Acid reflux-friendly dessert recipes make it easy to enjoy sweet treats without triggering GERD symptoms.
Making acid reflux-friendly desserts sounds like a simple enough task. However, when you do a general search for dessert recipes on Google or Pinterest or within your favorite food blog, you’re overloaded with recipes containing chocolate, mint, peppermint, orange, and lemon. While there are so many great desserts that don’t include any of these ingredients, it can be hard to narrow down a general search.
So I’ve rounded up a staggering 50 acid reflux-friendly dessert recipes, which include cookies, bars, pies, scones, cakes, and donuts. You’ll find lots of classic desserts, such as apple pie and gingersnaps, as well as more unique desserts, such as raspberry bars and Greek butter cookies. You’re sure to find something that appeals to your personal taste preferences.
Based on previous feedback I’ve gotten on my other acid reflux recipe posts, I want to make a couple of disclaimers about these recipes.
- Dairy. As the link between dairy and acid reflux is well-established, I’ve avoided dairy-heavy dessert recipes, such as cheesecake, cream pies, and anything with cream cheese that will certainly trigger reflux. However, this is not a dairy-free dessert round-up. There are quite a few recipes in this round-up that do include some dairy. Typically, it’s less than a cup of milk or yogurt or half a cup or less of butter in a baked dessert, which is very unlikely to cause reflux. Additionally, in the vast majority of the recipes, it’s very easy to substitute a non-dairy milk, butter, or yogurt. If you’re look for a frosting or whipped cream substitute, I highly recommend full-fat coconut milk, which is naturally dairy-free, tastes amazing, and whips up just like whipped cream.
- Gluten. I’ve gotten a lot of heat about including recipes with gluten in other acid reflux recipe round-ups, which frankly, is completely ridiculous. Obviously, gluten-free diets do greatly improve many people’s overall digestive health. However, there is no known link between gluten and reflux. Additionally, in most cases, it is very easy to substitute gluten-free flour and in some cases, to eliminate the gluten component altogether. For example, pumpkin pie tastes great without the crust.
I know that most people searching for acid reflux-friendly desserts are simply trying to find a good sweet treat to make and aren’t necessarily looking for a comprehensive resource about acid reflux diets. If you are looking for additional GERD symptom resources, I urge you to check out my acid reflux-friendly breakfast and dinner posts. In addition to a generous selection of recipes, I cover the best and worst worst foods for acid reflux, general tips for eating with acid reflux, and lifestyle changes to further minimize symptoms. I also provide a free printable acid reflux foods references sheet in both of these posts.
[Disclaimer: I am not a physician. I’ve had acid reflux my entire life. I’ve been treating it actively through medication, diet, and lifestyle changes my whole adult life. The acid reflux tips I provide stem from my personal experience with the condition as well as research that I’ve done specifically for my acid reflux blog posts. If you ever have questions about acid reflux diet or any other aspect of GERD treatment, please consult a medical professional.]
50 acid reflux-friendly dessert recipes
1. Pumpkin pie
I am super basic when it comes to pumpkin pie and only make the Libby’s famous pumpkin pie recipe. I love experimenting with other types of pumpkin recipes, but I never stray from Libby’s for pie. The recipe is so simple and needs no improvement. I make Mark Bittman’s flaky pie crust for it.
2. Apple pie
I am also basic when it comes to apple pie and don’t want any fancy ingredients like caramel or bourbon. Kristine Kitchen’s apple pie recipe is right on the mark. It features a flaky buttery crust and warm apple filling spiced perfectly. If you’re making the pie in a regular pie dish (as opposed to a deep pie dish), I would reduce the number of apples to five or six.
3. Coconut macaroons
Dinner Then Dessert’s coconut macaroons are so delicious and couldn’t be easier to make. They only have six ingredients and come together in minutes. I love the slight hint of vanilla and almond in these macaroons.
4. Cinnamon sugar donuts
Cinnamon sugar donuts are one of my all-time favorite desserts and the single reason that we always make at least one apple orchard trip during the fall. Donuts really don’t get any better. While baked donuts are never quite the same as fried, Broma Bakery’s cinnamon sugar donuts are pretty darn close. It’s worth having your own donut pans for the few times a year that you get a craving for homemade donuts.
5. Peach cobbler
Peach cobbler is the ultimate way to enjoy fresh peaches at the peak of the season. It’s much easier and quicker than pie and just as satisfying. Tidy Mom’s peach cobbler has a buttery crust layer, topped with lots of delicious slightly spiced fruit.
6. Blueberry scones
Blueberry scones feel like a fancy bakery treat. People will always be impressed that you made them yourself. Two Peas and Their Pod’s blueberry scones are my go-to recipe. The scones themselves aren’t overly sweet and are finished with a vanilla glaze.
7. Pumpkin sheet cake
Just when I think I don’t possibly need another pumpkin recipe, a dessert like How Sweet Eats’ pumpkin sheet cake enters my radar. This is the best pumpkin cake recipe, hands down. I make it with one less egg, more cinnamon and less nutmeg, and sour cream instead of yogurt as that’s usually what I have on hand. I also top it with fresh whipped cream instead of cream cheese frosting, as it’s not quite as sweet, which I like. Coconut whipped cream would be amazing, too, if you want to go dairy-free.
8. Vanilla Chai spiced donuts
If I’m making donuts at home and they’re not apple cider donuts (see #4), they’re Chai spiced donuts. I love King Arthur Baking’s vanilla Chai spiced donuts because they include brewed tea in both the donuts and the glaze, which really takes the Chai flavor over the top. Usually I use Tazo classic Thai or Bigelow vanilla Chai for this recipe.
9. Sour cream coffee cake
House of Nash Eat’s sour cream coffee cake has a ribbon of cinnamon streusel in the middle and is topped with even more cinnamon sugar, which is exactly the way I always want to eat coffee cake. You can easily substitute dairy-free yogurt for the sour cream and swap in dairy-free butter, to keep this recipe completely dairy-free and still so delicious.
10. Rice Krispies treats
Kellogg’s Rice Krispies treats are another classic dessert recipe that needs no improvement. I know that there are a ton of variations on them now, but I always stick to the original recipe, which is what I’ve linked here. They couldn’t be easier to make and are always so good.
11. Chewy coconut sugar cookies
Boys Ahoy’s chewy coconut sugar cookies are basically sugar cookies with coconut. I know that it sounds really basic. It is. Sometimes that’s exactly what you want in a cookie. Chewy coconut sugar cookies hit the spot every time.
12. Candied nuts
Candied nuts are so addictive. When you whip up a batch at home, you also make your house smell amazing. I’m giving you a few candied nuts recipes to try, as it was too hard to pick just one. Check out Sally’s Baking Addiction’s cinnamon-sugar nuts (pictured), Little Sugar Snaps’ Chai spiced nuts, and A Latte Food’s pumpkin spice nuts.
For the Chai spiced nuts, I would skip the final coating completely. Whip the egg and vanilla, then add the spices. Cover the nuts with the mixture. Then proceed with baking the nuts as directed in the recipe.
13. Gingersnaps
Two Peas and Their Pod’s soft gingersnap cookies are one of my all-time favorite cookie recipes and a staple for the holiday season. You’re sure to get people asking for the recipe when you serve them at Christmas parties and give them as holiday gifts.
14. Shortbread cookies
Shortbread cookies are another classic cookie recipe that hit the spot every time when you want something simple. There are lots of shortbread cookie variations, but I always stick to the basics. Simply Recipe’s classic shortbread cookies have just four ingredients and take only 10 minutes to prep.
15. Coconut coffee cake
In case you can’t tell already, I’m crazy about coconut desserts. Since I started largely avoiding chocolate about a decade ago, it’s become one of my go-to choices for desserts. How Sweet Eats’ coconut coffee cake recipe is the ultimate brunch and dessert recipe. It seems like a lot of ingredients. But if you bake often, I promise you have almost everything you need on hand already. Simply leave out the cocoa and espresso powder in the streusel layer if they’ll bother you.
16. Zucchini bread muffins
Creme de la Crumb’s zucchini bread muffins are everything that you love about zucchini bread in adorable muffin form. When you’re looking for another way to use up zucchini at the height of the season, you must put this recipe on your list. Zucchini bread muffins make a great breakfast, snack, or dessert.
17. Peach hand pies
Oh Sweet Basil’s peach hand pies are a fun twist on traditional pie to create easy individual serving desserts when fresh peaches are in season. I highly doubt the single teaspoon of lemon juice in the filling will trigger reflux, but you can simply leave it out if you’re worried that it will.
18. Peanut butter cookies
After coconut, peanut butter has become one of my go-to, non-chocolate dessert choices. Self-Proclaimed Foodie’s classic peanut butter cookies are crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside, perfectly moist, and hold their shape nicely when they bake.
