Knowing that traditional desserts can be a bit one-dimensional, the idea of savory desserts may have sparked your curiosity. Why not mix things up and indulge in something with a little more depth? Savory desserts offer the best of both worlds, providing the lightness and sweetness you expect from proper desserts, but also adding an extra layer of flavor and excitement.
This ‘more’ can come in various forms, such as spicy peppers like jalapenos or smoky ingredients like bacon, elevating an already tasty treat to new heights. If you’ve been hesitant to try savory desserts in the past, now’s your chance to broaden your horizons. With this list of 20 options for not-so-sweet sweet treats, I’m confident that you’ll discover some new favorites among them.
Spicy Pineapple Ice Cream Delight
Zero in on the unique combination of flavors and textures found in this exceptional ice cream. With the spicy kick from the jalapeno peppers, it not only provides a refreshing taste but also a surprising amount of heat. The addition of Greek sea salt adds a subtle layer of saltiness that perfectly complements the sweetness of the dessert. Perhaps the best part is how quick and easy it is to prepare, requiring only 2 minutes of initial effort followed by a 30-minute wait for churning time.
If you’re in search of a fantastic homemade ice cream solution that doesn’t involve devoting hours of your day to preparation, then this recipe is an excellent choice.
Coconut Rice Pudding with Turmeric Twist
Zero in on the ingredients, and you’ll see what sets this dish apart from your average comfort food – turmeric gives it a vibrant yellow hue, while coconut milk adds a richness that’s hard to ignore. The combination of coconut sugar, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and water creates a complex flavor profile that’s both mildly tropical and slightly sweet. But don’t be fooled by the sweetness – the pepper brings a savory depth to the dish that balances out the flavors perfectly.
Whether you’re in the mood for dessert or breakfast, this golden rice pudding is sure to hit the spot, filling your belly with its creamy goodness and leaving you feeling satisfied without being too heavy.
Lemon Cornbread Hybrid Cake
Not only does this ‘dessert’ successfully merge the worlds of lemon cake and cornbread, but it also surpasses expectations in terms of flavor. The dense texture is perfectly complemented by bold notes of lemon and subtle hints of vanilla, leaving you wondering whether to present it as a sweet treat or pair it with milk for a refreshing, filling snack that’s sure to satisfy.
Quick Basil Mint Ice Cream Delight
Creating an ice cream recipe that requires minimal ingredients is always a winner for me, especially when I come across one labeled as ‘no-churn.’ The simplicity of using just four ingredients – whole milk, condensed milk, heavy cream, and basil leaves – piqued my interest even further. To top it off, the addition of green food coloring gives this ice cream its distinct color and aesthetic appeal.
Sweet Cheddar & Chive Scone Delights
Most people wouldn’t think to pair cheddar and chives with desserts, but these two ingredients are the perfect match. While they don’t have an inherently sweet flavor, I’ve found that covering almost anything in cheese and chives can be a winning combination – including these buttery scones. They may not fit the traditional definition of dessert, but trust me when I say they’re worth trying.
Give them a shot and you’ll likely find yourself indulging in them just as you would any sweet treat, like a bar of chocolate or a slice of cake.
Bacon Chocolate Bliss with Peanut Butter
Beyond the realm of traditional desserts, I’ve discovered a sweet spot for combining savory and sweet flavors. Bacon and chocolate are two ingredients that never fail to excite me, and I’m sure many of you can relate. This particular cake is a testament to that fusion of flavors, where hot coffee takes center stage and pairs perfectly with the richness of peanut butter frosting.
Tart Blueberry Feta Scone Delights
Understandably, one of the most enticing aspects of these scones is their delectable texture. They’re crispy on the outside and tender within, with an airy flakiness that gives way to warm, soft centers infused with melted cheese. Their sweetness might surprise you, particularly when considering the presence of buttermilk and a generous helping of crumbled feta cheese.
The tangy flavor from these ingredients creates a delightful balance of tastes, one that’s likely to leave even the most ardent sweet-tooths pining for a less sugary dessert option in the future.
Vibrant Yellow Lemon Turmeric Bars
Beneath their stunning appearance lies a treasure trove of tantalizing flavors waiting to be savored. The vibrant yellow layer and creamy white top give them an upscale bakery look without the hefty price tag, as you can easily make them in under 30 minutes with just 10 simple ingredients. Not only do they impress visually, but these bars are also a healthy delight, being vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
The pure lemon flavor that shines through is particularly suited to the warmer months of the year when a light and refreshing treat is exactly what’s needed.
Berry Cream Pretzel Hand Pies Delight
Taking a step back from the more elaborate options listed above, these desserts are worth mentioning as well. Although they might not be the most complex creations, they still manage to shine with their unique combination of flavors and textures. Each one features a salty, crunchy pretzel crust that elevates them to a whole new level of indulgence. If you have a weakness for berries, pretzels, or cream cheese, these desserts could very well become your new go-to treats.
Basil Blueberry Pie with Goat Cheese Twist
Paired with the sweetness of blueberries, the tangy flavor of goat cheese and fresh basil create a delightful harmony in this unique pie. While it shares some similarities with traditional blueberry cobbler, this dessert diverges by incorporating herbs and the rich taste of goat cheese, resulting in a multi-dimensional culinary experience that is both refreshing and complex.
