Adopting a gluten-free lifestyle can be overwhelming. It will initially feel like you have to give up everything you enjoy, but rest assured that’s not the case! Most grocery stores carry gluten-free options of your favorite foods – and the ingredients used to make them. And if you have a sweet tooth, the internet is full of delicious homemade gluten-free dessert recipes, allowing you to satisfy your cravings while still keeping tabs on everything that goes into your body. We’ve curated a list of the best gluten-free dessert recipes below, including healthy and vegan options so you can get your sweet fix without sacrificing your healthy eating goals!
Celiac Disease vs. Gluten Intolerance: What’s the Difference?
It is estimated that 1 in 100 people have celiac disease (source), but many go undiagnosed since the symptoms can be so varied and the damage to the small intestines can happen slowly over a long period of time. It can sometimes take years to get a proper diagnosis, with many people never finding out they have celiac disease. It is also possible to be gluten intolerant without having celiac disease. The 2 conditions produce similar symptoms, but they are different in that a gluten intolerance doesn’t cause an immune response and doesn’t damage the small intestines.
Celiac Disease Symptoms
When someone has celiac disease, eating gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye) causes an immune response in their small intestines, which can cause damage to the lining of the small intestines over time. Here are common symptoms of celiac disease in adults:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Anemia
- Mouth ulcers
- Itchy/blistery rash
Gluten Intolerance Symptoms
If you have a gluten intolerance, that means your body isn’t able to digest or break down gluten, but it doesn’t cause an immune reaction or damage the lining of the small intestines. Common signs of a gluten intolerance in adults include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Stomach ache
- Nausea
As you can see, celiac disease and gluten intolerance share many of the same symptoms. Both conditions can also cause other symptoms that aren’t directly related to the digestive system (fatigue, headaches, etc.), which makes it harder to diagnose one versus the other. The appearance of mouth ulcers and/or itchy skin after consuming gluten-containing foods often indicates celiac disease versus a gluten intolerance.
11 Easy Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes
Best Ever Flourless Brownies | Unicorns in the Kitchen
Blueberry Pie Crumb Bars | Real Food with Jessica
No-Bake Coconut Almond Bars | Joy Food Sunshine
Caramel Magic Bars | Fearless Dining
Oreo Truffles | What The Fork
Apple Pie Bars | Nurture my Gut
Low Carb Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting | Wholesome Yum
No Marshmallow Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats | Detoxinista
4-Ingredient No Bake Peanut Butter Cup Oat Bars | beaming baker
No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake | Gluten Free on a Shoestring
Flourless Monster Cookies | What Molly Made
11 Healthy Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes
Zucchini Chocolate Muffins | Momma Fit Lyndsey
Almond Flour Banana Bread | ambitious kitchen
No Bake Samoa Bars | The Conscious Plant Kitchen
Peanut Butter Blondies | Joy Food Sunshine
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies | Eating Bird Food
Almond Flour Brownies | LeelaLicious
Banana Muffins | Gimme Delicious
The Best Healthy Carrot Cake You’ll Ever Eat | ambitious kitchen
Coconut Chocolate Chip Larabars | Eating Bird Food
Almond Butter Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Cups | ambitious kitchen
Healthy PB Balls | Texanerin Baking
11 Vegan Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes
Zucchini Brownies | ElaVegan
Oatmeal Cream Pies | Purely Kaylie
5-Ingredient S’mores Bars | A Clean Bake
Chocolate Stuffed Blondies | Joy Food Sunshine
Chocolate Zucchini Cake | ElaVegan
Banana Blender Muffins | Okonomi Kitchen
Nut-Free Snickers Pie | Real Food with Jessica
Easy Chocolate Cupcakes | The Hidden Veggies
Pecan Pie Cheesecake | A Handful of Thyme
4-Ingredient Salted Caramel Fudge | Nadia’s Healthy Kitchen
Homemade Peanut Butter Cups | Purely Kaylie
Whether you have celiac disease or a gluten intolerance, I hope this collection of gluten-free dessert recipes helps satisfy your sweet tooth!
