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30 Minutes or Less

Crunchy No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

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close-up image of crunchy peanut butter balls.

Crunchy peanut butter balls covered in chocolate! Perfectly sweet, surprisingly healthy, and super easy to make. This no-bake dessert is the perfect summer treat when it’s too hot to turn on the oven!

crunchy peanut butter balls stacked on parchment paper with milk on the side.

What You’ll Need to Make Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls

Creamy Peanut Butter – Unsweetened, creamy peanut butter is the base of this easy dessert recipe. Check your peanut butter labels closely and make sure it doesn’t contain any sugar! Added sugar in the peanut butter would totally throw off the sweetness in this recipe. For unsweetened peanut butter, I love both Trader Joe’s and Teddie’s brand.

Maple Syrup – Really any liquid sweetener will work in these peanut butter balls. Maple syrup, along with honey and date syrup, are the three least processed options which is why I always use and recommend them. Though is you don’t have those, you can use agave nectar instead. Or, for a sugar-free dessert option, check the “Make it Sugar-Free” section below!

Almond Flour – This gluten-free, low-carb flour is one of my favorites! It’s healthy, super easy to find, and virtually flavorless. The almond flour is also super helpful in holding these dessert balls together, so don’t go without it.

Crispy Rice Cereal – One cup of crispy rice cereal gives these peanut butter balls their unexpected crunch! Feel free to use whichever brand you like best. Or, for an even healthier option, use one cup of puffed quinoa instead.

overhead image of crunchy peanut butter balls on an upside-down pie pan.

Tips and Tricks

  • Don’t feel like dipping in chocolate? Save major time and energy my melting the chocolate, then simply drizzling over the top of each ball!
  • For an extra salty plus sweet combo, finish off these crunchy no-bake peanut butter balls with a pinch of flaky sea salt! A bit of salt balances out the sweetness, and adds an extra layer of crunch.
  • These treats are best stored in the refrigerator! The freezer works too, but the fridge helps them hold their shape while also maintaining their crunchiness. But whatever you do, don’t store them at room-temperature, and especially not in the summertime because they will melt!
a stack of no-bake peanut butter balls, one with a bite taken out.

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

Make it Nut-Free: For a nut-free no-bake dessert, sub sunflower seed butter for the peanut butter and 3 tablespoons of coconut flour in place of the almond flour! Still just as delicious, and totally nut-free friendly.

Make it Sugar-Free: Replace the maple syrup in this recipe with your favorite liquid sugar-free sweetener.

close-up image of crunchy peanut butter balls.
5 from 3 votes

Crunchy No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

Crunchy peanut butter balls covered in chocolate! Perfectly sweet, surprisingly healthy, and super easy to make. This no-bake dessert is the perfect summer treat when it’s too hot to turn on the oven!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 16 balls

Ingredients

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter, unsweetened
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1 cup crispy rice cereal

For dipping/drizzling:

  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil

Instructions

  • Mix together the creamy peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
  • Add in almond flour and crispy rice cereal, mix to combine.
  • Scoop and roll tablespoon-sized balls of the peanut butter ball mixture between the palms of your hands. Repeat this process until no more mixture remains, should make about 12 crunchy peanut butter balls.
  • Place balls in freezer for 10-15 minutes, and add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a small bowl. Microwave chocolate in 30 second increments until fully melted.
  • Once crunchy peanut butter balls are chilled, dip or drizzle with melted chocolate before placing back in the freezer. Freeze for at least 10 minutes before eating, then store in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal

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Dairy-Free

No-Churn Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream

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close up image of vegan vanilla ice cream in a bowl with a cone on top

Perfectly smooth and creamy vegan ice cream – no fancy equipment required! Only three ingredients, this super easy plant-based recipe comes together in just two steps. The BEST sweet (but not too sweet) summertime treat!

hand holding a cone of vegan ice cream

What You’ll Need To Make No-Churn Vegan Ice Cream

Full-Fat Coconut Milk – Two cans (must be canned!) of full-fat coconut milk are the base of this creamy vegan ice cream recipe. I use and love the Native Forest Coconut Milk, but any unsweetened full-fat coconut milk should work. Other brands I recommend are Thai Kitchen and A Taste of Thai Coconut Milk.

Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk – I used Nature’s Charm Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk in my ice cream and it turned out perfect! However, I’m sure any brand of sweetened condensed coconut milk will work. And it doesn’t have to be coconut milk either, your sweetened condensed milk can be made of any non-dairy milk!

Vanilla Extract – A touch of vanilla extract for that deliciously sweet vanilla flavor! For an extra fancy ice cream, you can add a touch of vanilla bean paste as well.

Pinch of Salt – While not totally necessary, a pinch of salt helps to bring out the sweetness of this recipe! You’re gonna have to trust me on this one, a tiny pinch of salt goes a long way here. I highly recommend giving it a try!

vegan vanilla ice cream inside a loaf pan

Adjust The Flavors

Make it Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream: For a chocolate version, add 1/2 cup cocoa powder into the blender. And, for double chocolate (because why the heck not?!) swirl in some mini chocolate chips before freezing.

Add Cookie Dough: If you’re a cookie dough ice cream lover like me, sprinkle small scoops of this Healthy Cookie Dough into the coconut milk mixture right before freezing.

Make it Vegan Coffee Ice Cream: Blend a quarter cup of instant coffee powder in with the rest of the ingredients for a caffeinated twist!

4.12 from 9 votes

No-Churn Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream

Perfectly smooth and creamy vegan ice cream – no fancy equipment required! Only three ingredients, this super easy plant-based recipe comes together in just two steps. The BEST sweet (but not too sweet) summertime treat!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 (14-ounce) cans full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 (11.2-ounce) can sweetened condensed coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • small pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Add all vegan vanilla ice cream ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
  • Transfer to a lined loaf pan or large container, then freeze for 6 hours. Thaw for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal

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Desserts

Easy Peach Crisp (One-Bowl!)

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overhead image of peach crisp in a pie dish with ice cream on top and milk on the side.

A delicious peach crisp loaded with fresh fruit, and an easy crump topping. Loaded with simple, good-for-you ingredients, a dessert so healthy you could even eat it for breakfast! Perfectly sweet, best served warm with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream – YUM.

peach crisp in a pie dish with vanilla ice cream on top.

What You’ll Need To Make Peach Crisp

Peaches – Use fresh, not frozen peaches for this easy crisp recipe! Slice each peach in half, remove the pit, then slice them into 1/4-inch pieces. Either leave the skin on or peel them before slicing, it’s up to you!

Corn Starch – Corn starch, arrowroot starch, or tapioca starch will all work in the filling of this recipe. A tablespoon of either thickening agent will help the filling stick together.

Rolled Oats – Any type of rolled oats will work! The only oats you should avoid are steel-cut and/or Irish oats. Or, for a paleo version of this recipe, replace the oats with extra almond flour and chopped nuts!

peach crisp in a bowl with vanilla ice cream on top.

Tips and Tricks

  • Let the peach crisp cool for 5-10 minutes before serving! This’ll give the filling enough time to set, and prevent those peach juice from running out when served. Also, don’t forget to serve it with a big ole’ scoop of cold vanilla ice cream – it’s simply the BEST!

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

Make it Paleo: For a paleo fruit crisp, use arrowroot starch instead of corn starch in the filling, and replace the rolled oats with an extra 1/4 cup almond flour plus 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans.

Make it Gluten-Free: This recipe is already gluten-free! However, to ensure no traces of gluten in your peach crisp, be sure to use a gluten-free certified corn starch as well as gluten-free certified rolled oats.

overhead image of peach crisp in a pie dish wtih vanilla ice cream on top.
5 from 1 vote

Easy Peach Crisp (One-Bowl!)

