20 Gluten-Free Fall Desserts

Val Goodrich

By Val Goodrich

Updated on Nov. 24, 2025

Dreaming of sweet, seasonal treats? Everyone can enjoy these gluten-free fall desserts, including cookies, cheesecake, fudge, bars and so much more.

Like many others, the urge to bake is strongest come fall. Being gluten-free, though, I think a lot of people expect me to bake a really dry pumpkin loaf, or make something that has that gluten-free look, never mind the taste. But I can honestly say that’s never been my experience; you just have to find the right recipes. That’s why we put together a list of our favorite gluten-free fall desserts. They’re all perfectly autumnal, absolutely gluten-free and amazing by any dessert standards—not just gluten-free ones.

We’ve included gluten-free versions of all the best fall desserts, like Thanksgiving-friendly pies, cinnamon-scented pastries, low-lift bakes and confections good enough for a high-end chocolate shop. There are plenty of seasonal flavors here, too, with apple and pumpkin being the mainstays, but nuts, cranberries, fall spices and caramel also shine as stars in their own right.

And if nothing inspires you, just know that you can make pretty much any dessert recipe gluten-free by using one of the best gluten-free flour blends instead of all-purpose flour and ensuring there is no gluten hiding in the other ingredients. To prevent dense, dry desserts, it’s super important you measure the flour properly (in other words, do not stick the measuring cup into the bag). At the end of the day, we’re all shooting for that golden compliment: “I cannot believe this is gluten-free!”

1/20

Gluten-Free Apple Crumble

Total Time:1 hour
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This comforting crumble has a beautiful caramel apple flavor that was a big hit with our taste testers! It's a home run when you need an easy gluten-free option for dessert. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
2/20

Cranberry Curd Tart

Total Time:1 hour 15 min
Servings:10 slices
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: The tart flavors of cranberries are cut with sweet orange juice for a balanced flavor in this creamy curd tart. Topped with sugared cranberries and baked in a pecan-oat crust, this dessert will wow guests with its delicious taste and decorative display. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
3/20

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread

Total Time:1 hour 45 min
Servings:16
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This is a Halloween Party Food Recipe. I have many friends that are eating gluten free, so I took my tried and true Pumpkin Bread recipe and made it using gluten-free ingredients. It turned out delicious! —Cathy Orban, Chandler, AZ
4/20

Rich Pistachio Brittle

Total Time:40 min
Servings:about 1-1/2 pounds
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Here's a fun twist on traditional brittle. Pistachios not only add wonderful taste to the rich, buttery candy, but delicious texture. —Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
5/20

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie

Total Time:1 hour 15 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: The great thing about this gluten-free pumpkin pie is that you can make it in advance. Chill the dough for the crust overnight and bake the pie the next day. Garnish with whipped cream or a dusting of cinnamon. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
6/20

Pumpkin Creme Brulee

Total Time:45 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I've never met a creme brulee that I didn't love! I'm not a big pumpkin fan, but this is fantastic. —Tamara Leonard Merritt, Raleigh, North Carolina
7/20

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cookies

Total Time:40 min
Servings:4 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: These yummy pumpkin cookies are light and fluffy, almost like cake cookies, and they are not overly sweet. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
8/20

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bars

Total Time:55 min
Servings:20
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: These gluten-free bars are a perfect way to satisfy your fall food cravings. Whether you take them to a party or make them for your family, it's hard to stop at just one. The hint of maple really makes them special compared to plain pumpkin bars. —Christina Blick, Houston, Texas
9/20

Pumpkin Flan

Total Time:2 hours 5 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Flan is a traditional Mexican dessert that I enjoyed often as a child. I have found that flan can be quite versatile by adding different ingredients to create a unique flavor... this is my Fall holiday version. —Mariela Petroski, Helena, Montana
10/20

Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake

Total Time:1 hour 10 min
Servings:16
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This gluten-free chocolate cake is a yummy treat that everyone can enjoy. Sometimes I stir in gluten-free chocolate chips or chopped nuts for variety. —Nichele McCague, Poway, California
11/20

