Jamaica is of course famous for its curries and jerk dishes, but there are also a selection of desserts common to our culture. I have made vegan gluten-free recipes for all the popular Jamaican desserts, plus a few more that aren’t necessarily Jamaican in origin but are commonly made there or heavily feature tropical ingredients.

Jamaican desserts are a richly delicious experience, with most featuring an assortment of spices commonly used in Jamaican cuisine, and various starches normally eaten on a daily basis.

My Best Jamaican Desserts

If you are wanting to add something new to your dessert menu, or have an old favorite you’d like to make vegan or gluten-free, I know you will enjoy my Jamaican dessert recipes.

For those who are only vegan, and not gluten-free, you can just use all purpose flour in place of gluten-free flours and starches.

Jamaican Spice Bun

Jamaican spice bun is a sweet bread that is very popular in Jamaica, It is moist,  with warm spices and plump dried fruits. I’m so excited to share with you my vegan, gluten-free version of this Jamaican staple.

jamaican spice bun half sliced on white cloth

Jamaican Fruit Cake (Christmas Cake)

A delicious and rich version of Jamaican Fruit Cake that is especially popular around Christmas. it is vegan, gluten-free, and alcohol-free with an amazing taste and moist texture!

slice of fruit cake on white plate with whipped cream and cherry on top

Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding

This Jamaican sweet potato pudding recipe is a vegan spin on this popular dessert enjoyed in Jamaica and the Caribbean throughout the year. It is very moist, rich, and indulgent!

sweet potato pudding slice on white plate with lime slices

Gizzada

Gizzada is a perfect blend of flaky shell pastry and soft, chewy, and sweet filling. It is a delicious dish that works perfectly well as a dessert and a snack. It is also a perfect gift for holidays and Christmas.

gizzada with coconut flakes sprinkled around it on white background

Jamaican Cornmeal Pudding

Jamaican Cornmeal Pudding also called cornmeal pone is a flavorful Jamaican dessert made from cornmeal, coconut milk, raisins, and spices.

It has a firm pudding consistency with a sweet and creamy coconut custard topping. Cornmeal pudding is a staple dessert in Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean.

slice of cornmeal pudding on white plate with fork

Jamaican Hummingbird Muffins

These delicious Hummingbird Muffins are the perfect breakfast or dessert treat. They contain juicy pineapple, bananas, and crunchy pecans. They are also vegan and gluten-free!

hummingbird muffin broken in half in white wrapper with pile of muffins in the background

Jamaican Coconut Drops

Jamaican coconut drops are a traditional Jamaican dessert that is a perfect treat for every occasion. These are sweet, chewy, and full of unique texture. The soft and chewy coconut pieces and the gummy texture of the toffee are utterly divine.

coconut drops on white background

Jamaican Peanut Drops

Peanut drops are a very popular Jamaican snack. You will find it in most households. It is not just flavorful but is also quite easy to make. Once you try it out, I bet you won’t be able to keep your hands off it.

It is particularly perfect for someone who has a sweet tooth. These drops are an ideal snack to satisfy an untimely sugar craving.

four peanut drops on white background

Baked Plantains

These juicy baked plantains are a delight, they are sweet, melt in your mouth and healthy. Baked in the oven compared to traditional frying, this is comfort food at its best, served as a side, dessert or snack.

pile of baked plantains on blue and white plate

Jamaican Bulla

Jamaican bulla cakes are a perfect snack for you and your family. If you have a sweet tooth, you will love these cakes. These are not just easy to make but are gluten-free and vegan. Furthermore, they are a super healthy snack.

overlay bulla cakes in a pan with cheese on parchment pap

Jamaican Coconut Bread

Vegan Coconut Bread is a moist sweet bread with lots of coconut flakes and coconut milk for a delicious authentic coconut flavor. This recipe is also gluten-free. 

two slices of coconut bread with the rest of the loaf in the background on a white cloth

Cassava Pone

This Vegan Jamaican Cassava Pone is a non-dairy version of the popular Jamaican dessert, like Vegan Jamaican Cornmeal Pudding. It is incredibly flavorful and easy to prepare. Cassava, also known as yuca, is grated and mixed with coconut milk, sugar, spices, and baked until bubbly and golden brown. 

slices of pone piled in a cream colored bowl

Tamarind Balls

Tamarind balls are a tasty, healthy, and vegan snack idea for you and your family. These are easy to make and store and a perfect treat for every occasion.

a white bowl piled high with tamarind balls

Banana Fritters

This delicious Jamaican Banana Fritters recipe is so easy to prepare and kid-friendly. Banana fritters have been special to me from my childhood days and they taste just as delicious as my mom made them!

fritters on a blue plate with a hand pour syrup on them from a glass

Jamaican Blue Draws (Dukunu)

This amazing Jamaican blue draws, also know as duckunu/duckunoo, or tie-a-leaf, is a delicious treat, made from cornmeal, sweet potato, green banana, freshly grated coconut, coconut milk, and a blend of spices, wrapped in green banana leaf and boiled for a moist and incredibly tasty pudding. 

two wrapped and one unwrapped blue draws on a white background

Vegan Pineapple Upside Down Cake

This Vegan Pineapple Upside Down Cake is the perfect holiday treat, moist and fluffy cake with juicy pineapple slices studded with festive cherries.

slice of and partial pineapple upside down cake on a white plate

Vegan Banana Bread

Moist and flavorful Vegan Gluten-Free Banana Bread is so easy to prepare. Enjoy a slice of the perfectly sweet homemade banana bread for breakfast or dessert.

three slices of banana bread overlapped

Naseberry Cake

My Vegan Naseberry (Sapodilla) Cake perfectly showcases the intersection between delicious tropical, caramel, and fall flavors, in a complexly pleasing but easy-to-make dish to delight all your family and guests.

naseberry cake with one slice in front on a wire rack

More of My Best Vegan Recipes:

If you enjoyed this post and would love to see more, join me on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook & Twitter

Get discounted copies of my cookbook here.

Also please leave a star rating ;-)

Need some encouragement on your Healthier Steps journey?

Join our Facebook groups, sharing lots of delicious vegan and gluten-free recipes, health tips, etc., from our members. Please join us and invite your friends to Gluten-Free and Vegan For Beginners and Vegan Recipes With Love.