Looking for easy no-bake dessert recipes kids can make themselves? These fun and simple treats are perfect for family gatherings, hot summer days, or when you want to keep the oven off.
With kid-friendly ingredients and step-by-step instructions, each recipe encourages independent kitchen fun — and they’re easy to customize for food allergies or picky eaters.
From fruit kabobs and parfaits to microwave chocolate pudding and chocolate-dipped pretzels, these no-bake desserts for kids are delicious, hands-on, and ready in minutes.
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Ready to dig in? Here are four no-bake dessert recipes your kids can try today ... no oven (or stress) required:
Easy Fruit and Marshmallow Skewers
 kabVisio | Canva |
Is there anything kids love more than food on a stick? These fruit and marshmallow kabobs are a simple and colorful way for kids to enjoy a healthy treat with a fun twist. Whether you're planning a party or need a quick snack idea, this no-bake recipe for kids is endlessly customizable. Add mini marshmallows, drizzle with chocolate sauce, or create themed skewers like rainbow fruit, single color skewers, red-white-and-blue, and more.
Ingredients
- Fruit
- Toothpicks or skewers
- Optional: Marshmallows and chocolate sauce/melted chocolate
Instructions
- Wash and dry fruit.
- Cut large pieces into smaller pieces that are the size of one or two bites.
- Slide fruit onto skewers/toothpicks, alternating with marshmallows, if using.
- Serve as is, or drizzle with chocolate sauce or melted chocolate.
Quick Microwave Chocolate Pudding
 Tyas Indayanti | Canva |
Make a rich and creamy chocolate pudding in just minutes using your microwave! This easy no-bake dessert is perfect for kids who want to make something on their own and it’s a bonus introduction to food science as the cornstarch and hot milk combine to thicken the pudding. This quick microwave chocolate pudding tastes great while it’s still warm or cooled in the refrigerator.
Remember that microwave oven power varies, so watch yours closely so it doesn’t boil over. Be sure to use caution when removing the pudding from the microwave and ask for help if needed.
Ingredients
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- 1½ teaspoons cornstarch
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Mix milk, cornstarch, and salt in a microwave safe bowl. The cornstarch will clump in the bottom of the bowl, so a small spatula works well for this.
- Add the chocolate chips and stir.
- Microwave for 1 minute on high.
- Stir until the chocolate chips are melted and ingredients are well combined.
- Heat for 20-30 seconds to thicken, watching closely so it doesn’t boil over.
- If it is still not thickened, heat in 20 second increments, stirring between each interval until it looks like pudding.
- Cool to desired temperature and enjoy.
Chocolate Dipped Pretzels
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These chocolate-dipped pretzels are the ultimate combo of sweet, salty, and crunchy — all without baking. Dipped pretzels are fun to dip, decorate, and eat. Customize with sprinkles or other toppings for a treat that's great for parties, holidays, or even an after school snack.
Small pretzel sticks work best for younger kids or if it’s your first time dipping pretzels, and they fit our “easy” dessert theme. Other pretzel shapes and sizes can be tricky, but here are some tips:
Small pretzel twists
- Consider dipping only half of each pretzel to leave something to hold onto.
- If dipping the whole pretzel, use a fork to remove the pretzel from the chocolate and allow it to run off before placing it on the baking sheet.
Large pretzel rods
- We found these more frustrating than other pretzels!
- The simple method: lay them on the pan and then use a spoon to pour the chocolate over the top. They will have bare back sides, but that’s ok!
- If you want to dip pretzel rods, pour the melted chocolate into a tall cup that is almost the length of the pretzel rods. You may need to melt more chocolate than the recipe suggests.
- To make clean up easier, line the tall cup with a plastic bag or a piping bag, then pour the chocolate in the bag.
- As you begin to run out of chocolate, tip the cup to one side.
Ingredients
- Pretzels, any shape/size
- 1 cup melting chocolate
- Optional: 1 teaspoon coconut oil or shortening (this will thin the chocolate and may make it easier to work with)
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper.
- Place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute.
- Stir the chocolate chips to distribute the heat.
- Microwave for 20-30 seconds more and stir. Repeat until the chocolate is smooth.
- Add coconut oil or shortening and stir to combine.
- Dip the pretzels and place them on the prepared baking sheet. If the chocolate begins to harden, microwave for 10-20 seconds to keep it melted.
- If using sprinkles, you can dip a few and then add sprinkles to them all at the same time.
- Let cool on the counter or place in the refrigerator until the chocolate hardens.
Build Your Own Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits
 arinahabich | Canva |
These easy fruit parfaits for kids are both delicious and beautiful. Layer your favorite fruits with yogurt or ice cream and top them with granola, cookie crumbles, or whipped cream for a fancy-looking, no-bake dessert. Parfaits are perfect for allergy-friendly dessert customization and great for kids to assemble themselves. Whether you’re aiming for healthy or indulgent, this is a fun way to get creative with food.
Ingredients
- Fruit
- Yogurt or ice cream
- Optional
- Whipped cream
- Granola or crumbled cookie
Instructions
- Wash and slice fruit.
- Layer fruit with yogurt/ice cream in a bowl or glass.
- Top with optional whipped cream and granola.
