Top 6 delicious vegetarian dessert recipes you’ll love

Dessert brings joy to every meal, and you don’t need meat or even eggs to create something spectacular. From silky chocolate mousses to fragrant coconut puddings and tropical fruit treats, vegetarian desserts offer endless possibilities for satisfying your sweet tooth while honoring your dietary choices.

Whether you’re a committed vegetarian, cooking for guests with dietary restrictions, or simply exploring new flavors, the right ingredients make all the difference. At Ni Market in Denver, Colorado – the largest Vietnamese and Asian grocery in the region – you’ll find over 500 authentic products that transform ordinary desserts into extraordinary experiences. From agar-agar and pandan leaves to fresh tropical fruits and coconut cream, we stock the specialty ingredients that bring these recipes to life.

Let’s explore six delicious vegetarian dessert recipes that celebrate both Western comfort and Asian innovation, all easily achievable with ingredients from our aisles.

What Makes a Dessert “Vegetarian”?

A vegetarian dessert excludes all meat and poultry but may include dairy products like milk, butter, cream, yogurt, and cheese, as well as eggs. This distinguishes vegetarian desserts from vegan desserts, which exclude all animal products entirely.

What Makes a Dessert “Vegetarian”?

Categories of vegetarian desserts include:

• Baked goods: Cakes, cookies, brownies, and pastries made with butter and eggs create rich, traditional textures that many dessert lovers crave.
• Puddings and custards: Creamy desserts using milk, cream, or plant-based alternatives like coconut milk offer smooth, comforting textures perfect for any season.
• Frozen treats: Ice creams, sorbets, and frozen yogurts provide refreshing options, especially when featuring fresh fruit.
• Fruit-based desserts: Crisps, cobblers, compotes, and fresh fruit salads showcase natural sweetness with minimal processing.
• No-bake desserts: Parfaits, mousse, cheesecakes, and refrigerated treats require no oven, making them perfect for warm weather or quick preparation.
• Asian-inspired sweets: This category includes unique offerings like mango sticky rice, tapioca puddings, sweet soups (chè), and jellies made with agar-agar – many naturally vegetarian and highlighting ingredients you’ll find at Ni Market.

Understanding these categories helps you choose recipes that match your preferences, available time, and the occasion you’re celebrating.

Top 6 Easy Vegetarian Dessert Recipes

1. Chocolate Avocado Mousse

This surprisingly decadent dessert transforms creamy avocado into a rich, chocolate treat that rivals traditional mousse.

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients in a food processor until completely smooth and creamy
2. Taste and adjust sweetness as needed
3. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving
4. Top with fresh berries, coconut flakes, or crushed nuts

Tip: The avocado provides healthy fats and a silky texture without any avocado flavor—the cocoa completely masks it. Use ripe avocados for the smoothest consistency.

2. Vietnamese Coconut Tapioca Pudding (Chè Chuối)

This traditional Vietnamese dessert combines tapioca pearls with banana and coconut milk for a comforting, subtly sweet treat.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup small tapioca pearls
• 3 cups water
• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 ripe bananas, sliced
• Toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:

1. Soak tapioca pearls in water for 30 minutes, then drain
2. Bring 3 cups water to boil, add tapioca, and simmer until translucent (15-20 minutes)
3. Add coconut milk, sugar, and salt, stirring until sugar dissolves
4. Add banana slices and cook for 5 more minutes
5. Serve warm or chilled, garnished with sesame seeds

Tip: Find authentic tapioca pearls and premium coconut milk at Ni Market. The quality of coconut milk significantly impacts the richness of this dessert.

