Thanksgiving dinner gets plenty of love, but let’s be honest: dessert is what everyone lingers around the table for.
Too often, though, standard holiday baking leaves you feeling weighed down, bloated, and crashing on the couch by 7 PM.
The good news?
You don’t have to pick between feeling amazing and enjoying a slice of warm apple pie or a fudgy brownie.
We rounded up 18 of our favorite nutrient-dense, real-food Thanksgiving desserts from around the web. These recipes swap out refined flours and bleached sugars for whole-food ingredients like almond flour, antioxidant-rich sweet potatoes, warm spices, and maple syrup. They’re naturally gluten-free, full of real flavor, and gentle on the gut—so your family can enjoy them without the sugar hangover.
Whether you need to save oven space with a no-bake bar or want a classic pumpkin pie, here are 18 crowd-pleasers everyone at your table will love!
Showstoppers that deliver quintessential holiday spices, warmth, and traditional flavors.
Grain-free, Gluten-free, and Vegan
Why we love this dessert: A grain-free, dairy-free take on classic double-crust apple pie with a flaky almond flour pastry.
Grain-free, Gluten-free, and Nut-free
Why we love this dessert: A holiday staple with a creamy, spiced filling that is perfect for those who are gluten-free and nut-free.
Grain-free, Gluten-free, and Vegan
Why we love this dessert: Made with tender spiced apples topped with a buttery, cinnamon-spiced almond flour streusel—creating the perfect blend of tart and sweet.
Ideal for freeing up precious oven space on Thanksgiving Day and prepping 24–48 hours in advance.
Grain-free, Gluten-free, and Vegan
Why we love this dessert: All the flavors of spiced apple pie blended together and formed into a bar.
Grain-free, Gluten-free, and Vegan
Why we love this dessert: The perfect combination of hazelnuts and chocolate come together in this rich, silky raw-style cheesecake sweetened with maple syrup and set in the freezer. (My kids chose this for us to make this year!)
Grain-free, Gluten-free, and Vegan
Why we love this dessert: Easy to make chewy, fruit-sweetened energy squares topped with melted dark chocolate and toasted coconut.
Grain-free, Gluten-free, and Vegan
Why we love this dessert: A kid-approved, decadent, velvety chocolate dessert whipped up in minutes with zero baking required.
Grain-free, Gluten-free, and Vegan
Why we love this dessert: A refreshing, dairy-free frozen treat to scoop alongside warm pies and apple crisps.
Finger-food options that are easy to slice, plate on a holiday buffet, and serve to large groups.
Grain-free, Gluten-free, and Dairy-free
Why we love this dessert: Soft in the middle, chewy blondies packed with real pumpkin purée and warm fall spices.
Grain-free, Gluten-free, and Vegan
Why we love this dessert: Deeply chocolaty brownies naturally sweetened and packed with fiber, and kept moist with roasted sweet potato.
Grain-free and Gluten-free
Why we love this dessert: The perfect spiced, vegetable-infused dessert bars topped with a light, tangy cream cheese glaze.
Grain-free, Gluten-free, and Vegan
Why we love this dessert: Rich and fudgy grain-free squares packed with fiber and melted dark chocolate.
Aromatic, sliceable cakes that pair with post-dinner tea, or enjoying during afternoon gatherings.
Gluten-free and Dairy-free
Why we love this dessert: An herbal, fragrant, loaf-pan cake infused with freshly ground cardamom and topped with a delicious vanilla icing.
Gluten-free and Dairy-free
Why we love this dessert: A spiced, tender, fluffy cake loaded with grated carrots, toasted nuts, and dairy-free frosting.
Grain-free, Gluten-free, and Dairy-free
Why we love this dessert: Berry-studded almond flour treats that work for a Thanksgiving morning brunch or a lighter dessert after your meal.
Easy, hand-held desserts that kids and guests can quickly grab after your Thanksgiving meal.
Grain-free, Gluten-free, and Dairy-free
Why we love this dessert: Rich cocoa cookies studded with buttery macadamia nuts and pools of dark chocolate—guaranteed to satisfy chocolate cravings!
Grain-free, Gluten-free, and Vegan
Why we love this dessert: A classic chewy chocolate chip cookie made grain-free with a crispy, shortbread-like texture.
Grain-free, Gluten-free, and Vegan
Why we love this dessert: These naturally sweetened healthy cookies are made with simple, whole foods and without refined sugar or flour.
Holiday baking should be joyful, grounding, and delicious—not something you have to "recover" from the next morning.
By bringing real, whole ingredients into our holiday desserts, we get to build traditions that nourish our families for years to come. Pick one or two recipes that fit your family's preferences, don't stress over perfection, and take the time to really savor each bite!
Happy Thanksgiving from our table to yours!
