By Lisa Esile, MS,
Last Updated:Fruit never tastes as sweet as it does in the dog days of summer. Packed with fresh produce, these vegan summer dessert recipes are absolutely delicious and guilt-free. From fruit pops and ice cream to pies, cobblers, salads, tarts, sundaes, jelly treats, and lots more, there is something for every occasion in this tasty collection of fabulous fruit-laden vegan desserts. As a bonus, many recipes are frozen or chilled, so they are extra refreshing, with many also working well for snacks.
To read more about the benefits of fruit, check out Why You Should Have a Fruit-Filled Summer.
Frozen Grapes with Chocolate Sauce
Cool and sweet, frozen grapes are a supremely munchable summer dessert, snack, and a favorite movie-watching treat. Nibble on them straight from the freezer or dip them in a just-rich-enough five-minute chocolate sauce that's as simple as it is yummy. Note: This is an excellent recipe for youngsters to help with. Writes a fan, "Delicious! I did add a touch of almond milk to get the consistency I wanted. I can see this being used for many different recipes."
Poached Citrus with Aquafaba Whipped Cream
For an elegant end to your meal, try this citrus medley poached in fruit juice flavored with the quiet warmth of a vanilla bean pod. The recipe includes instructions for how to supreme citrus. This process removes the peel and pith, leaving just the juicy segments, which melt in your mouth once they're poached. Serve chilled, topped with Aquafaba Whipped Cream, hazelnuts, and glazed orange peel.
Strawberry Kanten Japanese Jelly Treats
Large chunks of fresh strawberries nestle into a fruit-sweetened translucent jelly base in this fun and refreshing dessert. The recipe recommends agar powder to set the jelly; however, you could also use kanten powder, as both are vegan and derived from seaweed. Garnish with fresh chopped mint. Jiggle-me-timbers, this is good!
The Great Purple Sweet Potato Pie
A tangy lime-infused blueberry sauce is the crowning glory of this gorgeous flavor-packed pie. The filling is smooth and flawlessly sweet: Your guests will never guess it's made with sweet potatoes. An oat-walnut crust adds earthiness to balance everything out. This royal pie is great for special occasions. One reviewer attests, "It's so beautiful and so delicious. It turned out perfectly. Everyone at the party was so impressed!"
Grilled Pineapple Pie
With the caramelized flavor of grilled pineapple, this golden-hued fruity dessert is like sunshine in a pie. An earthy homemade cinnamon-infused oat-walnut crust is lightly sweetened with date paste and pressed into the pan before a quick spell in the oven. This stunning pie takes 30 minutes to prepare; just be sure to allow at least four hours to chill before tucking in. Serve plain or with Aquafaba Whipped Cream or a side of Vanilla Nice Cream.
Pineapple Sherbet
This big-on-flavor vegan pineapple sherbet by Chef Del Sroufe combines the tanginess of pineapple with creamy frozen banana. A little maple syrup amplifies the sweetness, and citrusy lemon zest adds brightness. Serve plain, or garnish with toppings such as chopped fresh mint or basil, slivered almonds, shredded coconut, vegan chocolate chips, or pumpkin seeds.
Healthy Vegan Bananas Foster
With crispy-on-the-outside, cinnamon-dusted grilled bananas, this healthy vegan bananas foster has all the gooey goodness you expect from the traditional version but none of the artery-hardening butter or cream. The secret to getting bananas bright, glossy, and yummy is to double-baste them with maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla. Top this celebration-worthy dessert with Aquafaba Whipped Cream (or vanilla ice cream), chopped nuts, or vegan chocolate chips.
Mint and Blueberry Nice Cream
Fresh mint adds a refreshing boost of flavor to this vibrant and creamy blueberry-banana nice cream. Serve as a dessert or snack: It’s so healthy, you can eat it anytime of the day!
Bursting with Berries Cobbler
In this ultra-comforting, restaurant-quality vegan cobbler, juicy mixed berries bubble up beneath a cinnamon biscuit dough, creating a tantalizing tangle of flavors. Almond butter gives the oat biscuit a nutty richness, while a splash of lemon juice in the berries intensifies the flavor. Serve with Vanilla Nice Cream or Aquafaba Whipped Cream. Note: This recipe is gluten-free if you use certified gluten-free oat flour.
