55+ Vegan Gluten Free Desserts
Let me tell you about the first time I tried baking a vegan, gluten-free cake. It was for a friend with celiac disease who also happened to be dairy-free.
I was confident. How hard could it be? I swapped wheat flour for almond flour, eggs for flax, milk for oat milk. The result? A dense, crumbly brick that tasted like sweetened sawdust.
I learned the hard way that vegan + gluten-free baking is a different game entirely. No gluten means no stretchy protein to hold things together. No eggs or butter means no binding or moisture from traditional sources. But after many failures (and a few triumphs), I figured out the secrets.
The good news is that today, with the right techniques and ingredients, vegan gluten-free desserts can be better than the originals — richer, more flavorful, and surprisingly simple. And they work for everyone: people with allergies, vegans, gluten-sensitive folks, or anyone who just wants a lighter, healthier sweet treat.
Below you’ll find 55+ vegan gluten free desserts broken down by category: cookies, cakes, brownies, no-bake treats, fruit desserts, puddings, frozen goodies, and holiday-worthy showstoppers. I’ve also included a handy flour comparison table, a guide to vegan egg substitutes, and tips to avoid the most common pitfalls.
Let’s bake (or not bake) something amazing.
Why Go Vegan AND Gluten Free? The Benefits
You might wonder: why both? Here’s what this combination offers:
| Benefit | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Allergy-friendly | Safe for people with celiac, gluten sensitivity, dairy allergy, or egg allergy. One dessert serves everyone. |
| Lighter on digestion | Many people find plant-based, grain-free desserts less bloating and easier to digest. |
| Naturally nutrient-dense | Almond flour, coconut flour, chia seeds, and dates pack fiber, healthy fats, and minerals — not empty calories. |
| No compromise on taste | With the right recipes, you won’t miss gluten or dairy. Seriously. |
Comparison: Traditional vs. Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie
| Aspect | Traditional | Vegan GF |
|---|---|---|
| Butter | 1 stick (saturated fat) | Coconut oil or vegan butter |
| Egg | 1 egg (cholesterol) | Flax egg (fiber + omega-3) |
| Flour | White wheat flour | Almond + oat flour blend |
| Texture | Chewy | Crispy edges, soft center (different but delicious) |
| Calories (per cookie) | ~150 | ~130 |
| Who can eat it | No allergies | Almost everyone |
The Vegan Gluten Free Pantry: Essential Ingredients
Before we dive into recipes, stock your kitchen with these staples. They’re the foundation of almost every dessert below.
🌾 Gluten-Free Flours (The Right Blend Matters)
No single GF flour works for everything. Here’s a quick guide:
| Flour | Best For | Flavor | Binding Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almond flour | Cookies, cakes, crusts | Nutty, rich | Low (needs eggs or binder) |
| Coconut flour | Brownies, dense cakes | Slightly sweet | Very high (absorbs liquid) |
| Oat flour (certified GF) | Cookies, muffins, crumbles | Mild, oat-y | Medium |
| Rice flour (white or brown) | Blends, crispy cookies | Neutral | Low |
| Cassava flour | Chewy cookies, tortillas | Neutral | Medium-high |
| Buckwheat flour | Brownies, pancakes | Earthy, robust | Medium |
| Sorghum flour | Cakes, breads | Sweet, wheat-like | Medium |
| Tapioca starch | Thickening, chewy texture | Neutral | High (as thickener) |
Pro tip: For most recipes, a blend of almond flour + oat flour + tapioca starch works beautifully. Or buy a pre-made 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (like Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur) — they’re formulated for baking.
🥚 Vegan Egg Substitutes (For Binding & Moisture)
| Substitute | How to Make | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Flax egg | 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, let sit 5 min | Cookies, muffins, brownies |
| Chia egg | Same as flax | Puddings, thick batters |
| Applesauce | ¼ cup per egg | Cakes, quick breads (adds moisture) |
| Mashed banana | ¼ cup per egg | Dense, sweet batters |
| Aquafaba (chickpea brine) | 3 tbsp whipped per egg | Meringues, mousses, light cakes |
| Commercial egg replacer | Follow package | All-purpose |
🍬 Natural Sweeteners (Beyond Refined Sugar)
| Sweetener | Flavor | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Maple syrup | Rich, woodsy | Cakes, puddings, glazes |
| Coconut sugar | Caramel-like | Cookies, crumbles |
| Date paste | Deep, fruity | Brownies, energy balls |
| Medjool dates | Chewy, sweet | No-bake desserts |
| Banana (ripe) | Fruity | Muffins, breads |
| Monk fruit or stevia | Very sweet, zero calorie | Low-sugar options |
55+ Vegan Gluten Free Desserts by Category
Let’s get to the good stuff. Each recipe serves 4–8 and uses accessible ingredients.
🍪 Cookies & Bars (Crispy, Chewy, and Satisfying)
These are perfect for lunchboxes, coffee breaks, or late-night nibbles.
| # | Recipe Name | Key Ingredients | Texture | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies | Almond flour, coconut oil, maple syrup, dark chocolate chips | Crispy edges, soft center | 20 min |
| 2 | Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies | Peanut butter, certified GF oats, flax egg, coconut sugar | Chewy | 18 min |
| 3 | Double Chocolate Avocado Cookies | Avocado, cocoa powder, almond flour, maple syrup | Fudgy | 20 min |
| 4 | Snickerdoodle Cookies (Cassava Flour) | Cassava flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, vegan butter | Soft, crackly top | 22 min |
| 5 | Lemon Coconut Macaroons | Shredded coconut, maple syrup, lemon zest, aquafaba | Chewy, airy | 20 min |
| 6 | No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars | Peanut butter, oat flour, maple syrup, chocolate topping | Dense, fudgy | 10 min + chill |
| 7 | Almond Joy Bars | Almond flour, shredded coconut, dark chocolate, coconut milk | Chewy, candy-like | 25 min |
| 8 | Pumpkin Spice Cookies | Pumpkin puree, oat flour, pumpkin pie spice, maple syrup | Cake-like | 20 min |
| 9 | Ginger Molasses Cookies | Almond flour, molasses, ginger, cinnamon, coconut sugar | Soft, spicy | 20 min |
| 10 | Lemon Bars (Cashew Crust) | Cashew-almond crust, lemon curd (coconut milk + lemon + cornstarch) | Tangy, creamy | 30 min + chill |
| 11 | Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies | Hazelnut flour, cocoa powder, maple syrup, hazelnuts | Rich, nutty | 20 min |
| 12 | Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies | Almond flour shortbread, raspberry jam (sugar-free) | Buttery, fruity | 25 min |
| 13 | Carrot Cake Bars | Oat flour, shredded carrot, walnuts, coconut sugar, flax egg | Dense, spiced | 30 min |
| 14 | Matcha White Chocolate Cookies | Almond flour, matcha powder, vegan white chocolate chips | Earthy, sweet | 18 min |
| 15 | Trail Mix Energy Bites | Dates, oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, seeds | No-bake, chewy | 10 min |
Benefit: Most of these cookies are naturally lower in sugar than traditional recipes because dates, bananas, and maple syrup provide sweetness with fiber and nutrients.
🍰 Cakes & Cupcakes (Fluffy, Moist, and Celebratory)
Yes, you can have a fluffy vegan GF cake. The secret is using a good flour blend and adding a little vinegar (reacts with baking soda for lift).
| # | Recipe Name | Key Ingredients | Frosting | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Vanilla Birthday Cake | GF flour blend, almond milk, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, coconut sugar | Vanilla buttercream (vegan) | 35 min bake |
| 17 | Chocolate Fudge Cake | Almond flour, cocoa powder, flax egg, coffee (for depth), maple syrup | Chocolate ganache (coconut cream + chocolate) | 35 min |
| 18 | Lemon Olive Oil Cake | GF flour, olive oil, lemon zest, flax egg, almond milk | Lemon glaze (powdered sugar + lemon juice) | 30 min |
| 19 | Carrot Cake with Cashew Frosting | Oat flour, shredded carrot, walnuts, raisins, flax egg | Cashew cream cheese frosting | 40 min |
| 20 | Banana Bread (Loaf or Cupcakes) | Overripe bananas, oat flour, almond flour, flax egg, walnuts | None or chocolate chips | 45 min |
| 21 | Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes | Almond flour cupcakes, fresh strawberries, coconut whipped cream | Coconut cream | 30 min |
| 22 | Pumpkin Spice Cake | Pumpkin puree, GF flour, pumpkin pie spice, maple syrup | Cream cheese (vegan) frosting | 35 min |
| 23 | Red Velvet Cake (Beet Powder) | GF flour, beet powder, cocoa powder, vinegar, red food coloring (optional) | Coconut cream cheese frosting | 40 min |
| 24 | Coffee Walnut Cake | GF flour, strong coffee, chopped walnuts, flax egg | Coffee glaze | 35 min |
| 25 | Coconut Lime Cake | Coconut flour (small amount), lime zest, coconut milk, maple syrup | Lime glaze | 30 min |
| 26 | Almond Raspberry Cake | Almond flour, fresh or frozen raspberries, applesauce | Powdered sugar dusting | 35 min |
| 27 | Chocolate Zucchini Cake | Grated zucchini (adds moisture), cocoa powder, GF flour | Chocolate ganache | 40 min |
| 28 | Spiced Apple Cider Donut Cake | GF flour, apple cider, cinnamon, nutmeg, flax egg | Cinnamon sugar coating | 35 min |
| 29 | Peanut Butter Cupcake | Peanut butter, almond flour, maple syrup, flax egg | Peanut butter frosting | 25 min |
| 30 | Chai Tea Cake | GF flour, chai spice blend, strong brewed chai, coconut sugar | Vanilla glaze | 35 min |
Flour blend tip for cakes: Use 2 cups GF 1:1 flour blend + 1 tsp xanthan gum (if not already in blend) + 1 tsp baking powder + ½ tsp baking soda + ¼ tsp salt.
🍫 Brownies & Fudgy Treats (Intensely Chocolatey)
Brownies are actually easier to make vegan and GF than regular ones. The lack of eggs and gluten makes them naturally fudgy.
| # | Recipe Name | Key Ingredients | Texture | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Black Bean Brownies | Canned black beans, cocoa powder, maple syrup, almond butter | Fudgy, dense | 25 min |
| 32 | Avocado Brownies | Avocado, cocoa powder, almond flour, maple syrup, chocolate chips | Creamy, rich | 25 min |
| 33 | Sweet Potato Brownies | Mashed sweet potato, cocoa powder, almond butter, coconut sugar | Fudgy, slightly sweet | 30 min |
| 34 | Flourless Peanut Butter Brownies | Peanut butter, cocoa powder, maple syrup, flax egg | Dense, nutty | 20 min |
| 35 | Coconut Flour Brownies | Coconut flour (small amount), cocoa powder, coconut oil, maple syrup | Fudgy, coconutty | 25 min |
| 36 | Pumpkin Chocolate Brownies | Pumpkin puree, cocoa powder, oat flour, chocolate chips | Cakey-fudge hybrid | 30 min |
| 37 | No-Bake Fudge Brownie Bites | Dates, walnuts, cocoa powder, almond butter, sea salt | Chewy, raw | 10 min + chill |
| 38 | Aquafaba Brownies | Aquafaba (whipped), cocoa powder, almond flour, sugar | Light, airy fudge | 30 min |
| 39 | Zucchini Brownies | Grated zucchini, cocoa powder, GF flour, coconut sugar | Moist, fudgy | 35 min |
| 40 | Mint Chocolate Brownies | Base brownie recipe + peppermint extract + mint chocolate chips | Fudgy with mint kick | 30 min |
Comparison: Black bean brownies vs. traditional brownies – similar fudgy texture, but black bean version has 5g fiber vs 1g, and half the saturated fat.
🥄 No-Bake Desserts (No Oven, No Problem)
Perfect for summer, small kitchens, or lazy days. These set in the fridge or freezer.
| # | Recipe Name | Key Ingredients | Setting Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Vegan GF Cheesecake (Cashew) | Cashews (soaked), coconut cream, maple syrup, lemon, almond crust | 4 hours fridge |
| 42 | Chocolate Avocado Mousse | Avocado, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla, almond milk | 30 min chill |
| 43 | Chia Seed Pudding | Chia seeds, coconut milk, maple syrup, vanilla. Top with berries. | 2 hours fridge |
| 44 | Layered Berry Coconut Cups | Coconut cream, mixed berries, chia jam (berries + chia) | 2 hours fridge |
| 45 | Date & Nut Energy Balls | Medjool dates, almonds, cocoa powder, shredded coconut | 10 min (no set) |
| 46 | No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Cups | Pumpkin puree, coconut cream, maple syrup, pumpkin spice, pecan crust | 3 hours fridge |
| 47 | Tahini Halva Bites | Tahini, maple syrup, coconut flour, vanilla, sesame seeds | 20 min fridge |
| 48 | Coconut Milk Panna Cotta | Coconut milk, agar-agar (vegan gelatin), vanilla, berry compote | 2 hours fridge |
| 49 | Frozen Banana Bites | Banana slices, dipped in melted dark chocolate, frozen | 1 hour freezer |
| 50 | Mango Coconut Chia Pudding | Mango puree, coconut milk, chia seeds, lime zest | 2 hours fridge |
Benefit: No-bake desserts are naturally raw, preserve more nutrients, and require zero special equipment. Perfect for dorm rooms or camping.
🍎 Fruit-Based Desserts (Simple & Wholesome)
Let fruit shine. These are often lower in added sugar and come together fast.
| # | Recipe Name | Key Ingredients | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Baked Apples with Oat Crumble | Apples, GF oats, coconut oil, cinnamon, maple syrup | 25 min |
| 52 | Peach Crisp (GF Oat Topping) | Fresh or frozen peaches, oat flour, almond flour, coconut sugar | 30 min |
| 53 | Roasted Pears with Coconut Cream | Pears, cinnamon, coconut cream, chopped pecans | 20 min |
| 54 | Berry Crumble Bars | Mixed berries, oat crust & crumble, maple syrup | 30 min |
| 55 | Grilled Peaches with Coconut Whip | Peaches halved, grilled, topped with coconut whipped cream | 10 min |
| 56 | Frozen Berry Sorbet | Frozen mixed berries, banana, splash of water (blend) | 5 min |
| 57 | Apple Nachos | Apple slices drizzled with peanut butter, chocolate chips, shredded coconut | 5 min |
| 58 | Strawberry Coconut Chia Jam | Strawberries, chia seeds, maple syrup. Spread on everything. | 15 min |
| 59 | Banana “Ice Cream” (Nice Cream) | Frozen bananas blended until creamy. Add cocoa or berries. | 5 min |
| 60 | Watermelon Pizza | Watermelon round, topped with coconut yogurt, berries, mint, shredded coconut | 10 min |
Comparison: Nice cream vs. dairy ice cream – Nice cream has zero added sugar (if using ripe bananas), 0g fat, and counts as a serving of fruit. Dairy ice cream has 15g+ sugar and 10g+ fat per half cup.
🍨 Frozen Desserts (Creamy & Cool)
For hot days or when you want something indulgent but light.
| # | Recipe Name | Key Ingredients | Freeze Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | Coconut Milk Ice Cream | Full-fat coconut milk, maple syrup, vanilla. Add fruit or chocolate. | 4 hours |
| 62 | Fudgesicles | Coconut milk, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla (pour into molds) | 4 hours |
| 63 | Mango Sticky Rice Popsicles | Coconut milk, mango puree, cooked sweet rice (GF), lime | 4 hours |
| 64 | Avocado Lime Popsicles | Avocado, lime juice, coconut milk, maple syrup | 4 hours |
| 65 | Strawberry Coconut Yogurt Bark | Coconut yogurt, strawberry puree, spread on tray, freeze, break into shards | 3 hours |
5 Common Vegan GF Baking Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
| Mistake | Why It Happens | The Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Dense, gummy texture | Too much liquid or not enough binder | Reduce liquid by 2 tbsp. Add 1 tbsp flax or chia meal. |
| Crumbly, falls apart | No gluten means no structure | Add a binder (xanthan gum, psyllium husk, or extra flax egg). |
| Dry, sawdust-like | Overbaking or too much flour | Bake 5–10 minutes less. Measure flour by spooning into cup, not scooping. |
| Flat cookies that spread | Fat too warm or sugar too high | Chill dough 30 minutes before baking. Use coconut sugar (less spread than white sugar). |
| Burnt edges, raw center | Pan too dark or oven too hot | Use light-colored pans. Reduce oven temp by 25°F. |
The 3-Ingredient Vegan GF Dessert Formula
Don’t have time for complex recipes? These combinations work every time:
- Frozen banana + cocoa powder + peanut butter → Chocolate peanut butter nice cream
- Medjool dates + almonds + cocoa powder → Chocolate energy balls
- Coconut milk + chia seeds + maple syrup → Chia pudding
- Avocado + cocoa powder + maple syrup → Chocolate mousse
- Frozen berries + banana + splash of water → Berry sorbet
Sample Weekly Vegan GF Dessert Plan (No Repetition)
Here’s a week of desserts that use overlapping ingredients so nothing goes to waste.
| Day | Dessert | Uses Pantry Staples? |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Chia seed pudding with berries | Yes |
| Tuesday | Almond flour chocolate chip cookies | Yes |
| Wednesday | Banana nice cream with cocoa | Yes |
| Thursday | No-bake peanut butter bars | Yes |
| Friday | Baked apples with oat crumble | Yes |
| Saturday | Black bean brownies | Yes (canned beans) |
| Sunday | Coconut milk ice cream (make ahead) | Yes |
Shopping list for the week: Bananas, berries (frozen), almond flour, oats (GF), cocoa powder, peanut butter, coconut milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, canned black beans, apples. Total: ~$25.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need gluten, dairy, or eggs to make something incredible. Some of the best desserts I’ve ever eaten — a silky chocolate avocado mousse, a fudgy black bean brownie, a tangy lemon coconut macaroon — came from this very list. And no one at the table knew they were “special diet” desserts until I told them.
The key is to start simple. Pick one recipe that looks easy and delicious to you. Maybe it’s the 5-minute banana nice cream. Maybe it’s the no-bake peanut butter bars. Make it once. Enjoy it. Then try another.
Soon, you’ll have a collection of go-to desserts that work for everyone — the gluten-free guest, the vegan cousin, the friend watching their sugar, and the person who just wants a damn good cookie.
So preheat that oven (or don’t). Grab some dates or a can of chickpeas. And make something sweet that everyone can enjoy.
You’ve got this. Now go bake (or blend or freeze) something amazing.
