15 Sugar free snack recipes | No-Added-Sugar Desserts

“Go sugar-free! Go sugar-free!”

It’s the mantra we hear from every dietitian and physician these days. And honestly, I’m all for cutting back on sugar too. But there’s a catch: It does not always come in black and white.

Sugar has a bad reputation, but not all sugar is created equal. There’s a big difference between natural sugars (like the ones in fruits) and added sugars (that come in tiny white crystals). Added sugar makes your teas, bread, and candies sweet. However, it also makes your body gain weight and causes insulin resistance.

So yes, it’s the kind of sugar you should avoid.

I understand it’s a terrible feeling to miss out on desserts due to dietary choices. That’s why I created these sugar-free snack recipes so you can adopt the no-added-sugar tag without feeling deprived. Let’s get started.

The Problem With Added Sugar

From peanut butter to juice boxes and even canned fruits, added sugar sneaks its way into our mouths in so many disguises. When you eat too many of these foods, your daily sugar intake becomes dangerously high, leading to the development of serious health issues.

Experts consider high sugar consumption as one of the leading causes of obesity. It is also associated with heart problems ,  Type 2 diabetes , dental carries,  acne ,  depression ,  fatty liver , and even cancer risk. Exposing your body to so many fatal illnesses just for cravings is INSANE.

An average US citizen consumes more than 300% of the daily recommended amount of added sugar. That’s an alarming number of people moving closer to metabolic and mental disorders every day! 

If you have diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, old age, or an underlying health concern, you might want to avoid sugar altogether. Shifting to sugar-free snacks and desserts may be one of the biggest breakthroughs for a healthy life ahead

When it comes to snacks, there are hundreds of items and combinations you can try. However, one ingredient is consistent: sugar.

Most of the bakery items, frozen food, desserts, and baked goods we eat in between meals contain sugar, and a lot of it. The key is to replace packaged food with healthy, homemade treats; and replace the added sugar with equally sweet alternatives, such as:

• Detox Desserts Sugar Swap

  
  

It’s a physician-formulated sugar replacement that looks and works exactly like sugar, without the harmful effects. You can use the granular or powdered swap as a 1:1 healthy sugar substitute in baking and frosting.

• Stevia

  
  

Although it’s a lot sweeter, it’s a healthier substitute for sugar in baking, cooking, spreading, and almost anything. Stevia is derived from a plant in whole, liquid, or powdered form and is a great zero-sugar and zero-calorie substitute.

• Bananas or Dates

  
  

If you don’t mind a bit of fruity flavor in your snacks, add dates, bananas, and similar sweet fruits to your recipes. These alternatives also provide a healthy dose of fiber and antioxidants, making your sweet treats healthy and flavorful.

• Monk Fruit Sweetener

  
  

This natural sweetener is 100% calorie-free and 100–250 times sweeter than table sugar. Extracted from monk fruit juice, the sweet powder is made of Mogrosides antioxidant and also provides anti-inflammatory properties.

Okay, so what can we make with these healthy sugar alternatives? I can sense the question in your mind. The answer is the homemade snacks list below that fits every occasion like a puzzle piece.

You can eat these gluten and sugar-free snack recipes every day with tea, for mid-morning cravings, family dinners, picnics, trips, and your favorite holidays like Christmas. It shows that eating sugar-free and low-carb can be finger-licking good!

This healthy take on the traditional cinnamon roll recipe is going to leave you wanting more. The chai-spiced frosting adds a cozy, flavorful twist, making it the ultimate holiday morning delight.

Missing yeast in your recipe? This recipe works great even without it! All yeast-sensitive people can enjoy these dairy, egg, gluten, and sugar-free cinnamon rolls to their fill.

The ‘snow’ in traditional snowball cookies is all about powdered sugar, so a version without it is a hard pass. Well, we made it work out, and the result was equally sweet.

These vegan, keto-friendly snowball cookies have a dense, sweet, and buttery taste that melts in your mouth, combined with a delicious nutty pecan flavor. They’re the perfect zero-sugar festive treat for this Christmas Eve.

When it’s cold outside and you’re curled up by the fireplace, craving something sweet with your evening cup of tea, these soft cinnamon-spiced cookies will be your best friend. And no, you won’t feel even the slightest bit of guilt.

This sugar-free snack recipe creates the best gluten-free and low-carb Snickerdoodle cookies with a perfectly balanced buttery texture, warming spices, and a tangy taste. They hold up beautifully to the traditional version but with a fraction of the calories.

