27 Easy Healthy Thanksgiving Appetizers And Desserts

Putting together a healthier Thanksgiving spread doesn’t mean skipping festive flavors. Here are 27 easy recipes for appetizers and desserts that make the most of fall ingredients without going heavy on the sugar or processed stuff. These ideas are perfect if you want to bring something lighter to the table, keep things glutenfree or dairyfree, or just enjoy new versions of comfort favorites. Most of these recipes can be prepped ahead or whipped up fast on the big day. You’ll free up kitchen time so you can actually enjoy your holiday meal.

Healthy Thanksgiving appetizers and desserts shine because they taste so fresh. Sweet potatoes, apples, pumpkin, cranberries, and nuts show up in all kinds of new ways here. Imagine graze boards, singlebite treats, and warm, cozy sweets—all using fall’s best produce. Here are my top picks for guiltfree holiday snacking, grazing, and finishing your feast with a smile:

1. Pumpkin Cookies with Cashew Frosting – Fall Treat

Soft, chewy pumpkin cookies come topped with creamy, lightly sweetened cashew frosting. These are glutenfree, dairyfree, and bring that classic pumpkin spice flavor. The frosting only takes a blender and a few minutes. You can prep the cookies the night before and frost them when you’re ready to serve.

2. Mini Sweet Potato Rounds with Goat Cheese and Cranberries

Roasted sweet potato slices are topped with tangy goat cheese and tart dried cranberries. A bit of fresh chive or thyme adds a pop of color and makes these appetizers look as festive as they taste on any holiday snack board.

3. Maple Pecan Baked Apples – Cozy Holiday Dessert

Warm, soft apples get filled with pecans, a drizzle of maple syrup, and cozy spices. Baked apples are comfort food, with much less sugar than pie but all the fall flavor. Try serving them warm with a small spoonful of vanilla Greek yogurt or coconut cream.

4. Stuffed Mushrooms with Walnuts and Spinach

Whole mushrooms are loaded with a walnutspinachherb filling. These appetizers stay together well, making them great for buffet tables. Toasted walnuts add crunch and pair perfectly with earthy mushrooms and bright spinach.

5. Pumpkin Banana Nice Cream – DairyFree Dessert

This light, creamy dessert is a breeze. Blend frozen bananas with pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth. Serve soft, or freeze for a scoopable treat. It’s like ice cream but much lighter and naturally sweet.

6. Butternut Squash Hummus with Seeded Crackers

Roasted butternut squash blended with chickpeas, tahini, and lemon brings a sweetandsavory twist to hummus. Pomegranate seeds add a burst of color. Serve with seeded crackers, snap peas, and carrot sticks for a snack tray.

7. Mini Greek Yogurt Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Tangy Greek yogurt mixed with pumpkin creates these classy, bite-sized no-bake cheesecakes. Use a simple almond flour or graham cracker crust, and dust the tops with cinnamon for the finishing touch.

8. Apple and Brie Crostini with Thyme and Balsamic Glaze

Fresh apple slices and creamy brie sit atop toasted baguette slices with a balsamic reduction drizzle. Thyme adds a savory note. Toast the bread in advance and assemble right before serving.

9. Spiced Carrot Cake Energy Bites – Healthy Fall Snack

Oats, grated carrot, dates, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg are blended into small, poppable bites. No baking needed. These snacks are perfect for guests who want something light and portable.

10. Cucumber Cups with Herbed Greek Yogurt Dip

Thick cucumber rounds get hollowed out for tangy Greek yogurt, garlic, and herb dip. They’re refreshing and light—wonderful alongside heavier dishes and easy to prep ahead.

11. Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies – Holiday Treat

Tart dried cranberries, orange zest, and whole oats combine for soft cookies that feel like the holidays in every bite. Coconut oil and almond flour make these meltin-your-mouth without loads of butter.

12. Pumpkin Deviled Eggs – Smoky Holiday Appetizer

Deviled eggs hit a new level for fall with the addition of pumpkin puree and smoked paprika. You’ll get creamy, orangefilled eggs that grab attention and taste awesome on your appetizer table.

13. Apple Nachos with Nut Butter and Dark Chocolate

Thin apple slices fanned out on a platter, drizzled with almond or peanut butter and chunks of dark chocolate. Add some granola or nuts for texture. It’s always a hit (and kidfriendly).

14. Beet and Goat Cheese Endive Boats – Festive Starter

Endive leaves hold roasted beet chunks and creamy goat cheese inside. Walnuts or pistachios and a balsamic swirl tie it all together. These have a gorgeous pink and white color combo for the holiday table.

15. Pumpkin Chia Pudding Parfaits – Fall Dessert

Layer chia pudding with pumpkin puree and spices for a creamy dessert lighter than pie. Top with pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, or a dollop of coconut yogurt. Parfaits are perfect to prep days ahead.

