At Kiwigarden, we understand that once your kids discover cakes and sweet foods, it’s even harder to encourage them to eat healthily.
However, you don’t need to banish your favourite sweet treats from your family’s diet. Instead, you can simply adjust recipes to create healthier desserts. Making delicious and healthy desserts at home without sacrificing flavour is possible.
If you’re looking for easy healthy desserts that still appease your craving, look no further! We’ve put together some of the latest recipes of refined sugar-free desserts for NZ families.
Yoghurt drops
Kiwigarden Yoghurt Drops are a quick and delicious after-dinner snack when you need to satisfy sweet cravings. Our drops melt in the mouth, are bursting with flavour, and contain probiotics for healthy tummies.
Choose from a wide range of NZ-grown fruit options, including banana, berries, gold kiwi, and passionfruit, covered in creamy Greek-style natural yoghurt.
Chocolate banana oatmeal
Traditionally, oatmeal is a breakfast food - but it doesn’t have to be! Cacao is a healthier alternative to sugar-loaded cocoa, and it’s a natural source of healthy fats and protein.
Check out some recipe ideas for delicious and well-balanced healthy desserts:
- Cook oats with plant-based milk, then mix in some cacao and sliced banana.
- Add an egg and mash the banana to form pancakes. Throw in some spinach leaves for a serving of vegetables. Finally, melt our Strawberry Yoghurt Drops over the top for a nutritious and tasty finish.
Chocolate caramel brownies
Chocolate caramel brownies should be rich, decadent, and gooey. However, traditional recipes call for 1 ½ cups of sugar. Boost the nutrient content using wholemeal flour, cacao, shredded zucchini, and mashed banana. And don’t worry, your kids will have no clue it contains a vegetable! Blend Medjool dates, cashew butter, and coconut cream for the caramel.
Vegan chocolate cake
A yummy and healthy vegan chocolate cake recipe includes non-dairy yoghurt instead of eggs to bind the cake, keeping it light and fluffy. Add applesauce or banana for sweetness. We guarantee no one will suspect this recipe is vegan. So Bake, slice, serve, and enjoy!
Chia pudding
Want healthy desserts that require no cooking? Chia seeds are rich in nutrients like fibre, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and calcium.
Whisk together nut milk, chia seeds, and maple syrup. Add in other nutritious goodies like cacao, berries, and nuts. Pop in the fridge overnight and serve when cravings hit. This quick and delicious dessert recipe is sure to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth.
Avocado lime tarts
This recipe can be made raw, vegan, and gluten-free! With some healthier choices, you can load the kids up on healthy fats and nutrients like fibre, potassium, and vitamins B6 and C.
Create a healthy base from shredded coconut, chopped nuts, and Medjool dates. For the filling, combine avocados, fresh lime juice, coconut nectar, coconut oil, and lime zest. Pop in the fridge overnight. We’re sure one slice won’t be enough!
Almond butter tarts
Almond butter is full of vitamins, minerals, protein, and fibre. When combined with maple syrup and coconut oil, it adds a delicious caramel-like flavour to your recipe. Keep your tarts vegan, gluten, and sugar-free with almond meal, dates, coconut oil, and nut milk.
Banana oat muffins
Fluffy, moist, and so simple to make, a great banana muffin recipe is perfect served at any time of the day.
Bananas provide natural sweetness, and you can swap out the oil or butter for Greek yoghurt. Add a handful of oats or your favourite chopped nuts for extra crunch.
Pumpkin oatmeal biscuits
Pumpkin oat cookies are one of the easiest low-calorie desserts for NZ families. They can be vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, and can even be a sugar-free dessert using just three ingredients.
Simply combine oats, pumpkin puree, and your sweetener of choice - try coconut sugar, honey, or monk fruit. Customise with your favourite extras - chopped walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, or chocolate chips.
Discover more healthy eating tips on the Kiwigarden blog
We’re sure you’ll be counting down the minutes to put the kids to bed so you can try our healthy dessert ideas yourself!
Shop online for healthy, Kiwigarden snacks, perfect for school lunchboxes and to use in healthy desserts NZ-wide. Receive free shipping on all New Zealand orders over $35. And pay just $9.50 for orders to Australia over $50.
So which healthy dessert will you try first?
