Get inspired by delightful summer desserts that are as refreshing as they are delicious. Whether you’re using seasonal fruits, looking for no-bake options, or need a treat for a crowd, I’ve got you covered! I’ve carefully selected a variety of light, easy, and diet-friendly recipes.
Jump to: ℹ️ Overview |🍓With Seasonal Fruit |🍨 No Bake | 👨👩👧👦 For A Crowd |🌥 Light & Easy | 🥥 Low-Carb/Keto |🌾 Gluten-Free |🌱 Vegan
35 Must-Try Summer Desserts
Summer desserts often feature vibrant, fresh ingredients that are in season, like berries, peaches, and citrus fruits, which bring a burst of natural sweetness and colour to any dish.
They are typically lighter than their winter counterparts, focusing on refreshing flavours and easy preparation methods to beat the heat. From no-bake treats that keep your kitchen cool to crowd-pleasers for your next BBQ, these desserts are designed to make the most of summer’s bounty.
For this collection, I have curated recipes for a few different categories, including low-carb, keto, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly diets, so there’s something for everyone. Where available, I’ve provided basic nutritional info as well. Check out these desserts and make your summer gatherings even sweeter!
Using Seasonal Fruit
Mango Cheesecake
Creamy and luscious Mango Cheesecake is a perfect blend of rich cheese and sweet, fresh mangoes. It’s an easy-to-make dessert that promises to be the star of any dining table, offering a delightful taste and irresistible texture. Calories: 604kcal Carbohydrates: 43g Protein: 7g Fat: 46g Fiber: 1g
Gelo di Cantalupo (Sicilian Melon Pudding)
This Gelo pudding from Jul’s Kitchen is very a simple dessert, with a slightly retro flavour, easy to make, and modern in their approach. A very short list of ingredients means that they are fresh, gluten-free, and vegan desserts, thus extremely inclusive and suitable for these last summer evenings.
Strawberry Fool (Strawberries & Cream)
What I love about this easy strawberry dessert is that it really highlights the flavour of the fruit. Plus, it’s 100% all-natural. It’s not quite as rich as ice cream, or as sweet. Calories: 249, Protein: 2 g, Carbs: 13 g, Fibre 2 g, Fat: 14 g.
Roasted Grape Crostata
Sometimes the terms crostata and galette are used interchangeably. Grab A Plate explains how they are basically the same thing, but one is Italian (crostata) and the other is French (galette). Both are a rustic dessert filled with seasonal fruit.
Cherry Cobbler
This easy homemade Cherry Cobbler recipe is made with fresh cherries and a soft rise-to-the-top topping. Jo Cooks recommends serving with a scoop of ice cream, we couldn’t agree more. Calories: 403kcal Carbohydrates: 71g Protein: 4g Fat: 13g Fiber: 3g
No Bake Desserts
Raspberry Chocolate Parfait
Raspberry chocolate parfait is a treat that’s as easy as it is divine. Quick, no-bake and with a dash of charm, this parfait is made with layers of simple chocolate mousse, raspberry sauce and chocolate brownie bites assembled into individual servings. Make these ahead of time for a fuss-free, festive dessert. Calories: 508kcal Carbohydrates: 46g Protein: 6g Fat: 36g Fiber: 5g
No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Learn how to make no-bake strawberry cheesecake bars that are gluten-free, grain-free, low-carb and keto-friendly. Made with cream cheese, gelatin and strawberry purée, these are super delicious and easy to make. Calories: 418kcal Carbohydrates: 13g Protein: 8g Fat: 39g Fiber: 3g
No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
If you love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, these no-bake chocolate topped peanut butter bars are for you.
No Bake Oreo Truffles
These Oreo Truffles require no baking, only need 3 ingredients, and are a great treat for family and friends. You can get creative with the chocolate dips and toppings, and kids have fun making these too. Calories: 120kcal Carbohydrates: 14g Protein: 2g Fat: 7g Fiber: 1g
Banana Pudding
An easy homemade Banana Pudding Recipe. Rich and creamy banana pudding between layers of vanilla wafers and fresh bananas. Best of all, this pudding is a no-bake and loved by all at potlucks and parties. Calories: 247kcal Carbohydrates: 18g Protein: 4g Fat: 19g Fiber: 1g
Summer Desserts For A Crowd
Lemon Tiramisu
Try a zesty twist on a classic dessert with this Lemon Tiramisu recipe! Perfect for those looking to try a refreshing variation of the traditional Italian favourite, this dish combines the creamy, dreamy texture of tiramisu with a bright lemony kick, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion. Calories: 680kcal Carbohydrates: 48g Protein: 9g Fat: 46g Fiber: 0.4g
S’mores Bars
The ooey-gooey chocolate on a graham cracker crust and warm toasted marshmallow will give you a taste of your favorite summer dessert all year round. Calories: 192kcal Carbohydrates: 18g Protein: 1g Fat: 13g
Strawberry Dump Cake
This recipe is a total game-changer from Insanely Good Recipes. It tastes like it came from a bakery but only requires four ingredients. Calories 303kcal.
Summer Berry Pavlova
A beautiful pavlova made from pastel pink pavlova discs, lashings of softly whipped cream, dressed with a dash of blackcurrant cassis and topped with oodles of summer berries. Calories: 406 Carbs: 47g Protein: 4g Fat: 23g Fiber: 3g
Fruit Pizza
Great for a group! Not to mention a perfect summer accompaniment to BBQ! In each bite, from Aloha Dreams, you get a bit of crunchy cookie, soft cream cheese frosting and luscious fruit. There’s a reason it’s retained its popularity over the years.
