Healthy Tiramisu (Gluten-Free)

This delicious and easy healthy tiramisu recipe is gluten-free and made with layers of coffee-dipped lady fingers and a sweet, airy mascarpone Greek yogurt custard. The perfect no-bake dessert!

Best gluten-free tiramisu recipe

With summer around the corner, I love a good no-bake dessert that doesn’t require an oven. That’s why this coffee-flavored tiramisu is perfect! It’s easy to make, it’s no-bake, it’s light and healthy, and can be made gluten-free.

Tiramisu is a classic rich, and decadent Italian dessert. I’ve been to Italy a few times and look forward to a slice of tiramisu for dessert after every dinner. It’s not overly sweet, has the best coffee-chocolate flavor, and is very satiating.

Anyways, this recipe doesn’t comprise on flavor; it tastes like the classic Italian one. It’s just made lighter and healthier by using a mixture of mascarpone and Greek yogurt. You’ll want another slice after you try this recipe!

Why you’ll love this healthy recipe:

• No-bake dessert.
• This tiramisu recipe is light and healthy.
• Easily make it gluten-free.
• Strong coffee flavor.
• Perfect dessert for the Summer and warm weather.
• No refined sugar in this tiramisu recipe.
• Made with both mascarpone and Greek yogurt.
• The custard is light, airy, and sweet.
• Feels fancy, but it’s easy to make.
• Try these delicious coffee cookies next!

Ingredients needed & substitutions

This healthy tiramisu recipe calls for simple ingredients like lady fingers, espresso, Greek yogurt, mascarpone, cocoa powder, and eggs. This recipe is refined-sugar-free and can easily be made gluten-free. Here is a list of everything you need so you are prepared:

• Milk: The first ingredient in the healthy mascarpone yogurt custard. I used skim to lighten it up, but you can use whole milk or 2% too.
• Cornstarch: This helps thicken the cream custard. If you are gluten-free, use arrowroot starch or tapioca flour instead.
• Vanilla Extract: Just a dash goes a long way flavor-wise.
• Mascarpone: Classic tiramisu recipes always call for mascarpone, which is soft, sweeter, and light Italian cheese. Traditional tiramisu is already a “healthier” recipe, but we lighten it up further by mixing Greek yogurt and mascarpone.
• Greek Yogurt: I like using 2%, but 0% and 5% will also work. I recommend using plain Greek yogurt, but vanilla will also work.
• Eggs: To get the perfect custard texture. You need the yolks and the egg whites.
• Honey: This tiramisu is 100% refined sugar-free! We use a small amount of honey to sweeten it. You can also use white sugar or maple syrup.
• Espresso: I always use freshly brewed express for the strongest, best flavor. However, you can use cold brew or regular brew coffee too.
• Lady Fingers: The star of the show. We dip the cakey lady fingers in the espresso, so they are perfectly soft and coffee-flavored. You can use regular lady fingers or gluten free ones!
• Rum: This is optional but classic to tiramisu recipes. You only need 1 Tablespoon for flavor. You can also use Kahlua.
• Cocoa Powder: For dusting the top of your healthy tiramisu. It adds the best coffee-chocolate flavor that is classic to traditional Italian tiramisu. I love this brand.

Kitchen tools required

Here is a list of kitchen utensils you will need to make this easy tiramisu recipe. Clean-up will be easy!

• 8×8″ Baking Pan: You can also use an 8-inch circle or oval pan. You can also stack it in a 9×5 loaf.
• Shallow Bowl
• Mixing Bowl
• Whisk
• Medium Sauce Pot
• Measuring Tools: 1 teaspoon, 1 Tablespoon, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.

How to make healthy tiramisu

This is seriously the best healthy tiramisu recipe – everyone I know loves it! Plus, you can easily make it gluten-free. Here are detailed step-by-step instructions with pictures for visual reference so any level baker can make them. The full recipe and ingredient measurements are at the bottom of this page in the recipe card.

Step 1: prepare espresso

First, make your espresso, and then set it aside to cool. TIP: pour it into a shallow baking dish, so it cools faster.

Step 2: make the healthy mascarpone cream

In a medium-sized saucepan (no heat), add ½ cup of the milk & all of the cornstarch. Whisk until there are no clumps left and the cornstarch is completely dissolved.

Place the saucepan on a burner over medium-high heat, then add the vanilla extract. Allow the milk to thicken, whisking often until it’s bubbling and thick. This should take about 2 – 3 minutes. Keep your eye on it; it could happen quickly.

