The summer months bring an abundance of fresh, flavorful fruits and berries that are not only delicious, but also have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Enjoying anti-inflammatory foods is one way to help reduce inflammation in the body, which has been linked to many chronic diseases and conditions.
In this article, we’ll explore 21 anti-inflammatory dessert recipes perfect for summer. These naturally sweet treats feature ingredients like cherries, blueberries, peaches, and raspberries, which are packed with antioxidants and compounds that help fight inflammation. Paired with whole grains, healthy fats, yogurt and minimal added sugar, these recipes prove you can still indulge your sweet tooth while reducing inflammation.
Anti-Inflammatory Desserts Perfect for Summer
Lemon-Blueberry Cheesecake Bars
These no-bake cheesecake bars feature a rich and creamy lemon cheesecake filling studded with fresh blueberries. The antioxidants in blueberries combined with the immune-boosting vitamin C in lemon make these the perfect anti-inflammatory treat.
Peach Crisp
Sweet peaches baked under a crunchy oat topping create a simple summery dessert. Peaches contain beta-carotene and vitamin C, two nutrients that help reduce inflammation. Using nuts in the topping adds extra crunch and healthy fats.
Lemon-Raspberry Dump Cake
Dump cakes let you quickly assemble a fruity, tender cake with minimal effort. Tart lemon and sweet raspberries complement each other perfectly in this easy recipe. The antioxidants in raspberries help fight inflammation.
Strawberry-Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bark
This no-bake “bark” is made by mixing Greek yogurt, strawberries and chocolate chips, then freezing – a fun healthy dessert for kids. The probiotics in yogurt plus the vitamin C in strawberries make this a inflammation-fighting treat.
Oatmeal Cookie Fruit Pizza
For a showstopping dessert, top a giant oatmeal cookie crust with a sweet cream cheese filling and fresh berries. Whole grains like oats contain anti-inflammatory compounds.
Peach Galette
Galgettes have a free-form crust wrapped around juicy fruit. This version features peak summer peaches with a whole-wheat crust. The beta-carotene in peaches fights inflammation.
Lemon Frozen Yogurt Ripieno
Homemade lemon frozen yogurt filled with juicy berries makes a light and refreshing end to any summer meal. Tart lemon provides immune-boosting vitamin C.
Baked Cinnamon Apple Slices
Baking apple slices preserves their shape while concentrating their flavor and natural sweetness. Apples contain quercetin, a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory effects. Cinnamon has health benefits too.
Raspberry Cobbler
An old-fashioned, comforting raspberry cobbler with a cakey biscuit topping and sweet-tart berry filling. Raspberries are high in inflammation-fighting antioxidants.
Easy Cherry Cobbler
Sweet cherries bake under a crispy cake-like biscuit in this effortless cobbler. Cherries are packed with anthocyanins, antioxidants that help reduce inflammation.
Cherry Sorbet
Make the most of summer’s cherry bounty with this simple 3-ingredient cherry sorbet. No ice cream maker required! Tart cherries are a rich source of inflammation-fighting nutrients.
Grilled Peaches with Honey Mascarpone
Grilling peaches concentrates their sweetness and makes a warm, delicious dessert when served with honey-sweetened mascarpone cheese. Peaches are high in beta-carotene.
Lemon-Blueberry Poke Cake
Poking holes in a lemon cake lets a sweet lemon-blueberry glaze infuse deep into each slice. The vitamin C in lemons and antioxidants in blueberries create an anti-inflammatory duo.
Baked Oatmeal with Pears
Pears add natural sweetness and moisture to this fiber-rich baked oatmeal. Pears contain the antioxidant quercetin along with anti-inflammatory pectin.
Blackberry Hand Pies
Flaky whole-wheat crust surrounds a blackberry filling in individual hand pies. Blackberries are loaded with inflammation-fighting anthocyanins.
Apple Crumble with Oats
An old-fashioned apple crumble made extra healthy by using 100% whole grains in the topping and leaving the apple skins on. Apples have many anti-inflammatory compounds.
Baked Banana-Nut Oatmeal Cups
Portable oatmeal cups with banana, nuts and cinnamon make a grab-and-go breakfast or snack. Bananas offer lots of antioxidants along with vitamin B6.
Peaches Cream
The simplest of summer desserts – juicy peaches drizzled with lightly sweetened cream. Let the peaches shine by using minimal added sugar.
Cherry Berry Pie
Surprise! This pie has a chocolate cookie crust accenting the cherry-berry filling. The anthocyanins in cherries and berries fight inflammation.
Lemon-Blueberry Nice Cream
By blending frozen bananas and lemon juice then mixing in blueberries, you can make dairy-free “nice” cream with anti-inflammatory benefits.
Strawberry-Rhubarb Icebox Cake
An easy no-bake dessert with layers of strawberries, rhubarb and gingersnap crumbs. The vitamin C in strawberries and antioxidant power of rhubarb help beat inflammation.
The Anti-Inflammatory Power of Summer Fruits
The fruits of summer – berries, stone fruits, melons and more – provide a natural sweetness that shines in desserts. These fruits also deliver a substantial dose of antioxidants, vitamins and compounds that help reduce inflammation in the body. Eating anti-inflammatory foods like summer berries, peaches, nectarines and cherries can help fight the oxidative stress and chronic inflammation linked to many diseases and health conditions.
Berries are one of the best sources of inflammation-fighting antioxidants. Raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries are packed with anthocyanins that possess powerful anti-inflammatory activities. Cherries contain high levels of anthocyanins along with melatonin, shown to reduce inflammatory markers. Peaches, nectarines and apricots are rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A to help regulate the immune system and inflammation.
Citrus fruits like lemons and limes also have anti-inflammatory benefits thanks to their high vitamin C content. Vitamin C reduces levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and acts as an antioxidant to help prevent cell damage from oxidative stress.
While fresh fruits are best, you can use frozen berries and stone fruits in these recipes too. Just be sure to use unsweetened varieties without added sugars. Enjoy these naturally sweet and good-for-you anti-inflammatory desserts all summer long!