Strawberry Nice Cream Sundaes
Looking for an upscale twist on strawberry nice cream? Add a simple strawberry-apple compote and a sprinkle of freshly roasted almond slithers for a cool and creamy dessert that's guaranteed to turn heads.
Vegan Peaches and Cream Ice Pops
These peachy pops will cool you down when the weather gets hot. Plant-based milk and vanilla join forces to create a “cream” flavor, which perfectly complements the fresh fruit in these frosty treats. If you want to add extra excitement to this dessert, add some fresh berries into the mix to really make the most of tasty summer produce.
Watermelon-Kiwi Ice Pops
These cute fruit pops are made from just two ingredients—kiwi and watermelon—both of which taste absolutely amazing frozen: Kiwi has a tart, refreshing bite while watermelon lends a relaxed, sweetness. These are so good you’ll want to eat them daily!
The Best Vegan Strawberries and Cream
We’ve put a plant-based spin on this classic summer dessert so you can enjoy all the traditional flavors of strawberries and cream without refined sugar or animal products. Silken tofu is the secret ingredient behind the decadent cream sauce that gets a boost of natural sweetness from dates and vanilla extract. Add a pinch of ground cardamom to really enhance the flavors of the fresh fruit!
Tricolor Nice Cream Cupcakes
It's hard to believe this stunning melt-in-your-mouth dessert has just three ingredients. Layers of frozen banana, mango, and berries are instantly refreshing and look great on the plate; just blend the fruit and layer into cupcake molds, allowing six hours for them to set in the freezer. Note: This recipe calls for frozen mango and frozen berries.
Loaded Strawberry Ice Pops
Need a pick-me-up with pizzazz? These knock-out pops are jammed with thinly sliced fruit in a lightly sweetened plant-milk base. They taste incredible and look amazing—like a stained glass window on a stick! Note: These are banana-free and sweetened with maple syrup.
Mixed Fruit Tartlets with Raw Date and Nut Crust
Beat the heat with no-bake fruit tartlets that take advantage of the season’s best produce. The raw oat and nut crust is delightfully chewy and can easily be rolled into energy bites if you have extra. Banana slices line the bottom of these mini pies and are topped with a blended berry mixture and fresh orange slices. What could be better?
Cherry-Almond Nice Cream
It only takes a little almond extract to transform frozen banana and cherries into a heavenly plant-based Amarena gelato—not exactly as the Italian chefs intended, but we think they’d be impressed!
Pistachio-Orange Stuffed Dates
Enjoy this Mediterranean-inspired dessert when you’re short on time but don’t want to skimp on taste. Caramel-like dates are stuffed with a variety of chopped nuts and orange zest to create the perfect interplay between sweet, salty, and citrusy flavors. If you happen to have rose water on hand, sprinkle a few drops on each date to add extra dimension to this delectable dessert.
Caramelized Pineapple Nice Cream
In this gourmet fruit ice cream (aka nice cream), caramelized pineapple chunks are blended with frozen bananas for an icy snack or dessert adored by children and adults alike. Note: You can use fresh or frozen pineapple.
Chocolate-Strawberry Vegan Whoopie Pies
Make the most of strawberry season with this summer dessert that’s a grown-up version of a childhood classic. An irresistible strawberry cashew cream is sandwiched between rich chocolate cookies and rolled in freeze-dried strawberries for extra fruity goodness. This is the perfect recipe for when you’re craving a few bites of sweetness after a satisfying meal.
Grilled Peaches with Basil-Peach Nice Cream
Your taste buds won’t know what hit them with this top-shelf summer dessert that’s easy enough to make for just the family but will wow guests, too. Just grill a few choice peaches until candy-sweet, and serve with a simple basil-infused peach nice cream.
Vegan Key Lime Pie
This gorgeous pie will transport your taste buds straight to the Florida Keys with the zippy lime filling and tender almond butter–infused crust. Using only nine ingredients, this delightful dessert makes a show-stopping centerpiece for a BBQ or summer dinner party. Top each slice with a dollop of Aquafaba Whipped Cream and you’re in for a major treat!
