The 11 Best Healthy Desserts for Fall

A chill in the air calls for warm spices, soft fruit, and simple bakes that feel cozy without being heavy. These desserts favor produce, whole grains, nuts, and yogurt. Each recipe keeps sweetness modest and leans on cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and vanilla for comfort.

Almond Flour Apple Crumble

Buttery without butter, thanks to nuts and oats.

Ingredients

• 4 apples, peeled and sliced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp maple syrup, divided
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/3 cup rolled oats
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, softened
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Toss apples with lemon, cinnamon, 1 tsp maple, and salt in an 8-inch dish.
2. In a bowl, combine almond flour, oats, coconut oil, and remaining maple. Mix into coarse crumbs.
3. Scatter over apples. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until topping is golden and fruit is bubbling.

Baked Cinnamon Apples

A lighter take on apple pie—no crust, all comfort.

Ingredients

• 4 firm apples (Honeycrisp or Pink Lady), cored and sliced 1/2-inch
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/3 cup rolled oats
• 2 tbsp chopped pecans (optional)
• 1 tsp coconut oil, melted
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, for serving

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly oil an 8-inch baking dish.
2. Toss apples with maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon, and salt. Spread in dish.
3. In a small bowl, mix oats, pecans, and coconut oil. Sprinkle over apples.
4. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until apples are tender and the topping is lightly crisp.
5. Serve warm with a spoonful of Greek yogurt.

Roasted Pears with Vanilla Yogurt

Caramelized edges, creamy yogurt, and a bit of crunch.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe but firm pears, halved and cored
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
• 1 1/2 cups vanilla Greek yogurt (or plain, lightly sweetened)
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Line a small sheet pan with parchment.
2. Whisk honey, lemon, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Brush pears cut-side and skin.
3. Roast cut-side up 18 to 22 minutes until golden at edges and just tender.
4. Serve warm with yogurt and walnuts.

Pumpkin Chia Pudding

Meal-prep friendly and gently spiced.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened milk of choice
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 3 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 to 2 tbsp maple syrup, to taste
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp ground ginger
• Pinch of nutmeg and salt
• 2 tbsp chopped pecans, toasted (for topping)

Instructions

1. Whisk milk, pumpkin, maple, spices, and salt until smooth. Stir in chia.
2. Rest 10 minutes, whisk again. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
3. Stir before serving and top with toasted pecans.

Dark Chocolate Bark with Seeds and Cranberries

Thin, snappy, and easy to portion.

Ingredients

• 6 oz dark chocolate (70% cacao), chopped
• 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
• 2 tbsp sunflower seeds
• 2 tbsp dried cranberries, chopped
• Pinch of flaky sea salt

Instructions

1. Line a small sheet pan with parchment. Melt chocolate gently in a bowl set over barely simmering water, or in 20-second bursts in the microwave, stirring between bursts.
2. Spread chocolate into a thin layer about 1/8-inch thick.
3. Sprinkle seeds, cranberries, and flaky salt evenly. Chill 20 minutes to set.
4. Break into shards. Store in a covered container at cool room temp.

Maple-Roasted Delicata Squash Rings

Sweet, tender rings with a dessert vibe.

Ingredients

• 2 delicata squash, seeded and sliced into 1/2-inch rings
• 1 1/2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tbsp olive or avocado oil
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• Optional: a few drops vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 425°F. Toss squash with oil, maple, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla if using.
2. Arrange on a sheet pan without overlapping. Roast 18 to 22 minutes, flipping once, until browned at edges and tender.
3. Serve warm; great with a dollop of Greek yogurt.

Spiced Oat Applesauce

Cozy, spoonable, and naturally sweet.

Ingredients

• 6 medium apples, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 tbsp quick oats
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Combine apples, water, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a saucepan.
2. Simmer over medium-low, covered, 12 to 15 minutes until very soft.
3. Stir in oats and cook 1 minute more. Off heat, add lemon. Mash to desired texture.

Greek Yogurt Pumpkin Parfait

Creamy, spiced, and crunchy layers.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 tbsp maple syrup or 2 chopped soft dates
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 2 cups plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
• 1 cup low-sugar granola or toasted oats and nuts
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Stir pumpkin with maple, spice, and salt.
2. Layer glasses: yogurt, pumpkin, granola. Repeat once.
3. Serve immediately for crunch or refrigerate up to 4 hours.

Baked Oatmeal Cups with Blueberries

Portable, gently sweet, and great warm or chilled.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
2. Whisk milk, egg, maple, and vanilla. In another bowl, mix oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Combine wet with dry, fold in blueberries.
4. Divide among cups. Bake 18 to 22 minutes until set and lightly golden.
5. Cool 10 minutes before removing.

Poached Figs with Orange and Honey

Simple, jammy fruit with gentle citrus.

Ingredients

• 8 fresh figs, halved
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1 1/2 tbsp honey, plus more to finish
• Pinch of cinnamon and salt
• 1/2 cup ricotta or Greek yogurt, for serving
• 1 tbsp chopped pistachios

Instructions

1. In a small skillet, bring orange juice, zest, honey, cinnamon, and salt to a gentle simmer.
2. Add figs cut-side up. Simmer 4 to 6 minutes until softened but not falling apart.
3. Serve warm with ricotta or yogurt, a thread of honey, and pistachios.

Cinnamon Cocoa “Nice” Cream

Soft-serve texture, deep cocoa flavor.

Ingredients

• 3 large ripe bananas, sliced and frozen
• 1 1/2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 to 4 tbsp milk of choice, as needed
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. In a food processor, blend frozen banana with cocoa, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Add milk a tablespoon at a time until smooth and creamy.
3. Serve immediately or freeze 20 minutes for a firmer scoop.

How to Keep Them Healthy and Satisfying

• Rely on fruit for sweetness. Add just enough maple or honey to balance.
• Add protein and healthy fats. Greek yogurt, nuts, and seeds improve satiety.
• Portion smart. Use muffin tins, small ramekins, or thin barks for built-in boundaries.
• Season boldly. Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove, and vanilla create richness without excess sugar.

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