Bless the genius that invented single-serve desserts.
Single-serve desserts are exactly what they sound like — desserts that serve one person. (And hey, you don’t need to be single to enjoy them!) These bite-sized treats come in handy when you want to indulge in just one brownie rather than making a whole pan.
Yup, it’s OK to savor a mouthwatering dessert every once in a while. But don’t get ahead of yourself — we’re not talking about going to town on a whole dozen chocolate chip cookies. When it comes to staying on track with healthy habits, portion control is key to success. By baking yourself just one cookie or mug cake at a time, you won’t be tempted to have “just one more.”
From a flavorful cinnamon roll that doesn’t require baking to a chocolate mousse made with chia seeds, we have nine single-serving dessert recipes that will keep your cravings in check.
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9 Healthy Single-Serve Dessert Recipes
1. No-Bake Giant Monster Cookie
You had us at “giant cookie,” to be honest. The only thing better than a dessert the size of our head? A super-sized treat that’s vegan-friendly and gluten-free. It gets better: You don’t even have to turn on your oven to whip it up. Without using any butter, oil, flour or sugar, this monster cookie still tastes as delicious as any other typical dessert. Photo and recipe: Arman Liew / The Big Man’s World
2. Single-Serve Microwave Chocolate Cake Muffin
Don’t knock this recipe until you try it. Microwaving anything but leftovers may sound a bit sketchy, but this cake-like dessert (instant cupcake!) is perfectly fluffy and moist even though you make it in a microwave. Cake craving, solved. Photo and recipe: Lee Hersh / Fit Foodie Finds
3. No-Bake Chocolate Cinnamon Roll
This isn’t your average cinnamon roll. (But you already knew that, didn’t you?) Not only is there almost no added sugar in this recipe, but the filling is naturally sweet thanks to a simple mixture of dates and cinnamon. Photo and recipe: Erika Kwee / The Pancake Princess
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4. Healthy Chocolate Mousse
Say what? There’s a healthy way to eat chocolate? This delicious chocolate mousse is studded with superfoods like chia seeds. Instead of being loaded with saturated fats and sugars like a traditional mousse made from real cream, this lighter version delivers fiber-packed chia seeds, naturally sweet dates, and cacao powder. Photo and recipe: Olena / iFood Real
5. Chocolate Protein Mug Cake
Sixty seconds is all it takes for you to satisfy dessert cravings with this delectable mug cake that’s jam-packed with protein powder and healthy alternatives to all-purpose flour and butter. At just 250 calories, it won’t weigh you down before bedtime. Photo and recipe: Lee Hersh / Life by Daily Burn
6. Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal
It’s a multi-tasking dessert! Whip up this recipe that combines the sweet and decadent goodness of classic apple pie with the satiating power of fiber-rich oatmeal. And did we mention that all of the sweetness comes from apple, raisins and apple juice? Keep it moving — there are no added sugars to see here. Photo and recipe: Claudia Hollings / Breakfast Drama Queen
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7. Single-Serve Banana Dark Chocolate Chip Muffin
Remember how people always taught us not to judge a book by its cover? They were probably talking about this recipe. The chocolate chip-stuffed muffin may look like a total calorie-bomb, but it’s actually gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free, too. Photo and recipe: Lee Hersh / Fit Foodie Finds
8. Single-Serve Cookie Lava Cake
Upgrade your chocolate chip cookie by filling it with an ooey-gooey cashew butter center. Cashew butter can be a bit pricey, so if you’re on a tight budget, feel free to use peanut butter. Substituting oat flour for all-purpose flour and maple syrup and stevia for processed sugar makes this a dessert you can feel better about. Photo and recipe: Leah / Love Me, Feed Me
9. Single Lady Banana Split
“Single Lady Banana Split” is an appropriate name here — you are not going to want to share this scrumptious dessert with another person. A modern twist on the classic banana split, this version includes yogurt instead of ice cream, topped with fresh plums, Nutella, jam and pistachios. Photo and recipe: Kartrina / Warm Vanilla Sugar