3. Mango Sticky Rice (Khao Niao Mamuang)

This beloved Thai dessert showcases the perfect marriage of sweet mango, sticky glutinous rice, and coconut sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Thai glutinous rice (sweet rice)
• 1 cup coconut milk, divided
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 ripe mangoes, sliced
• Toasted mung beans or sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions:

1. Soak glutinous rice in water for at least 4 hours or overnight
2. Steam rice for 25-30 minutes until tender
3. Heat 3/4 cup coconut milk with sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt until sugar dissolves
4. Pour over hot rice, mix well, cover, and let sit for 30 minutes
5. Heat remaining 1/4 cup coconut milk with remaining salt for sauce
6. Serve rice topped with fresh mango slices and drizzle with coconut sauce

Tip: Visit Ni Market for authentic Thai glutinous rice and fresh, perfectly ripe mangoes. The rice variety matters—regular rice won’t give you that characteristic sticky, chewy texture. Shop for glutinous rice at Ni Market.

4. No-Bake Yogurt Parfait with Asian Fruits

Layer creamy yogurt with tropical fruits and crunchy toppings for a quick, healthy dessert that looks impressive.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt
• 2 tablespoons honey or agave
• 1 cup granola
• Fresh fruits: dragon fruit, lychee, mango, kiwi
• Coconut flakes for topping

Instructions:

1. Mix yogurt with honey
2. Layer yogurt, granola, and chopped fruits in glasses
3. Repeat layers
4. Top with coconut flakes and additional fruit
5. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 2 hours

Tip: Ni Market carries exotic fresh fruits that elevate this simple dessert—dragon fruit adds visual drama while lychee brings floral sweetness you won’t find at conventional grocery stores.

5. Pandan Coconut Jelly (Made with Agar-Agar)

This Southeast Asian dessert features pandan’s unique vanilla-like aroma and jade-green color in a refreshing jelly.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons agar-agar powder
• 4 cups water
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 5-6 pandan leaves, tied in a knot
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Bring water to boil with pandan leaves
2. Add agar-agar powder and whisk until dissolved
3. Add sugar and stir until completely dissolved
4. Remove from heat, discard pandan leaves
5. Stir in coconut milk and salt
6. Pour into a shallow pan and let set at room temperature (15-20 minutes)
7. Cut into cubes and serve chilled

Tip: Unlike gelatin, agar-agar sets at room temperature and creates a firmer, more refreshing texture. Find agar-agar powder and fresh pandan leaves at Ni Market—these ingredients are essential for authentic Asian desserts. Buy agar-agar at Ni Market.

6. Easy Fruit Crisp with Asian Pear

This comforting baked dessert highlights Asian pears’ crisp texture and subtle sweetness beneath a buttery oat topping.

Ingredients:

Filling:

• 4 Asian pears, peeled and sliced
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Topping:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Toss sliced pears with lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon
3. Place in a greased baking dish
4. Mix oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt
5. Pour melted butter over mixture and stir until crumbly
6. Sprinkle topping over pears
7. Bake 35-40 minutes until golden and bubbling
8. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or yogurt

Tip: Asian pears maintain their texture better than regular pears when baked, providing a satisfying bite. Find them fresh and crisp at Ni Market during fall and winter months.

Essential ingredients & smart substitutions

Creating exceptional vegetarian desserts starts with quality ingredients. Ni Market stocks both traditional and specialty items that expand your dessert possibilities beyond what conventional grocery stores offer.

Dairy vs. Non-Dairy Options

• Coconut milk: A staple in Asian desserts, coconut milk provides richness and subtle sweetness. Full-fat versions create creamier puddings and custards. Ni Market carries multiple brands, including premium Thai coconut milk that makes a noticeable difference in your final dish.
• Soy milk: Neutral-flavored and protein-rich, soy milk works well in baked goods and custards where you want creamy texture without coconut flavor.
• Yogurt: Greek yogurt adds tang and protein to parfaits and frozen desserts. For dairy-free versions, coconut or almond yogurt provides similar texture.

Egg Replacements

• Flax eggs: Mix 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes. Works excellently in brownies and cookies.
• Applesauce: Use 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce per egg in muffins and cakes for moisture without affecting flavor.
• Silken tofu: Blended silken tofu creates creamy mousses and puddings with added protein. Find it fresh at Ni Market.