If you grew up loving Little Debbie’s oatmeal creme pies, this healthier version will take you back to your childhood. They are equally soft and squishy and made with better-for-you ingredients.

Anyone missing out on this classic nostalgic treat due to dietary restrictions can whip up this sugar-free version within minutes, without all the calories, carbs, and gluten.

Nothing says cozy fall and winter vibes like the comforting blend of pumpkin, caramel, and warming spices. This recipe brings all the delicious flavors of traditional blondies but without the sugar overload or guilt.

These blondies make the perfect festive gathering snack, but you can also enjoy them with a warm cup of coffee on a chilly morning. 

Who doesn’t love peanut butter cookies? That rich, nutty flavor with a soft, dense texture is simply irresistible.

But if you’ve been cutting out sugar, dairy, or gluten, you might think peanut butter cookies are off the table. Instead of sacrificing your health, try this healthier, vegan, and sugar-free version for a guilt-free peanut buttery experience. 

Pop tarts are a childhood classic, and this no-added-sugar version with a gooey, vibrant blueberry chia jam loaded with nutritional benefits makes them even better!

It’s hard to believe how something as tiny as a chia seed can have so much nutritional value. The pure blueberry chia jam provides you with a daily dose of fiber, vegan protein, and antioxidants. Plus, it has a vibrant purple color and gooey texture that’s perfect for your kid’s lunchbox. 

Everyone’s favorite brownies just got an upgrade and are now among the best gluten-free sugar free snacks recipes!

Dense chocolate brownies, buttery caramel, and chopped pecans sprinkled with sea salt are the blueprint to the most rich, delicious snack for this holiday season. Need I say more? It’s perfect for you vegan and keto friends as well!

Get your daily dose of gut-friendly fiber with these delicious blueberry muffins, and start your day feeling extra energetic.

Blueberries bring more than just flavor. They’re packed with a powerful nutritional punch, leading with antioxidants that prevent infections and aging. Using them to create these moist, sugar-free muffins is the perfect way to enjoy delicious desserts that also nourish your body. 

Chocolate chip cookies are like the French fries of the dessert world; they pair perfectly with any meal.

But there’s a difference with these cookies; I don’t feel the guilt afterward. You won’t either once you try this zero-sugar chocolate chip cookie recipe that is gluten-free, low-carb, vegan, and equally sweet & salty just like your family loves.

These keto cake pops are a total mom-approved favorite, and for good reason! Finally, a healthier cake pop you can feel good about sharing with your kids (or enjoying yourself).

The soft vanilla cake base wrapped with sugar-free, dairy-free dark chocolate in this recipe looks and tastes exactly like Starbucks cake pops with 100% flavor and 0% guilt! 

I know it’s surprising because making shortcakes is typically a ‘high-maintenance’ task. Well, we made it super easy and nutritious by using sugar substitutes and a large cookie scoop. You’ll be amazed how fuss-free, low-calorie, protein-rich, and low-carb these cute cakes are!

It’s amongst the simplest sugar-free snacks recipes and whip up in just 10 minutes. The result is a surprisingly low-calorie, protein-rich, and low-carb treat that will change the way you look at shortcakes. 

Who would have thought the easiest hamburger roll recipe would be sugar, gluten, and dairy-free?!

This recipe requires only basic pantry (but healthier) ingredients and comes together in just 10 minutes, making it quicker, fresher, and tastier than store-bought, processed buns. Plus, these homemade rolls are low-carb and can easily be sized to suit family dinners, BBQs, or lunch on the go.

“I’m eating healthy today,” says most of us... while reaching for our third oatmeal cookie loaded with sugar, dairy, and cholesterol.

These gluten-free oatmeal cookies are here to change that. Made only with healthy carbs that help promote blood sugar stability and high fiber to support gut health, they’ll keep you full and satisfied. Soft, chewy, and nutrient-dense, they’re the perfect snack for anyone following a no-added-sugar lifestyle and can even help with constipation.

Get a break from coffee and try these lovely, buttery, AND healthy matcha cookies for post-break alertness. The recipe creates adorably green shortbread cookies you’ll love to have for everyday snacking, traveling, or a holiday picnic with friends, adding a little joy (and a lot of nutrients) to your day.

It’s also one of the easiest sugar free snacks recipes, requiring just a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients.