The Best Examples of Gluten-Free Vegan Dessert Options: 3 Tasty Recipes

3 Real-World Examples of Gluten-Free Vegan Dessert Options

Let’s start with what you actually came for: examples of gluten-free vegan dessert options: 3 tasty recipes you can bake (or not bake) today. These are the kind of desserts you bring to a potluck and watch disappear.

We’ll cover:

• A chewy bakery-style cookie
• A no-bake creamy dessert bar
• A cozy, fruit-forward dessert that works year-round

Along the way, I’ll point out why each recipe works so well for both vegan and gluten-free eaters, and how to tweak them for different preferences.

Recipe 1 – Chewy Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you’re looking for the best examples of gluten-free vegan dessert options that please absolutely everyone, start with chocolate chip cookies. These are soft in the middle, crisp at the edges, and made with ingredients you can find in a regular grocery store.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed (for flax “egg”)
• 3 tablespoons warm water
• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil (or neutral oil like avocado oil)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup cane sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (with xanthan gum)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
• Optional: 1–2 tablespoons plant-based milk if dough seems dry

Step-by-step instructions

1. Make the flax “egg.” In a small bowl, whisk the ground flaxseed with warm water. Let it sit for about 5–10 minutes until it thickens.
2. Mix the wet ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk the melted coconut oil, brown sugar, cane sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the thickened flax mixture.
3. Add the dry ingredients. In another bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry mix to the wet mix and stir until just combined. If the dough looks crumbly, add a splash of plant-based milk.
4. Fold in chocolate chips. Gently stir in the dairy-free chocolate chips.
5. Chill the dough. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps the gluten-free flour hydrate and gives you better texture.
6. Bake. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough, spacing them a couple of inches apart. Bake 9–12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden but centers still look soft.
7. Cool. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.

Why this recipe works as a gluten-free vegan dessert option

This cookie is a great example of how small swaps create big results:

• Flaxseed and water replace eggs.
• Coconut oil stands in for butter.
• A good gluten-free all-purpose blend replaces wheat flour.

If you want more background on gluten-free eating and celiac disease, you can explore resources from the National Institutes of Health and the Celiac Disease Foundation. They explain why using certified gluten-free ingredients matters for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Recipe 2 – No-Bake Gluten-Free Vegan Lemon Cheesecake Bars

When people ask for examples of gluten-free vegan dessert options that feel fancy but are secretly easy, these creamy lemon cheesecake bars are at the top of my list. They’re bright, tangy, and require zero oven time.

Ingredients

For the crust

• 1 1/4 cups gluten-free rolled oats
• 1/2 cup raw almonds or walnuts
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 soft Medjool dates, pitted
• 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil

For the filling

• 1 1/2 cups raw cashews, soaked in hot water for 30 minutes and drained
• 1/2 cup canned full-fat coconut milk (well shaken)
• 1/3–1/2 cup maple syrup (to taste)
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Step-by-step instructions

1. Prepare the pan. Line an 8×8-inch square pan with parchment, leaving overhang for easy lifting.
2. Make the crust. In a food processor, pulse oats, nuts, and salt until they form a coarse meal. Add dates and coconut oil, then pulse until the mixture clumps when pressed.
3. Press the crust. Firmly press the crust mixture into the bottom of the pan in an even layer. Chill while you make the filling.
4. Blend the filling. In a high-speed blender, combine soaked cashews, coconut milk, maple syrup, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla, and salt. Blend until ultra-smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
5. Pour and chill. Pour the filling over the crust, smoothing the top. Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or in the freezer for about 1–2 hours until set.
6. Slice and serve. Lift the bars out using the parchment. Slice into squares. Store in the fridge for a cheesecake-like texture or the freezer for a firmer, ice cream–style bar.

Trendy 2024 twist ideas

These bars are one of the best examples of gluten-free vegan dessert options that adapt to current trends:

• Swirl in a few spoonfuls of dairy-free blueberry yogurt for a marbled effect.
• Top with fresh berries or a chia jam for extra fiber.
• Use blood orange juice and zest instead of lemon when it’s in season.

Plant-based eating and gluten-free diets continue to grow in popularity in 2024–2025, with more people choosing them for health, environmental, or ethical reasons. For an overview of plant-based diet health benefits, check out the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Recipe 3 – Warm Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Berry Crumble

If you want cozy, family-style examples of gluten-free vegan dessert options: 3 tasty recipes would not be complete without a fruit crumble. This one is flexible: swap the fruit based on the season, and serve warm with dairy-free ice cream.

Ingredients

For the fruit layer

• 3 medium apples, peeled and sliced
• 2 cups berries (fresh or frozen)
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot starch
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

For the crumble topping

• 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
• 1/2 cup almond flour (or finely ground almonds)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil or vegan butter
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Step-by-step instructions

1. Preheat the oven. Heat to 350°F.
2. Prepare the fruit. In a mixing bowl, toss apple slices and berries with maple syrup, lemon juice, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt. Spread in a lightly greased 8×8-inch baking dish.
3. Make the crumble. In another bowl, stir together oats, almond flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in melted coconut oil and mix until you get a clumpy, sandy texture.
4. Assemble. Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the fruit.
5. Bake. Bake for 30–40 minutes, until the topping is golden and the fruit is bubbling around the edges.
6. Serve. Let cool slightly, then serve warm with a scoop of vanilla dairy-free ice cream or coconut whipped cream.

Why this is one of the best examples of gluten-free vegan dessert options

This crumble is forgiving and flexible:

• Use peaches, plums, or pears instead of apples.
• Swap berries for cherries or a frozen mixed fruit blend.
• Adjust sweetness depending on how ripe your fruit is.

It’s a real example of a dessert that feels old-school and comforting while still fitting modern gluten-free vegan needs.

For those paying attention to sugar or fat intake, sites like Mayo Clinic and CDC offer helpful guidance on building balanced eating patterns while still enjoying treats like this in moderation.

More Real Examples of Gluten-Free Vegan Dessert Options

Beyond these examples of gluten-free vegan dessert options: 3 tasty recipes, it helps to have quick ideas in your back pocket. Here are more real-world examples you can grab or throw together on a busy weeknight:

• Dark chocolate and berries – Many 70% and higher dark chocolate bars are naturally dairy-free and gluten-free. Always check labels for milk powder or barley malt.
• Chia pudding – Stir chia seeds into almond, soy, or oat milk with a touch of maple syrup and vanilla. Let it thicken in the fridge, then top with fruit.
• Baked cinnamon bananas – Slice bananas, sprinkle with cinnamon and a little brown sugar, and bake until caramelized. Serve with a spoonful of peanut butter.
• Coconut yogurt parfaits – Layer coconut or almond milk yogurt with gluten-free granola and fresh fruit.
• Frozen banana “nice cream” – Blend frozen banana slices with a splash of plant milk and a spoonful of peanut butter or cocoa powder.
• Energy bites – Pulse dates, nuts, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt into sticky dough, then roll into balls and chill.

These are the kind of examples include desserts you can pull together without a full recipe, which makes sticking to gluten-free vegan eating a lot easier.

Tips to Make Any Dessert a Gluten-Free Vegan Dessert

When you understand a few basic swaps, you can turn many favorite treats into examples of gluten-free vegan dessert options without starting from scratch.

Smart ingredient swaps

• Eggs – Use ground flax or chia (1 tablespoon + 3 tablespoons water), unsweetened applesauce, or mashed banana in many baked goods.
• Butter – Replace with coconut oil, olive oil, or vegan butter sticks.
• Milk and cream – Use oat, soy, almond, or coconut milk. For richer desserts, full-fat coconut milk or barista-style oat milk works well.
• Wheat flour – Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for cakes, cookies, and brownies. For crumbles and bars, combine oats with almond flour.

If you’re baking for someone with celiac disease, make sure ingredients like oats are labeled certified gluten-free, since cross-contact can be an issue. The NIDDK at NIH has more detail on this.

Reading labels like a pro

Many of the best examples of gluten-free vegan dessert options come from the store—if you know how to shop. Look for:

• Allergen and gluten statements – Phrases like “gluten-free,” “may contain wheat,” or “processed in a facility with…”
• Hidden dairy and egg words – Casein, whey, lactose, albumin, egg whites, and so on.
• Hidden gluten words – Wheat, barley, rye, malt, and some “natural flavors.”

WebMD has a good overview of hidden gluten sources and label reading that’s worth skimming if you’re new to this lifestyle.

Putting It All Together

You now have three solid, bake-tested examples of gluten-free vegan dessert options: 3 tasty recipes:

• Chewy chocolate chip cookies
• No-bake lemon cheesecake bars
• Warm apple berry crumble

Plus, you’ve seen real examples of quick desserts you can toss together with pantry ingredients and store-bought shortcuts. The more you practice these swaps, the more you’ll start seeing almost any dessert as a candidate for a gluten-free vegan makeover.

You don’t need fancy ingredients or professional pastry skills—just a willingness to experiment and taste as you go. Start with one recipe this week, notice what you like, and adjust the next time. That’s how every great dessert baker learns, gluten-free vegan or not.

FAQ: Examples of Gluten-Free Vegan Dessert Options

Q: What are some easy examples of gluten-free vegan dessert options for beginners?
A: Start with dark chocolate and berries, chia pudding, frozen banana “nice cream,” and simple baked fruit like apples or bananas with cinnamon. These require minimal ingredients and no special equipment, and they’re great stepping stones to the 3 tasty recipes in this guide.

Q: Can you give an example of a store-bought gluten-free vegan dessert?
A: Many grocery stores now carry dairy-free, gluten-free ice creams (often made with oat, almond, or coconut milk), gluten-free vegan cookies, and fruit sorbets. Look in the freezer aisle and the “better-for-you” snack section, and always double-check labels for both gluten and animal-derived ingredients.

Q: Are oats safe in gluten-free vegan desserts?
A: Oats themselves don’t contain gluten, but they’re often processed in facilities that handle wheat. For people with celiac disease or strong gluten sensitivity, it’s best to choose oats labeled certified gluten-free. That way your cookies, crumbles, and bars remain safe examples of gluten-free vegan dessert options.

Q: How can I make a birthday cake that fits gluten-free vegan needs?
A: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, replace eggs with flax “eggs” or applesauce, and use plant milk plus vegan butter or oil. Frost with a simple dairy-free buttercream made from vegan butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a splash of plant-based milk.

Q: Do gluten-free vegan desserts taste different from regular desserts?
A: Sometimes the texture is slightly different—cookies might be a bit more tender, and cakes a bit denser if the recipe isn’t balanced well. But as you’ve seen from these examples of gluten-free vegan dessert options: 3 tasty recipes, when the recipe is well-tested and you use the right ingredients, most people can’t tell the difference and are just happy to have dessert.