16. Baked Brie Phyllo Bites with Cranberry and Pecans

Bite-sized phyllo cups contain melty brie, a dollop of cranberry sauce, and toasted pecans. You’ll get a crispy, gooey, and crunchy combo in minutes from the oven.

17. Baked Pears with Cinnamon and Walnuts – Fall Dessert

Pear halves with cinnamon and chopped walnuts, baked till they’re soft and caramelized. Serve warm, maybe with a spoonful of vanilla yogurt for extra creaminess.

18. Roasted Chickpeas with Rosemary – Spiced Fall Snack

Rinsed chickpeas are tossed in olive oil, garlic, and rosemary, then roasted until crisp. Serve in small bowls for healthy munching before dinner.

19. Sweet Potato Pies with Coconut Crust – Mini Treat

Mashed sweet potato and fall spices get baked onto a coconutalmond crust in mini muffin tins. These are a fun, dairyfree spin on the classic pie, served bite sized.

20. Brussels Sprouts Mini Sliders with Apple Slaw

Shredded brussels sprouts and spices form patties served smallslider style with apple slaw. Both cute and satisfying, they bring more veggies to the table in a fun way.

21. Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars with Yogurt Swirl – Fall Bar

Chewy oat bars swirl with pumpkin and Greek yogurt for creaminess. The bars are hearty but lighter than most dessert bars, and have classic fall flavors.

22. Carrot Fries with Herbed Yogurt Dip – Fall Side

Ovenroasted carrot sticks with garlic and paprika, served with an herby yogurt dip for dunking. These crispy, colorful fries usually disappear before heavier sides even get touched.

23. Vegan Pumpkin Mousse with Aquafaba Whip

Pumpkin blended with dates and spices, then lightened up with whipped aquafaba (chickpea liquid). You get a fluffy, dairyfree dessert that feels special and can be made ahead.

24. Cauliflower Tater Tots with Cranberry Ketchup

Baked cauliflower bites go golden and pair with fast homemade cranberry ketchup. These are a lighter take on a classic appetizer, fitting in with vegan and glutenfree guests easily.

25. Chocolate-Dipped Clementines with Sea Salt

Juicy clementine segments dipped in dark chocolate and finished with flaky sea salt. Simple, beautiful, and the perfect sweet bite for ending a big meal.

26. Mini Bell Peppers Stuffed with Lentils – Appetizer

Roasted mini bell peppers filled with a lentilveggieherb mix. These hearty appetizers fill you up before the meal without being heavy.

27. Cranberry Apple Crisp with Oat Topping – Fall Treat

Apples and cranberries baked under a crumbly oatnut topping, sweetened just enough with maple syrup or honey. It’s perfect served with Greek yogurt or a scoop of banana nice cream for dessert.

Tips for Healthier Thanksgiving Entertaining

You can make healthy appetizers and desserts feel festive by adding loads of color and texture. Try bright herbs, pomegranate seeds, toasted nuts, and roasted veggies for a table that pops. Arrange a snack board with bowls of dips, fresh fruit, and handfuls of roasted chickpeas or nuts to keep guests grazing.

Dishes labeled for allergy needs make it easy for everyone to spot what’s glutenfree or plantbased. Set up smaller sweets so folks can sample everything—no need for big slices or heavy portions. Parfaits and mousse work great to prep ahead, holding their shape and flavor overnight.

Keep your drinks simple, too. Serve sparkling water, lightly spiced cider, or pitchers of citrus-infused water. If you swap a traditional sugary punch for something lighter, it helps balance the meal—and guests are ready for dessert without feeling overloaded.

Healthy Thanksgiving Appetizers and Desserts: FAQs

Q. Can you make these healthy Thanksgiving desserts ahead of time?
A. Many of these options actually taste better when prepped in advance. Chia pudding parfaits, baked apples, and pumpkin cheesecakes are all great make-ahead picks. Just keep veggiebased appetizers wrapped and chilled until you’re ready to serve.

Q. What’s an easy way to dress up healthy appetizers for the holiday?
A. Add color with herbs, cranberries, or pomegranate seeds, and use varied platters or trays for height and interest. Name cards can add an extra festive touch for parties.

Q. Are these recipes kid-friendly?
A. Yes! Most of these don’t have strong or spicy flavors—apple nachos, carrot fries, and chocolatedipped clementines are favorites with young guests. For extra sweetness, try a bit more maple syrup or honey as needed.

Q. Can you swap out ingredients for food allergies in these recipes?
A. Absolutely. Many of these dishes are flexible. Switch almond flour for oat or glutenfree flour, and sunflower butter for nut butter, for those with allergies. Dairyfree yogurt works great in most Greek yogurt recipes.

Q. How do you keep dessert from getting too heavy at Thanksgiving?
A. Offer lighter treats like baked fruit or chia pudding alongside a richer option or two. Use fruit based sweeteners and skip the heavy whipped cream or frostings so dessert feels balanced after a big feast.