Scrummy Lane

Quick & easy family friendly recipes

50+ Healthy Snacks For Your Sweet Tooth!

Posted | Updated Sep 23, 2022 by | 4 Comments |

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Do sweet cravings sneak up on you mid afternoon, late at night or when you’re out and about? How do you satisfy your sweet tooth without eating super sugary snacks?

When a piece of fresh fruit just won’t cut it, it’s good to have some healthy sweet snacks on hand. From snacks that don’t need a recipe to chocolate, peanut butter, no bake, snacks for kids and everything in between. You’ll never get bored with these 50+ easy healthy snacks… that taste like delicious treats!

Dried orange slices dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt on a wire rack from above

5-minute ‘no recipe’ snacks

I get it. You don’t want a complicated recipe. You want to spend a few minutes on prep before throwing that snack into your mouth asap.

If you want to go the SUPER easy route with nothing to prepare at all, consider trying out an Urthbox healthy snack subscription box. These can also make an amazing gift for someone who’s keen on healthy snacking!

Otherwise, here are some sweet healthy options made with simple ingredients that absolutely tick that (almost) no effort box.

Greek yogurt parfait: Add a handful of this easy homemade low sugar granola, almond butter and maybe a drizzle of honey for a VERY tasty sweet and healthy treat.

Dark chocolate with 70% cocoa: Delicious on its own or with a few salted peanuts (trust me).

Baked banana with dark chocolate: Slit the skin open, poke chocolate chips or chunks inside the banana, then wrap it in foil. Bake for around 25 minutes at 390F/200C. Enjoy by itself or with healthy ice cream on top!

Packaged bliss balls or energy bites

Baked apple: Mix 1/4 cup rolled oats with 1/2 a tablespoon of melted coconut oil, a few nuts and sultanas, 1/2 a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup and a big pinch each of cinnamon and ground ginger. Cut out the core with a sharp knife and stuff the cavity with the oat mixture. Pour a little water in the bottom of the baking dish, then bake covered with foil at 205C/400F for around 30 minutes. Remove foil and cook for another 5 minutes. Yum!

Fruit leather (Buy it from the store or find out how to make fruit leather on Simply Recipes.)

Medjool dates (or any large dates) stuffed with peanut or almond butter and chocolate chips: This is one of my all-time favourite snacks. Naturally sweet dates are perfect for curbing pesky late night sweet cravings.

Quick trail mix: Mix together nuts, seeds, your favourite dried fruit (chopped if large), broken up dark chocolate, and a little of the fun stuff (popcorn, favourite candy, pretzels, peanut butter chips…)

Quick smoothie: Here are 8 simple healthy smoothie ideas to get your started, but really the sky’s the limit!

Rather someone else did the hard work? You can get read-to-blend organic smoothie packs delivered to your door from Smoothie Box ,with $22 off your first order! (This is an affiliate link!)

Dark chocolate-dipped frozen bananas: Dip banana halves in melted dark chocolate and roll in crushed nuts or coconut. Freeze on a baking tray for around 30 minutes and enjoy!

A few dried prunes: At some point these got themselves a bad rap. But they’re actually pretty delicious, especially eaten together with a little dark chocolate. Try it and see!

A glass of chia pudding with granola and berries on top and more granola scattered around
Photo by Ash Edmonds on Unsplash

Chia pudding: For 2 servings, just mix 1/4 cup cocoa powder with 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1/3 cup chia seeds and a cup of milk (any, ordinary or dairy free). Cover and let thicken in the fridge overnight. Enjoy the next day when your sweet craving inevitably hits again. Hello 5-minute no bake dessert!

Strawberries (or other red berries) dipped in dark chocolate!

Nut butter on toast with a smear of your favourite jam/jelly. Shh don’t tell anyone.

Recipes ‘to go’

When you’re on the go all day, you need a filling and nutritious snack or two on hand at all times! Throw one of these tasty bites in your bag to see you through to the next meal time. They’re also great for camping or road trips, or a quick pick-me-up after the gym.

Dried fruit

‘Fancy’ dried fruit makes a great snack by itself, right? My faves include dried apricots, prunes (yep, honestly) and dried mango. With a side of dark chocolate – shhh.

But THESE dried oranges take the humble dried fruit snack to the next level. Enjoy as they are, dip into chocolate and much more for a delicious healthy snack on the go.

Dried Orange Slices (+ 10 Ways To Use Them)
Don't buy expensive dehydrated citrus slices. They're so easy to make at home. No dehydrator needed. Just slice thinly and dry in your oven at a low heat for several hours. Make a healthy snack out of them, or use in many other interesting ways. What a beautiful and very easy gift for friends, neighbours, teachers – anyone, really!
See recipe
A mason jar full of dried orange slices with a black bow around it and brown label on a blue table top and with oranges and a white wall in the background

Low Sugar Granola

Throw some naturally sweetened granola in a food bag and you have a ready made, satisfyingly crunchy snack. A great choice for athletes between games, kids before or after sport practice, or to take on a hike.

It’s perfect when you’re on the move. Or why not throw a sneaky handful over oatmeal or yogurt?

Tropical Chocolate Chip Granola
This super crunchy tropical chocolate granola truly tastes like dessert! Grab it by the handful or sprinkle over yogurt for a filling and nutritious healthy treat with a tropical twist.
See recipe
A glass bowl of crunchy tropical chocolate granola on brown baking paper.
Best Homemade Low Sugar Granola
You can’t beat homemade granola, and it’s surprisingly quick and easy to make – ready in about half an hour. This version is low in sugar, packed with healthy almonds, puffed rice and other natural ingredients and is super easy to customise with whichever nuts, seeds, grains and fruit you prefer!
See recipe
Basic homemade granola in a glass storage jar from above

No-bake

You know it’s going to be easy when you don’t even need to turn on the oven. These no-bake treats are great healthy brain snacks for after school, work and on the go. Just a few wholesome ingredients, and extra tasty straight from the freezer!

5-ingredient Healthy Chocolate Orange Truffles
Who doesn’t love chocolate truffles? These easy and healthy chocolate orange truffles are made with just dates, cashews and 3 other ingredients. Tastes like a gooey brownie!
See recipe
closeup of healthy chocolate orange truffles on baking paper with ingredients in the background
Nakd Bar Copycat Chocolate Orange Date Bars
Impress your friends with this convincing copy of a Nakd raw chocolate orange bar. The 'big sibling' of the chocolate orange truffles above, these too taste like a chocolate brownie, but they're made from just 5 healthy ingredients.
See recipe
healthy chocolate orange date bars stacked on top of each other on baking paper with others around and an orange in the background.
Pecan And White Chocolate Granola Bars
Easy-peasy no-bake healthy homemade granola bars made from pulsed dates, oats, peanut butter and honey or maple syrup. I also add pecan nuts, maple syrup, white chocolate and dried apricots, but you can add your favourite fruits, nuts, chocolates and seeds. These are perfect for a healthy mid-morning or afternoon snack!
See recipe
Close up of a small stack of no bake granola bars on a wooden board

Healthy Baked Snacks

Stock your freezer with these delicious and healthy baked treats. From muffins to quick breads and cookies, they’re perfect for office parties, birthday snacks for school, lunch boxes and more.

