21 Easy No-Bake Desserts to Keep It Cool

Who even needs an oven?

By
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht turned her home baking into a career in 2016 when she began working as the head baker at The Greenbean Coffeehouse in Seattle, WA. Afterwards, she started Baking with Rachel (her blog), began teaching kids' cooking classes, and recipe tested for the cookbook "Let's Stay In" by Ashley Rodriguez.
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Published July 15, 2023
Rachel Knecht
Side view of a A cake stand with no bake cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries.
Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Summer is full of reasons to celebrate: weddings, birthdays, family get-togethers, and holidays are just a few of the reasons that dessert is in order. Unfortunately, summer is not the easiest time to break out the cake pans. Thankfully, there are loads of delicious desserts that don’t require an oven. These desserts are oven-free and undeniably delectable. 

I’ve rounded up no-bake desserts that feature everything from light summer berries to rich chocolate and caramel. No matter what you choose, you’ll be glad you’re treating yourself and those you love.

  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Icebox Cake

    Slice of Chocolate Peanut Butter Icebox Cake on a Plate with a Fork

    Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

    The classic Nabisco's Famous Chocolate Wafers back of the box icebox cake gets an update with peanut butter whipped cream and peanut butter cups. Famous Chocolate Wafers are no longer on the market, but you can give Dewey's Bakery Brownie Crisp Cookies a try instead.

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  • Orange Cream Popsicles

    Orange Cream Popsicles on an Orange Plate Sitting on a Blue Table Napkin

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

    Popsicles are a quintessential no-bake, stay cool treat. This one has only four ingredients, with the surprise star being frozen orange juice concentrate. 

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  • Grilled Banana Split

    Grilled Banana Split Topped With Chocolate Sauce, Peanuts, Whipped Cream, and Three Maraschino Cherries in a Banana Split Dish

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    The grill can do more than meat and veg. Let it handle dessert, too! Bananas, strawberries, and pineapple are all placed on the grill to soften and caramelize the sugars. Then all that’s left to do is assemble the ice cream, fruit, and toppings in wide, shallow dishes and enjoy.

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  • Strawberries and Cream Semifreddo

    Strawberries and Cream Semifreddo Slices Cascading on a Platter Next the Rest of the Uncut Semifreddo on the Same Platter. Semifreddo Is Topped With Halved Fresh Strawberries and Strawberry Compote. In the Surroundings, a Bowl of Fresh Strawberries and a Stack of Plates.

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    Easier than making ice cream and sliceable like an icebox cake, a semifreddo is the frozen dessert you need to add to your summer. It’s similar in texture to a frozen mousse. The strawberry compote that is spooned over top can be made up to two weeks in advance.

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    Continue to 5 of 21 below.

  • Banoffee Pie

    Slice of Banoffee Pie on a Small Plate, and in the Background, More Pie in a Pie Pan

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    Bake the graham cracker crust if you like, but honestly you could skip baking it and pop the unfilled crust in the freezer instead (or use a purchased crust) when you make this beloved British delight. Assembly is a simple matter of opening a can of dulce de leche, slicing bananas, and whipping cream.

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  • Rice Cake with Dulce de Leche and Dark Chocolate

    Rice Cake with Dulce de Leche + Dark Chocolate Surrounded by a Bowl of Flaky Salt and a Bowl of Dulce de Leche

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva

    This simple dessert is sweet, salty, crunchy, and incredibly easy. Dulce de leche is a thick caramel-like ingredient that you can buy in the baking aisle. Next, grab your favorite rice cakes and a bag of dark chocolate chips and you’ll be munching on this frozen treat in no time.

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  • Easy No-Bake Cheesecake

    An easy no bake cheesecake with a slice removed and set on a pink background.
    Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    Baking cheesecakes can be a daunting task but this no-bake version forgoes the oven and uses the refrigerator instead. The secret to great tasting no-bake cheesecake is to use unflavored gelatin in the filling. It ensures that the cheesecake will slice beautifully without imparting unwanted flavors.

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  • Watermelon Granita

    Side view of a watermelon granita with watermelon behind it.
    Alison Bickel

    Eating watermelon has never been more fun. Ripe, juicy watermelon is blended and then frozen in a wide container. Scrape the mixture once and hour and by the third hour you’ll have a frozen, icy, watermelon treat.

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    Continue to 9 of 21 below.

