10 Guilt-free Vegan Treats For Your ‘Cheat’ Day

We all need a cheat day now and again - a reminder to enjoy the finer things in life and not take it so seriously!

To help you stick to your fitness goals and your vegan lifestyle, we’ve put together a list of 10 guilt-free treats that are 100% plant-based and dairy-free. They might taste like you’re having a deliciously naughty treat, but trust us - they’re packed with all the good stuff.

Vegan Snackers Bar

These easy-to-make snacks are perfect for grabbing when you’re on the go. I recommend making a whole lot of them and keeping them in the freezer until your sweet tooth beckons. My favourite part is how these bars have dates in them, which makes them extra creamy. Dates are a great source of antioxidants and also contain a brain booster. Good for mind, body and soul!

Air Dried Beetroot & Parsnip Crisps

I might have a sweet tooth, but I love my crisps. There’s nothing quite like munching on a bag of crisps in front of the telly after a day at the office. These vegetable crisps from Nim's Fruit Crisps are totally gluten-free and vegan certified. They’re air dried chich means not a drop of oil is used. The best part is that each bag contains only 59 calories. Not bad for a snack that tastes so good!

Dark 76% Organic, Vegan, Raw Chocolate Bars

When I tell people I’m vegan, they often reply with, “But don’t you miss the good foods? Like chocolate?” Little do they know about the glorious vegan chocolate market, which seems to be growing every year. The variety of vegan chocolates available compared to five years ago is astounding! Though I’m not picky about brands (chocolate is chocolate, am I right?) my go-to for a bit of a cocoa treat is Raw Halo. As well as tasting oh-so-delicious, the chocolatiers make their bars with plant-based ingredients that are sourced from small, organic farms that trade their produce for a fair price and treat their communities well. 

Ready to Bake Free From Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Who doesn’t love a warm, gooey chocolate chip in on a cold winter’s day? This chocolate chip cookie dough from Angels and Cookies is gluten-free, wheat-free, egg-free, dairy-free, nut-free, refined sugar-free; it’s suitable for just about everyone. The cookie dough is ready to go, so there are no extra ingredients to add - simply put it in the oven and wait for that hauntingly delicious smell. No judgement if you save a bit of the dough and eat it as is!

Raw and Vegan Coconut Caramel Slice

Anything with coconut I can’t say no to and these addictive snack bites are just one of those things. They’re dead easy to make and are entirely vegan thanks to nourishing ingredients like desiccated coconut, almond butter, dates and agave syrup. Serve them for your friends with afternoon tea or keep them all to yourself to keep your sweet tooth satisfied, and your energy levels high.

Pronuts - Raw Protein Donuts

Move over donuts, it’s time for Pronuts! These vegan versions of Homer Simpson’s favourite snacks are made from oats, cashews and dates, with vegan hemp protein powder. There’s simply no reason to feel guilty for enjoying one (or three) of these raw protein treats. They come in three exciting flavours for you to choose from - Cacao Crunch, Rose & Rasberry and Matcha.

Raw Gluten-Free Cacao Macaroons

These little morsels of heaven were awarded a gold star at the Great Taste Awards, and after just one bite you’ll see why. They’re made with dark, raw cacao blended with coconut, vanilla and a pinch of sea salt for that extra kick. What makes them so special is that instead of being baked, they’re prepared using a drying technique. This ensures that all those gorgeous natural enzymes and nutrients don’t disappear before your body has time to absorb them. Rich and chewy, yummy but guilt-free, these good-for-you macaroons hit all the right spots. 

Vegan Protein Cream Eggs

You know those Creme Eggs you got as a child? Those egg-shaped chocolates that you bite into to reveal a sugary sweet white and yellow fondant filling that looks like the yolk of an egg? Well here’s a superfood vegan version that contains all the taste, without that overload of refined sugar. They’re made with palmyra jaggery, cacao butter and protein powder, along with other dairy-free, healthy ingredients. They still resemble little chocolate eggs, making them the ideal snacks for kids at Easter time. 

Banana Cake

There are so many ways to use overripe bananas, but is there anything more heavenly than a good ol’ banana bread? All the ingredients of this baking mix amount to a rich, clean and easy bake that’s addictively delicious.

Vegan Drinking Fudge

Ok, if you’re already salivating, I don’t blame you. I mean, the only thing that could possibly be better than eating fudge is drinking it. Perfect for a devilishly delicious treat, this creamy gourmet liquid fudge is pure indulgence in a mug. You can heat it, making it a great vegan alternative to hot chocolate, or you can serve it cold as a frappe or in a fruit smoothie. The imaginative flavours range from Moreish Mint to Original Sea Salted Caramel, each one presented in a cute sachet envelope. The ultimate sweet treat for vegans on the go.

With so many healthy but delicious options for vegans, it’s easy to indulge in a sweet treat without totally sabotaging your commitment to eating clean. I know all too well the overwhelming desire for something sugary when the craving hits. The key is to having something on hand that’ll satiate your sweet tooth, but which isn’t packed with nasty refined sugars and dairy ingredients. Being vegan never tasted so good!