A delicious fruit crisp loaded with fresh peaches, and an easy crump topping. Loaded with simple, good-for-you ingredients, a dessert so healthy you could even eat it for breakfast! Perfectly sweet, best served warm with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream – YUM.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

For the filling:

  • 4-5 peaches, pitted, pitted, cut into 1/4-inch slices
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • small pinch cinnamon

For the crumb topping:

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil, solid
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
  • Add all filling ingredients to a bowl and toss to coat peaches, then transfer to an 8×8-inch baking dish.
  • Add all crisp ingredient to a bowl and mix together until combined.
  • Sprinkle topping over filling and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal

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Desserts

Gluten-Free S’mores Bars

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a s'mores bar being pulled apart.

These s’mores bars are something else! A buttery graham cracker base followed by a lush layer of chocolate is topped off with toasty marshmallows. These s’mores bars will blow you away with how delicious and addictive they are – all while gluten-free!

gluten-free s'mores bars stacked on top of each other.

What You Need To Make S’mores Bars

Oat Flour – You can either purchase oat flour from the store or easily make it yourself at home. To make oat flour, start by adding 1 and 1/2 cups of rolled oats to a blender or food processor. Then, blend the oats for a few seconds or until ground into a powder. Once ground, you now have oat flour to use in this gluten-free recipe!

Chocolate Chips – Any chocolate chips or even a chopped chocolate bar will work in these s’mores bars. I used the Enjoy Life Mini Chips since they are vegan and nut-free, though you can use any vegan chocolate you’d like. And if you’re not vegan, feel free to use whatever chocolate you have on-hand! (P.S. you should always have chocolate on-hand.)

Marshmallows – I prefer mini marshmallows for simply how cute and satisfying they look all lined up on top of these s’mores bars. However, the standard size marshmallows will work just fine. The key to perfectly toasty and golden brown marshmallows is sticking them under the broiler for about 1 minute. It’s super important you keep an eye on the bars during this final trip in the oven, as the broiler has a tendency to burn things in literal seconds. Therefore, watch your vegan marshmallow-y treats and pull them out once they’ve achieved your desired level of toasty-ness!

close-up overhead image of s'mores bars.

Adjust This Recipe To Your Diet

Don’t Have Oat Flour? If you don’t have oats and/or oat flour, you can replace it with an equal amount of either brown rice flour or all purpose flour in this recipe.

Add Dairy: Use regular melted butter in place of the vegan butter in this recipe.

s'mores bars on a baking sheet with graham crackers on the side.

Tips For Making S’mores Bars

  • Be sure to leave the bars to cool on the baking sheet for at least 15 minutes after you take them out of the oven! These s’mores bars are surprisingly delicate, so leaving them to cool will ensure they stick together when handled.
  • Use a greased knife to quickly and easily slice the bars. To do this, take a sharp knife and either spray it with spray cooking oil or drizzle it with some coconut oil. Once greased, cut into the bars and wipe down the knife between each slice!
  • I highly recommend storing this vegan and gluten-free dessert in the fridge or freezer during the summer months. Due to the butter and chocolate, they are at risk of melting if left to sit out in too high of a temperate. Therefore, to avoid that risk, it’s best to just keep these babies in the fridge to enjoy them at your leisure!
overhead image of s'mores bars.
5 from 3 votes

S’mores Bars (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

These s’mores bars are something else! A buttery graham cracker base followed by a lush layer of chocolate is topped off with toasty marshmallows. These s’mores bars will blow you away with how delicious and addictive they are – all while being vegan and gluten-free!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12 bars

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups oat flour, see Notes
  • 1/4 cup tapioca flour, or corn starch
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted (I used vegan butter)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 2 cups marshmallows

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
  • Mix together the oat flour, tapioca flour, and baking powder in a bowl.
  • Add in the maple syrup, melted vegan butter, and vanilla extract, mix everything to combine.
  • Transfer to a lined 9×9 baking sheet, press into an even layer, then bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips, then place back into the oven for 1 minute or until chocolate has melted.
  • Remove from the oven once more, spread the chocolate into an even layer, then top with marshmallows. Place in the oven on broil for 1 minute (watch closely to make sure it doesn’t burn!) or until marshmallows are lightly toasted.
  • Let cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes before slicing.

