Whole30 Desserts That Are Compliant (Kind Of)

During your Whole30 stint, you’ll likely find yourself craving a sweet, tasty dessert. We’ve all been there – many of us have long histories battling our sugar dragons, and dessert is often a prime time for entertaining those sweet cravings.

Eater Beware: There Are No Whole30 Compliant Desserts

Make no mistake – these desserts are NOT OK to eat on Whole30, because no desserts are. The term “Whole30 compliant dessert” is really an oxymoron, since there simply is no such thing.

Technically, all the desserts in this list are made with Whole30 compliant ingredients, but dessert as a general practice simply isn’t condoned.

Why? Because it’s a classic case of SWYPO. Indulging in sweets – even technically compliant sweets – reinforces those behaviors and habits that the Whole30 program intends to break.

It’s the same reason why Larabars – while technically compliant – are often debated by Whole30-ers, since their fruity ingredients can often taste more like dessert than natural, no-nonsense nourishment.

Who Are These Desserts For?

So why even make this post anyway? Well, while these recipes aren’t technically allowed on the official Whole30, they are awesome ideas for if you’re continuing the program past 30 days, since they are whole food desserts.

Some also choose to be very strict with their first Whole30 session, but loosen up a bit more for their 2nd and 3rd rounds, walking a line between Whole30 and paleo. For those types of folks, these desserts may be a great way to have a treat without jumping totally off the deep end.

I’ve seen many individuals asking for Whole30 dessert suggestions, and while I would never endorse cheating and indulging in these treats while on the program, we’re all adults and can make our own tough choices (and if you are going to cheat regardless, you’re definitely better off with these treats than stuffing yourself full of cookie dough ice cream).

Whole30 Dessert Fruit Ideas

Before we break out the big bad recipes, here’s our quick list of tasty fruits that make a great post-dinner snack.

These are simple, easy ways to satisfy some of that desperate sweet need without getting to SWYPO-y.

  • Dried Mango
  • Dried Apricots
  • Dried Apple Slices
  • Grapes
  • Strawberries & Blueberries
  • Apple Slices w/ Almond Butter

Many dries fruits can be found at Trader Joe’s with no additives, 100% compliant.

With all that being said, here’s our collection of Whole30 desserts.

Whole30 Desserts: Our Favorite Top Picks

1. Warm Cinnamon Apples

warm apples whole30

This recipe for Warm Cinnamon Apples comes from Make With Your Hands. It’s a easy, simple recipe with just apples, coconut oil, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

2. Cinnamon, Nutmeg & Banana Ice Cream

whole30 ice cream

This tasty Cinnamon, Nutmeg, & Banana Ice Cream comes from Today’s Letters.  Don’t worry – there’s no real ice cream here. Simply blend together one or two frozen bananas, a 1/2 cup of coconut milk, 1-2 tsp of cinnamon and nutmeg for this cold, tasty treat.

3. Paleo Date Squares

paleo-date-squares

These Paleo Date Squares come from The Healthy Foodie. Be careful with this loaded gun, as it definitely breaks the rules as far as imitating baked treats.

4. Baked Almond Butter Banana

banana almond butter

This Baked Almond Butter Banana recipe from Fed & Fit consists simply of banana, Whole30 almond butter, and cinnamon. That’s it!

5. Coconut Almond Butter Bites

almond butter bites

This Coconut Almond Butter Bites recipe from Running To The Kitchen uses coconut butter, almond butter, almond extract (make sure it has no sugar or alcohol), salt, coconut oil, and unsweetened 100% cocoa powder, which is compliant but quite the hot button issue, as it can be considered a cheat for feeding your desperate chocolate cravings.

6. Raw Brownie Bites

whole30 brownie bites

These Raw Brownie Bites from Paleo Grub are made with walnuts, dates, salt, cocoa powder, and vanilla. Note that vanilla extract is NOT compliant, so if you use this recipe, you’ll need to use either vanilla paste, grind your own vanilla bean, or simply skip the vanilla.

7. Grilled Peaches & Coconut Cream

grilled peaches coconut cream

This Grilled Peaches with Coconut Cream recipe comes from Paleo Grub, made simply with peaches, walnuts, coconut milk, and cinnamon. This recipe calls for vanilla as well, but since vanilla extract is not compliant, leave it out.

8. Coconut Date Ice Cream

coconut date ice cream

Whip up this Coconut Date Ice Cream recipe from Healing & Eating! It’s made simply with coconut milk, medjool dates, and chopped pecans.

9. Whole30 Instant Pot Lemon Cake

Whole30 Instant Pot Lemon Cake
Posie Brien/Eat This, Not That!

This Instant Pot Lemon Cake from Eat This, Not That features a gluten-free lemon cake batter made almond flour, tapioca flour, and coconut flour, along with date syrup and coconut milk to add a creamy consistency. Just know that in addition to requiring an instant pot, you’ll need a trivet and a 7-inch springform pan too. And if you already have an instant pot, make sure to also check out our collection of epic Whole30 instant pot recipes!

10. Vegan Pumpkin Brownies

whole30 brownies
Image credit: The Herbeevore

These Whole30-compliant Pumpkin Brownies from The Herbeevore are made with Whole30 compliant ingredients, including as pumpkin, nut butter, and walnuts. Who kew that paleo brownies could taste so good?

11. No-Bake Chocolate Mushroom Balls

whole30 mushroom balls
Image credit: What Great Grandma Ate

Made with Whole30-compliant ingredients like dates, pecans, and cacao powder, these No-Bake Chocolate Mushroom Balls from What Great Grandma Ate are the perfect Whole30 desserts to make when you don’t feel like turning on your oven. Especially when you’re feeling adventurous and want to try incorporating mushrooms into a dessert – pretty cool!

12. Mango Pomelo Chia Pudding

whole30 mango chia pudding
Image credit: Grits and Chopsticks

This Whole30 Mango Pomelo Chia Pudding from Grits and Chopsticks is just the thing when you’re craving a healthy chia pudding snack. It also reminds us of something that’s fun about being on a Whole30 diet – the creativity! This Whole30 dessert recipe adds pomelo, mango cubes, chia seeds, and coconut milk for a complaint chia pudding that works great for a sweet dessert or even for breakfast!

13. Cinnamon Sweet Potato Apple Bake

whole30 cinnamon apple bake
Image credit: The Real Food Dietitians

Here’s a Whole30 dessert with an autumn seasonal spin, but you can enjoy this Cinnamon Sweet Potato Apple Bake from The Real Food Dietitians all year long. It’s made from whole ingredients like sweet potatoes, apples, and cinnamon, and doesn’t contain any sugar or dairy – perfection!

14. Whipped Chocolate Coconut Pudding

whole30 coconut pudding
Posie Brien/ Eat This, Not That!

Another recipe from Eat This, Not That, this Whipped Chocolate Coconut Pudding is just the thing to indulge in when your sweet tooth won’t stop howling. It’s a simple dish with just coconut cream, cacao powder, date syrup, espresso powder, vanilla extract and date syrup, so you can whip it up easily and when the moment strikes you!

15. Grilled Fruit Skewers

fruit skewers
Image credit: Lindsay Funston / Delish

These Grilled Fruit Skewers from Delish.com are Whole30 desserts that can be enjoyed any time of day – even for breakfast! These delicious fruit kebabs couldn’t be simpler or healthier.

16. Cherry Banana Ice Cream

cherry banana ice cream
Image credit: Purely Katie

If you’re a banana fan, this Whole30 Cherry Banana Ice Cream from Purely Katie is the perfect Whole30 ice cream recipe for you. It’s made with only a whole ingredients: bananas, cherries, coconut flakes, and cacao nibs!

17. Pip and Eddys’ Whole30 Almond Butter Banana Cookies

whole30 cookies
Image credit: Pip and Ebby

Awww-esome! These Whole30 cookies from Pip and Ebby are the perfect paleo dessert when you need something a bit crunchier. Made with simple whole ingredients like almond butter, bananas, cacao powder, almond flour, and raisins, it’s the ideal comfort sweet snack.