19. Pecan pie
I know that I sound like a broken record, but pecan pie is another classic dessert recipe that needs no improvement. Tastes Better From Scratch’s pecan pie is as good as it gets and requires no additional fancy ingredients.
20. Cinnamon sugar pretzel bites
I’m sure it’s not a surprise by now that I never get tired of cinnamon sugar desserts. Damn Delicious’s cinnamon sugar pretzel bites are the quickest and easiest way to make sweet pretzel bites, as they don’t require any kneading or rising. The pretzel bites are best served warm, but you won’t be able to stop eating them warm or cold.
21. Raspberry oatmeal bars
Suburban Simplicity’s raspberry oatmeal bars are made with whole grains and minimal sugar for a healthier breakfast, dessert, or snack. I love that the raspberry layer is just mashed fresh raspberries with nothing else added.
22. Caramel corn
Caramel corn is always such a treat, and when you make it at home, you get to control exactly what goes in it. MamaShire’s homemade caramel corn contains just six ingredients and doesn’t have any corn syrup.
23. Toffee
Making your own candy takes a little bit of patience and practice but is well worth the effort. I love Rosanna Pansino’s homemade toffee because it’s so simple. The recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free and isn’t topped with chocolate. A little square of this toffee is the perfect post-lunch or post-dinner treat.
24. Carrot cake muffins
I’ve opted for Amy’s Healthy Baking’s carrot cake muffins as my carrot cake choice because she skips the dairy-loaded frosting entirely. You won’t miss it at all. It’s so easy to make this recipe gluten-free and/or dairy-free as needed.
25. Blondie bars
I chose The Salty Marshmallow’s blondie bars recipe for this round-up because unlike many blondie bar recipes, it contains no chocolate. With just seven ingredients, this recipe comes together so easily. If you do want an add-in, there are so many great non-chocolate options, such as peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, pecans, and walnuts.
26. Cinnamon apple galette
Everyone will be wowed when you serve a galette for dessert at your next gathering. Don’t tell them that it’s easier than making a regular pie. I opted for Broma Bakery’s cinnamon apple galette to share for this round-up because most blueberry and strawberry galettes contain a fair amount of lemon. You can’t go wrong with apple cinnamon, especially during the fall and winter.
27. French fruit tart
During the warmer months, switch from a cinnamon apple galette to House of Nash Eat’s authentic French fruit tart. It’s time-consuming to make the pastry crust and pastry cream from scratch but well worth the effort for this show-stopping dessert. The selection of fruit is so cheery and colorful and helps balance out the indulgence of this delicious treat. Limit your fruit selections to non-citrus fruits to avoid triggering reflux.
28. Coconut snowball cookies
Coconut snowball cookies are one of the easiest desserts ever and so delicious. No one will ever guess that The Big Man’s World’s coconut snowball cookies are just four ingredients, naturally dairy-free, and no-bake. Having snowball in the name makes me think of these cookies as more of a winter treat, but they’re a great recipe to make any time of the year.
29. Cinnamon twists
Cinnamon twists taste almost as good as cinnamon rolls with so much less work. Julie’s Eats & Treat’s cinnamon twists consist of pizza dough (homemade or store bought), a three-ingredient filling, and a three-ingredient drizzle. I love to reheat leftover cinnamon twists in the microwave for ten seconds or so.
30. Pumpkin spice latte scones
Damn Delicious’s pumpkin spice latte scones taste exactly like a pumpkin spice latte, except with a cinnamon glaze drizzle, which takes the flavor over the top. They’re the perfect fall treat.
31. Peanut butter cake
CincyShopper’s peanut butter cake is my go-to peanut butter cake recipe. The cake is incredibly moist and packed with peanut butter flavor and then topped with a to-die-for peanut butter frosting. Generally, I’m not a big fan of frosting. I could eat this frosting by itself.
32. Apple blondies
When you’re ready for a variation on classic blondie bars (see #25), Foodiecrush’s apple blondies is the recipe to make. In case they didn’t sound good enough already, she finishes them with a cinnamon almond streusel to take them over the top.
33. Biscoff cookies
Kleinworth & Co’s homemade Biscoff cookies taste just like the original storebought version with butter, cinnamon, and spices. They’re so easy and satisfying, making for the perfect little treat after lunch or dinner.
34. Cinnamon roll cake
The Country Cook’s cinnamon roll cake is another nice variation of cinnamon rolls that tastes amazing and isn’t quite so time-consuming. As it’s rich and a little goes a long way, it’s a good cake to make for a special occasion or other social gathering with a crowd.
