25+ Healthy(ish) Thanksgiving Desserts That Allow For Guilt-Free Seconds

POPSUGAR Photography
POPSUGAR Photography

Here at POPSUGAR, we're all about a healthy lifestyle — but skipping dessert on Thanksgiving is just downright wrong! So while we probably won't be having a slice of pecan pie, pumpkin pie, ice cream, and a cookie, we're definitely planning to slip in a sweet treat this Thanksgiving. If you're worried about totally falling off track on the notorious eating holiday, these desserts are perfect for you! While they're all not 100 percent clear of sugar and carbs, they're definitely better choices than whatever grandma is going to bake (sorry, grandma)!

01
Paleo Pecan Pie
POPSUGAR Photography

Paleo Pecan Pie

Pecan pie has one of the highest calorie, sugar, and fat counts out of all the pies that will end up on the table. Use a round pan instead of the recipe’s rectangular recommendation for a more traditional look for this healthier recipe!

02
Pumpkin Pie
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Pumpkin Pie

Homemade crust? Fresh filling? Minimal effort? Of course this Thanksgiving staple needs to be on your table, but this vegan variation is just as satisfying!

03
Dairy-Free Pumpkin Bread Pudding
POPSUGAR Photography

Dairy-Free Pumpkin Bread Pudding

It’s amazing what a healthy difference a little almond milk makes! And combined with whole wheat bread and only a little bit of brown sugar, this is one dessert you can feel good about.

04
Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse
Dashing Dish

Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse

Instead of picking up a store-bought cheesecake that’s filled with fat and sugar, make this better-for-you cheesecake mousse that has a pumpkin edge!

05
Flour-Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Flour-Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

You may think it’s impossible to make delicious cookies without flour, but you’re about to be pleasantly surprised with this recipe!

06
Sweet Potato Pie with Whipped Coconut Cream Frosting
POPSUGAR Photography | Leta Shy

Sweet Potato Pie with Whipped Coconut Cream Frosting

This pie recipe has some great alternatives to the typical unhealthy ingredients! Whole wheat pastry flour, coconut oil, almond milk, and, of course, plenty of sweet potatoes make a winning dessert!

07
Pear Apple Pie
Cotter Crunch

Pear Apple Pie

Load up on the fresh fruits and you won’t even miss those added sugars in this paleo dessert! The pear-apple-cinnamon combination is basically Autumn in your mouth.

08
Baked Apples
The Butter Half

Baked Apples

Please vegans and non-vegans alike with this dessert no-brainer! You’ll be surprised what little prep time this yummy baked apples recipe actually needs.

09
Pumpkin Macadamia Nut Sweet Potato Casserole
Cotter Crunch

Pumpkin Macadamia Nut Sweet Potato Casserole

OK, this dessert casserole is the king of easy recipes! Basically, you just throw everything into a bowl for both the base and topping, and it’s Paleo, too!

10
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
Well Plated by Erin

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Don’t let that maple glaze scare you, it’s totally optional! The cookies themselves have very little sugar, but they include maple syrup to sweeten them up in a cleaner way!

11
Low-Carb Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Savory Tooth

Low-Carb Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

You only need 10 ingredients to make both the crust and filling, and you probably already have most of them in your house!

12
Pumpkin Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies
Delightful Mom Food

Pumpkin Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies

Of course we had to include something pumpkin spice-related! The flour alternatives will have you feeling good about going back for a second (or seventh) cookie!

13
Whole-Grain Pumpkin-Pecan Blondies
Dishing Out Health

Whole-Grain Pumpkin-Pecan Blondies

Canned pumpkin will become your new best friend after you try these blondies! Don’t forget to pick up dark chocolate with 60 percent to 70 percent cocoa to reap the health benefits.

14
Caramel Apple Ring Pops
Shugary Sweets

Caramel Apple Ring Pops

With apples as your base, how can you go wrong? You can even alter the recipe yourself with nuts, blueberries, or other health toppings!

15
Almond Cake with Cranberries
Avocado Pesto

Almond Cake with Cranberries

This gluten-free, vegan recipe may have an interesting list of ingredients, but it comes together in the tastiest way!

16
Vegan Apple Crisp
Well Plated by Erin

Vegan Apple Crisp

Apples, oats, and nuts make up the majority of this treat! It’s vegan, but we might have to sneak a small scoop of ice cream or frozen Greek yogurt on top!

17
Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies with Balsamic Reduction
Food Faith Fitness

Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies with Balsamic Reduction

Simple ingredients and less than an hour is all you need to make these gluten-free, vegan, and Paleo cookies! Don’t believe us? See for yourself.

18
No-Bake Chocolate Coconut Pie
In Sonnet’s Kitchen

No-Bake Chocolate Coconut Pie

A no-bake recipe is music to our ears! But there’s certainly no flavor missing in this dark chocolate-filled paleo, vegan pie.

19
Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Frosting
A Saucy Kitchen

Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Frosting

We know, we didn’t think that donuts could be considered healthy either. But this Paleo version has our stomachs growling and our waistlines happy!

20
Blackberry Cheesecake
A Saucy Kitchen

Blackberry Cheesecake

It’s pretty much guaranteed that no one else will bring this dessert to the Thanksgiving table! So use this vegan dessert to stand out among all the pies.

21
Pumpkin Pie with Cinnamon Vanilla Meringue
Tasty Yummies

Pumpkin Pie with Cinnamon Vanilla Meringue

The cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger give this pumpkin pie a little something special! And that cinnamon vanilla meringue? Ugh, so good.

22
Sweet Potato Pie
Cotter Crunch

Sweet Potato Pie

Most sweet potato pies have tons of butter, sugar, and white flour. But not this Paleo one!

23
White Chocolate Spiced Almond Cake
Cotter Crunch

White Chocolate Spiced Almond Cake

Usually you hear bad nutritional things about white chocolate, but this recipe is healthier so you don’t have to deprive yourself!

24
Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding
The Wheatless Kitchen

Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding

First of all, if you’ve never had chia pudding before, you’re seriously missing out! But the pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice make it even better!

25
Gooey Apple Pecan Bars
POPSUGAR Photography

Gooey Apple Pecan Bars

If you’re just as obsessed with almond butter as we are, this is the dessert for you! And the honey in this recipe is a great alternative to the usual sugar.

26
Ginger Spice Molasses Quinoa Cookie
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Ginger Spice Molasses Quinoa Cookie

Crunched for time on Thanksgiving? Us too! That’s why we’re turning to these quinoa cookies to bring the (healthy) flavor.

27
Apple Coconut Crumble Pie
POPSUGAR Photography

Apple Coconut Crumble Pie

The coconut adds a fun spin on the typical apple pie! And the cinnamon and apples give it just enough sweetness that no one will know that it’s vegan.