This healthy apple parfait dessert is one of my favorite go-to treats, especially in the fall, but let’s be honest, apples are available all-year-round, and this recipe is too good to limit to one season.
It has everything: warm spices, soft cooked apples, sweet bites of dates, and a creamy, fluffy ricotta/whipped cream layer that tastes way more indulgent than it actually is.
The best part? It’s light, nutritious, and comes together in no time. And depending on your mood (or meal prep plans), you can serve it warm with freshly cooked apples or make it ahead of time and chill the apples for a refreshing, layered dessert.
It’s delicious either way!
What You’ll Need
This recipe makes 4 generous servings, each around 215 calories. You’ll need:
- Apples
- Dried dates
- Low-fat ricotta
- Whipping cream
- A little honey and sweetener (or sugar if you prefer a sweeter dessert)
- Ground cinnamon
The apples are lightly stewed with cinnamon and dates, while the cream layer is whipped into a light and airy ricotta cream – the ingredients are really simple but the results are unbelievably good!
How to Make the Apple Parfait Dessert
Start by prepping your apples: peel and chop them into bite-sized chunks. I like a mix of smaller soft pieces and a few firmer chunks for texture.
Sauté the apples in a nonstick pan for a few minutes. If you’re not watching calories, you can add a bit of butter for extra flavor. Then, add a splash of water to prevent sticking and let the apples stew gently.
While the apples start to soften, slice up the dates and toss them into the pan. Add a good sprinkle of cinnamon and stir to coat everything in warm spice. Cook until the apples are just fork-tender.
Now for the cream: combine the whipping cream and a bit of sweetener, and mix for a couple of minutes to dissolve it. Then whip until fluffy. Add the ricotta and beat again until smooth and well combined. You’ll end up with a light, creamy, slightly sweet base that’s a perfect contrast to the warm apples.
To assemble, spoon a bit of the ricotta cream into the bottom of your glass, then a layer of apples, then more cream, and top it all off with the remaining apples. Finish with a pinch of cinnamon on top for a pretty touch.
You can serve it immediately with warm apples or chill everything and serve cold – I promise you it’s amazing either way!
Why You’ll Love This Apple Parfait
- Decadent but secretly healthy
- Naturally sweetened with dates, honey, and a little sweetener, unless you’re using sugar
- Can be made ahead or served warm straight off the pan
- High in protein from ricotta and the whipping cream
- Light enough for everyday dessert but fancy enough for guests
Tips for Success
- For a richer flavor, cook apples in a bit of butter
- Use a thicker ricotta for better texture (avoid watery varieties)
- Adjust sweetness to taste – dates and honey already bring a lot
- Make ahead: prep apples a day in advance and store airtight in the fridge
- For a crunch: sprinkle granola or chopped nuts between the layers
📌 Healthy Apple Parfait Dessert (Recipe Card)
Ingredients (Makes 4 servings)
- 1½ cups peeled and chopped apples (about 2 medium apples)
- ¼ cup dried dates, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¾ cup low-fat ricotta cheese
- 5 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1–2 teaspoons sweetener (to taste) or sugar if you prefer
- Ground cinnamon, to taste
- Splash of water (for stewing apples)
Equipment
- Nonstick pan
- Hand mixer or whisk
- Small mixing bowls
- Serving glasses or jars
Instructions
- Cook the apples: In a pan over medium heat, fry chopped apples for a few minutes (add butter if desired). Add a splash of water and cook gently until softened.
- Add dates: Stir in the sliced dates and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Cook until apples are tender but not mushy. Let cool slightly if serving cold or keep them warm.
- Make the cream: Mix whipping cream with sweetener and stir for a bit to dissolve it first. Then whip the cream until it’s nice and fluffy. Add ricotta and whip again until smooth and well blended.
- Assemble: In each glass, layer a spoonful of ricotta cream, then a spoonful of the apple mixture. Repeat once more and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon for decoration.
- Serve warm or cold depending on your preference.
