil until glossy. Stir in a pinch of sea salt.
3. Scoop banana nice cream into bowls. Drizzle with the warm chocolate; it will set into a shell within seconds.

Pro tip: For firmer scoops, freeze the blended nice cream 30–60 minutes. Add a spoonful of peanut butter during blending for PB-choco magic. Sprinkle with chopped nuts or cacao nibs for texture.

Clean Eating Dessert Tips

Keep your pantry stocked with a few power players: dark chocolate, maple syrup or honey, unsweetened coconut milk, nuts, chia seeds, and plenty of fresh fruit. Choose ripe fruit for natural sweetness and higher flavor payoff. And when in doubt, a pinch of salt makes every sweet taste sweeter.

These 5 clean treats prove dessert doesn’t need a laundry list of ingredients to taste incredible. Pick one for tonight, stash a second for later, and enjoy the sweet life—no compromise required.