Orange-Plum-Rosemary Ice Pops
Subtly infused with rosemary, these gourmet ice pops are bursting with whole fruit.
Blueberry Tartlets
Adorable and delicious, these blueberry tartlets are the perfect single-serving dessert when you’re feeding a crowd. The creamy cashew-based filling is blended with pears and maple syrup for a naturally sweet flavor that pairs pleasantly with the saucy blueberry topping. The ingredient that sends this treat over the top? Dried lavender flowers! The subtle floral notes meld beautifully with the berries for a floral, fruity flavor that will have you reaching for a second serving.
Southern-Style Banana Pudding Parfaits
Perfect for both breakfast and dessert, these mouthwatering parfaits have it all: layers of creamy vanilla pudding, sliced fresh bananas, crunchy cinnamon-infused oats, and an indulgent cashew cream topping. Make sure you arrange this summer dessert in clear glasses so you can admire all the beautiful layers before you dig in!
Mango-Lime Tart
One of our most popular dessert recipes of all time, this no-bake treat is worthy of a fancy dinner party. The luscious mango filling is tart and refreshing, while the oat and nut base brings a nostalgic graham cracker–like flavor to the crust. Top everything with fresh fruit, mint leaves, and a sprinkling of coconut flakes for an eye-catching treat that will leave everyone licking their plate.
Butternut-Pecan Nice Cream
Bold in color and flavor, this butternut squash and roasted pecan nice cream is a dreamy dance of nutty, sweet, and earthy flavors.
Mini Peach Tarts
When peach season is in full swing this is a must-make summer dessert. Sweet potato thickens the peach filling and adds a subtle earthy flavor to the fruit that’s cradled by a tender, flaky crust. Slices of fresh peaches and refreshing mint leaves create a beautiful garnish so they look just as wonderful as they taste.
Strawberry-Lemonade Nice Cream
Using both the pulp and zest of a lemon adds delectable lemonade flavor to this creamy strawberry nice cream. Pro tip: Make sure to use frozen strawberries that are sliced or halved so your food processor or blender can easily munch them up—large strawberries can be tricky!
Chia Pudding with Strawberries
Looking for a light summer dessert that’s packed with nutrients and will keep you cool on warm nights? This simple chia pudding does the trick. Absorbent chia seeds soak up creamy almond milk that’s flavored with cinnamon, vanilla, and maple syrup. Fresh strawberries add fruity flair and bring seasonal scrumptiousness to every bite.
Watermelon-Basil Ice
All this dessert consists of is ripe watermelon, fresh basil, and a twist of lemon, yet this wholesome fruit sorbet offers a cool daytime treat, or a nice palate cleanser after a hearty meal. Make it the crowning jewel on your Fourth of July menu!
Sweet Fig Flatbreads
Serve up this sweet flatbread at the end of a good meal and be prepared for the barrage of “oohs” and “aahs” from everyone present. The tender crust is slathered with a creamy vanilla-orange spread and topped with fresh sliced figs. The subtly sweet fruit brings a Mediterranean vibe to the recipe, and a light drizzle of maple syrup rounds out the refreshing flavor profile.
Cinnamon-Banana Nice Cream with Fruit Compote
In this scrumptious frozen dessert, a citrusy apple and pear compote cascades over cinnamon-infused banana nice cream. Sprinkle with oil-free granola and dig in.
Date-Sweetened Chocolate Panna Cotta
This vegan panna cotta is a great summer dessert to make when you’re craving the classic combo of chocolate and fruit. The cocoa flavor is given an extra boost from caramel-like dates and vanilla extract, which pairs deliciously with fresh raspberries. Feel free to swap out any other berries you prefer for the topping, and sprinkle with extra cocoa powder for a restaurant-quality treat!
Ginger and Blueberry Balsamic Glaze
Jazz up a bowl of fresh fruit salad with this simple 10-minute balsamic-blueberry glaze. The glaze will keep in the refrigerator for three months—although, given how yummy it is, you’ll likely use it up a lot sooner than that!
