Desserts with Spirulina: Three Power-Packed Instant Sweet Recipes to Try

Written by Jheelum Basu | July 4, 2024

While desserts are made for indulgence, how about adding some health benefits to them as well? Imagine enjoying a dessert that pleases the taste buds while adding proteins and antioxidants to your diet. Doesn’t that sound amazing?

Spirulina is one such natural ingredient. It is a blue-green algae that grows in both fresh and saltwater bodies. While it’s usually consumed for its health benefits, like proteins, iron, amino acids, and antioxidants, it can be an interesting addition to spirulina desserts as well.

You can cook with spirulina, but it's usually recommended to use it in no-bake or heatless desserts. This is because spheat may destroy sirulina’s nutritional properties. Here are some healthy dessert recipes with all the goodness of spirulina.

Why Use Spirulina in Desserts

Packed with nutrients like protein, vitamins, and antioxidants, Spirulina is often considered a superfood. That’s why adding it to the desserts brings in all those health benefits to the indulgent treats as well. Often used in no-bake recipes for best nutrient retention, Spirulina is a perfect fit for almost every kind of chilled and assembled desserts.

Blue Spirulina Nice Cream

Key Ingredients & Flavor Combinations

Frozen bananas Coconut milk Blue spirulina powder Fresh fruits of choice for toppings

Flavor profile: This is one of the spirulina desserts that is creamy, naturally sweet, and refreshing with a soothing blue color coming from the Spirulina.

Steps to Make

Start this spirulina recipe by adding all the ingredients to a blender and mix until you achieve a thick and smooth texture.

Serve in a big bowl with fresh fruits like blueberries, mangoes, pineapples, or any other fruit of your choice.

Tips & Tricks

For this recipe, ripe and speckled bananas are ideal as they bring in optimum natural sweetness.

Once the dessert is ready, serve it immediately for the best texture

For some added crunch, garnish it with toppings like nuts or seeds.

Green No-Bake Spirulina Cheesecake

Key Ingredients & Flavor Combinations

For cheesecake crust Digestive biscuit Sugar Melted butter

For the cheesecake Water Gelatin powder Cream cheese Powdered sugar Green or blue spirulina powder Vanilla extract Fresh lemon juice Heavy cream

Flavor profile: This cheesecake is perfectly creamy, tangy, and lightly sweet with a vibrant green hue.

Steps to Make

Start by preparing the cheesecake crust by mixing the powdered digestive biscuits, butter, and sugar in a bowl.

Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of a round cake tin. Ensure there are no empty spaces. Chill the crust in the fridge.

In a bowl, dissolve the gelatin in warm water.

In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the cream cheese until smooth. Add spirulina, powdered sugar, vanilla, lemon juice, and gelatin water to the same bowl.

Using an electric or handheld whisk, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.

Take the chilled crust out of the refrigerator and fold the spirulina cream cheese mix onto it. Cover the cake tin with a wrap and refrigerate until it’s time to serve.

Just before serving, decorate the cheesecake with some fresh fruit or even some lemon zest.

Tips & Tricks

For that perfect tangy twist, use fresh lemon juice in this cheesecake recipe.

Make sure there is adequate chilling time. Proper chilling ensures perfect texture.

Garnish the cheesecake with sliced fruits or some lemon zest.

Spirulina Coconut Bliss Balls

Key Ingredients & Flavor Combinations

Shredded coconut Almond flour Spirulina powder Maple syrup/Jaggery/Honey Coconut oil Vanilla extract

Flavor Profile: Once blended, shaped, and chilled properly, these bliss balls offer a classic coconutty, slightly sweet, and energy-packed treat.

Steps to Make

To try this recipe, start by mixing shredded coconut, almond flour, spirulina powder, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract in a blender and pulse.

If the dough is dry, add a little water to bring all the ingredients together.

Take small portions of the dough and, using your hands, shape them into small balls. Refrigerate the bite-sized coconut balls once they are ready.

While one may simply consume them as is, rolling them in some more shredded coconut always adds more fun to it.

Enjoy them with a cup of coffee or as a snack on the go.

Tips & Tricks

While making the coconut-based dough, adjust the sweetness based on your requirement.

Add some water or milk to the dough if mixture feels dry and blend.

Roll the coconut balls in some shredded coconut for a crunchy texture and visual appeal.

Key Ingredients for Spirulina Desserts

Including Spirulina in a dessert is always about balancing out the earthy, raw notes with other ingredients like natural sweeteners, creamy elements, fruits, and nuts.

The most commonly used ingredients often include fruits, coconut milk, nuts, cream cheese, etc. While honey, maple syrup, or agave sweeten the desserts, the creamy texture comes from coconut oil, soaked cashews, and avocado.

Tips & Tricks For Using Spirulina In Desserts

While using Spirulina in any dessert recipe, just remember that moderation is key. Always use them in small quantities. An excess amount of Spirulina often causes side effects like nausea, vomiting, bloating, and more.

As Spirulina carries a raw and earthy flavor, it is essential to pair it with something sweet or citrus to bring a balanced taste. The ideal flavor profiles include chocolate, lemon, mint, or nut butters.

Make sure Spirulina is used in no-bake and child desserts only. The high temperature of baked desserts often ruins the nutritional benefits of it.

While preparing the desserts, blend it thoroughly with the other ingredients for a smooth texture.

Creative Variations To Try

To incorporate the countless benefits of spirulina, one may try assorted dessert ideas. From healthy smoothie bowls, chia puddings, and energy bars, to chocolate truffles. cheesecakes , and mousse, it goes well with almost every dessert. And to make it flavorful, it is always recommended to try with ingredients like banana, cocoa powder, fruits, or berries.

Serving Ideas For Spirulina Desserts

As Spirulina is mostly used in no-bake, only-assemble desserts, it is always ideal to serve them chilled. This ensures the best taste and texture.

Just before serving, make sure the desserts are garnished with fruits, nuts, or seeds. Besides the nutritional aspect, they also add some texture to the dessert.

Serve the spirulina desserts in transparent glasses or bowls. This clearly highlights the vibrant green or cool blue color to make it visually appealing.