If you have a penchant for desserts that showcase bold flavors and textures, you’ll likely find this combination to be quite appealing.
Tahini Sesame Crunch Bites
Yearning for a dessert that’s not too sweet, these crunchy nutty cookies are an excellent choice. The combination of vanilla and honey provides a lightness that’s balanced out by the savory flavors of tahini, almond flour, and sesame seeds. What’s more, you can bake a batch in under 20 minutes, yielding over a dozen delicious treats – a time-saving bonus that makes this dessert even more appealing.
Spicy Yellow Custard Ice Cream Delight
Preparing yourself for an unparalleled dessert experience is possible when you try this exceptionally creamy homemade ice cream with a kick. The addition of a specific ingredient gives it a brilliant yellow color and a custard-like texture that will undoubtedly be enjoyed by everyone. And let’s not forget the white chocolate drizzle, which serves as a mouthwatering bonus – a delicious treat in itself!
Blueberry Brie Grilled Cheese Bliss
Delving into the world of unconventional flavors can be intimidating, especially when they combine familiar comfort foods like grilled cheese with unexpected ingredients like blueberries. Still, I had previously experimented with pairing fruit and sweet treats with brie, so I was curious to see how it would work in a grilled cheese sandwich.
In fact, my initial hesitation gave way to excitement as I contemplated the potential flavor combinations – sweet, savory, tangy, and nutty all coming together in perfect harmony. It was this fusion of flavors that ultimately inspired me to give the blueberry grilled cheese a try. All you need for this simple recipe is a few basic ingredients: bread, butter, brie, and your favorite berries (I prefer blueberries).
Feel free to add some sharp cheddar if you like, but trust me when I say it’s just as delicious without it. What sets this sandwich apart from traditional grilled cheese is its unique balance of flavors – sweet from the fruit, savory from the cheese, nutty from the toasted bread, and tangy from the butter.
Banana Bacon Delights: Decadent Cupcakes
Yearning for a dessert that’s both sweet and savory? Look no further! Bacon doesn’t just pair well with classic combinations like chocolate, peanut butter, and maple syrup; it also surprisingly complements bananas. Take Elvis as an example – his love for bacon is well-documented. These cupcakes are a masterclass in balance, boasting light and fluffy texture, the perfect amount of spice, ripe bananas, and caramelized brown sugar. But that’s just the beginning.
The game-changer is the peanut butter/bacon frosting, which adds a rich and indulgent touch, while the bourbon drizzle provides a smooth and velvety finish. If you’re drawn to sweets with a hint of salty savoriness, these cupcakes are sure to leave you wanting more.
Bacon Chocolate Crack Bites
Reward yourself with this indulgent treat that I like to call bacon chocolate crack – it’s a name that truly fits the bill. Its addictive nature makes it impossible to stop at just one bite. With only six ingredients required, you can have these treats ready in under an hour. The ingredients are simple: saltine crackers, butter, brown sugar, semisweet chocolate chips, crispy bacon, and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Each piece is a harmonious balance of salty, crunchy textures and rich, velvety chocolate infused with the smoky flavor of bacon – it’s a culinary masterpiece that will satisfy any sweet or savory craving.
Savory Chocolate Treats with Crispy Bacon
Not only do these bacon brownies satisfy your cravings for sweet and savory flavors, but they also offer a delightful texture combination. The soft and gooey interior is perfectly balanced by the crunch of the bacon, creating a truly decadent experience. Indulge in one (or two, or three) and get ready for an instant sugar rush that will leave you wanting more.
Salty-Chocolate Chip Crunch Bites
Making a classic combination even more irresistible, these potato chip clusters pair the savory taste of salted chips with rich chocolate, adding a delightful crunch from pecans and a burst of color from sprinkles, creating a sweet and salty treat that’s impossible to resist.
Spicy Jalapeno Popper Cheesecake Delight
Always a surprise to those who try jalapeno popper cheesecake for the first time is the unique flavor combination that comes with it. On one hand, you have the tangy taste of traditional cheesecake, while on the other hand, there’s an unexpected kick from the heat of the jalapenos. Regardless of which aspect you prefer, the visual presentation of this dessert is also a highlight – the lovely minty green color of the filling adds a pop of freshness to the overall appearance.
The crust, made with a mix of bacon, Ritz crackers, cheddar cheese, and butter, is another standout feature that sets this cheesecake apart from others. Rather than being overly sweet like traditional desserts, jalapeno popper cheesecake has a distinct savory quality that still manages to win over even the most discerning palates.
Sweet Cheddar Apple Pie Delight
Combining the classic flavors of apple pie with the savory richness of cheddar cheese creates a truly unique dessert experience. Imagine sinking your teeth into a crispy, buttery crust giving way to a filling that’s both sweet and tangy, with the perfect balance of brown and white sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The addition of cheddar cheese adds a depth of flavor that elevates this pie from traditional to extraordinary.
It’s the perfect treat for those cool fall months when you need something warm and comforting.
Caramel Bacon Popcorn
When your cravings are calling for a sweet and savory treat that defies the ordinary, it’s time to get creative in the kitchen. Close your eyes and imagine biting into a mouthwatering combination of crunchy caramel corn and crispy bacon. The initial thought might be too good to be true, but trust us, this recipe is about to blow your mind.
