10 Easy Vegan Summer Desserts (Gluten-Free Too)
Looking for tasty summer desserts that are both vegan and gluten-free? You’re in the right place! From dairy-free milkshakes to fruit sorbet, these Vegan Summer Desserts are delicious and simple. Enjoy these sweet, guilt-free goodies that everyone will love!
Summer is my favorite season, and not just because I have a sweet tooth.
I adore the longer days of this time of year, along with more time outside and more time spent with friends.
While I enjoy seasonal fruits like fresh berries and stone fruits regularly, I also like to make actual real desserts in the summertime as well (you might like my list of the best summer juice recipes too).
I hope you enjoy this list of the best vegan desserts that utilized seasonal fruit as well as treats like chocolate chips and coconut whipped cream.
Tips for Making Vegan and Gluten-Free Summer Desserts
- Use Fresh, Seasonal Fruits: Fresh fruits like berries, peaches, and mangoes are naturally sweet and flavorful, perfect for summer desserts with minimal added sweeteners. Incorporate them into salads, sorbets, or as toppings for cakes and puddings. Fresh fruit like fresh strawberries can be a no bake dessert by itself!
- Embrace No-Bake Recipes: No-bake desserts are ideal for summer since they don’t require turning on the oven, keeping your kitchen cool. Try making raw cheesecakes, energy balls, and chia seed puddings on a hot day.
- Experiment with Dairy Alternatives: Vegan alternatives like coconut milk, almond milk, and cashew cream provide creamy textures without dairy. Use these in ice creams, mousses, and custards for rich, satisfying desserts. I utilize many of these in these delicious vegan summer desserts.
- Use Natural Sweeteners: Natural sweeteners like dates, maple syrup, and agave nectar add sweetness without refined sugars. Blend dates into a paste to sweeten cakes and cookies or drizzle maple syrup over your sweet treats.
- Incorporate Nuts and Seeds: Nuts and seeds add protein, healthy fats, and a crunchy texture to desserts. Use ground nuts as a base for crusts, sprinkle seeds on top of puddings, or blend nuts into creamy fillings like no bake cheesecakes.
- Utilize Gluten-Free Flours: Flours like almond flour, coconut flour, and gluten-free oat flour provide a great base and main ingredients of cakes and cookies. Combine different gluten-free flours for better texture and structure in baked goods.
- Make Use of Chia and Flax Seeds: Chia and flax seeds can act as egg substitutes and binders in vegan and gluten-free baking. Mix chia or flax seeds with water to create a gel that can replace eggs in recipes.
- Keep it Light and Refreshing: Light and refreshing desserts are perfect for hot summer days. Opt for sorbets, fruit salads, and light mousses to keep desserts from feeling too heavy, especially for gatherings like a garden party or pool party.
Vegan Summer Dessert Recipes
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream
Everyone loves this Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream that is made with just a few simple ingredients. This frozen dessert can be sweetened with dates or maple syrup. It’s dairy-free, vegan, and so cold and refreshing!
This is my number one pick for the perfect summer dessert on a hot summer day. You just need a handful of ingredients and a food processor.
Vegan Peach Ice Cream (4-Ingredients)
If you’re looking for a healthy and delicious dairy-free frozen dessert, you’ll love this Vegan Peach Ice Cream recipe. You only need four ingredients. Make this recipe even if you don’t have an ice cream maker!
Vegan Fudgesicles Recipe Using Cashews
These Homemade Vegan Fudgesicles are a creamy frozen dessert made dairy-free with no refined sugars! Both kids and adults love this chocolate dessert that is made with just four simple ingredients and no added sugars.
Cherry Popsicles with Coconut Milk
These Cherry Popsicles made with coconut milk are such a delicious and refreshing frozen treat. This recipe is dairy-free, but is so creamy! Use fresh or frozen sweet cherries.
Mango Popsicles (2-Ingredients)
Mango Popsicles are made with just two simple ingredients. They are a little bit tart with just enough sweetness to be a refreshing treat. Enjoy this dairy-free frozen mango dessert today.
Banana Popsicles (Dairy-Free)
These Banana Popsicles are made with no dairy and are a delicious frozen treat! Both kids and adults love this budget-friendly dessert that tastes like banana milkshake ice pops on a stick.
Vegan Blackberry Muffins (Gluten-Free Option)
For a delicious summer treat, try these Vegan Blackberry Muffins. You can use fresh or frozen blackberries. These yummy muffins are made dairy-free and egg-free with a gluten-free option.
Vegan Zucchini Brownies (Gluten-Free Option)
When you have extra zucchini on hand, transform it into these fudgy Vegan Zucchini Brownies! This delicious dessert recipe is a sneaky way to eat your veggies. Vegan recipe with a gluten-free option.
Vitamix Mango Sorbet
Here’s a quick frozen treat that only takes a few minutes. You only need your high-speed blender to make this delicious Vitamix Mango Sorbet. This recipe is made dairy-free and is so refreshing!
Air Fryer “Grilled” Peaches Dessert With Brown Sugar
Air Fryer Peaches is a delicious and simple summertime dessert recipe that tastes like a healthy peach cobbler. Air fried fruit tastes similar to grilled fruit, but without the need to go outside or use a grill. This recipe is naturally vegetarian and gluten-free.
Recipe FAQs
Use plant-based ingredients like almond flour, coconut flour, gluten-free oats, and chickpea flour for the base. For sweeteners, try maple syrup, agave nectar, or coconut sugar. Use coconut milk, almond milk, or other plant-based milks, and choose flax or chia seeds as egg substitutes.
You can use coconut milk, almond milk, soy milk, or cashew milk as substitutes for dairy. For butter, try coconut oil or vegan butter. Silken tofu or blended cashews can replace cream in many recipes.
Try making fruit sorbets, chia pudding, no-bake energy balls, or raw vegan cheesecakes. These are quick to prepare and perfect for hot summer days.
Don’t Miss These Summer Recipes
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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.