35. Linzer cookies
Aren’t Oh Sweet Basil’s linzer cookies so adorable with the strawberry jam peaking through the heart cutout in the cookies? She created the recipe for Valentine’s Day, which is perfect, but they’re so sweet for any special occasion like a baby shower or birthday party cookie spread. There is a small amount of citrus zest, which you can leave out if it will bother you.
36. Hazelnut plum bars
Katiebird Bakes’ hazelnut plum bars are the perfect way to mix up your dessert routine when you need a break from coconut, peanut butter, and some of the other tried-and-true non-chocolate and non-citrus dessert options. The buttery hazelnut brown sugar dough becomes both the crust and topping with a layer of jammy plums in the middle.
37. Snickerdoodles
Live Well Bake Often’s soft and chewy snickerdoodles hit the spot every time. You can’t go wrong with buttery cookies coated in cinnamon and sugar.
38. Greek butter cookies
The Fresh Cooky’s Greek butter cookies or Koulourakia are a pastry-like cookie with a crisp outside and soft inside, with just the right hint of cinnamon and vanilla. They’re ideal for dunking in coffee or hot chocolate.
39. Peach crumb baked donuts
I wanted to include one more donut recipe in addition to my favorite cinnamon sugar (see #4) and Chai spiced (see #8) donut recipes. Katiebird Bakes’ peach crumb baked donuts are another perfect recipe for fresh fruit season. The donuts feature sweet layers of crumb topping and fresh peaches with a dusting of powdered sugar on top.
40. Butterscotch apple bars
Grandbaby Cake’s butterscotch apple bars combine everything you love about butterscotch bars and apple pie in one easy bar recipe. If you don’t love butterscotch, caramel sauce is also a perfect topping for the bars.
41. Homemade caramels
Much like homemade toffee (see #23), I am Baker’s homemade caramels take a little practice and patience but are well worth the effort. The ingredient list is so simple. Once you get comfortable with the technique, friends and family will be requesting homemade caramels for every holiday. I love that she has a full explanation of the different temperature ranges for creating varying levels of hardness for homemade candy.
42. Peanut butter popcorn
Taste and Tell’s peanut butter popcorn is the ultimate addictive sweet and salty snack. It contains just five ingredients and is dairy-free. Peanut butter popcorn is sure to become your new go-to snack for game day and family movie nights.
43. Cinnamon banana bread muffins
Together as Family’s cinnamon banana bread muffins taste just like banana bread but in muffin form. Don’t skip the cinnamon-sugar topping.
44. Brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts
Brown sugar cinnamon has always been by far my favorite Pop Tart flavor. Half Baked Harvest’s brown sugar cinnamon Pop Tarts take this classic treat to a whole new level. The crust is flaky, the filling is perfectly sweet, and the filling and glaze are both heavy on the cinnamon.
45. Apple cider pecan shortbread cookies
By now, you know that I’m all about simple cookies and most days, would just as soon have regular shortbread cookies over any variation. However, Buttermilk by Sam’s apple cider pecan shortbread cookies are perfect for fall. Apple cider and pecan is a highly underrated combination that will quickly become a new favorite for autumn baking.
46. Madeleines
If you’re serious about baking, it’s well worth investing in a good set of Madeleine pans and learning how to make this delicious French treat right in your own kitchen. I am Baker’s Madeleines recipe is one of the best, with a simple ingredient list and everything you need to know for successful Madeleine baking. Once you’ve mastered Madeleines, there are dozens of variations, ensuring you’ll never burn out on any one recipe.
47. Chai spice pear pie
The Almond Eater’s Chai spice pear pie is the perfect holiday dessert for anyone who wants to switch up the routine from apple. I love that this recipe has the Chai spice to further set it apart from the crowd and that it’s dairy-free, so you won’t have to make any modifications.
48. Butter pecan cookies
Cake Whiz’s butter pecan cookies are ideal for anyone who loves butter pecan ice cream and wants to enjoy this classic flavor in cookie form. The cookies are soft and chewy and loaded with toasted pecans and toffee bits.
49. Waffle cookies
Sustain My Cooking Habit’s waffle cookies are the perfect bite-size treat. The waffle marks make them so darn cute, too. The post includes lots of easy variation ideas for this simple cookie recipe.
50. Raspberry bars with almonds
Saving Room for Dessert’s raspberry bars with almonds have the perfect balance of buttery and tangy with a beautiful jewel-toned raspberry layer in the middle. The almond topping is the ideal finish.
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