21 Best Healthy Desserts on Grocery Shelves

For many, dessert is the best part of a meal, especially for those with a sweet tooth. However, while indulging in a sweet treat can be a delightful finale, many desserts can leave us feeling sluggish due to sugar crashes and unwanted empty calories. Pre-packaged options often come loaded with unhealthy fats and added sugars, but here's the good news: there are plenty of healthy desserts to buy in stores that satisfy your cravings without guilt.

How To Pick a Healthy Dessert

Choosing a healthy dessert can mean different things to different people. Those managing diabetes may be looking for low-sugar desserts, while those looking to lose weight will want a low-calorie dessert. Here are some general tips for finding healthy store-bought desserts:

• Keep the added sugar content low: Look for options with less than 13 grams of added sugar (25% of your daily recommended limit).
• Limit choices: Avoid options that have a high quantity of saturated fat.
• Look for natural ingredients: Opt for choices that are free from artificial colors and flavors.
• Opt for added benefits: When possible, choose desserts that contain fiber, protein, or antioxidants.

Most importantly, make sure it tastes good. After all, if a dessert isn't enjoyable, what's the point? Read on to discover deliciously healthy desserts you can find at the store, then check out 30 Low-Calorie Desserts to Buy.

The Best Healthy Desserts To Buy

Yasso Frozen Yogurt Greek Bar

"Yasso Bars use zero artificial ingredients at a lower calorie cost than most ice creams, and they use Greek yogurt as the base for their frozen bars, which provides a kick of protein and calcium in an appetizing way," says Lisa Young, PhD, RDN.

If you want to try these bars instead of your usual ice cream, you can choose from many flavors, such as Birthday Cake, Strawberries & Cream, Mint Chocolate Chip, Cookies & Cream, and Sea Salt Caramel.

 The 15 Best & Worst Frozen Fast-Food Desserts

Tate's Bake Shop Tiny Tate's Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies will satisfy your craving for Tate's signature crunch, but they are in a convenient resealable pack to make portion control easy. A 17-cookie serving of these Tiny Tate's Chocolate Chip Cookies has nearly the same calories and less sugar as two of Tate's original Chocolate Chip Cookies. This healthy dessert is a must-buy.

Skinny Dipped Peanut Butter Cups

Craving a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup but want something a bit more nutritious and aligned with your health goals? Sabat recommends Skinny Dipped Peanut Butter Cups.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

"Made with wholesome ingredients like peanut butter, unsweetened chocolate, and cocoa butter, these cups deliver a rich, satisfying flavor with the benefits of natural, quality components, and the chicory root fiber and maple sugar provide a natural sweetness and additional fiber, supporting digestive health and maintaining stable blood sugar levels," says Sabat. "With only 70 calories per piece and 5 grams of net carbs, Skinny Dipped Peanut Butter Cups offer a balanced treat that fits well into a variety of dietary plans, making them a guilt-free, enjoyable choice for dessert."

 12 Best Store-Bought High-Protein Desserts

trü frü

For a light and refreshing dessert that both satisfies your chocolate cravings and provides helpful nutrients, Young recommends trü frü.

"trü frü has a variety of delicious frozen fruits like raspberries, bananas, or strawberries covered in dark chocolate," says Young. "They are a rich frozen dessert with great health benefits when eaten in moderation. For example, dark chocolate contains flavonoids, a powerful antioxidant, while fruits provide a variety of nutrients important for digestive and overall health."

 12 Ice Cream Brands That Use the Highest-Quality Ingredients

Skinny Cow Vanilla Gone Wild Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ice cream sandwiches are a great dessert choice when you want something already portion-controlled, but many ice cream sandwich brands are full of calories, fat, and way too much sugar. For a healthier ice cream treat, we love these Vanilla Gone Wild Ice Cream Sandwiches from Skinny Cow. With only 150 calories, 3 grams of fat, and 11 grams of added sugar, this pre-portioned dessert is the way to go when you want a lighter indulgence.

Diana's Bananas Real Milk Chocolate Banana Bites

TK Diana's Bananas Real Banana Bites Thick slices of delicious banana, covered in premium milk chocolate, and waiting patiently in a freezer aisle near you. Banana, Chocolate (Sugar, Milk, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate Liquor, Soy Lecithin (an Emulsifier), Vanilla), Peanut Oil.

That's It Dark Chocolate Fig Truffles

Organic figs and organic dark chocolate—to quote the brand name, that's it! These powerful little plant-based bites are the perfect go-to when you need that little sweet fix. With these truffles, you can rest assured that you're not sacrificing any nutritional value, as these babies are loaded with fiber, only 1 gram of added sugars, and less than 25 calories per truffle. Snack on!

 12 Best Low-Sugar Desserts on Grocery Shelves

Halo Top Chocolate Ice Cream Cake

When a chocolate craving strikes, Halo Top Chocolate Cake Ice Cream Cake pints are the ultimate chocolate-lover's dream. A lower-calorie, lower-sugar light ice cream with 18 grams of protein per pint, Chocolate Ice Cream Cake is perfect for dessert, snack, or celebration time. With rich white icing, creamy chocolate ice cream, and that nostalgic ice cream cake flavor, this ice cream checks all of the boxes.

9 Healthier Ice Creams That Actually Taste Good, Say Dietitians

Sheila G's Chocolate Chip Brownie Brittle

Sheila G's Brownie Brittle is all about helping you along your portion control journey. Sheila's family recipe is now widely available for all, and with the help of perfectly portioned snack packs, you'll be able to indulge while knowing you aren't overindulging. While it seems like a good idea to keep on snacking before our brains alert us that we're full to the brim, portioning out your sweets is a great way to ensure that you're satisfying both your cravings and hunger without feeling sick or slogged after overconsumption.

