There are moments when a sweet craving hits, and you need a delicious dessert, fast. The thought of preheating an oven, mixing complex batters, and waiting for something to bake can feel like an eternity.
This is where the magic of the truly quick no bake dessert comes in. These recipes are your secret weapon for instant gratification, requiring just a few ingredients and mere minutes of assembly.
Here is the summary table for the 25 irresistible no-bake desserts.
From rich chocolate treats to refreshing fruity delights, this collection of 25 irresistible recipes proves you are never more than a few minutes away from a fantastic homemade dessert.
5-Minute Chocolate Fixes
When you need chocolate now, these lightning fast recipes are your best friend. They are rich, decadent, and come together in a flash.
1. 2 Ingredient Chocolate Mousse
This is the fastest way to an elegant dessert. Rich, airy, and deeply chocolatey, it tastes like it took hours to make, not minutes.
DIY Tips:
- Use a high quality chocolate bar for the best flavor and smoothest texture.
- Fold the whipped cream into the slightly cooled melted chocolate gently to keep the mousse light and airy.
- Serve in small glasses or ramekins and top with a single raspberry for a pop of color.
2. 3 Ingredient Oreo Truffles
Incredibly decadent and impossibly easy, these truffles are made by blending crushed Oreo cookies with cream cheese and rolling them into balls.
DIY Tips:
- Use a food processor to crush the Oreos into fine crumbs in seconds.
- For an even faster version, skip the chocolate coating and simply roll the truffle balls in cocoa powder or sprinkles.
- Freeze the truffle balls for 10 minutes for a firmer texture if you have time.
3. Fudgy No Bake Oat Cookies
An old fashioned favorite, these cookies are made by briefly boiling a simple chocolate mixture and stirring in oats. They set up quickly and are incredibly addictive.
DIY Tips:
- Have your oats and wax paper ready before you start, as the process moves very quickly.
- Use a cookie scoop to drop uniform cookies for the fastest portioning.
- Add a splash of vanilla extract with the oats for a richer flavor.
4. Microwave Fudge
This foolproof fudge comes together in a microwave safe bowl in under five minutes. It is the perfect recipe for a last minute sweet treat.
DIY Tips:
- Use chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and a knob of butter for the classic base.
- Stir in mini marshmallows or chopped nuts right after you take it out of the microwave.
- Line a small dish with parchment paper for easy removal and cutting once it sets.
5. Chocolate Haystack Cookies
A super simple treat made by melting chocolate or butterscotch chips and mixing them with crunchy chow mein noodles or crushed pretzels.
DIY Tips:
- Use your microwave to melt the chocolate chips in 30 second intervals to prevent scorching.
- Add a scoop of peanut butter to the melted chocolate for extra flavor and richness.
- Drop the mixture by the spoonful onto wax paper and chill in the fridge for 5 to 10 minutes to set instantly.
Creamy & Dreamy Delights
These creamy, luscious desserts require no cooking, just a few minutes of mixing before they head to the fridge to chill and set.
6. Lemon Icebox Pie
Cool, creamy, and bursting with bright lemon flavor, this pie is a simple, magical mix of sweetened condensed milk, lemonade concentrate, and whipped topping in a prepared crust.
DIY Tips:
- Use a store bought graham cracker or shortbread crust to make this dessert in under five minutes.
- Add the zest of one fresh lemon to the filling for an extra burst of authentic citrus flavor.
- Pop it in the freezer for an hour for a firmer, ice cream like texture.
7. Cannoli Dip
All the flavors of a classic cannoli in a fun, easy to make dip. A sweet, creamy base of ricotta and mascarpone cheese is mixed with mini chocolate chips.
DIY Tips:
- For the smoothest dip, blend the ricotta cheese in a food processor for 30 seconds first.
- A dash of cinnamon and a little powdered sugar are all you need to flavor the cheese.
- Serve with broken waffle cones, pizzelle cookies, or graham crackers for dipping.