Patriotic Fruit Pops
Made with blueberry, strawberry, and banana, these sugar-free fruit pops are a fun snack or dessert, perfect for Independence Day festivities. Pro tip: Make sure you leave each layer to set for 20 minutes to ensure colors don’t bleed between layers.
Berry-Swirled Corn Ice Pops
The star ingredient in these jazzy pops is fresh sweet corn, which gets blended with almond milk, maple syrup, and vanilla then added to a zesty, partially frozen layer of lime-infused blackberry. The attractive tie-dyed look comes from lightly swirling the layers.
Strawberry Chocolate Ice Cream Cupcakes
Ice cream cake in bite-size form: This chilled, chocolatey, creamy dessert hits the spot when you’re craving a little something sweet, and it’s great for entertaining.
Vegan Peach Ice Cream
Showcasing the drip-down-your-chin deliciousness of in-season peaches, this creamy nice cream is great for when you have an oversupply of peaches, ripening faster than you can eat them. Note: You can also use store-bought frozen peaches.
Grape Ice Pops
With just one ingredient (!) these vibrant grape pops are a fun, family-friendly snack or dessert that are so simple to make, you’ll be amazed.
Mango Ice Cream
Ready in 15 minutes and made with just frozen mango and frozen banana, this is a great spur-of-the-moment cool treat. Eat as a snack or serve as a dessert.
Strawberry-Chocolate Ice Cream
Studded with dark vegan chocolate chunks and a generous heap of frozen strawberries, this gorgeous banana-basd nice cream is a simple but decadent recipe to wow vegans and non-vegans alike.
Pineapple-Vanilla Granita
Savor the naturally sweet and ultra-refreshing goodness of frozen pineapple in this easy granita. What a way to end a meal! Note: A granita has a coarser, slushier texture than sorbet, is icier than ice cream, and is a wonderful palate cleanser.
Summer Pudding with Fresh Berries and Lavender Cashew Cream
Featuring toasted bread soaked in a triple-berry sauce, filled with fruit, and topped with an easy cashew cream, this delectable plant-based take on a beloved British dessert is ideal for special occasions.
Vanilla Nice Cream With Real Vanilla Bean
Cherry Soft-Serve Ice Cream
Reminiscent of Ben and Jerry’s popular Cherry Garcia ice cream, this delectable chocolate chip-studded, cherry and banana nice cream is utterly delicious.
2-Ingredient Chocolate Banana Ice Cream
If you’re new to the wonderful world of plant-based nice cream, this is a great recipe to start with: Just take frozen bananas and add your choice of cocoa, cacao, or carob powder. As one reader puts it, “Easy to make, delicious, nutritious.”
Summer Celebration Fruit Bowls
Fresh mint and lime juice adds a refreshing tang to this simply divine summer salad. To up your presentation, use a melon baller and serve the salad in the scooped out watermelon—it’s easy!
Awesome Sugar-Free Ice Pops
These stunning traffic light popsicles are made with fruit, fruit, and more fruit. This recipe uses kiwifruit, mango, and your choice of berries, but other fruits such as peaches, apricots, nectarines, pineapple, grapes, banana, and pears also work well.
Frozen Banana Treat with Chocolate (Better Than Ice Cream!)
With a melty, chocolate-oat inside and crunchy cereal outside, these divine frozen treats will keep you reaching for more.
Mexican Chocolate Nice Cream
The addition of cinnamon and ancho chile powder adds delectable spicy notes to this chocolate-banana nice cream.
VEGAN NICE CREAM
As you can see we’re obsessed with nice cream—vegan ice cream made with blended frozen fruit. Enjoy the recipes above and check out our Beginner’s Guide to Nice Cream, which includes ideas for toppings and flavorings, how to create your own recipes, and other tasty info.
About the Author
About the Author
Lisa Esile, MS
As an author, Do Nothing meditation instructor, and wellness coach, Lisa Esile combines her love for food and nutrition with her mental health background and delights in helping people find a stress-free way to make lasting lifestyle changes. Esile has a master’s degree in human nutrition and is the co-author/illustrator of Whose Mind Is It Anyway? Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life. Learn more at lisaesile.com.
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