Fall’s here, and you know what that means—cozy vibes, crisp air, and a serious craving for desserts that scream autumn. Whether you’re gluten-free by necessity or just vibing with a lighter lifestyle, I’ve got you covered with 12 desserts that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance. These recipes are easy, packed with seasonal flavors like pumpkin, apple, and cinnamon, and guaranteed to win over everyone at your table—no gluten required. So, grab your apron, and let’s get baking!
1. Pumpkin Spice Blondies
Who doesn’t love a chewy blondie with a fall twist? These pumpkin spice blondies are like a hug from autumn itself—warm, spiced, and just sweet enough.
Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour (I like Bob’s Red Mill)
- ½ cup pumpkin puree (not pie filling, trust me)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup melted butter (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: ½ cup white chocolate chips (because why not?)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper.
- Whisk pumpkin puree, brown sugar, melted butter, egg, and vanilla in a bowl until smooth.
- Mix dry ingredients (flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, salt) in another bowl.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring until just mixed. Fold in white chocolate chips if using.
- Spread batter into the pan and bake for 20–25 minutes. Let cool before slicing.
Why You’ll Love It
These blondies are soft, spiced perfection that scream fall. I made them for a potluck once, and they vanished faster than my Wi-Fi during a Netflix binge. Pair with coffee for maximum cozy points.
2. Apple Cinnamon Crumble
This apple cinnamon crumble is what happens when pie and granola have a delicious baby. It’s warm, fruity, and stupidly simple to throw together.
Ingredients
- 4 apples, peeled and sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great)
- 1 cup gluten-free oats
- ½ cup gluten-free flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- Juice of ½ lemon
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9-inch pie dish.
- Toss apples with lemon juice, ¼ cup brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread in the dish.
- Mix oats, flour, remaining brown sugar, and butter until crumbly.
- Sprinkle crumble over apples and bake for 30–35 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (you’re welcome).
Why You’ll Love It
The crunchy topping and soft, spiced apples are a match made in heaven. I tried using maple syrup instead of sugar once—big mistake, way too sweet. Stick with this combo for a crowd-pleaser.
3. Maple Pecan Cookies
These maple pecan cookies are crispy on the edges, chewy in the middle, and taste like fall in every bite. Perfect for dunking in hot cider.
Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten-free flour
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ½ tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Beat butter, maple syrup, and brown sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla.
- Mix flour, almond flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, then fold in pecans.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls onto the sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
The maple syrup gives these cookies a caramel-y depth that’s straight-up addictive. I brought these to a friend’s house, and she’s still texting me for the recipe. Pro tip: Don’t skip the pecans—they’re the crunch factor.
4. Chai-Spiced Rice Pudding
Craving something creamy and cozy? This chai-spiced rice pudding is like a warm blanket in dessert form.
Ingredients
- 1 cup arborio rice
- 4 cups almond milk (or any milk)
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp chai spice blend (or mix cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves)
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: raisins or sliced almonds for topping
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Combine rice, almond milk, maple syrup, chai spice, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Bring to a simmer, stirring often, then reduce heat to low.
- Cook for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and creamy.
- Stir in vanilla and serve warm with toppings if desired.
Why You’ll Love It
This pudding is rich without being heavy, and the chai spices make it feel like a fancy coffee shop treat. I once burned the bottom because I got distracted—don’t be me, keep stirring! 🙂
5. Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie
No fall dessert list is complete without pumpkin pie. This gluten-free version is silky, spiced, and nobody will guess it’s not “regular.”
Ingredients
- 1 gluten-free pie crust (store-bought or homemade with GF flour)
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and pre-bake your pie crust for 10 minutes.
- Whisk pumpkin puree, brown sugar, eggs, cream, spices, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour filling into the crust and bake for 45–50 minutes until set.
- Cool completely before slicing. Serve with whipped cream.
Why You’ll Love It
This pie is creamy, not too sweet, and the gluten-free crust holds up like a champ. I’ve made this for Thanksgiving, and even my picky uncle went back for seconds. It’s a classic for a reason.
6. Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
These cinnamon sugar donut holes are bite-sized bursts of fall joy. Pop one, and you’ll be hooked.
Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten-free flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup milk (or plant-based milk)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- For coating: ¼ cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a mini muffin tin.
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Whisk milk, egg, vanilla, and butter in another bowl, then combine with dry ingredients.