8. Key Lime Pie Mousse
Get the taste of key lime pie without the wait. This is a simple mix of cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, and whipped topping.
DIY Tips:
- Use bottled key lime juice for convenience and consistent flavor.
- Serve in individual glasses or ramekins and top with crushed graham cracker crumbs to mimic a crust.
- Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a thin slice of lime.
9. 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Pie
A creamy, dreamy pie with a rich peanut butter filling that comes together with just cream cheese, peanut butter, and powdered sugar in a prepared crust.
DIY Tips:
- Use a pre made Oreo cookie crust for a delicious chocolate and peanut butter combination.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the top of the pie for a simple, elegant decoration.
- Fold in some whipped topping for a lighter, fluffier texture.
10. No Bake Cheesecake Parfaits
Layer crushed graham crackers, a quick no bake cheesecake filling, and canned pie filling in a glass for an instant, single serving dessert.
DIY Tips:
- The cheesecake filling can be as simple as whipped cream cheese and powdered sugar.
- Use clear glasses or jars to show off the beautiful, distinct layers.
- Cherry or strawberry pie filling are classic and delicious choices.
Effortless Fruity Treats
Celebrate nature’s sweetness with these light, refreshing, and fruit forward desserts that require almost no prep time.
11. Berry Yogurt Bark
A healthy, beautiful, and refreshing treat made by spreading yogurt on a baking sheet, topping it with berries, and freezing it solid.
DIY Tips:
- Use Greek yogurt for a thicker, higher protein bark.
- Swirl a little honey or maple syrup into the yogurt for extra sweetness.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper so the bark is easy to break apart once frozen.
12. Strawberry Cheesecake Bites
These bite sized treats are made by hollowing out fresh strawberries and filling them with a simple no bake cheesecake mixture.
DIY Tips:
- After filling the strawberries, dip the bottom in crushed graham cracker crumbs to mimic a crust.
- Use a piping bag (or a plastic bag with the corner snipped off) for easy, mess free filling.
- These are best served immediately for the freshest taste.
13. 2 Ingredient Tropical Whip
A healthy and refreshing dessert, this is a simple blend of frozen pineapple or mango and a splash of coconut milk.
DIY Tips:
- For the creamiest texture, use a high speed blender and a tamper to push the frozen fruit down.
- You can swap the pineapple for frozen mango or banana for a different tropical flavor.
- Serve immediately for a perfect soft serve consistency.
14. Eton Mess
A traditional English dessert that is a delightful “mess” of crushed meringue cookies, fresh berries, and sweetened whipped cream.
DIY Tips:
- Use store bought meringue cookies to make this dessert in just a few minutes.
- Gently fold the ingredients together; you want distinct pieces of meringue, not a uniform mush.
- Serve immediately after mixing to ensure the meringues stay nice and crunchy.
15. Banana “Nice” Cream
The ultimate one ingredient wonder. Frozen banana slices are blended in a food processor until they become a smooth, creamy soft serve.
DIY Tips:
- Use very ripe, spotty bananas for the sweetest flavor. Peel and slice them before freezing.
- Add a spoonful of cocoa powder or peanut butter to the food processor for a different flavor.
- You may need to scrape down the sides of the food processor a few times to get it perfectly smooth.
Quick Cookies, Bites & Bars
These easy, portable treats are perfect for parties, potlucks, or a quick and satisfying sweet fix that is ready in minutes.
16. Classic Rice Krispie Treats
The ultimate nostalgic no bake bar, made by simply melting marshmallows and butter, then stirring in crispy rice cereal. They are simple, gooey, and always a hit.
DIY Tips:
- Use fresh marshmallows for the best gooey, soft texture; old marshmallows can be dry.
- Do not press the mixture into the pan too firmly, or the treats will become hard and dense.
- Stir in a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of salt with the cereal for a boost of flavor.
17. 5 Ingredient Energy Bites
These healthy, customizable bites are made with a base of oats, a binder like peanut butter, a sweetener like honey, and your favorite mix ins.
