20+ Diabetes-Friendly Dessert Ideas That Taste Great

Many people finish their meal by eating a sweet treat or dessert.

If you have diabetes, you need to be mindful of your portions when eating items high in sugar, but rest assured, there are plenty of delicious options you can enjoy.

A registered dietitian specializing in diabetes care can help you figure out exactly what and how much to eat so that you can still control your blood sugar levels. 

Read on to discover over 20 dessert ideas you can enjoy while managing your diabetes. 

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20+ Diabetes-Friendly Dessert Ideas to Keep Your Sugar From Spiking

A blood sugar spike is when blood glucose levels rise above target levels. 

A spike can occur after eating or drinking foods and beverages that contain high amounts of simple sugars, such as sodas, juices, smoothies, cookies, candies, fried foods, and refined white flour products (bread, cereal, pasta, etc.) 

Desserts are often sweet and can contain simple sugars, but with some planning (and carb balancing), you can include them in your diabetes nutrition care plan. 

To inspire your next dessert, we've created dish ideas that align with diabetes management practices.

Each dish has small to moderate amounts of sugar and contains nutrients that help slow down carbohydrate metabolism, like healthy fats, protein, and fiber.

Slowing down carbohydrate absorption gives you more control over your blood sugar levels and reduces the chance of a rapid spike. 

Ask your dietitian for personalized serving size recommendations, as your carbohydrate goals may vary based on your diabetes care plan.

1. Mixed Berry Salad with Mint

Berries are rich in fiber and antioxidants and are a great addition to a diabetes meal plan.

Because of their high fiber content (1 cup of mixed berries has 6g of fiber and only 10g of sugar), they shouldn’t significantly impact your blood sugars after eating. 

Make a refreshing mixed berry salad for dessert by washing and cutting berries: try strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.

Then, dress with a quarter teaspoon of ground cinnamon and nutmeg, ½ teaspoon of balsamic vinegar, and freshly cut mint. 

2. Greek Yogurt with Cinnamon and Mixed Nuts

Greek yogurt has higher protein levels than other yogurts, which can support stable blood sugar levels. 

To assemble this dish, spoon plain Greek yogurt into a bowl.

Sprinkle ground cinnamon and toasted mixed nuts on top for crunch. You can add fresh or frozen berries for natural sweetness and more flavor.  

3. Chia Seed Pudding with Almond Milk

Chia seeds are a rich source of fiber, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and other essential nutrients. 

To make this dish, add one tablespoon of chia seeds to a jar or Tupperware.

Pour in ¼ cup of plain almond milk, followed by one tablespoon of almond butter, one teaspoon of dark chocolate chips, half an apple (diced), a handful of mixed roasted nuts, and ¼ cup of plain Greek yogurt.  

4. Baked Apples with Cinnamon

Baking fruit is a fantastic method for enhancing its natural sweetness without adding extra sweetening ingredients. 

Make this dessert by cubing or splitting your apples in half and then dusting them with ground cinnamon. 

Bake coated apples in a hot oven for about thirty minutes. Optional: Serve with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt for a creamy texture. 

5. Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Avocado is a fruit with high levels of unsaturated fats, which are nutritious and recommended for diabetes management. 

To make a chocolate mousse, blend a ripe avocado in a food processor with ½ cup of silky tofu, one tablespoon of cocoa powder, and ¼ cup of soy milk. 

Spoon mousse into ramekins and set to cool in the fridge for about an hour before eating. 

6. Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

You can whip up these chocolate chip cookies in less than thirty minutes. 

Make your cookie dough by combining two cups of almond flour with ½ cup of smooth almond butter, one egg, one teaspoon of vanilla extract, one teaspoon of baking powder, ¼ cup of dark chocolate chips, and ¼ teaspoon of powdered stevia. 

Roll into cookie balls and place on a lined baking sheet— bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.  

7. No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

No-bake cookies are a great option for hot summer months when you don’t want to fire up your oven. 

To make, mix ½ cup of smooth peanut butter, one teaspoon of vanilla extract, ½ cup of milk, and ⅓ cup of instant oats. Use a spoon to make cookies and refrigerate for an hour before eating. 

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8. Dark Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

We recommend using fresh strawberries for this recipe because they’re easier to dip into warm chocolate. 

Start by melting dark chocolate in a microwave or a double boiler.

Skewer your strawberries with a wooden stick or toothpick and dip them into the melted chocolate.

Set them on parchment paper and cool in the fridge before eating. 

9. Fresh Fruit Kebabs with a Yogurt Dip

Bright, colorful fruit kebabs are eye-catching and fun to eat.

To assemble, skewer mixed fruits: pineapple, cantaloupe, blackberries, and strawberries. 

When ready to eat, dip your fruit kebabs in a high-protein dip (mix Greek yogurt with cinnamon, vanilla, one tablespoon of fresh orange juice, and the zest of one orange).   