Light & Easy
Coconut Yoghurt Panna Cotta
Great for your gut health, perfect for summer, can be enjoyed for breakfast/brunch and you can make it ahead of time. Top with your favourite fruit or berries and enjoy any time of the year. Calories: 569kcal Carbohydrates: 33g Protein: 9g Fat: 48g Fiber: 9g
Peach & Raspberry Clafoutis
Inspired by the French classic, this peach and raspberry clafoutis is a lighter version of the famous baked fruit dessert. It’s dairy-free and gluten-free and can be made with a variety of berries, fruit or the traditional cherries. Serve it with a little yoghurt or cream on top. Calories: 485kcal Carbohydrates: 32g Protein: 13g Fat: 38g Fiber: 5g
Lemon Trifle
This Lemon Trifle recipe is sweet, tart, light, and wonderful. Layers of homemade angel food cake, lemon curd, pudding, blueberries, shortbread cookies, and whipped cream result in a stunning presentation, but it’s so easy to make. Calories: 271 Carbs: 45g Protein: 5g Fat: 8g Fiber: 1g
Mini Pavlova
A beautiful, delicious, bite-size dessert for any occasion. Crispy on the outside and slightly chewy on the inside, topped with fluffy cream, your favourite fresh berries and nuts. These look absolutely divine at the desserts’ table; definitely an eye-catching piece of work from Olga In The Kitchen.
Lime Sherbet
Zingy, sweet, tart, and refreshing, this homemade recipe for Lime Sherbet is simple to make, and so much tastier than store-bought! You are going to love the creamy citrusy flavor that comes from freshly squeezed lime juice and zest, and a bit of milk. Calories: 257 Carbs: 59g Protein: 3g Fat: 3g Fiber: 1g
Low-Carb/Keto
French Cheesecake
This French-style cheesecake has a melt-in-your-mouth, fluffy filling and buttery crust and is perfect for entertaining. As a bonus, this delicious dessert is gluten-free, low-carb and keto-friendly. Top with your favourite fruit or berries, whipped cream or chocolate drizzle. Calories: 560 Carbs: 16g Protein: 13g Fat: 53g Fiber: 4g
Keto Carrot Cake
This keto carrot cake recipe is moist, fluffy, and made in just one bowl! Simple ingredients and easy to prepare, it is a low-carb dessert that is sure to impress. Calories: 195 Carbs: 6g Protein: 5g Fat: 15g Fiber: 3g
Keto Brownies
Even people who aren’t on a keto diet will love these unbelievably fudgy chocolate brownies.
Sugar-Free Keto Coconut Cream Pie
A buttery flaky crust filled with coconut custard and topped with whipped cream and toasted coconut for a comforting dessert any time of the year. Calories: 120 Carbs: 1.5g Protein: 3.7g Fat: 11.2g Fiber: 0.6g
Healthy Cottage Cheese Dessert
Just because you are following the keto diet doesn’t mean you have to avoid desserts. Here is a quick recipe made from cottage cheese and egg whites. This low-carb cottage cheese dessert comes out soft and smooth from Delice Recipes. Calories: 123 Carbs: 5g Protein: 8g Fat: 8g Fiber: 1g
Gluten-Free & Grain Free
Citrus Drizzle Cake
This amazing summer cake is bursting with citrus flavours and a hint of honey. Made with coconut flour and cassava flour. Calories: 253kcal Carbohydrates: 24g Protein: 4g Fat: 16g Fiber: 3g
Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Cake
This hidden vegetable cake is perfect for a treat that is lower in sugar and has wholesome ingredients. It uses zucchini which is in season for summer. Calories: 395kcal Carbohydrates: 34g Protein: 9g Fat: 29g Fiber: 5g
Paleo Peach Crumble With Basil Coconut Yoghurt
This comforting paleo peach crisp is grain-free and gluten-free. Any fruit can be used instead of peaches, and coconut ice cream, double cream or regular yoghurt can be served alongside. Calories: 363kcal Carbohydrates: 37g Protein: 5g Fat: 23g Fiber: 6g
Gluten Free Angel Food Cake
Impossibly light and fluffy, just like the original! This sweet and simple cake is perfection topped with whipped cream and berries from Iowa Girl Eats.
Tiramisu-For-1
Extra luscious and easy-peasy, this gluten free and keto tiramisu for one (with its instant ‘cookie’ layer!) is bound to become a favorite low carb treat. Calories: 305kcal Carbohydrates: 3g Protein: 3g Fat: 31g Fiber: 0.5g
Vegan-Friendly
Vegan Key Lime Pie
This vegan key lime pie is intensely limey, with a smooth, creamy texture and crunchy biscuit crust. It is a fantastic summer dessert – fresh, zingy and refreshing.
Vegan Olive Oil Cake with Lemon and Pistachios
It’s so moist and fluffy, and bursting with pistachio and lemon flavors from Chenee Today. And it’s topped with a pistachio-lemon glaze and more crushed pistachios. Calories: 541 Carbs: 30 g Protein: 3 g Fat: 47 g Fiber: 1 g
Vegan Raspberry Coconut Fudge
This Raspberry Coconut Fudge is sugar-free and ridiculously easy to make in just under 10 minutes! A guilt-free treat that makes for the perfect healthy vegan gift for any occasion.
Watermelon Gelato
Watermelon gets even better when frozen and churned into this refreshing, sugar-free, dairy-free gelato from Dreena Burton.
Peaches and Cream Puff Pastry Tart
This vegan Peaches and Cream Puff Pastry Tart is an easy delicious summer dessert idea, and the perfect use for seasonal peaches. Made simple with store-bought puff pastry vegan cream cheese. Calories: 194kcal Carbohydrates: 17g Protein: 3g Fat: 14g Fiber: 2g
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