Gelatin Alternatives: The Agar-Agar Advantage

Traditional gelatin comes from animal collagen, making it non-vegetarian. Agar-agar, derived from seaweed, provides the perfect plant-based alternative with unique benefits:

• Sets at room temperature (unlike gelatin which requires refrigeration)
• Creates a firmer, more refreshing texture
• Holds up better in warm conditions
• Contains fiber and no calories
• Essential for authentic Asian jellies and desserts

Ni Market stocks agar-agar in both powder and strand form. The powder form dissolves more easily, while strands are traditional in certain recipes.

Specialty Ingredients That Make the Difference

• Pandan leaves: These fragrant leaves impart natural green color and a vanilla-like aroma to desserts. Often called “the vanilla of Asia,” pandan transforms simple recipes into aromatic experiences.
• Glutinous rice flour: Despite its name, this rice flour is gluten-free and creates the distinctive chewy texture in mochi and certain Asian sweets.
• Tapioca pearls: Beyond bubble tea, these pearls add textural interest to puddings and sweet soups. Small pearls work best for desserts.
• Azuki beans: Red beans aren’t just for savory dishes—sweetened azuki bean paste is a beloved filling in Asian desserts, providing protein and fiber alongside sweetness.
• Coconut sugar: With a lower glycemic index than white sugar, coconut sugar adds caramel notes to desserts.
• Fresh tropical fruits: Mango, dragon fruit, lychee, longan, and rambutan bring exotic flavors and beautiful presentation to any dessert plate.

All these specialty ingredients await you at Ni Market, where our knowledgeable staff can guide you to exactly what you need and suggest creative uses you might not have considered. Explore our specialty dessert ingredients.

Tips for success & avoiding common mistakes

Preventing Watery Desserts

Problem: Your pudding or jelly seems too liquid or weeps after setting.

Solutions:

• Use the correct ratio of agar-agar to liquid (typically 1 tablespoon powder per 2 cups liquid)
• Ensure agar-agar fully dissolves by bringing the mixture to a full boil
• Allow proper setting time – rushing this step results in unstable texture
• Store properly, some desserts need refrigeration while others set at room temperature

Proper Setting and Chilling Times

Don’t rush the process. Most puddings need at least 2-4 hours to fully set. Agar-agar desserts set within 15-30 minutes at room temperature but benefit from additional chilling for optimal flavor and texture. Plan ahead, especially for dinner parties.

Balancing Sweetness and Acidity

Asian desserts often use less sugar than Western counterparts, allowing other flavors to shine. Start with recommended amounts, then adjust to taste. Adding a pinch of salt enhances sweetness without adding sugar. Citrus juice (lime, lemon) brightens fruit desserts and balances rich coconut flavors.

Temperature Matters

When working with agar-agar or coconut milk, temperature control is key:

• Bring agar-agar mixtures to a full boil to activate setting properties
• Add coconut milk after removing from high heat to prevent curdling
• Fold delicate ingredients like whipped cream into cool (not cold) bases

Storage Guidelines

• Refrigeration: Most vegetarian desserts last 3-5 days refrigerated in airtight containers. Fruit-based desserts are best within 2-3 days as fruit releases moisture over time.
• Freezing: Coconut-based ice creams and certain mousses freeze well for up to one month. Thaw gradually in the refrigerator. Agar-agar desserts don’t freeze well, they become watery when thawed.
• Room temperature: Some Asian desserts like certain coconut jellies can sit at room temperature briefly (1-2 hours) for serving but should return to refrigeration afterward.

Working with Tropical Fruits

• Ripeness recognition: A ripe mango gives slightly to gentle pressure and has a sweet aroma at the stem end. Dragon fruit should have bright, even color with slightly soft skin. Lychees should be fragrant with reddish-brown shells.
• Preparation timing: Cut tropical fruits close to serving time to preserve visual appeal and prevent browning. Toss cut fruit with a little lime juice to maintain color.
• Seasonal awareness: While Ni Market strives to stock tropical fruits year-round, quality and availability peak during specific seasons. Our staff can guide you to the best options currently available and suggest alternatives when needed.