10. Pumpkin Spice Custard

A custard is a creamy, baked dish you can make in two steps. 

First, mix puréed pumpkin with two eggs, one cup of low-fat milk, one and a half teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice mix, and one tablespoon of honey. 

Then, pour the custard into a greased shallow baking dish and bake at 350°F for about twenty minutes.

Decorate with crushed pecans and a spray of low-fat whipped cream before eating. 

11. Baked Cottage Cheesecake with Fruit Topping

Cottage cheese is high in protein and calcium and can be used to make a cheesecake. 

To make it, process one cup of low-fat cottage cheese with one teaspoon of ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and honey.

Crack one egg into the mixture and add ⅓ cup of light olive oil. 

Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish and bake for thirty minutes. Top with pomegranate seeds, raspberries, strawberries, and a drizzle of melted almond butter.  

12. Quick Banana Ice Cream (Made from Frozen Bananas)

This banana recipe is similar to ice cream but only uses plain Greek yogurt, two frozen bananas, and one teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Blend until creamy (it should be thick, and you can add ice if needed) and keep it stored in the freezer. 

13. Spiced Carrot Pudding 

Peel, then boil or microwave carrots until they are soft.

Place them in a food processor with turmeric, one teaspoon of brown sugar and vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon of ground ginger, and one cup of low-fat milk.

Pulse until fully combined. Once combined, add one or two tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt and mix with a wooden spoon. It should have a creamy, lumpy texture.  

Spoon into ramekins and place in a fridge to set for an hour. When ready to eat, garnish the puddings with lime zest and ground pecans.  

14. Zucchini Brownies with Almond Flour

Make your brownie batter by combining one small grated zucchini, two eggs, one tablespoon of cocoa powder, ½ cup of low-fat milk, ¼ cup of light olive oil, one and a half cups of almond flour, and one teaspoon of baking powder. 

Bake in a hot oven for about forty minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 

15. Frozen Yogurt Bark with Nuts and Berries

Dessert bark is highly versatile and easy to make.

To prepare this dessert, spoon plain Greek yogurt onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Scatter pistachios, almonds, walnuts, and berries, then place in the freezer to set for at least two hours. 

Crack the bark to eat, but keep it stored in the freezer to avoid melting. 

16. Apple Nachos 

Slice an apple thinly and layer on a plate. Sprinkle one tablespoon of ground flax and hemp hearts, then add a drizzle of melted almond butter. 

Garnish with unsweetened coconut flakes, almond slices, and ¼ cup of dark chocolate chips. 

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17. Chai Poached Pears 

Prepare your simmer pot first by adding hot water, chai tea bags, cinnamon sticks, vanilla extract, and clove.

Add peeled pears to water and poach for about twenty minutes.

When softened, serve in a bowl and garnish with ground almonds and a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt—enjoy the dish while it’s still warm. 

18. Fruit and Nut Salad 

You can use any fruit to make this recipe, but we recommend diced apple, pear, and orange.

Also, add blueberries and pomegranate seeds for texture and variety. Sprinkle in walnuts, pecans, and sunflower seeds. 

Dress your salad with lemon juice, ground cinnamon, and the zest of one orange.

You can store this in the fridge for up to four days. 

19. Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon and Sugar-Free Whipped Cream

Clean your grill and place halved peaches dusted with ground cinnamon on it.

Cook until they are tender (about twelve to fifteen minutes). 

You can check their doneness by piercing them with a fork (it should pierce easily).

Top with sugar-free, low-fat whipped cream, and enjoy while still warm. 

20. Almond and Coconut Flour Crepes with Fresh Berries

Mix crepe batter by combining ½ cup each of almond and coconut flour. Add eggs and combine.

Pour in milk until the batter is thin enough for crepes. 

Once cooked, fill your crepe with fresh berries, mint, and toasted sliced toasted almonds. 

21. No-Sugar-Added Raspberry Sorbet

Make this sorbet by processing frozen raspberries with fresh lemon juice and grated lemon zest.

The texture should look like a thick smoothie. Transfer to a sealable container and place in the freezer until ready to eat.

22. Baked Pear with Walnuts and Honey

Halve a pear and sprinkle the open sides with ground cinnamon and clove.

Cover with crushed walnuts and bake in a hot oven for about thirty minutes.

Drizzle with one teaspoon of honey before serving. 

How a Dietitian Can Help

You can enjoy desserts while managing diabetes, but if you have any nutrition questions or concerns, consider meeting with a diabetes dietitian at Nourish.

They offer comprehensive nutrition counseling through convenient online appointments.

You may not know what to expect if you’ve never met with a dietitian before. Here are some questions to consider asking: 

• What nuts are best for diabetes management? 
• Are fruits good for diabetes? 
• What groceries should I buy to manage my diabetes? 
• What teas are best for diabetes? 

Find a dietitian who accepts insurance through Nourish.