Sweet cravings can hit out of nowhere and when they do, waiting is usually not an option. You need something quick that actually tastes like dessert. These recipes are simple, fast and made with common ingredients. Keep these recipes around for the next time you need dessert and need it now.
Air Fryer Apple Crisp
This crisp is perfect when you want something sweet right now. It takes a few minutes in the air fryer and uses basic ingredients like apples, cinnamon, and a simple crumb topping. You get a quick dessert without turning on the oven or waiting around. It’s one of those easy wins that makes a sweet craving feel totally under control.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apple Crisp
Air Fryer Caramelized Bananas
Bananas, cinnamon, and a little maple syrup are all you need here. Toss it in the air fryer and you’ve got a fast dessert that feels a lot more put together than it really is. This one’s great when you want something hot and sweet without doing much of anything.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Caramelized Bananas
Fudgy Skillet Brownie
If you want chocolate and you want it fast, this skillet brownie gets it done. It’s rich, gooey, and cooks in one pan without dragging out a bunch of steps. It hits hard when your sweet tooth shows up and patience is not part of the plan.
Get the Recipe: Fudgy Skillet Brownie
Microwave Apple Crisp
This is the backup plan you didn’t know you needed. It’s ready in minutes, uses stuff you probably already have, and works great when you want something sweet without effort. It’s also a solid choice when there’s only one of you and the craving is loud.
Get the Recipe: Microwave Apple Crisp
Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookie Skillet
Six ingredients. One pan. No waiting around. This cookie skillet bakes up fast and comes out with melty chocolate and a crisp edge. It’s made for those moments when you want dessert but don’t want to deal with any cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookie Skillet
Cookie Dough Bites
No oven. No drama. Just quick cookie dough rolled into bite-sized pieces and done. These are perfect for late-night cravings or when you’re standing in the kitchen thinking you need something sweet and fast.
Get the Recipe: Cookie Dough Bites
Sour Cherry Crisp
This one’s all about getting dessert on the table without overthinking it. Fresh or frozen cherries work, the topping takes a minute to throw together, and it bakes quickly. Great for when you want something fruity that doesn’t feel boring.
Get the Recipe: Sour Cherry Crisp
Summer Fruit Panzanella
Use whatever fruit you’ve got, toss in a little citrus dressing, and you’ve got a quick dessert that actually feels fresh. No baking, no chill time, just fast results. It’s great when you want something sweet but not heavy.
Get the Recipe: Summer Fruit Panzanella
Air Fryer Pineapple
Cut it up, toss it with maple syrup and cinnamon, and let the air fryer do the rest. The pineapple turns caramelized and juicy in minutes. Great when you’re craving something sweet and need it now.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pineapple
Protein Mug Cake
This one mixes up in a mug and cooks in the microwave in under three minutes. It’s rich, full of chocolate, and works great when you want something sweet without baking an entire cake.
Get the Recipe: Protein Mug Cake
Chocolate Stuffed Strawberries
These strawberries are filled with chocolate and topped with sea salt. They take just a few minutes to prep and feel like you actually planned something, even if you didn’t. Perfect when you want something sweet that still looks like you tried.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Stuffed Strawberries
Chocolate Covered Popcorn
Melt some chocolate, pour it over popcorn, and call it dessert. This takes less than ten minutes and gives you that salty-sweet thing that fixes a craving fast. Keep it in the fridge and snack on it all week, or just eat the whole thing now.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Covered Popcorn
Dark Chocolate Granola Bark
Mix melted chocolate with granola, dried fruit, or whatever else you have, spread it on a tray, and let it set. It’s crunchy, sweet, and easy to break apart when you want something fast. This is the kind of dessert that gets made once and disappears quickly.
Get the Recipe: Dark Chocolate Granola Bark
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
