Low-Calorie Dessert Recipes

If you love dessert but would like to keep an eye on your calorie intake, low-calorie desserts may be just what you are looking for. Lighter dessert alternatives are made without refined sugar or heavily processed ingredients, and they can be both tasty and nourishing.

So how are low-calorie desserts made, and which ingredients are worth choosing? Here are some low-calorie dessert recipes that are both fit-friendly and satisfying.

What is the secret of low-calorie desserts?

There are a few key points to bear in mind when making healthier desserts:

• Use natural sweeteners instead of refined sugar (honey, dates, stevia, banana, apple purée).
• Choose wholesome flours instead of white flour (oat flour, almond flour, wholemeal flour).
• In milk-based recipes, use low-fat or plant-based milks to lower the calories.
• Prefer baked or frozen recipes to fried ones.
• Use protein-rich ingredients (yoghurt, oats, chia seeds) to help you feel full for longer.

Now let us look at some favourite low-calorie dessert recipes. Calorie counts are approximate.

1. Sugar-free date brownie

Calories: 1 slice is approximately 90 kcal

Ingredients:

• 10 dates
• 1 cup (about 200 ml) hot water
• 1 cup oat flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 banana
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 egg (vegans can use chia seeds instead)
• 1 dessert spoon coconut oil

Method:

1. Soak the dates in the hot water for 10 minutes, and once they are soft, blend them in a food processor.
2. Add the mashed banana, the egg and the coconut oil and mix.
3. Add the oat flour, cocoa, baking powder and cinnamon and mix until smooth.
4. Pour the mixture into a baking dish lined with baking paper.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C for 20 to 25 minutes.
6. Let it cool, then slice and serve.

Tip: you can add walnuts or pieces of dark chocolate on top for extra flavour.

2. Chia seed pudding

Calories: 1 portion is approximately 120 kcal

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 cup (about 200 ml) light milk or almond milk
• 1 dessert spoon honey or stevia
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For the topping: strawberries, banana, blueberries, cacao nibs

Method:

1. Put the chia seeds in a bowl and add the milk.
2. Add the honey and vanilla extract and stir.
3. Leave the mixture in the fridge overnight (at least 3 to 4 hours).
4. Before serving, top with slices of fruit or cacao nibs.

Tip: you can add cinnamon or cocoa to flavour the chia pudding.

3. Oat and banana cookies

Calories: 1 cookie is approximately 80 kcal

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe bananas
• 1.5 cups rolled oats (about 150 g)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon cocoa
• 1 dessert spoon coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts or dark chocolate (optional)

Method:

1. Mash the bananas with a fork and mix with the oats.
2. Add the cinnamon, cocoa and coconut oil and knead.
3. Take small pieces of the mixture and shape them.
4. Bake at 170°C for 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Once cool, enjoy with tea or coffee.

Tip: for a crunchier texture, bake the cookies for 5 minutes longer.

4. Yoghurt and fruit parfait

Calories: 1 portion is approximately 150 kcal

Ingredients:

• 1 cup strained (süzme) yoghurt or light yoghurt (about 200 g)
• 1 dessert spoon honey or stevia
• 1 tablespoon granola or rolled oats
• Half a cup of chopped fruit (strawberries, banana, blueberries)

Method:

1. Mix the yoghurt with the honey.
2. Add a layer of yoghurt, a layer of fruit and some granola to a glass.
3. Repeat the layers.
4. Eat straight away, or chill in the fridge for 1 hour and serve cold.

Tip: you can sprinkle cinnamon on top for extra flavour.

5. Chocolate ice cream (no sugar, no dairy)

Calories: 1 scoop is approximately 60 kcal

Ingredients:

• 2 frozen bananas
• 1 tablespoon cocoa
• 1 dessert spoon peanut butter or almond butter
• 2 tablespoons coconut milk or almond milk

Method:

1. Blend the frozen bananas in a food processor until creamy.
2. Add the cocoa and peanut butter and mix.
3. Keep blending until smooth.
4. Eat straight away, or freeze for 1 hour to firm up.

Tip: for a lighter taste, use water instead of coconut milk.

Healthier dessert alternatives

With low-calorie desserts, you can enjoy something sweet in a more balanced way.

• Choose recipes with little or no added sugar as part of a balanced diet.
• Use ingredients rich in protein and fibre to help you feel full for longer.
• Try natural, homemade recipes instead of processed sweets.

If you would like to enjoy dessert while keeping your eating balanced, give these recipes a try.

This article is for general information only; please consult your doctor and dietitian about your own situation.