Greek Yogurt Blueberry Muffins
Light, fluffy, low sugar blueberry muffins. This recipe has tons of 5-star reviews – people seem to love to make changes to make them their own! And they couldn’t be easier – just throw the wet ingredients into the dry, stir, and bake.
See recipe
The inside of a fluffy Greek yogurt blueberry muffin on a paper liner and dark background with a light blue tea towel in front and more muffins and milk in the background.
Greek Yogurt Choc Chip Muffins
Welcome to your new favourite chocolate chip muffins! The lesser-known (but just as yummy) little sibling of the blueberry version. They're quick and easy to make, protein-packed, and quite low in sugar. They always seem to turn out well!
See recipe
Closeup of a Greek yogurt choc chip muffin on a pale beige plate and marble surface with more cakes and a striped blue tea towel behind.
Mini Banana Bread (Air Fryer + Oven)
Got brown bananas hanging around? This mini banana bread is a one bowl recipe with no creaming of butter and sugar necessary. Just mix together a few basic pantry ingredients, pop into your oven (or air fryer!) and you’ll be enjoying it in just over half an hour!
See recipe
A stack of slices of mini banana bread with the rest of the bread in the background
Greek Yogurt Banana Muffins (With Caramel Chips!)
These protein-packed Greek yogurt banana muffins are made healthier with a whole cup of yogurt and a lower amount of sugar than in an average banana muffin. But they're moist, fluffy and super tasty with a great banana flavor and some sneaky caramel chocolate chips for something a little different. So simple to make in just 30 minutes, and great for morning teas, lunch boxes and afternoon snacks.
See recipe
A closeup of Greek yogurt banana muffins on a cooling rack with a blue and white tea towel and ripe banana in the background.
Low Sugar Anzac Biscuits
Australia's most popular biscuit recipe! Everyone loves Anzac biscuits, delicious oat cookies that can be either crunchy, chewy or anywhere in between. Take your pick! Eat them on Anzac Day – 25th April – or any day you like. They're so quick and easy to make. All you need is oats, butter, sugar, coconut, flour, baking soda… and 30 minutes.
See recipe
A stack of Anzac biscuits on a marble background with more scattered around

Hidden veggie recipes

Baked goods with hidden vegetables is one of the sneaky tricks I use to get more goodness into my picky eater! They all contain vegetables, but no one will believe they’re healthy.

These are great options for healthy birthday party snacks, lunchbox treats, after school snacks and more.

30-minute Healthy Chocolate Cake
It’s here. The chocolate cake of your dreams. A healthy gooey chocolate cake stuffed with superfoods including sweet potato, cocoa and avocado. Made with only 8 main ingredients, NO ONE will believe this is a healthy cake. Makes a great kids' birthday cake!
See recipe
Closeup of a fork cutting into a piece of 30 minute healthy chocolate cake on a white plate and background
Healthy Avocado Brownies
A healthier alternative to regular brownies, you can have your cake and eat it too (literally) with these fudgy double chocolate brownies. Made with TWO not-so-secret healthy ingredients – ripe bananas and avocado (hello healthy fats).
See recipe
Double chocolate brownies with avocado from above
Healthy Pumpkin Cake (With Pear!)
This healthy pumpkin and pear cake is your new favorite fall dessert to satisfy your pumpkin cravings! It's moist, flavorful, only lightly sweetened, and so easy to make with simple, wholesome ingredients. Use canned pumpkin puree, or if you want to make your own, make it ahead (which is easier than you might think). Then just stir the wet ingredients into the dry, bake, and enjoy!
See recipe
Overhead view of a rectangular cake pan that's lined and has a baked healthy pumpkin pear cake in it with a blue and white tea towel under and the edge of an orange and pear showing at the top.

Chocolate

Don’t be shocked – chocolate snacks can be healthy, too. Or at least healthy-ER. Need chocolate and need it now? These ideas will satisfy your chocolate cravings… without a side of guilt.

Chocolaty after dinner treats

Got the late night munchies? If you’re anything like me, it’s often chocolate you’re craving. These are some healthier chocolate treats to stash in the fridge for sweet tooth ’emergencies’. They also make great gifts. No one will ever know they took you mere minutes to make. Shhh.

Chocolate Pretzels
Grab a packet of pretzels and a bar of dark chocolate. Melt chocolate, dip pretzels, pop into the fridge, and there you have it – 2-ingredient, 10-minute pretzels dipped in chocolate ‘heaven’. Delicious, super easy, and suprisingly low in calories.
See recipe
A bowl of chocolate covered pretzels or easy chocolate biscuits in a bowl on a marble background
Chocolate Rocks
Need a quick gift for a friend or relative's birthday or perhaps for a dinner party host? These simple almond and blueberry fruit and nut clusters, or 'chocolate rocks', are perfect. You need just 3 ingredients and barely 5 minutes to make them.
See recipe
Chocolate rocks on a baking tray with a big bowl in the background

Healthier chocolate puddings

When only an ooey, gooey chocolaty dessert will cut it, I’ve got you covered with these three delicious chocolate desserts. They’re the naughtiest on the list, but healthier options than you might think.

