Eat lots of desserts this 4th of July without any guilt! Instead of the usual sweet desserts, try these alternatives that are not just sweet to the tooth, but sweet to your health too!
When 4th of July comes, it has been tradition to think of red white and blue, and adorn our houses with those colors. And this radiates even in our meals.
It is a celebration for the country, and for the family as we commemorate the men and women of old who have served us and contributed to our independence. What we have now, we owe it to them – to their values and sacrifices.
The highlight of every family celebration is always meal times – when we gather around, eat together and enjoy the presence of one another.
And I know you would agree with me when I say that lunch times are incomplete without desserts, especially during occasions such as the 4th of July!
But we want to be healthy. So if you care about your health too, here’s a list of desserts with red, white and blue – healthy desserts to prepare for the whole family!
Summer is also the season when berries are abundant, so expect for lots and lots of fresh berries in these desserts!
Feel free to indulge yourselves without any guilt!
1. 4th of July Red White and Blueberry Almond Trail Mix by Home Made Interest
This was meant to be a snack that you can take for the fireworks, but with the sweetness of the blueberry almonds, this trail mix can also be added in your dessert menu. Your kids will surely love it!
Ingredients:
- Blue Diamond Almonds blueberry flavored almonds
- Blue Diamond roasted salted almonds
- Yogurt raisins
- Dried cranberries
Visit Home Made Interest for the full recipe.
2. Vegan Raw Cheesecake by Namely Marly
When I hear the word “cheesecake”, what immediately comes to mind is cream cheese. According to Healthline, cream cheese is a versatile dairy spread – low in protein and high in fat and calories.
Hmmm… that doesn’t sound healthy to me.
While there are different kinds of cream cheese, and you can choose the healthiest kind, if there’s a cheesecake that doesn’t involve cream cheese, I’d prefer that (I know… I’m crazy).
So when I got across this Vegan Raw Cheesecake, I immediately jumped to the ingredients and oh my my! This is the real deal if you are planning to add a cheesecake in your 4th of July desserts – there’s no cream cheese involved! All ingredients are natural!
And judging by how it looks, you’ll know it’s super delicious!
Ingredients:
- Almonds
- Coconut flakes
- Coconut oil
- Medjool dates
- Raw cashews
- Coconut milk
- Maple syrup
- Lemon juice
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
Visit Namely Marly for the full recipe.
3. Healthier Chocolate Cupcakes by Fit Foodie Finds
I’ve always loved chocolates! But at this point in my life – I am now a homemaker – I’m no longer into the chocolates that I used to have. I now prefer healthy chocolates, not just for me, but for my family too.
So this healthier chocolate cupcakes recipe is golden! If you also love to have chocolate in your 4th of July desserts (I sure do!), this is the healthy way to go!
Ingredients:
- Unsweetened almond milk
- Egg
- Brown sugar
- Nonfat Greek Yogurt
- Vanilla extract
- Coconut oil
- All-purpose flour
- White whole wheat flour
- Unsweetened dark cocoa powder
- baking soda
- baking powder
- heavy whipping cream and honey for frosting
Visit Fit Foodie Finds for the full recipe.
4. Berry Soup Dessert Shooters by Miss in the Kitchen
This is just like a smoothie. And it’s packed with berries, so imagine the healthy goodness that comes with this drink!
I’m thinking of having this fun chit-chats after lunch – this shooter will definitely add to the fun! Imagine yourself drinking this while having those fun conversations. It’s definitely a celebration!
Ingredients:
- Strawberries
- Peaches
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Honey
- Lemon juice
- Ground cinnamon
- Whipped cream and fresh berries for toppings
Visit Miss in the Kitchen for the full recipe.
5. 4th of July Mini Patriotic Fruit Tarts by Rachel Cooks
I’ve always loved tarts as much as I love chocolates! So I’m glad there’s a healthy alternative to the loaded with unhealthy sugar commercialized tarts that I used to eat.
Here’s something that’s fruit-packed! Imagine the natural sweetness in there!
Ingredients:
- Lime zest
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Jicama
- Lime juice
- Stevia In The Raw
- Mini phyllo shells
Visit Rachel Cooks for the full recipe.
6. 4th of July Red White and Blue Popsicles by An Edible Mosaic
Popsicles are so fun to eat – I’ve enjoyed these much as a kid! I’m sure your kids love popsicles too!
Now don’t worry Momma, because this popsicle is loaded blueberries and strawberries that are super healthy for your kids! With this kind of dessert, I bet they will look forward for 4th of July celebrations!