18. Whole30 Key Lime Pie Bites

whole 30 key lime pie bites
Image credit: The Clean Eating Couple

In need of some Whole30 appetizers that are on the sweeter side? These Whole30 Key Lime Pie Bites from The Clean Eating Couple are great for a whole foods dessert that can even double as an appetizer. Made from pecans, hemp seeds, dates, lime juice, and lime zest (among other ingredients), they offer a winning combo of sour and sweet.

19. Whole30 Almond Joy Larabars

homemade whole30 larabars
Image credit: 40 Aprons

These Whole30 Almond Joy Larabars from 40 Aprons are made with whole foods like almonds, dates, and cocoa powder. They’re paleo-friendly and offer a great whole food alternative to traditional sweet bars. Making these DIY Larabars is also a nice alternative when you’re sick of spending cash on boxes of Whole30-friendly Larabars, or just want to get creative!

20. Coconut Almond Butter Truffles

Coconut Almond Butter Truffles

If you’re a fan of nut buttes, these Whole30 Coconut Almond Butter Truffles from Running to the Kitchen will be your dream Whole30 sweet. All you need is coconut butter, almond butter, and almond extract! It doesn’t get much easier than that.

21. Clean Chocolate Cupcakes

Want a Whole30 dessert that’s more chocolatey? Try these Whole30 Cupcakes from Monika Hibbs, which use fruits like bananas, apples, and dates for sweetness. A cupcake has never tasted so clean!

There you have it – Whole30 desserts that are compliant… kind of.

Whole30 Desserts & Sweets FAQ

Can you have any chocolate on Whole30?

Technically you can have 100% cacao powder on Whole30, but it’ll taste terrible. Any other chocolate with less than 100% cacao will have sugar, which is not allowed on Whole30.

What sweets can I eat on Whole30?

The only sweet foods you can have on Whole30 are fruit like apples, grapes, pears, and berries.

Can I have dessert on Whole30?

Technically, you should not have dessert during your first round of Whole30, since one of the core principals of Whole30 is to break bad eating habits and change your relationship to food. Part of that relationship change is eliminating the habit of needing to eat dessert after your main meal.

This is why eating even Whole30-complaint deserts is considered SWYPO – Sex With Your Pants On. Aka, not the real thing, so why bother?

If you’ve already finished your first 30 day round of Whole30, you can begin opening yourself up to the possibility of Whole30-friendly deserts like those listed here. These desserts are all Whole30-ingredient compliant, and are allowed on paleo too!

Can you have dairy free ice cream on Whole30?

No – nearly all dairy-free ice cream still has sugar, making it not allowed on Whole30.

What’s your take on Whole30 desserts – are you for them or against them? Any recommended compliant treats we missed? Share your thoughts, feelings, and suggestions in the comments below!

Photo of author
about the author:
Meg Mars
Meg is a writer who is passionate about healthy eating. From Whole30 and South Beach Diet, to paleo and intermittent fasting, she's experimented with several healthy eating regiments and is passionate about helping readers find the perfect food plan match for their lifestyles.

6 thoughts on “Whole30 Desserts That Are Compliant (Kind Of)”

  1. I don’t actually eat this on a whole30, but one of my fave go-to paleo/whole30 deserts that I like to make when I am in the need for desert (usually happens at that time of the month) but want to keep it healthy, is this:
    1/4c canned coconut milk, 1/4c water, 1 date, half a banana, tbsp cocoa powder and 1 tbsp chia powder. Blend together and enjoy.
    You can also add a tbsp of malted drink powder, but that would really not be compliant.

    Reply
  2. But isn’t whole 30 about the actual foods vs eliminating behaviors, specifically. I would think eating these types of “desserts” would be helpful in transitioning into the lifestyle. But then again, I don’t really know the philosophy behind it, only which foods are considered compliant!

    Reply
    • Hey Sade – it’s definitely both, which is why we don’t recommend using Whole30 desserts until after your initial R1 – they’re really only appropriate for folks who will be doing Whole30/paleo long term.

      Reply
  3. Thank you so much for the way you’ve framed this! Post Whole30, I have to keep my sugar in check (for a million health reasons), and having dessert options like this is super helpful! Seriously appreciate your clarity (including in the title), and for this collection of recipes!

    Reply

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