Low Sugar Chocolate Self-Saucing Pudding
This is super chocolaty and gooey, pretty low in sugar, and contains no eggs. You only need 6 pantry ingredients, which you probably already have. It's not the most saintly recipe on the list, but it's probably one of the yummiest!
See recipe
A dish of chocolate self saucing pudding with a spoon in it viewed from above
5-minute Chocolate Pots
Hmm… a healthy treat? Well… two of the ingredients are dark chocolate and water, and there's just a LITTLE bit of cream. Still worried? Swap the cream out for non dairy coconut cream. Consider this a sweet treat that you don't have to feel TOO guilty about!
See recipe
overhead shot of a chocolate pot with cream on top
Thick Italian hot chocolate
This thick Italian hot chocolate is the best hot chocolate you’ll ever have. If you use a good quality 70% cocoa dark chocolate, it's a pretty innocent treat. The best part? You only need 4 ingredients and 5 minutes to make it!
See recipe
A cup of thick hot chocolate in a brown cup with a spoon and ingredients and kitchen equipment in the foreground and background.

Peanut butter

A great source of protein, I don’t mind snacking on peanut butter straight from the spoon. Why not? But it’s even yummier when mixed with something sweet. From energy bites to a quick mug cake, have a browse through these nutty treats.

First up, these 3-ingredient healthy peanut butter cookies from The Daring Gourmet.

2-minute Peanut Butter Mug Cake
This peanut butter mug cake gets great reviews! Throw peanut butter in a mug with coconut flour, date or maple syrup, almond milk and choc chips, and you’ve got a delicious, guilt-free dessert for one. Eat plain or with healthy nice cream?
See recipe
Someone eating 2-minute peanut butter healthy mug cake from above
Sweet N Salty Peanut Butter Granola Bars (Nature Valley Copycat)
Love the sweet and salty combo? Fan of granola bars? If so, there's a pretty good chance you're going to love these sweet and salty peanut butter granola bars!
See recipe
sweet and salty peanut butter granola bars on a piece of baking paper
Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars
Apart from some sneaky marshmallows, these delicious 5-ingredient peanut butter Cheerio bars are made from pretty good stuff! They take mere minutes to make. And no, they aren’t just for kids!
See recipe
Two peanut butter cheerio bars stacked on top of each other, with others in the background
Pinch Of Yum’s Cookie Dough Energy Bites
These ingenious and very nutritious little bites from Pinch of Yum are ridiculously easy to make with just a few ingredients, AND THEY TASTE LIKE COOKIE DOUGH. So yummy straight from the freezer. No Bake Cookie Dough Energy Bites for the win!
See recipe
Pinch Of Yum's Cookie Dough Energy Bites

Toddlers and young kids

Whether it’s healthier lunchbox treats, after school or bedtime snacks, or healthy sweet party snacks you’re looking for, I’ve got you covered with these kid friendly options.

Remember to check out the ‘hidden veggies’ section above, too. Kids will especially love the avocado brownies, and they’ll never know they’re healthier than an average brownie!

5-minute Chocolate Banana Healthy ‘Nice Cream’
Like ice cream… erm, a bit too much? Nice cream is the perfect solution! Simply throw frozen banana chunks, peanut butter and cocoa into a food processor and whizz until smooth, creamy and delicious! Perfect for kids, and for topping other snacks in this list.
See recipe
5-minute chocolate banana ice cream with a spoon with a banana and ice cream scoop in the background
Healthier Vanilla Cupcakes With 2-ingredient Frosting
Welcome to your new go-to vanilla cupcake recipe! These healthier vanilla cupcakes contain less sugar and butter than an average cupcake. They're secretly healthy – perfect for children's birthday parties or any special occasion. With their 2-ingredient white chocolate cream cheese frosting they're super easy to make, but no one will ever know they're healthy.
See recipe
A cake stand full of healthier vanilla cupcakes with 2-ingredient frosting
Thin English Pancakes Recipe (With Lemon And Sugar)
Move over thick American pancakes – these classic thin English pancakes are just as delicious, and ridiculously easy to make with a few basic pantry ingredients. Traditionally served on Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day, they're actually a perfect treat on any day of the year. Best served simply with a generous sprinkle of sugar and lemon juice on the top, you won't be able to stop eating them. Don't say I didn't warn you!
See recipe
Closeup of plate of English pancakes on grey and white plate, blue background and with colourful tea towel and whisk
Caramelised Banana Pancakes
Simple fluffy pancakes topped with bananas in a buttery caramel-y sauce. They might not be saintly, but they're a healthier pancake option than many others, and let's face it – your kids will go crazy for them!
See recipe
A plate of caramelised banana pancakes from above on a marble background - there's also a fork with a mouthful of pancake on it

Gluten free

There are many gluten free options in this list already, but here are a few more of my favourites.

