You know fruit is good for you. The high-quality carb is loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all of which help protect against a laundry list of diseases and prevent weight gain. That’s why it’s so important to incorporate fruit into your snacks and meals (think: fruit smoothies, orange slices on your lunch salad and so on).
But what about dessert? Think having fruit for dessert feels like a bit of a cheat? After all, dessert is supposed to be decadent, indulgent and splurge-worthy—good-for-you isn’t really part of the equation.
Believe it or not, fruit makes the perfect base for desserts because it’s naturally sweet. The sugar in fruit, called fructose, is naturally occurring—it’s not added like the sugar found in desserts like cakes, cookies and candies. Plus, the sugar in fruit is packaged with so many other good-for-you compounds, like vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.
So, how can you enjoy fruit for dessert? Try any one of these delicious ideas. Sweet!
BAKE IT
Baking helps bring out the flavors and natural sweetness of fruit. Add in some other ingredients (oats, chocolate) and you have a treat that tastes just too good to be healthy. Here are some yummy baked fruit desserts you should try:
Baked Apples with Oatmeal Filling
It’s like a tasty apple pie…served in an apple. Oh, and it has significantly fewer calories and more fiber
It’s like a tasty apple pie…served in an apple. Oh, and it has significantly fewer calories and more fiber
One baked apple, loaded with oats (a whole grain), contains 235 calories and 8 grams of fiber.
Soft Baked Chocolate-Cherry Oatmeal Cookies
It’s hard to believe that a cookie but could good for you, but this one features a healthy dose of antioxidants (courtesy of the fruit and chocolate) and fiber (thanks to the whole wheat flour and rolled oats). You can enjoy two of them for less than 150 calories!
It’s hard to believe that a cookie but could good for you, but this one features a healthy dose of antioxidants (courtesy of the fruit and chocolate) and fiber (thanks to the whole wheat flour and rolled oats). You can enjoy two of them for less than 150 calories!
FREEZE IT
Sometimes, popping some fruit in the freezer is all you need to do to transform a healthy snack to an indulgent dessert. Just think of frozen grapes, which have a smooth, ice cream-like consistency once chilled. But if you want to put in a little extra effort (as with the two desserts below), you will be rewarded! Try one of these recipes:
PB Banana Freeze Pop
This dessert is a cinch to make—it takes just 5 minutes to prep (not including freezing time) and features only three ingredients: bananas, chocolate and peanut butter. Need I say more? It was one of my tastiest creations of the summer!
This dessert is a cinch to make—it takes just 5 minutes to prep (not including freezing time) and features only three ingredients: bananas, chocolate and peanut butter. Need I say more? It was one of my tastiest creations of the summer!
Banana Ice Cream
Sweet and creamy, this non-dairy ice cream calls for just one ingredient—bananas! Simply freeze banana slices, puree and enjoy. You can experiment with different add-ins, like strawberries (a double dosage of fruit!), peanut butter or chocolate chips.
Sweet and creamy, this non-dairy ice cream calls for just one ingredient—bananas! Simply freeze banana slices, puree and enjoy. You can experiment with different add-ins, like strawberries (a double dosage of fruit!), peanut butter or chocolate chips.
DIP IT
Fruit dipped into chocolate is a no-brainer dessert! Check out this recipe and nutritious dipper ideas.
Dark Chocolate Fondue
What’s not to love about a warm, chocolate dip? I’m a huge fan of fondue and I amp up the nutrition by using healthy fruit dippers. Some of my favorites include strawberries, bananas, pineapples, orange slices and cherries. You can also try other berries, grapes and even kiwi.
What’s not to love about a warm, chocolate dip? I’m a huge fan of fondue and I amp up the nutrition by using healthy fruit dippers. Some of my favorites include strawberries, bananas, pineapples, orange slices and cherries. You can also try other berries, grapes and even kiwi.
GRILL IT
The barbecue isn’t just for burgers! Fire up the grill for dessert, toss some fruit on and enjoy.
Grilled Pineapple Skewers
Pineapple is the ideal fruit to grill. In just a few minutes, you’ll end up with gorgeous grill marks and sweet, caramelized sugar. I love to dip it in some balsamic vinegar—yum!
Pineapple is the ideal fruit to grill. In just a few minutes, you’ll end up with gorgeous grill marks and sweet, caramelized sugar. I love to dip it in some balsamic vinegar—yum!
TOP IT
Fruit is so good that it needs little help to enhance its deliciousness. A spoonful of Greek yogurt or a squirt of aerated whipped cream is often enough to give the healthy pick an indulgent feel.
Peach Melba Makeover
I’ve remade this caloriffic dessert so it contains just 95 calories per serving but is every bit as delicious as the real deal.
Dessert Shots
These are ideal to make for a party. With just two ingredients and five minutes, you’ll have a beautiful dessert to serve to your guests. Each shot contains a mere 20 calories!
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