Notes

  • Oat Flour: You can easily make your own oat flour by blending rolled oats in a blender until a powder forms and no large oat chunks remain!

    • Nutrition

    Calories: 300kcal

    More Delicious Vegan and Gluten-Free Desserts

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    30 Minutes or Less

    Marshmallow Fruit Dip (just 4 ingredients!)

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    fresh strawberry in marshmallow fruit dip.

    A perfectly sweet, light, and fluffy marshmallow fruit dip! Comes together in a few simple steps with only four ingredients. This fruit dip is both gluten-free and dairy-free, perfect recipe for potlucks and/or summer parties!

    overhead image of marshmallow fruit dip in a bowl with berries and sliced pears.

    What You’ll Need To Make Marshmallow Fruit Dip

    Egg Whites – Use your favorite method to separate four egg whites from their yolks. I use this method to separate my eggs, which takes some practice but doesn’t require any special kitchen tools. And don’t discard your egg yolks! Instead, save and add them to your morning scramble for extra vitamins and minerals.

    Sugar – Either cane sugar or white sugar will work in this recipe. I used unbleached cane sugar, for the simple fact that it’s less processed than white sugar. However, feel free to use whichever sugar you have on-hand. And for a paleo option, check out the “adjust this recipe to your dietary needs” section below!

    Cream of Tartar – I know what you’re thinking …cream-of-what?? Cream of tartar is a white powder, found in either the baking or spice aisle of most grocery stores. It’s a stabilizer that gives this marshmallow fruit dip it’s ultra-fluffy texture. Sure, you can make this recipe without it, but your egg whites won’t whip up as nicely.

    Vanilla Extract – A touch of vanilla extract makes this fruit tip taste just like homemade marshmallow fluff! While you can certainly leave the vanilla out, it does add a nice hint of extra delicious flavor.

    strawberry being dipped into marshmallow fruit dip.

    Serve This Marshmallow Fruit Dip With…

    • Strawberries
    • Blueberries
    • Blackberries
    • Raspberries
    • Sliced Apples
    • Pears
    • Grapes
    • Pineapple
    • Melon
    • or whatever fruit you have on-hand!
    marshmallow fruit dip on a fresh strawberry, on a fork.

    Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

    Make it Sugar-Free: For a sugar-free dessert recipe, replace the regular sugar with your favorite granular sugar substitute. I recommend either granular monk fruit sweetener, or swerve.

    Make it Paleo: Use coconut sugar for a paleo marshmallow fruit dip! If taking this option, your dip will appear a caramel/brown color, rather than the white you see in these photos.

    close-up image of marshmallow fruit dip with fresh berries.
    5 from 1 vote

    Marshmallow Fruit Dip (just 4 ingredients!)

    A perfectly sweet, light, and fluffy marshmallow fruit dip! Comes together in a few simple steps with only four ingredients. This fruit dip is both gluten-free and dairy-free, perfect recipe for potlucks and/or summer parties!
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 12 servings

    Ingredients

    • 4 large egg whites
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • fresh fruit, for serving

    Instructions

    • Place the egg whites, sugar, and cream of tarter in a large bowl.
    • Bring 2-inches of water in a saucepan to a simmer, then place the bowl on top of the saucepan. Do not let the bowl touch the water.
    • Whisk egg white mixture constantly for 3-4 minutes, or until thin, smooth, and sugar has completely dissolved. If you have a kitchen thermometer, check that the temperature has reached 160° Fahrenheit.
    • Remove bowl from saucepan, add in vanilla extract, then while still hot beat with a hand or stand mixer until super light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Serve marshmallow dip alongside fresh fruit.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 300kcal
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