No added sugar too!
Ingredients:
- Strawberries
- Stevia
- Coconut milk
- Vanilla extract
- Blueberries
Visit An Edible Mosaic for the full recipe.
7. Whole Wheat Strawberry Oat Bars by Cookin Canuck
I imagined a chocolate bar when I saw this one – it looks like a chocolate bar (minus the color). And here I go again mentioning chocolate.
Anyway, this is another deviation from the usual things I know. Whole wheat with oats to form an oat bar – this sounds new but exciting! And the fact that there’s a whole grain included makes it even more inviting!
The sweetness of the strawberry will also mean that you’re going to use less sugar in this recipe. I personally prefer coco sugar or brown sugar whenever I cook.
Ingredients:
- Oats
- Whole wheat pastry flour
- Sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Egg
- Canola oil
- Pure vanilla extract
- Strawberries
- Cornstarch
- Lemon juice
Visit Cookin Canuck for the full recipe.
8. Mixed Berries with Honey Maple Mascarpone by Joyful Healthy Eats
You’re getting the nutrients of raspberries, blueberries and blackberries in this fruity dessert! The added maple and honey gives it just the right amount of sweetness.
Oh I love it when you sprinkle those almonds!
Ingredients:
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Raw almonds
- Mascarpone cheese
- Raw honey
- Pure maple syrup
- Vanilla extract
Visit Joyful Healthy Eats for the full recipe.
9. 4th of July Skewers with Chocolate Orange Sauce by My Fussy Eater
This one’s a surprise to me! I’m familiar with meat and veggies kabobs and hotdog skewers. But I never thought of a fruit skewer, ever. Until I discovered this.
As it turns out, any fruit can be made into a skewer. But for 4th of July desserts, we can stick with raspberries or strawberries and blueberries for the red and blue colors. Oh and I love that chocolate orange sauce! (Did I mention chocolate again? Oh yes I did! Haha!)
Ingredients:
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Mini marshmallows
- Milk chocolate or dark chocolate (I prefer dark.)
- Milk
- Zest of orange
- Wooden skewers
Visit My Fussy Eater for the full recipe.
10. Strawberry, Pineapple & Blueberry Ice Cream by Know Your Produce
Another of my top favorite desserts is ice cream! It’s so hard not to grab a cupful when there’s one ready for the taking – even when I already know that it’s all packed with unhealthy sugar and dairy.
So this ice cream recipe is another gold mine for me – not just for 4th of July desserts, but for the usual no-occasion desserts. As long as I have ingredients, I’ll make one and just keep it in the freezer.
Ingredients:
- Pineapple
- Banana
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
Visit Know Your Produce for the full recipe.
11. Mixed Berry Sundaes for 2 by Taste of Home
As I’ve said, I love ice cream! So here’s another healthy “ice cream” treat if you’re on the same boat! Instead of milk, it uses Greek yogurt – a much healthier choice! Plus berries and almonds – yhummm!
Ingredients:
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Honey
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Pomegranate juice
- Chopped walnuts
12. 4th of July Easy Flag Fruit Dessert by Family Fresh Meals
No parfait or no cake? No problem!
Simply gather your favorite summer fruits together! Arrange them in a big tray. Add little pretzels covered in yogurt, or white chocolate (I prefer yogurt), and that’s it! You’ve got yourself a healthy dessert fit for any hot day, but especially fit for the 4th of July!
Ingredients:
- Red fresh fruits like cherries, raspberries and strawberries
- Blueberries
- Yogurt or white chocolate-covered pretzels
Visit Family Fresh Meals for the full instructions.
You can celebrate without sacrificing your health!
When it comes to desserts, we often want to indulge ourselves. I get that. I’m like that too! It’s the highlight of every lunch. We always look forward to it.
But being a homemaker, it’s not just about me or you anymore. We’re now talking about the whole family. And I will never stop repeating this – I want my family to be healthy, but not boring healthy, coz that’s not healthy anymore right?
So let’s get on a little bit above our comfort zones! Make any of these dessert recipes instead of the usual that are unfriendly to your health. Remember – you can hold a festive celebration on the 4th of July without sacrificing your health!
Looking for more healthy recipes to serve on the 4th of July? Check these out!
- 30 Healthy & Tasty Recipes for 4th of July!
- 20 Healthy Cakes for a Sweeter 4th of July!
- 4th of July Drinks: Festive and Healthy!
Loved this recipe collection? Take a second to PIN it!