- Spoon batter into the tin (fill halfway) and bake for 10–12 minutes.
- Toss warm donut holes in cinnamon-sugar mix.
Why You’ll Love It
These are dangerously snackable, and the cinnamon-sugar coating is pure nostalgia. I made a batch for a movie night, and they were gone before the opening credits. Make extra.
7. Cranberry Orange Bread
This cranberry orange bread is tart, sweet, and perfect for breakfast or dessert. It’s like fall in loaf form.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ cup orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 egg
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a loaf pan.
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda in a bowl.
- Whisk orange juice, zest, butter, and egg in another bowl.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, then fold in cranberries.
- Pour into the pan and bake for 50–55 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
The orange zest cuts through the tart cranberries for a bright, balanced flavor. I tried using dried cranberries once—meh, fresh is the way to go. Slice it thick and slather with butter.
8. Spiced Pear Galette
This spiced pear galette is rustic, elegant, and easier than pie. It’s your new go-to for impressing guests.
Ingredients
- 1 gluten-free pie crust
- 3 pears, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ginger
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Roll out pie crust to a 12-inch circle.
- Toss pears with brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and lemon juice. Arrange in the center of the crust.
- Fold edges over the pears, brush with egg wash, and bake for 35–40 minutes.
- Serve warm with a drizzle of honey.
Why You’ll Love It
The pears get all caramelized and jammy, and the crust is flaky perfection. I once overdid the ginger—spicy disaster. Stick to the recipe, and you’ll look like a pro baker.
9. Chocolate Hazelnut Tart
This chocolate hazelnut tart is rich, nutty, and feels like a fancy patisserie treat. Gluten-free never tasted so decadent.
Ingredients
- 1 gluten-free pie crust
- 1 cup hazelnut spread (like Nutella)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup chopped hazelnuts
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and pre-bake pie crust for 10 minutes.
- Whisk hazelnut spread, cream, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour into the crust, sprinkle with hazelnuts, and bake for 25–30 minutes.
- Cool before slicing.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s like a grown-up candy bar in tart form. I brought this to a dinner party, and people were fighting over the last slice. Pair with coffee for pure bliss.
10. Sweet Potato Brownies
These sweet potato brownies are fudgy, secretly healthy, and 100% gluten-free. Bet you can’t eat just one.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed sweet potato
- ½ cup gluten-free flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking powder
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8×8 pan with parchment.
- Mix sweet potato, maple syrup, coconut oil, egg, and vanilla in a bowl.
- Stir in flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder until just combined.
- Spread batter in the pan and bake for 25–30 minutes.
- Cool before cutting into squares.
Why You’ll Love It
These brownies are rich but not heavy, thanks to the sweet potato. I swapped sugar for maple syrup once, and it was a game-changer. Sneaky veggies for the win!
11. Gingerbread Muffins
These gingerbread muffins are spicy, sweet, and perfect for chilly mornings. They’re like Christmas in muffin form.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp cloves
- ½ cup molasses
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with liners.
- Mix flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and spices in a bowl.
- Whisk molasses, butter, egg, and milk in another bowl.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, then fill muffin cups ¾ full.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
The molasses gives these muffins that deep, cozy flavor. I made these for a brunch, and they were gone before the eggs were scrambled. Dust with powdered sugar for extra flair.
12. Caramel Apple Nachos
For a fun, no-bake option, these caramel apple nachos are a crowd-pleaser. Think dessert nachos, but better.
Ingredients
- 3 apples, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup caramel sauce (gluten-free, check the label)
- ¼ cup melted dark chocolate
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- Optional: sprinkles for fun
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Arrange apple slices on a large plate.
- Drizzle with caramel sauce and melted chocolate.
- Sprinkle pecans and sprinkles over the top.
- Serve immediately with forks or just dive in with your hands.
Why You’ll Love It
This is the ultimate low-effort, high-reward dessert. I brought these to a game night, and they were a hit with kids and adults alike. Pro tip: Slice apples thin for maximum crunch.
Wrapping It Up
There you go—12 gluten-free fall desserts that’ll make your kitchen smell like an autumn dream. From pumpkin blondies to caramel apple nachos, these recipes are easy, delicious, and perfect for sharing (or hoarding, no judgment). Which one are you trying first? Grab your ingredients and make this fall the tastiest yet!
