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The Ultimate Collection Of Gluten Free Desserts for Diabetics

by Michelle Rorke

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Managing diabetes while following a gluten-free diet doesn’t mean missing out on delicious desserts. This collection of gluten-free desserts for diabetics features naturally low-carb ingredients and no added sugar

a collage of desserts including chocolate brownies, peanut butter crunch bars, apple crumble and almond cake with the title gluten ree dessert recipes for diabetics

Following a gluten-free diet while managing diabetes can sometimes feel challenging, especially when it comes to desserts. My husband is gluten intolerant, and over time, I’ve noticed that my daughter also seems to feel better when avoiding gluten too. Since she has Type 1 diabetes, finding desserts that work for both her blood sugar management and digestion has been a learning process. But with the right ingredients and smart substitutions, we’ve discovered that you can still enjoy delicious, satisfying sweet treats without compromising blood sugar levels.

In this roundup, I’ve put together some of my favourite gluten-free desserts for diabetics. All of the recipes are made without traditional wheat flour and with no added sugar. Many of these recipes use almond flour, oat flour, or coconut flour, which we’ve found to be much kinder on blood sugars compared to refined wheat-based desserts. Whether you’re looking for indulgent chocolate treats, fruity bakes, or quick no-bake options, there’s something here for every craving. Plus, I’ll share insights on the best gluten-free flours for baking and how they can help support better blood sugar management.

Gluten-Free Flours and Their Benefits

I have found that successful gluten-free baking requires using a combination of low-carb and naturally gluten-free flours to achieve the best texture and taste. By making these swaps, we’ve found a way to enjoy delicious, satisfying desserts that not only fit our dietary needs but also help support better blood sugar control and overall health.

Almond flour is one of my go-to options as it’s not only gluten-free but also low in carbohydrates, rich in protein, and full of healthy fats. This helps desserts have a milder impact on blood sugar levels compared to traditional wheat-based flours.

Read more about Baking with Almond Flour in my article below:

baking with almond flour title in front of a picture of almond flour and whole almonds
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Many of my recipes also incorporate oat flour, coconut flour, and occasionally store bought gluten free flour. Using different combinations of flour helps to create the right balance of structure and moisture while keeping carb counts in check.

Why Gluten-Free Baking Works for Our Family

Creating delicious gluten-free and low-sugar desserts is a priority for our family, and I’ve found that using alternatives to wheat and white flour helps achieve:

  • A more stable blood sugar response – Gluten-free flours like almond flour and oat flour have a lower glycemic impact, meaning fewer sharp spikes and crashes in blood sugar. This makes managing post-meal glucose levels much easier.
  • Reduced error rate with insulin dosing – When baking with traditional wheat-based flours, the carb content can be high, especially in desserts with added sugar. By using lower-carb, gluten-free alternatives, we can be more precise with insulin dosing, reducing the risk of over- or under-dosing.
  • Better digestion and overall well-being – My husband and daughter both feel better avoiding gluten, and I’ve noticed that gluten-free desserts often leave us feeling more satisfied.
  • More nutrient-dense treats – Many gluten-free flours are naturally higher in protein, fibre, and healthy fats, making desserts more nourishing and filling while still being a treat.

Read more about how the glycemic index of flours impacts blood sugars in the article below:

a bag of flour and sieve with the heading understanding the impact of high vs. low glycemic index flour on blood sugar levels
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Delicious Gluten-Free Desserts the Whole Family Will Love

Now onto the recipes – Each recipe in this roundup is made without traditional wheat flour and with low or no added sugar, helping to keep blood sugars stable while still satisfying your sweet tooth. I’d love to hear which recipes you’re excited to try. Let me know in the comments at the end of this post!

Chocolate Delights – Indulgence Without the Gluten

Chocolate desserts are always a favourite, and these gluten-free and diabetic-friendly desserts bring all the rich flavours without the gluten. Almond flour is a key ingredient in these treats, offering a naturally low-carb and nutritious base.

Diabetic-Friendly Chocolate Brownies

These rich and fudgy brownies use almond flour for a naturally low-carb base, delivering all the indulgence without the gluten.

  • an almond flour chocolate brownie on a cake slice

    Diabetic Friendly Chocolate Brownies

    Cooks in 35 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    Rich and fudgy, these gluten free diabetic-friendly brownies are made without added sugar, using wholesome ingredients for blood sugar balance.