Rhubarb And Ginger Oaty Slices
If you've ever tried a fruit crumble or crisp, or enjoyed an oaty granola bar, you'll love these oaty bars with fresh rhubarb. Perfect either cold or warm with some healthy ice cream on top. Check the oats are gluten free and you have a perfect gluten free snack!
See recipe
Best One Bowl Gluten-free Brownie Recipe
Fan of cakey, fudgy, or chewy brownies? Somehow these triple chocolate gluten free brownies are all 3! Made all in one bowl and with just 25 minutes in the oven, these are a fail safe recipe, and while not a saintly recipe, are a bit healthier as brownie recipes go! 😉
See recipe
A gluten-free chocolate brownie on its side on a piece of baking paper with others from above
Gluten Free Banana Mug Cake
This gluten free banana mug cake takes only 5 minutes to make and is a perfect little healthier sweet treat for one (or for two to share if you're feeling generous!). Tastes exactly like banana bread, but takes a fraction of the time to make it.
See recipe
Someone eating a gluten free mug cake with banana, almond and white chocolate

Special diets

On a different special diet such as nut free, dairy free, vegan or keto diet? There are so many options in this list for you, too! Please browse through with your needs in mind, remembering to check the ingredients of each recipe carefully, of course.

Here are a few options to get you started:

Nut free: baked banana with dark chocolate or baked apples, dried fruit with dark chocolate, chia pudding (see ‘no recipe’ section at the top), dried fruit with dark chocolate, healthy avocado brownies, Anzac biscuits

Dairy free: low sugar granola, chocolate orange truffles, cookie dough energy bites (use dark chocolate), pumpkin pear loaf cake (use orange juice instead of milk)

Vegan: peanut butter mug cake, ‘nice cream’ (healthy ice cream), chocolate orange date bars

Keto: Top Greek yogurt with seeds, nuts and perhaps a little keto ‘maple syrup’ for a very delicious and healthy keto snack.

Healthy snack box subscriptions

So… you love a few of these ideas and will try them soon, but… you’d also like to have some awesome pre-packaged snacks on hand. I get it. As much as I love the recipes here, sometimes I just want to grab something yummy and healthy that someone ELSE has prepared.

The solution? Get healthy (and exciting!) ready-to-eat snacks delivered to you with Urthbox! They have Classic, Gluten free, Vegan or Diet box options, and a bonus free snack box offer, too.

Or browse more snack subscription boxes at Cratejoy to choose your own.

In love with smoothies? You can get read-to-blend organic smoothie packs delivered to your door from Smoothie Box , with $22 off your first order! (These are affiliate links!)

In summary

That sweet tooth can sneak up on you really fast, so I hope this (not boring) list is helpful!

My favourites? It’s so hard to choose, but I’ve been making these low sugar Greek yogurt blueberry muffins for years. They’re perfect grab-and-go treats but also go down well with guests.

For those pesky night-time sugar cravings, it’s hard to beat this 2-MINUTE peanut butter mug cake (vegan, gluten free, dairy free).

If you want to amaze your friends and family, it’s worth the little bit of effort to make this 30-minute healthy chocolate cake. No one will ever believe it’s a healthy cake.

HAPPY (HEALTHY) SNACKING!

Comments

  2. Ted says

    Hi Helen thanks but I’m not a sweet tooth so I’ll give these recipes a miss best wishes Ted

    Reply

    • Helen says

      No worries, Ted. Lucky you that you don’t have a sweet tooth! I have plenty of yummy savoury recipes on the blog too so do have a browse!

      Reply

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