Add the rest of the milk to the saucepan and whisk. Remove from heat.

Step 3: add egg yolks

In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolks and honey until they are thoroughly combined and light and pale in color (about 1 minute).

Then, slowly pour about 1/4 cup of the milk mixture into the egg yolk and honey, whisking the entire time.

Next, slowly pour that mixture back into the milk and whisk until everything is combined.

Finally, place the saucepan back on the burner over low-medium and heat for 1 – 2 minutes, frequently whisking until it’s a little thicker. If it clumps, it is the cornstarch. Remove from heat and whisk until combined. Set aside. Then, whisk in the mascarpone and greek yogurt until no clumps remain.

Step 4: add egg whites

This is optional, but I highly recommend adding egg whites. Do this by whisking egg whites in a large clean bowl until stiff peaks form. Fold them into the mascarpone cream gently.

Reasoning: Adding egg whites is a perfect and authentic way to add volume and airiness while being low cal. You can omit them and use just the yolks, but it will be more custardy and less airy.

Step 5: assemble the healthy tiramisu

You can use an 8×8 pan, 8-inch circle pan, or oval. You can also stack it in a 9×5 loaf.

Now, VERY QUICKLY dip your lady fingers into the espresso. They soak up liquid very quickly, so you want to be swift. Layer them along the bottom, cutting them if needed to fit.

Then, cover with half of the mascarpone pastry cream. Repeat with another layer of ladyfingers and the final half of the mascarpone. Gently spread to make sure everything is covered.

Finally, dust with cocoa powder and let your gluten-free and healthy tiramisu chill for 5 hours (but 12-24 is BEST). Enjoy!

The taste & texture:

Tiramisu is a decadent Italian dessert that tastes like a coffee-flavored creamy custard. The primary flavor comes from the espresso and cocoa powder that is dusted on top. It is sweet, but not overly sweet. Tiramisu is the perfect “lighter” and “healthier” dessert!

Tiramisu is a layered dessert. Each layer of lady fingers soaked in espresso is topped with lightly sweet custard made from mascarpone cheese and Greek yogurt. The texture is light, airy, and soft. It is not runny or soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tiramisu recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this tiramisu recipe can easily be made 100% gluten-free by substituting the cornstarch with arrowroot powder or tapioca flour. You will also need to use gluten-free lady fingers. This is the best brand.

What can I use instead of Greek yogurt?

You can use regular yogurt, vanilla Greek yogurt, vanilla yogurt, or use only mascarpone.

Can I use cold brew or brewed coffee?

Espresso adds the strongest coffee flavor; however, you can also use cold brew or chilled brewed coffee.

Do I need to add the egg whites?

You don’t need to add egg whites to the mascarpone yogurt custard. I like to add them because it’s a perfect and authentic way to add volume and airiness to this tiramisu recipe while being low-calorie. You can omit them and use just the yolks, but the tiramisu will be more custardy and less airy.

Do I have to add the rum?

No! Make this tiramisu alcohol-free by omitting the rum.

What are the best gluten-free lady fingers?

I have tested this healthy Tiramisu with a few different brands of gluten-free lady fingers and found the best one to be Schar’s Gluten-Free Lady Fingers.

What does tiramisu taste like?

Tiramisu is a coffee-flavored no-bake Italian dessert. The primary flavor comes from the espresso and cocoa powder that is dusted on top. It is sweet, but not overly sweet.

Does tiramisu have caffeine?

Yes, tiramisu contains caffeine since the lady fingers are soaked in espresso. The amount of caffeine depends on the serving size you consume. A typical piece of tiramisu contains between 50 and 60 milligrams of caffeine.

Can you freeze tiramisu?

Yes, you can freeze tiramisu. Simply make the tiramisu in a freezer-safe pan (don’t dust the top with cocoa powder). Then, cover tightly with plastic wrap and then tinfoil and freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to enjoy, allow the tiramisu to thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then dust with cocoa powder right before serving.

How to store make ahead of time:

Storing: For best results, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Make Ahead: You can make tiramisu up to 2 days in advance. Simply cover the top with aluminum foil and store it in the fridge.

If you love this recipe, try these recipes next!

• Chewy Coffee Cookies
• Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes
• Frozen Yogurt Granola Bars
• Strawberry Brownies
• Mini Bundt Cakes (3 Flavors!)

Did you make this recipe?

If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!

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