    17 votes 4.5
    View Recipe

Low Carb Chocolate Torte

A luxurious and dense chocolate torte that’s both gluten-free and low in sugar.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars – No Bake

A crunchy, nutty, and chocolatey treat that’s easy to prepare and completely gluten-free.

Dark Chocolate Orange Tart – Low sugar

A rich Chocolate Orange Tart that is low-sugar and low-carb. Perfect for a little diabetes-friendly indulgence that feels truly decadent.

Low Carb Double Chocolate Muffins

These muffins are packed with deep chocolate flavour and balanced with a light texture.

  • A close up of a dark brown almond flour chocolate muffin with chocolate chunks on a plate with a few chocolate chips and more chocolate muffins in the background

    Almond Flour Chocolate Muffins

    Cooks in 45 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    Wonderfully delicious low-carb, gluten-free almond flour chocolate muffins, perfect for blood sugar control and a healthier, sugar-free treat!

    3 votes 5.0
    View Recipe

3-Ingredient Chocolate Rice Cake Bites

Simple, satisfying, and a great option for a quick chocolate fix.

Low Sugar Almond Flour Chocolate Cake

A light yet indulgent chocolate cake that’s naturally low-carb.

Krispie Dark Chocolate Bark Recipe

A fun and crispy chocolate bark with just the right amount of crunch.

  • Close-up of broken dark chocolate bark pieces with puffed rice and nuts, ready to serve.

    No Bake Dark Chocolate Bark

    Cooks in 30 minutesDifficulty: Very Easy

    This quick and easy no-bake dark chocolate bark is lower in sugar, full of texture, and made with simple, wholesome ingredients.

    2 votes 5.0
    View Recipe

Easy Almond Chocolate Cookies

A simple, nutty chocolate cookie made with wholesome ingredients.

  • a stack of almond chocolate cookies

    Almond Flour Chocolate Cookies

    Cooks in 25 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    Satisfy your chocolate biscuit cravings with these easy almond chocolate cookies! Deliciously low-carb and gluten-free.

    19 votes 4.2
    View Recipe

Nutty and Fruity Cakes – Naturally Gluten-Free Goodness

Many of my cakes use a blend of gluten-free flours with other naturally gluten-free flours like almond flour and oat flour. This not only provides a great texture but also helps keep carb counts in check. These gluten-free, refined sugar-free dessert recipes have a little extra sweetness from added xylitol and lots of natural sweetness from fruits.

Lemon Almond Flour Cookies

Light, zesty, and naturally gluten-free, these cookies are a delightful treat.

Easy Orange Almond Flour Cake

A moist and fragrant cake with fresh citrus flavours.

  • closeup of a slice of orange almond flour cake on a plate with a small fork and the cake an cut orange in the background

    Easy Orange Almond Flour Cake

    Cooks in 75 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    A moist and fluffy orange almond flour cake, sugar-free, gluten-free, and low-carb. Perfect for diabetics or a healthier treat!

    32 votes 4.5
    View Recipe

Sugar-Free Lemon Drizzle Cake

A classic favourite, made without refined sugar and with a delicious zesty glaze.

  • a sliced lemon drizzle loaf on a white board with lemon slices

    sugar free lemon drizzle cake

    Cooks in 55 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    This healthier Sugar-Free Lemon Drizzle Cake recipe is a delicious diabetic-friendly and gluten-free cake bursting with lemon flavour.

    8 votes 4.6
    View Recipe

Coconut and Almond Loaf Cake

A nutty and moist loaf cake with a hint of coconut sweetness.

Coconut and Raspberry Cake

A fruity and flavourful gluten-free cake that’s perfect for any occasion.

  • slice of coconut raspberry cake on a plate with some of it on a fork

    Coconut and Raspberry Jam Cake

    Cooks in 60 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    A simply delicious gluten free and low (diabetic) carb count coconut and raspberry cake, with a tasty layer of homemade sugar-free jam.

    6 votes 4.7
    View Recipe

Sugar-Free Strawberry Cake

Naturally sweet and bursting with strawberry flavour.

  • square piece of sugar free strawberry cake with a strawberry on top

    Sugar Free Strawberry Cake

    Cooks in 45 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    Looking for a delectable and healthy cake bursting with strawberries but want to avoid unnecessary sugar? Then this sugar free strawberry cake recipe is just for you.