 10 Best Trader Joe's Desserts for Weight Loss

Solely Organic Mango & Orange Whole Fruit Gummies

Three ingredients—that's all, folks. Made from organic mango, orange extract, and ascorbic acid (aka, vitamin C), you're getting the ultimate gummy consistency and flavor while not sacrificing your nutritional morals. In just one pack, you're receiving 4% of your daily potassium and a whopping 360% of your daily vitamin C intake. Solely's snack packs also make the perfect addition to your child's lunch box. The power of fruit, indeed!

Chloe's Mango Fruit Pops

TK Tropical delight in every bite. And yes – it does taste just like a mango! Simple ingredients, simply delicious. (Mango Puree (Mangoes, Lemon Juice), Water, Cane Sugar.)

Enlightened Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt Bark

Enlightened is a company that makes delicious, healthy frozen treats from nutrient-rich Greek yogurt. You can buy pints, bars, chocolate-covered frozen fruit, or a popular treat Mary Sabat MS, RDN, LD recommends—frozen yogurt bark.

"This company makes many products and uses natural sweeteners like monk fruit or allulose. Enlightened Banana Peanut Butter Yogurt Bark is an excellent choice for dessert due to its thoughtful combination of nutritious ingredients and health-conscious sweeteners. Made with rich dark chocolate, creamy Greek yogurt, natural peanut butter, and real banana, this treat offers a delightful blend of flavors while maintaining a nutritious profile," says Sabat.

Sabat adds that "the 11 grams of carbs, 3 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of protein make it a balanced option that can contribute to your daily nutritional needs."

Simple Mills Nut Butter Stuffed Sandwich Cookies

Leave the Nutter Butters on the shelf and opt for a healthier alternative—Simple Mills Peanut Butter Stuffed Sandwich Cookies.

"The combination of cashew and peanut blend provides a rich source of protein and healthy fats, contributing to satiety and energy, and the organic coconut sugar offers a lower glycemic alternative to traditional sweeteners, promoting better blood sugar control," says Sabat. "The use of organic palm shortening, organic buckwheat flour, and arrowroot ensures a nutrient-dense and gluten-free base, while carrot fiber and organic apple cider vinegar add subtle health benefits without compromising taste."

Undercover Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Quinoa Crisps

Quinoa is a nutrient-dense food that can be enjoyed beyond just bowls, wraps, and salads. You may not associate quinoa with dessert, but these Undercover Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Quinoa Crisps will quickly change your mind.

"Quinoa is a great source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion and helps maintain a healthy gut," says Young. "These crisps are lower in sugar than other desserts, making them a healthier option, and they're made with simple, natural ingredients without artificial additives or preservatives."

 I Tried 8 Low-Calorie Ice Creams & The Winner Was Creamy and Indulgent

Endangered Species Chocolate, Orange 60% Dark Chocolate

Believe it or not, dark chocolate is a source of antioxidants, magnesium, and many other beneficial features, which is why it's a great healthy dessert option. This fair-trade Endangered Species Orange + 60% Dark Chocolate bar (and many of their other dark chocolate options) provides those essential nutrients all within an aromatic and undeniably delicious bar. This is not to mention that every Endangered Species bar benefits a different charitable cause—in this case, we're supporting the plight of our endangered coral reefs.

Brookside Dark Chocolate Covered Pomegranate

Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, pomegranates are a healthy way to satisfy your sugar cravings. With these Brookside Chocolate Covered Pomegranates, you can ensure that you're not ingesting any artificial flavors or colors, just the perfect heavenly combination of dark chocolate and pomegranate—truly, a divine flavor duo.

 20 Chocolate Brands That Use the Highest Quality Ingredients

MadeGood Chocolate Banana Granola Minis

If you want a simple yet tasty dessert that is made from trustworthy ingredients and low in sugar, Young recommends MadeGood Chocolate Banana Granola Minis. "These granola bites are free from common allergens, made with whole grains, and include nutrients from vegetables, including vitamins A, C, D, E, and B6," says Young.

We love their Chocolate Banana flavor, but you can try other flavors like Chocolate Chip, Mixed Berry, Strawberry, or Cookies and Crème.

KIND Soft Baked Squares

KIND Soft Baked Squares offer that satisfying sweetness in every bite while—and here's where they get sneaky—serving up to 14 or more finely ground almonds in every bite for added nutritional value. These gluten-free bars are made with almond flour and offer 5 grams of protein with every square to keep you filled and energized throughout your day.

 The 10 Best Frozen Desserts at Aldi

Fancypants Chocolate Chip Cookies

Skip the high-calorie, high-sugar funfetti cake and grab a bag of Fancypants' Chocolate Chip Cookies instead. These non-GMO cookies are made with ingredients you'd find in your own pantry, like King Arthur all-purpose flour, butter, eggs, and sugar. Not only are these a great healthy dessert, but they're also Upcycled Certified because the oat flour they use is recovered from the oat pulp left after making oat milk, diverting food waste.

Next by Nature Dark Chocolate Cashews

Packed with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, cashews have been shown to lower the risk of heart disease. Additionally, cashews are a source of magnesium and can aid in muscle and nerve health. Add dark chocolate for that extra sweet kick, you've got yourself the perfect dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth while providing you ample nutrition. With Next by Nature, 4 grams of protein help keep you full until your next meal.

Dole Whip Pineapple Frozen Treat

Dole Whip Frozen Treat is made with real fruit, sweetened with honey, and contains no artificial ingredients. This healthy dessert comes in three delicious flavors: pineapple, mango, and strawberry.