Skip to content

15 Dessert Recipes That Use 6 Ingredients or Fewer

You probably have a lot of these ingredients in your pantry already.
PIN Print

Whether you're trying to minimize trips to the grocery store or you just don't feel like following a recipe that's too elaborate, easy recipes should be your best friend. Fortunately, there are plenty of delicious ways to make easy desserts with few ingredients. Even better? A lot of the ingredients are pantry staples you probably have on hand already.

For instance, did you know those bananas in your fruit basket can be used to make dairy-free ice cream? Or that the peanut butter in your cabinet is just begging to be used in peanut butter cookies? Get out your apron, because you'll want to whip up these delicious treats ASAP.

Banana Coconut Ice Cream

Whole30 banana coconut ice cream topped with almonds in a bowl
Posie Brien / Eat This, Not That!

Do you have bananas, almonds, coconut oil, and a can of coconut milk on hand? Then all you need to buy for this recipe is date syrup or another sweetener that's in your pantry. Roasting the bananas before putting them in the blender adds an extra-delicious touch to this dairy-free frozen treat.

Get our recipe for Banana Coconut Ice Cream. 

Sign up for our newsletter to get daily recipes and food news in your inbox!

Peanut Butter Cookies

keto peanut butter cookies
Beth Lipton / Eat This, Not That!

Don't have flour on hand? Fear not! These super-easy peanut butter cookies don't need any flour—just peanut butter, an egg, sweetener, and a bit of sea salt. Whether you're following a gluten-free or low-carb diet or you just love peanut butter, you've got to try this recipe for yourself.

Get our recipe for Peanut Butter Cookies. 

Your ultimate restaurant and supermarket survival guide is here!

Dark Chocolate Dipped Bananas

Dark chocolate dipped bananas
Waterbury Publications, Inc.

Sure, you could make banana bread. But why not try something more exciting with all those bananas from the store? Making chocolate-dipped fruit at home is easier than you'd think, and it definitely beats the store-bought version. (OK, this recipe technically has seven ingredients, but we aren't including the popsicle sticks! If you have some clean ones on hand from kids' craft projects, this is a great way to put them to good use.)

Get our recipe for Dark Chocolate Dipped Bananas. 

Click here for all of our latest coronavirus coverage.

Grilled Strawberry Shortcake with Balsamic

Vegetarian strawberry shortcake with balsamic
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Balsamic vinegar is good for more than salads! It pairs unexpectedly well with fresh strawberries, making this the summer treat you didn't know you needed. Don't worry, this recipe is super simple—you're allowed to buy a boxed cake!

Get our recipe for Grilled Strawberry Shortcake with Balsamic. 

Whipped Chocolate Coconut Pudding

whole30 chocolate coconut pudding
Shutterstock

Feeling nostalgic for those little plastic pudding cups you'd have in your lunchbox? This pudding recipe will put those old-school snacks to shame. With just six ingredients, including coconut cream and cacao powder, this is one treat that's both delicious and easy to make.

Get our recipe for Whipped Chocolate Coconut Pudding. 

This 7-day smoothie diet will help you shed those last few pounds.

Dark Chocolate-Covered Almond Clusters With Coconut-Matcha Sprinkles

Dark Chocolate-Covered Almond Clusters with Coconut Matcha Sprinkle
Waterbury Publications, Inc.

If you only eat almonds as a snack alongside fruit, you're missing out on their potential as a delicious baking ingredient. These turtle-inspired candies require just five ingredients, and they're way better than their packaged counterparts.

Get our recipe for Dark Chocolate-Covered Almond Clusters With Coconut-Matcha Sprinkles. 

Grilled Banana Split

Low-calorie grilled banana split
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

No, you don't have to make your own ice cream! But if you want to elevate a homemade banana split, grilling the fruit is a great way to make that natural sugar pop.

Get our recipe for a Grilled Banana Split. 

Learn how to harness the power of tea to lose weight.

Raspberry Cheesecake Mousse

keto raspberry cheesecake mousse
Beth Lipton / Eat This, Not That!

You don't have to break out the springform pan for this one! This six-ingredient cheesecake mousse is just as tasty as its sliced counterparts. If you've stocked up on frozen berries and are getting tired of smoothies, give this recipe a try.

Get our recipe for Raspberry Cheesecake Mousse. 

Cake Cookies

finished chocolate and lemon cake cookies on a marble counter
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

Have you ever wondered what the secret is to those uber-soft crinkle cookies you've tried at the bakery? Believe it or not, it's Cool Whip! A box of cake mix, a tub of Cool Whip, an egg, and a bit of powdered sugar are all you need to make these picture-perfect treats.

Get our recipe for Cake Cookies. 

Old-Fashioned Milkshakes

three types of milkshakes with red straws
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

You don't have to go to a diner for a creamy milkshake. All you need to make one at home is your favorite ice cream, some milk, and a blender.

Get our recipe for Old-Fashioned Milkshakes. 

Copycat Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino

Eat This, Not That!

Missing your favorite Starbucks treat? You can make it at home with just six ingredients, one of which is ice cubes! And we bet you already have milk and maybe even some agave syrup on hand.

Get our recipe for a Copycat Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino. 

Espresso Granita

Low-calorie espresso granita
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Have an espresso maker at home? You're already most of the way there for this simple recipe. Sugar, some whipped topping, and dark chocolate are all you need for this coffee-based treat.

Get our recipe for an Espresso Granita. 

Olive Oil Ice Cream

Low-calorie olive oil ice cream
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Say what? Yep, that bottle of olive oil in your pantry is perfect on top of vanilla ice cream! Before you write it off, just give this recipe a try.

Get our recipe for Olive Oil Ice Cream. 

Grilled Apricots

Vegetarian grilled apricots
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Apricots are one of many fruits that are even more delicious grilled. All you need is Greek yogurt, walnuts, and maple syrup, along with that delicious fruit, for an easy and unforgettable dessert.

Get our recipe for Grilled Apricots.

Two-Ingredient Banana Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Bites

banana chocolate chip ice cream bites
Courtesy of The Baker Mama

Are you sensing a theme yet? Bananas are all you need for endless dessert possibilities! These dairy-free ice cream bites require nothing more than bananas, chocolate chips, and a bit of time.

Get the recipe from The Baker Mama.

1/5 (2 Reviews)
Eat This, Not That!
Inspired by The New York Times best-selling book series, Eat This, Not That! is a brand that's comprised of an award-winning team of journalists and board-certified experts, doctors, nutritionists, chefs, personal trainers, and dietitians who work together to bring you accurate, timely, informative, and actionable content on food, nutrition, dieting, weight loss, health, wellness, and more. Read more about Eat This