16 Easy Diabetic-Friendly Dessert Recipes

Updated: Apr. 02, 2024

Take a bite out of our easy and diabetic-friendly dessert recipes—including cookies, bars, pies and more. These simple ideas will satisfy any sweet tooth!

If you have diabetes, you’re probably tired of bland food that looks unappealing. Well, it’s possible to have satisfying diabetic-friendly desserts that look stunning and will knock your socks off. Whether you’re on the hunt for easy diabetic-friendly recipes that you can make in a pinch, or want to start making desserts just for two, we have ’em all—from summer desserts to holiday treats and everything in between.

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Best Angel Food Cake

For our daughter’s wedding, a friend made this lovely, angel food cake from a recipe she’s used for decades. It really is one of the best angel food cake recipes I’ve found. Serve slices plain or dress them up with fresh fruit. —Marilyn Niemeyer, Doon, Iowa
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Pumpkin Snack Cake

The crunchy, sweet topping makes this simple pumpkin snack cake taste extra special. If you prefer a sweeter cake, omit the topping and spread with your favorite frosting instead. This is a great diabetic dessert without losing a lot of sweet flavor. —Steven Schend, Grand Rapids, Michigan
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Dutch Apple Pie Tartlets

These adorable mini apple pie pastries make a delightful addition to a dessert buffet or snack tray. The recipe calls for convenient frozen phyllo shells, so they’re surprisingly easy to prepare. The lemon curd filling adds a unique flavor twist. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
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Dream Cupcakes

My grandchildren absolutely love these cream-filled cupcakes, and I hope the chocolaty treats become a favorite in your home as well. You won’t even believe that this recipe is a diabetic dessert. —Dorothy Bahlmann, Clarksville, Iowa
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Root Beer Float Pie

This is the kind of recipe your kids will look back on and always remember. And you don’t even need to use an oven. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
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Air-Fryer Apple Fritters

An air fryer makes these easy apple fritters healthier than old-fashioned fritters, yet they are still just as delicious. They’re a quick and easy dessert that includes a scrumptious brown butter glaze! —Alyssa Castriotta, North Scituate, Rhode Island
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Strawberry Banana Pudding

I add in additional fruit to get a little closer to all those servings you need every day. You can also try using different flavored puddings and fruit to switch up the recipe. This recipe will be loved by individuals with diabetes as well. —Jackie Termont, Richmond, Virginia
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Soft Honey Cookies

These old-fashioned honey cookies have a subtle honey-cinnamon flavor and a tender texture. This recipe has been a favorite in my family for years and now it can be one at your house, too. —Rochelle Friedman, Brooklyn, New York
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Pear Tart

My sister-in-law brought this pretty pastry to dinner one night, and we all went back for seconds. It is truly scrumptious ( and not to mention it’s diabetes-friendly!) —Kathryn Rogers, Suisun City, California
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Cranberry Pear Tart

This homey tart looks and tastes like apple pie, except it uses pears! Each serving has half the calories of an average pie slice. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Strawberry Lemon Trifle

This refreshingly fruity dessert is one of our favorites. It looks so beautiful layered in a glass bowl that people will think it took ages to make. The secret is starting with a purchased angel food cake. —Lynn Marie Frucci, Pullman, Washington
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Grilled Peaches ‘n’ Berries

With only five ingredients, this delightful dessert is so easy to prepare. Just halve peaches and sprinkle with fresh blueberries and a brown sugar mixture. Because they’re grilled in foil, there are no messy dishes to wash. —Sharon W. Bickett, Chester, South Carolina
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Upside-Down Blood Orange Cupcakes

Making blood orange cupcakes is my favorite way to use fresh blood oranges. I start with a cake mix and bump up the flavor with essential oil. No one knows these cupcakes are not from scratch. —Monica Chadha, Fremont, California
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Sugar-Free Chocolate Fudge

I’m borderline diabetic, but this sugar-free fudge made with sugar substitute appeases my sweet tooth. —Kaye Hartley, Jacksonville, Florida

This healthy snickers recipe can easily satisfy any sweet tooth, as well.

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Frozen Berry & Yogurt Swirls

I enjoy these frozen yogurt pops because they double as a healthy snack and a cool, creamy sweet treat. It’s great for kids and also safe for people who have diabetes. —Colleen Ludovice, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin