20 No-Bake Thanksgiving Desserts That Are Low-Effort, No-Fuss, But Still So Satisfying

Whether you're afraid of baking or just want to save oven space, these dessert recipes will save the day.

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, and your menu is probably pretty much set. But have you given any thought to dessert? Maybe you're more of a savory cook and you're afraid of baking, or perhaps you just need to hoard your precious oven space. Whatever the case, rejoice with these easy, no-bake desserts that will satisfy a crowd.

1. Dairy-Free Chocolate Pie

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This chocolate dessert contains no dairy, but it's so silky and rich you'd never realize it. Get the recipe for dairy-free chocolate pie here.

2. Paleo Pumpkin Bars

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Pumpkin fie filling sits above a crunchy, nutty layer made of roasted cashews, toasted coconut, pumpkin seeds, and almond butter. Get the recipe for paleo no-bake pumpkin bars here.

3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

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If you're looking for a non-pumpkin or apple dessert on your holiday table, give this creamy and decadent peanut butter bars a try. Get the recipe for chocolate peanut butter bars here.

4. No-Bake Shortbread Bars

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This low-effort dessert mostly just requires time to chill in the fridge, so you can prepare the layers, set them to rest, and get on with the rest of your cooking. 

Recipe: No-Bake Shortbread Bars

5. Caramel Cheesecake Shooters

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These individually portioned desserts come together with just a few simple ingredients: butter, cream cheese, condensed milk, caramel, graham crackers, and whipped cream. Serve them in little jars or ramekins. Get the recipe for caramel cheesecake shooters here.

6. No Bake Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe

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These adorable cookies start with Rice Krispies cereal. The cereal is mixed with vanilla, peanut butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup, shaped into balls and topped with a Hershey's kiss.

Recipe: No Bake Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe

7. Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

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Start with Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal as the base for these velvety pie bars. Get the recipe for pumpkin cheesecake bars here.

8. Caramel Apple Nachos

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This kid-friendly dessert is delicious to eat and fun to make. Start with sliced apples and load them with all your favorite toppings from caramel and almond butter to white chocolate and your favorite candy. Get the recipe for caramel apple nachos here.

9. No-Bake Gingerbread Mini Cheesecakes

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Make these for Thanksgiving, again for Christmas, and all winter long while gingerbread season lasts.

Recipe: No-Bake Gingerbread Mini Cheesecakes

10. No-Bake Pumpkin Tiramisu

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Give your classic pumpkin dessert a little Italian twist with this autumnal tiramisu. It only requires about 20 minutes of hands-on prep time.

Recipe: No-Bake Pumpkin Tiramisu 

11. Caramel Apple Trifle

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This light and airy trifle is all the flavors you love about apple pie, but you can whip it together without turning on the oven. Get the recipe for apple caramel trifle here.

12. Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

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This cranberry topping is so simple and it comes together with just four ingredients: cranberries, maple syrup, orange juice, and cinnamon. If you're really in a hurry though, you can always use store bought cranberry sauce. Get the recipe for no-bake cranberry cheesecake bars here.

13. Pumpkin Pie Truffles

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Combine your ingredients in a food processor, then roll the mixture into bite-sized balls and freeze them for at least two hours. Get the recipe for pumpkin pie truffles here.

14. Pumpkin Pie Icebox Cake

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Layers of graham cracker and pumpkin filling sit in the fridge for at least four hours until the cake is solid enough to cut through with a knife. Get the recipe for pumpkin icebox cake here.

15. Oreo Pie

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This light-as-air pie couldn't be easier. The filling calls for just cream cheese, Cool Whip, powdered sugar, Oreo cookies, and butter. Get the recipe for no-bake Oreo pie here.n

16. Salted Caramel Macaroons

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Macaroons are such a simple and crowd-pleasing dessert. You can save even more time and effort by using store bought caramel spread. Just combine the coconut and caramel, then dip the balls into melted chocolate. Get the recipe for salted caramel macaroons here.

17. No-Bake Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

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Simmer the ingredients together in a sauce pan, mix it well, then spoon them into little cookies and let cool.

Recipe: No-Bake Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

18. Chocolate Pecan Pie

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This dessert is definitely a more intensive one, but if you're looking for a seriously impressive pie recipe that doesn't require an oven, this should do the trick. It's made with four different layers: A chocolate crust, pecan pie and chocolate cheesecake filling, and a top layer of chocolate ganache. Get the recipe for no-bake chocolate pecan pie here.

19. Pumpkin Cheesecake Parfaits

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Start with a layer of granola crust in little glasses or ramekins, then spoon in the pumpkin pie filling, and top with a generous serving of whipped cream. Get the recipe for pumpkin cheesecake parfaits here.

20. Turtle Pumpkin Pie

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This decadent pie combines two of the most irresistible dessert flavors: chocolate and pumpkin. Get the recipe for turtle pumpkin pie here.