DIY Tips:
- If the mixture is too sticky to roll, chill it in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
- Use a small cookie scoop to create uniform sized balls quickly.
- Roll the finished bites in shredded coconut or cocoa powder to prevent them from sticking together.
18. Chocolate Dipped Pretzels
A simple, classic treat that satisfies both sweet and salty cravings. Just dip pretzels in melted chocolate and let them set.
DIY Tips:
- Dip pretzel rods and cover them in sprinkles for a fun, festive treat.
- Lay the dipped pretzels on parchment paper and chill them in the fridge to speed up the setting process.
- Create a marbled effect by drizzling a contrasting color of melted chocolate over the top.
19. S’mores Bars
These bars capture the flavor of a campfire s’more with a graham cracker crust, a layer of rich chocolate, and a gooey topping of mini marshmallows.
DIY tips:
- Use a prepared graham cracker crust to make this even faster.
- Melt the marshmallows with a little butter in the microwave to create a spreadable, gooey layer.
- For a “toasted” look without an oven, you can carefully use a kitchen torch on the marshmallow topping.
20. Salted Nut Clusters
A simple and elegant candy made by stirring your favorite nuts into melted chocolate and dropping the clusters onto wax paper.
DIY Tips:
- A mix of peanuts, almonds, and cashews is a delicious combination.
- Sprinkle the tops of the clusters with flaky sea salt while the chocolate is still wet.
- These will set up in the refrigerator in about 10 minutes.
Simple & Sweet Dips
These fun, shareable dips come together in a flash and are perfect for a party or a family movie night.
21. Edible Cookie Dough Dip
A safe to eat, eggless cookie dough that is served as a fun, sweet dip. It is perfect for parties with pretzels, apple slices, or graham crackers.
DIY Tips:
- Use heat treated flour to eliminate any risk from raw flour (you can do this by briefly microwaving it).
- Mini chocolate chips work best for a dippable consistency.
- Serve with a variety of dippers for a fun and interactive dessert board.
22. Cherry Fluff Salad
A retro, light as air dessert “salad” made with cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and whipped topping.
DIY Tips:
- Drain the crushed pineapple very well to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- Add chopped pecans or shredded coconut for extra texture.
- This is a dump and stir recipe that is ready as soon as it is mixed.
23. Brownie Batter Dip
A rich, decadent dip that tastes just like licking the brownie batter bowl. It is an eggless, safe to eat treat served with fruit, cookies, or pretzels.
DIY Tips:
- Use a boxed brownie mix as a flavor base, but be sure to heat treat the flour first.
- A base of cream cheese and whipped topping makes it perfectly rich and scoopable.
- Serve with sturdy dippers like animal crackers, pretzels, and apple slices.
24. 3 Ingredient Fruit Dip
A classic, creamy dip that is perfect for any fruit platter. Simply mix a block of softened cream cheese with a jar of marshmallow fluff and a splash of orange juice.
DIY Tips:
- Use a hand mixer to whip the ingredients together for the fluffiest texture.
- Add a little bit of fruit zest, like orange or lemon, for a brighter flavor.
- Serve with a colorful platter of fresh strawberries, grapes, melon, and apple slices.
25. Quick Chocolate Fondue
You do not need a fancy fondue pot for this classic. Simply melt chocolate chips with a little heavy cream in the microwave until smooth and dippable.
DIY Tips:
- Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, to prevent the chocolate from seizing.
- A splash of vanilla or a flavored liqueur can be stirred in at the end.
- Serve with an array of dippers like marshmallows, pound cake cubes, strawberries, and pretzels.
Conclusion
With this collection of simple and delicious recipes, a fantastic dessert is never more than a few ingredients and a few minutes away. These no bake treats prove that you do not need a hot oven or a complicated process to satisfy your sweet tooth. Whether you are craving rich chocolate, creamy cheesecake, or fresh fruit, there is an effortless option waiting for you. So embrace the beauty of simplicity and get ready to enjoy a delicious, stress free dessert anytime.