  • Limoncello Yogurt Pops

    Someone Holding a Bowl of Limoncello Yogurt Pops on Ice Surrounded by Leaves and Lemons over Grass

    Matt Armendariz

    The adults in the room will be delighted when you pull out these Limoncello Yogurt Pops. Limoncello is a lemon flavored Italian liqueur that when mixed with honey and yogurt, becomes a creamy, boozy, lemon pop. For a kid friendly version, sub lemonade.

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  • No-Churn Mango Sorbet

    How to Make Sorbet with Mango
    Alison Conklin

    Cookbook author Andrea Nguyen shared this easy no-churn sorbet recipe that is packed with mango flavor. It uses frozen mango chunks so we can eat it all year round.

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  • Copycat Choco Tacos

    Copycat choco tacos on a tray.

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva

    The classic choco taco is discontinued so when the craving strikes, turn to this easy recipe. You can make this recipe even without a waffle cone maker, just warm Daelman’s Stroopwafels in a damp paper towel and shape as directed.

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  • No-Churn Peach Cobbler Ice Cream

    Three cones of no churn peach ice cream.
    Marta Rivera

    While we’re on the topic of no-churn frozen desserts, here’s a peach ice cream version. Ripe, juicy peaches work the best in this recipe. Allow the ice cream to freeze for at least 6 hours before serving.

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    Continue to 13 of 21 below.

  • Peach Daiquiri Popsicles

    Peach Daiquiri Popsicles on a Plate with Lime Circles

    Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski

    A Daiquiri is a classic cocktail consisting of rum, citrus, and simple syrup. This recipe adds fresh summer peaches, blends it all together, and then freezes it into lightly boozy, yet very tasty popsicles. Allow a full 24 hours for these to freeze.

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  • Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas

    Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas in a Bowl with the Top Piece Bitten Into

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    Make these in the afternoon and they'll be frozen and dreamy in time for an after-dinner treat.

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  • Ice Cream Cake

    Ice Cream Cake That Was Cut Into on Plate with a Glass in the Background

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    Nothing makes an impression like ice cream cake. Quickly baking the Oreo crunchies is the only part you'll need an over turned on for, and you can do that in the morning or evening while it's not as hot out.

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  • No Bake Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cookies

    Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies drizzled in peanut butter
    Cindy Rahe

    I can’t count the amount of times I made no bake cookies as a teen during summer. This recipe adds an extra peanut butter drizzle on top. You can substitute quick oats for the old-fashioned oats in the recipe.

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    Continue to 17 of 21 below.

  • Sous Vide Cheesecake in Jars

    Easy Cheesecake Cooked Sous Vide
    Nick Evans

    The creamiest cheesecake is baked in a water bath but who wants to turn on the oven in this heat? Cooking these adorable cheesecakes sous vide solves this problem. The recipe makes six individual cheesecakes and a fresh strawberry topping you don’t want to skip.

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  • Banana Nice Cream

    Scoops of Banana Nice Cream in a Bowl With a Spoon, and Next to It, Another Bowl of Nice Cream and a Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    When it’s too hot to turn on the oven for banana bread, try making 2-ingredient nice cream instead. While pure banana flavor is delicious, don’t sleep on the recipe variations: strawberry, caramel pecan swirl, chocolate chip, and peanut butter. Try them all!

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  • 2-Ingredient Chocolate Pudding

    Paleo Chocolate Mousse
    Sabrina Modelle

    Coconut milk and chocolate are all you need to make this rich and creamy pudding. Not all chocolate is vegan so check the packaging before purchasing. Allow the pudding to chill for four hours and then serve as is or top with whipped coconut cream and berries.

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  • Strawberry Eton Mess

    Glasses and Parfait Cups of Strawberry Eton Mess with Some Strawberries and Spoons on the Counter

    Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

    Sure, you could make the meringue yourself but that would mean turning on the oven. Instead, buy the meringue from the store. Finish the dessert by layering the meringue, strawberries and whipped cream, and almonds in an eight ounce jelly jar. This recipe makes four individual desserts.

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    Continue to 21 of 21 below.

  • Pumpkin Tiramisu

    Slice of Pumpkin Tiramisu on a Plate Next to a Fork

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva

    If you’re dreaming of pumpkin season, then no need to wait any longer. This no-bake Pumpkin Tiramisu has you covered. You’ll soak ladyfingers in coffee, mix pumpkin with mascarpone cheese and whipped cream, layer it all together and then chill for eight hours before serving.

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