Why Ni Market is your dessert ingredient destination in Denver

Creating memorable vegetarian desserts depends on authentic, high-quality ingredients—and that’s exactly what sets Ni Market apart.

Denver’s Largest Asian Grocery Store

Located in the heart of Denver, Colorado, Ni Market has earned its reputation as the premier destination for Vietnamese and Asian groceries in the region. Our expansive store carries over 500 authentic products imported directly from across Asia, ensuring you get the freshest, most genuine ingredients available.

Specialty Ingredients You Won’t Find Elsewhere

While conventional grocery stores offer limited Asian selections, Ni Market dedicates entire aisles to the ingredients that make desserts special:

• Multiple varieties of coconut milk, from light to premium full-fat
• Fresh pandan leaves (not just extract)
• Various forms of agar-agar for different culinary applications
• Authentic glutinous rice and rice flours
• Fresh tropical fruits sourced for optimal ripeness
• Traditional Asian sweeteners like palm sugar and rock sugar
• Specialty items like black sesame paste, taro, and azuki beans

Freshness You Can Taste

We understand that dessert quality starts with ingredient quality. Ni Market’s high turnover and direct sourcing relationships mean you’re getting fresh products, whether it’s coconut milk with rich cream on top, aromatic pandan leaves, or tropical fruits at perfect ripeness.

Expert Guidance and Community

Our staff brings genuine knowledge and passion for Asian cuisine. Not sure which tapioca pearls work best for pudding versus bubble tea? Wondering how to use that bottle of pandan extract? Need help selecting a ripe mango? We’re here to help. Ni Market isn’t just a store—it’s a community hub where food lovers share knowledge, recipes, and cultural traditions.

Convenient Shopping Options

• Visit us in person: Experience our full selection, ask questions, and discover new ingredients as you browse our carefully curated aisles. There’s something special about seeing, touching, and smelling ingredients before you buy them.
• Shop online: Can’t make it to our Denver location? Browse our inventory and place orders through ni.market for convenient pickup or delivery. Our website makes it easy to find exactly what you need for your dessert creations.

Supporting Local While Going Global

When you shop at Ni Market, you’re supporting a local Denver business deeply connected to the Asian community while accessing ingredients from across the globe. We bridge cultures through food, making authentic Asian cooking accessible to everyone in Colorado.

Ready to create amazing vegetarian desserts? Visit Ni Market today at our Denver location or explore our online store. Whether you’re hunting for agar-agar for your first attempt at coconut jelly or need fresh lychees for a special occasion, we have everything you need to succeed.

Shop Ni Market’s Dessert Ingredients

FAQs About Vegetarian Desserts

Conclusion: Your Sweet Adventure Starts at Ni Market

These vegetarian dessert recipes prove that plant-forward sweets can be just as satisfying, creative, and delicious as any traditional dessert. From the rich chocolate indulgence of avocado mousse to the fragrant, tropical delight of mango sticky rice, these recipes showcase how thoughtfully chosen ingredients create memorable experiences.

The secret to dessert success lies in ingredient quality, and that’s where Ni Market shines. As Denver’s largest Vietnamese and Asian grocery store, we bring you the authentic flavors that transform good desserts into great ones. Our agar-agar sets perfectly, our pandan leaves perfume your kitchen, our tropical fruits arrive at peak ripeness, and our coconut milk provides the creamy richness your desserts deserve.

Ready to start creating? Visit Ni Market in Denver or browse our selection online at ni.market. Whether you’re shopping for a specific recipe or simply exploring new possibilities, our team is here to guide you toward the freshest, most authentic ingredients available in Colorado.

For more recipes, cooking tips, and culinary inspiration celebrating Asian flavors, explore the Ni Market blog. Beyond being a market, we’re a bridge between authentic Asian flavors and your home kitchen, making every dessert special.

Ni Market: Fresh ingredients, authentic flavors, endless possibilities.