45 Better-For-You Fall Treats That Everyone Can Enjoy
We're pretty sure these all pair super-well with a (vegan!) PSL.
Once the weather starts to change, the leaves start to fall, and we begin planning for all the best holidays (Halloween! Thanksgiving!), all we want to do is bake up some of our favorite fall desserts. That's not always so easy if you're following a special diet or trying to eat a bit healthier. That's why we've rounded up these 45 "better-for-you" recipes that are perfect for fall. We pinky promise—they definitely don't taste healthy. Because "healthy" can mean so many different things, we prioritized major flavor in all of these fall dessert recipes, whether you're gluten-free, keto, vegan, or just have a friend or family member who is. Bring one of these lightened up treats to your next holiday potluck, and watch it get devoured.
Planning your Thanksgiving spread? We're here to say that gathering around the holiday table while keeping special diets in mind doesn't have to feel like rocket science. Our recipes for vegan sweet potato pie, our keto pumpkin cheesecake, and our crustless pumpkin pie are just as good (if not better!) than the originals. You can even freestyle your own pie filling with our easy keto pie crust or use it for our amazing keto pumpkin pie. If you're heading out to a cookie swap, our gluten-free almond thumbprints, our vegan sugar cookies, and our gluten-free chocolate chip cookies are always a hit too.
Speaking of swaps, cookies aren't the only thing you should think about bringing. We've got a variety of mini desserts on this list that are perfect for sharing (or enjoying all to yourself at home—they're pre-portioned already!). Check out our tiramisu cookie cups, our mini pumpkin pies, or our apple crisp cookie cups are all just as adorable as they are tasty.
For more recipes to help you celebrate fall (arguably the best season, TBH), check out our favorite easy fall dinners, our top apple recipes, and our best pumpkin recipes too.
Mini Pumpkin Pies
These adorable mini pumpkin pies rethink the ratio of crust to filling in the most adorable, snack-able package. They're great for keeping portion sizes locked down (AND ensuring everyone gets a taste!).
Get the Mini Pumpkin Pies recipe.
Flourless Chocolate Coconut Cake
This gluten-free cake is a perfect last-minute dessert to whip up that is so gorgeous, people will think it took you days to make. The signature cracked topping dusted with cocoa powder makes this easy dessert into a stunning centerpiece.
Gluten-Free Apple Pie
We hope you're not batting your eyes at “gluten-free.” Trust us—gluten-free apple pie can be just as good as the original. It’s all about using the right flour, lots of butter, adding just enough water, and having patience.
Get the Gluten-Free Apple Pie recipe.
Apple Cider Donut Muffins
If you’re ready to embrace the fall vibes in a healthy way, make these apple cider donut muffins. Infused with reduced apple cider and rolled in cinnamon sugar, these bite-sized baked donut holes are the perfect bite-sized treat to put you in the autumn spirit.
Get the Apple Cider Donut Muffins recipe.
Tiramisu Cookie Cups
Tiramisu is one of our favorite desserts, but the process of making it the traditional way requires a lot of work. This version takes out all the extra work without sacrificing flavor. Another perk: These cup-shaped cookies make it even easier to share!
Get the Tiramisu Cookie Cups recipe.
Keto Snickerdoodles
If you love snickerdoodle cookies as much as we do, you're going to flip over this keto version. They maintain just the right amount of chewiness, and blanketed with the sparkly cinnamon-sweetener mix, each square is every bit as beautiful as the OG cookies.
Get the Keto Snickerdoodles recipe.
Vegan Sugar Cookies
Soft, buttery, with crispy edges, these are the classic, quintessential sugar cookie, veganized and ready to bring to any of your holiday gatherings. Whether frosted, sprinkled, or eaten plain right out of the oven, we can't get enough of them.
Get the Vegan Sugar Cookies recipe.
Pumpkin Pie Turkeys
Looking to get a little crafty with your Thanksgiving dessert this year? These pumpkin turkeys are just the thing. Easy to make, extremely adorable, and perfectly bite-size, everyone will love them!
Get the Pumpkin Pie Turkeys recipe.
Crustless Apple Pie
You need to try this hasselback trick with apples ASAP. It tastes like a cross between a homemade apple pie and a warm apple crumble. The best part: You don't need to deal with rolling out and chilling pie dough.
Get the Crustless Apple Pies recipe.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are great prepared super simply, roasted with salt and melted butter, but the variations are completely endless. We love ranch seasoning, taco seasoning, or cinnamon sugar for an added pop of flavor.
Get the Roasted Pumpkin Seeds recipe.
Magic Keto Cookies
These cookies are seriously magical. Super-easy to make and without any flour, you can feel good about eating way more than just one. Make sure neither your coconut oil or butter is melted. You want them both solid at room temperature, or the cookies will spread too much while baking.
Get the Magic Keto Cookies recipe.
Apple Crisp Cookie Cups
These cookie cups are WAY better than an apple crisp or pie. Why? They're handheld, and that oatmeal crust is SO good.
Get the Apple Crisp Cookie Cups recipe.
Keto Pie Crust
Want to freestyle your own keto pie? Mozzarella cheese is THE key keto pastry ingredient. (Don't believe us? Try our keto cinnamon rolls.) Embrace the weirdness, friends.
Get the Keto Pie Crust recipe.
Sweet Potato Pudding
This silky smooth sweet potato pudding is a lighter, simplified cousin of sweet potato casserole without the topping or crust. It's essentially the filling of sweet potato pie with an optional whipped cream or marshmallow fluff topping. No crust or crimping fuss required!
Get the Sweet Potato Pudding recipe.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
This recipe is as straightforward as cookies go: Everything goes into just one bowl and you don't even need a hand mixer. 😍 The one key here is to give your dough sufficient resting time so that the almond flour can fully hydrate and give you a more delish cookie.
Cinnamon Sugar Vegan Donuts
Donuts... that are delicious and vegan?! Believe it. We dipped these in cinnamon sugar, but feel free to substitute your favorite vegan toppings.
Get the Cinnamon Sugar Vegan Donuts recipe.
Vegan Sweet Potato Pie
This sweet potato pie is extremely good, thanks to an oat pecan crust and a creamy, spiced filling. Look for vegan marshmallows to top it, or keep it simple with your own vegan whipped topping using coconut cream.
Get the Vegan Sweet Potato Pie recipe.
Gluten-Free Almond Thumbprints
The buttery, gluten-free base to these versatile cookies pairs well with just about any filling. Pair them with raspberry, blackberry, strawberry—the world is your oyster when it comes to these adorable, bite-size treats.
Keto Fudge
When you're full on dinner, but still want a little sweet treat, fudge is the answer. It's simple, chocolatey, and just as festive as pie. It's also totally possible to make it keto, thanks to sugar alternatives.
Get the Keto Fudge recipe.
Chocolate Almond Bark
This homemade chocolate bark couldn't be easier (ready in under 30 minutes!) and also is so sweet and crunchy that no store-bought bar could compare. We love the sharp taste of dark chocolate and crunchy almonds in this recipe, but feel free to experiment with your favorite combos!
Get the Chocolate Almond Bark recipe.
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