    5 votes 4.2
    View Recipe

Blueberry Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

A soft, gluten-free muffin packed with fresh blueberries and citrusy lemon.

Wholesome Oat-Based Treats – Naturally Gluten-Free and Fibre-Packed

For those who enjoy a heartier dessert, oats are a fantastic gluten-free option. These recipes offer a satisfying texture while being kinder to blood sugar levels.

Read more about oats and diabetes in my article below:

a jar of oats and overnight oats with rasperries and peanut butter witha jug of milk with the title Oats & Diabetes
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Apple Oat Cake

A warming, spiced apple cake made with gluten-free oats.

  • a closeup of a chunks of healthy apple cake with the rest of the cake in the background

    Healthy Apple Oat Cake

    Cooks in 40 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    Try this healthy apple oat cake! Diabetic-friendly, high-fibre, low-sugar, and perfect for breakfast, dessert, or meal prep.

    8 votes 4.3
    View Recipe

Healthy Oatmeal Pumpkin Cookies

Soft and chewy cookies with a hint of pumpkin spice.

  • a stack of of three large Pumpkin oat cookies and on a white surface with a rack of cookies in the background

    Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

    Cooks in 30 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    Delicious, flourless, gluten-free, healthy oatmeal pumpkin cookies with no added sugar. A tasty, diabetes-friendly snack for autumn!

    1 vote 5.0
    View Recipe

Low Sugar Diabetic Oatmeal Cookies

A classic favourite, made with wholesome oats and no refined sugar.

  • closeup of a sugar free oatmeal cookie

    Sugar Free Oatmeal Cookies

    Cooks in 20 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    These sugar free oatmeal cookies are made without added sugar and offer a simple, diabetes-friendly way to enjoy something sweet.

    18 votes 4.6
    View Recipe

Almond Flour Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

A deliciously soft and chewy cookie with gluten-free oats and chocolate chips.

  • closeup of an almond flour oatmeal chocolate chip cookie

    Almond Flour Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Cooks in 25 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    Soft and chewy almond flour oatmeal chocolate chip cookies made with oats, almond flour and dark chocolate for a naturally gluten free, no added sugar cookie that is simple to make and full of flavour.

    12 votes 4.3
    View Recipe

Healthy Banana Oat Muffins

A naturally sweet banana muffin packed with fibre.

  • a closeup of a low sugar banana oat muffin on a cooling tray with a nut butter topping and chopped nuts and seeds sprinkled on top. There are more muffins in the background in muffin cases

    Healthy Banana Oat Muffins

    Cooks in 30 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    These healthy Banana Oat Muffins are packed full of flavour, are gluten free and have a lower (Diabetic) carb count.

    8 votes 4.8
    View Recipe

Bakewell Flapjack with Cherry and Almonds

A chewy and nutty flapjack with a cherry twist.

Simple Sugar-Free Oat Biscuits

A crunchy and lightly sweet oat biscuit perfect for tea time.

6-Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Oat Cookies

A simple, wholesome cookie made with minimal ingredients.

Fruit-Infused Desserts – Naturally Sweet and Gluten-Free

These gluten-free and sugar-free desserts harness the natural sweetness of fruit, helping to reduce the need for added sugars while still delivering plenty of flavour.

Low Carb Apple Chia Pudding

Creamy and satisfying pudding naturally sweetened with apples.

  • A finished bowl of apple chia pudding with sliced apple and a sprinkle of mixed nuts, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. WIth a jar of chia pudding a blue cloth and silver spoon in the background

    Apple Chia Pudding

    Cooks in 15 minutesDifficulty: Very Easy

    Delicious and nutritious Apple Chia Seed Pudding, packed with fiber and protein. Perfect for breakfast or a healthy snack!

    2 votes 5.0
    View Recipe

Cherry Bakewell Baked Oats for One

A single-serve baked oat dish with all the flavours of a Bakewell tart.

Low Carb Apple Muffins

Soft, spiced muffins that make a perfect breakfast or snack.

  • low carb apple muffins tacked on top of a bowl of apples

    Low Carb Apple Muffins

    Cooks in 45 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    Enjoy the comforting taste of fall with low-carb apple muffins. A healthier alternative that’s keto and diabetic-friendly.

    10 votes 4.9
    View Recipe

Apple Crumble – Sugar-Free & Diabetic Friendly

A classic crumble made with wholesome, low-carb ingredients.