Caramel Candy

Contest Winner
Total Time:40 min
Servings:64 pieces (2-1/2 pounds)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I discovered this caramel recipe in a local newspaper years ago and have made these soft buttery caramels ever since. I make them for Christmas, picnics and charity auctions. They are so much better than store-bought caramels. Once people have a taste, they ask for the recipe. —Marcie Wolfe, Williamsburg, Virginia
12/20

Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake

Total Time:45 min
Servings:12 slices
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: With a cinnamon-flavored almond flour crust and a dreamy pumpkin filling sweetened with stevia, this keto-friendly version of cheesecake just might become your new favorite part of fall. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
13/20

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls

Total Time:1 hour 10 min
Servings:16 rolls
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Making gluten-free cinnamon rolls means that everyone can enjoy the decadent brunch treat. The only difference between our recipe and regular cinnamon rolls is GF all-purpose flour! —Sue Draheim, Waterford, Wisconsin
14/20

Pumpkin Fudge

Total Time:1 hour
Servings:3 pounds
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I look forward to the taste of pumpkin every Thanksgiving. This easy pumpkin fudge recipe lets me do that and everyone loves it. —Marlene Fudge, Rushville, Indiana
15/20

Rice Pudding with Leftover Rice

Total Time:25 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This rice pudding with leftover cooked rice is a delicious classic. We also like to dress it up with English toffee bits, chocolate and toasted coconut. —Laura German, North Brookfield, Massachusetts
16/20

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blondies

Total Time:35 min
Servings:16
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I converted these blondies to be gluten free so that my family could enjoy a comforting dessert. We were craving brownies one night, and these cakelike treats hit the spot. They are a fantastic spin on gluten-free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. —Becky Klope, Loudonville, New York
17/20

Caramel Apples

Total Time:40 min
Servings:16 (8 apples)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Who doesn’t love a good gooey caramel apple? Make a double batch because these treats always go fast! —Karen Ann Bland, Gove, Kansas
18/20

Pumpkin Ice Cream Recipe

Total Time:35 min
Servings:about 1 quart
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Folks who favor the flavor of pumpkin really need to try this spiced ice cream. But be prepared to make more! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
19/20

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins

Total Time:45 min
Servings:about 1-1/2 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: You won't even notice the use of gluten-free flour in these pumpkin muffins. They'd be delicious served warmed with a pat of cinnamon butter. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
20/20

Pumpkin Seed Toffee

Total Time:30 min
Servings:2 pounds
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My kids are allergic to nuts, but they can eat pumpkin seeds! Every fall we save the seeds from our pumpkins to add to various recipes, including this one. —Suzanne Earl, Spring, Texas

Gluten-Free Fall Desserts FAQ

What gluten-free fall desserts can I make for Thanksgiving?

Some great gluten-free fall desserts to make for Thanksgiving include our gluten-free apple crumble, cranberry curd tart, gluten-free chocolate cake, pumpkin flan and keto pumpkin cheesecake. You can also pretty much make all the classic Thanksgiving pies gluten-free with a gluten-free pie crust and gluten-free flour, cornstarch or tapioca in the filling as needed.

What are the best gluten-free pumpkin desserts?

It’s hard to beat a gluten-free pumpkin pie when it comes to pumpkin desserts, but pumpkin fudge, pumpkin creme brulee and pumpkin ice cream are also delicious. If you enjoy richer desserts, you’ll love our keto pumpkin cheesecake. Anyone who prefers pastries or cakes can bake our gluten-free pumpkin muffins, frosted pumpkin bars, pumpkin bread or soft pumpkin cookies.

What are some healthy, gluten-free fall treats?

Healthy means something a little different to everyone. For us, it means prioritizing whole grains and nutritious ingredients. Our favorite healthy, gluten-free fall treats include pumpkin chia pudding, fresh apples dipped in peanut butter, pumpkin pie-spiced granola on top of Greek yogurt or even a smoothie with apples and cinnamon or cranberries and oranges.