  • Lower carb apple crumble for diabetics in white baking dish showing layers of stewed Bramley apples and crisp oat topping

    Apple Crumble – Sugar Free

    Cooks in 60 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    A classic made lighter, this comforting sugar free apple crumble is lower carb, gluten free, and is a wonderfully comforting diabetic friendly dessert.

    21 votes 4.2
    View Recipe

Blackberry Banana Muffins

Fruity, naturally sweet muffinS packed with fibre.

Sugar-Free Berry Crumble – Using Frozen Berries

This budget friendly dish is a comforting, warm dessert with a crunchy oat topping.

  • healthy berry crumble on a spoon above a bowl

    Sugar Free Berry Crumble

    Cooks in 60 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    An easy and healthy sugar free berry crumble using only frozen fruit. Its gluten free and makes a delicious pudding anytime of the year!

    2 votes 5.0
    View Recipe

Stewed Apple Cake – No Added Sugar

Beautifully moist and naturally sweet cake, made with fresh stewed apples.

Low Carb Apple Gingerbread Crumble

A spiced apple dessert with a crunchy, nutty crumble topping.

Choosing gluten-free desserts for diabetics doesn’t mean settling for less. With the right ingredients, you can create indulgent, satisfying treats that support balanced blood sugar levels. By making sweet treats with almond flour, oat flour, and low-GI sweeteners like xylitol, these recipes offer a delicious way to enjoy dessert with less worry.

I hope this roundup inspires you to try something new in your baking. Let me know which recipes you love the most, and don’t forget to check out my Baking with Sugar Substitutes guide for more tips on sugar-free baking!

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Michelle Rorke avatar

AUTHOR

Michelle Rorke
I started Whole Hearty Kitchen after my daughter’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis reshaped the way our family approached everyday food. I have over 20 years of experience in healthy home cooking, along with Level 2 qualifications in Health & Nutrition and Diabetes Management. Every recipe is developed and tested in my own kitchen, with a focus on practical, balanced meals and sugar free baking that supports blood glucose management. WHK combines lived experience with practical guidance to help individuals and families navigate eating with diabetes with confidence and enjoyment. You can learn more about my journey and approach by clicking below:

More about me →

4 responses to “The Ultimate Collection Of Gluten Free Desserts for Diabetics”

  1. Beverley Baines avatar
    Beverley Baines

    Do you have any recipes that don’t include replacement sugars, as I also have IBS and any sugar replacement causes massive flare-ups? I can replace yogurt with dairy free sour cream, and only make the chocolate free recipes (also a trigger).

    Reply
    1. Michelle Rorke avatar
      Michelle Rorke

      Hi Beverley – I think most of the recipes should work with white sugar instead of the sugar replacements, although I haven’t specifically tested them that way myself. The sugar replacement I use is a 1:1 substitute for regular sugar, so you should be able to swap it using the same quantities in the recipe. It may mean that the bake results are just a little different to those I have tested in my kitchen. Hopefully that makes the recipes a bit more workable alongside your IBS triggers. Thanks. Michelle

      Reply
  2. Judy avatar
    Judy

    I want to thank you for acknowledging that there are diabetics who have both diabetes and celiac disease. Both groups usually do not recognize that some people have both these auto-immune diseases. As you probably know that both these illnesses don’t work together. The diabetic requires fiber in their diet and little sugar or carbs. The celiac cannot have traditional fiber. It is a joy to see dessert recipes that use fiber and low carb that works well for both these illnesses. I hope you will have more posts designed for diabetic celiacs. Thank you very much. You are a God send.

    You pro

    Reply
    1. Michelle Rorke avatar
      Michelle Rorke

      Hi Judy. Thank you so much for this incredibly kind message. You’re absolutely right that managing diabetes and coeliac disease together brings a very unique set of challenges, and it’s something that isn’t talked about nearly enough. Knowing that these recipes help make that balance feel a little easier in real life is exactly why I share them. Thank you again for being here and for taking the time to write. Messages like this genuinely make my day 😊

      Reply

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Michelle Rorke, founder of Whole Hearty Kitchen, holding a plate of food and smiling in her kitchen - diabetes food blogger UK

Hi, I’m Michelle!

I create simple, family-friendly recipes, sugar-free bakes and whole food meals that help support diabetes management. Shaped by our family’s experience with Type 1 diabetes, my focus is on making balanced eating manageable and enjoyable.

More about me →

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