Home Vegan Post Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts No-Bake for Potlucks (Travel-Friendly)

Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts No-Bake for Potlucks (Travel-Friendly)


No-Bake, No-Stress, All Flavor

Potlucks are one of the best parts of Thanksgiving — everyone brings something to share, and the variety makes the table extra festive. But if you’re vegan (or cooking for vegan guests), desserts can sometimes feel like the trickiest part of the meal. Between baking schedules, oven space, and fragile crusts, it’s easy to run out of time or patience.

Enter no-bake vegan Thanksgiving desserts — the hero category for busy cooks and potluck pros. These recipes are creamy, crunchy, sweet, and festive — without ever turning on your oven. They’re also easy to pack and travel with, so you can show up to the gathering with desserts that look and taste amazing.

In this post, you’ll find simple, foolproof dessert ideas designed for sharing, made entirely plant-based, and perfect for any Thanksgiving spread.

And if you love showing your vegan pride while you bake (or relax after the feast), check out The Dharma Store for eco-friendly vegan t-shirts made from soft organic cotton — the perfect companion for compassionate cooking.

Why No-Bake Desserts Are Perfect for Thanksgiving Potlucks

Thanksgiving kitchens are usually packed. Between roasting, sautéing, and baking, the oven is prime real estate. That’s what makes no-bake desserts such a lifesaver:

  • They free up oven space — no waiting in line behind the casseroles.

  • They travel well — chill, pack, and go.

  • They often taste better the next day, so you can make them ahead.

  • They’re lighter and fresher, offering a balance to heavy holiday foods.

Plus, these recipes use wholesome vegan ingredients like nuts, coconut, and fruit — no dairy, eggs, or refined gelatin needed.

1. No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Cups

All the flavors of classic pumpkin pie, layered into convenient, portable cups.

Ingredients:

  • Canned pumpkin purée

  • Coconut cream

  • Maple syrup

  • Pumpkin pie spice

  • Crushed vegan graham crackers

How to make it:

  1. Mix pumpkin purée, coconut cream, maple syrup, and pumpkin spice until smooth.

  2. Layer crushed graham crackers and pumpkin filling in small jars or cups.

  3. Chill for 2–3 hours before serving.

Pro tip: Garnish with coconut whipped cream or chopped pecans right before serving.

Why it travels well: The jar format makes it mess-free, stackable, and perfect for potluck sharing.

2. Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

A rich, decadent classic that everyone — vegan or not — will grab seconds of.

Ingredients:

  • Natural peanut butter

  • Coconut oil

  • Maple syrup

  • Vegan chocolate chips

  • Crushed pretzels or oats

How to make it:

  1. Mix peanut butter, melted coconut oil, and maple syrup with crushed pretzels or oats to form the base.

  2. Press into a pan and top with melted vegan chocolate.

  3. Chill until firm, then cut into bars.

Storage tip: Keep refrigerated until serving — they’ll stay perfect for hours.

3. No-Bake Pecan Pie Bites

Everything you love about pecan pie — gooey, nutty sweetness — in bite-sized vegan form.

Ingredients:

  • Medjool dates

  • Pecans

  • Maple syrup

  • Vanilla extract

  • Sea salt

How to make it:

  1. Blend dates, pecans, maple syrup, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until sticky.

  2. Roll into balls or press into mini muffin cups.

  3. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.

Flavor boost: Sprinkle with cinnamon or dip halfway in melted vegan chocolate.

Perfect for potlucks: They’re handheld, mess-free, and stay firm even when traveling.

4. Vegan Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

Tart meets creamy in this elegant, make-ahead dessert.

Ingredients:

  • Raw cashews (soaked overnight)

  • Coconut cream

  • Maple syrup

  • Lemon juice

  • Cranberry sauce

How to make it:

  1. Blend cashews, coconut cream, maple syrup, and lemon juice until smooth.

  2. Pour over a date-and-nut crust in a pan.

  3. Swirl cranberry sauce on top for a festive finish.

  4. Freeze for 2–3 hours, then slice into bars.

Travel tip: Keep in a cooler bag — they hold shape beautifully once chilled.

5. Vegan Apple Pie Parfaits

Layered, crunchy, cinnamon-spiced perfection that looks stunning on any dessert table.

Ingredients:

  • Diced apples

  • Cinnamon and nutmeg

  • Maple syrup

  • Vegan granola

  • Coconut yogurt

How to make it:

  1. Sauté apples with maple syrup and spices until tender.

  2. In small jars or glasses, layer granola, apples, and yogurt.

  3. Chill before serving.

Pro tip: Add crushed pecans or a drizzle of caramel for extra flavor.

6. Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls

For the health-conscious guests — or a grab-and-go sweet treat before dessert.

Ingredients:

  • Rolled oats

  • Pumpkin purée

  • Maple syrup

  • Almond butter

  • Pumpkin spice

How to make it:
Mix everything, roll into balls, and refrigerate. That’s it!

Bonus: These pack easily and double as snacks for the ride to the potluck.

7. Vegan Chocolate Mousse Cups

Silky, airy, and rich without eggs or dairy.

Ingredients:

  • Silken tofu or avocado

  • Vegan dark chocolate (melted)

  • Maple syrup

  • Vanilla extract

How to make it:

  1. Blend everything until smooth.

  2. Spoon into cups or jars and chill for at least an hour.

  3. Garnish with coconut whipped cream or shaved chocolate.

Why it’s perfect: It tastes luxurious but takes under 10 minutes to make.

8. No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

A no-fail crowd pleaser that looks as good as it tastes.

Ingredients:

  • Soaked cashews

  • Pumpkin purée

  • Coconut oil

  • Maple syrup

  • Graham cracker crust (vegan)

How to make it:

  1. Blend all filling ingredients until creamy.

  2. Pour over the crust and smooth the top.

  3. Chill overnight to set.

Make-ahead magic: This dessert improves in texture and flavor after chilling — ideal for pre-potluck prep.

9. Vegan Salted Caramel Cups

Sweet, salty, and irresistible little bites of bliss.

Ingredients:

  • Pitted dates

  • Almond butter

  • Coconut oil

  • Vegan dark chocolate

  • Sea salt

How to make it:

  1. Blend dates, almond butter, and coconut oil for the caramel.

  2. Layer melted chocolate and caramel in silicone molds or mini cupcake liners.

  3. Sprinkle with sea salt and freeze.

Why it works: You can make dozens at once, and they travel frozen — no mess, no stress.

10. No-Bake Sweet Potato Pie Bars

A fresh twist on a Southern classic, without turning on the oven.

Ingredients:

  • Cooked mashed sweet potato

  • Coconut milk

  • Maple syrup

  • Cinnamon

  • Crushed vegan cookies or graham crackers

How to make it:

  1. Combine sweet potato, coconut milk, maple syrup, and cinnamon.

  2. Spread over a cookie crust.

  3. Chill until firm and slice before serving.

Bonus flavor idea: Add a dollop of coconut whipped cream or toasted coconut flakes on top.

11. Vegan Pumpkin Tiramisu Cups

A fall-inspired version of the Italian classic that’s totally dairy-free.

Ingredients:

  • Vegan ladyfingers or sponge cookies

  • Pumpkin purée

  • Coconut cream

  • Maple syrup

  • Instant coffee or espresso

How to make it:

  1. Mix coconut cream, pumpkin purée, and maple syrup.

  2. Dip ladyfingers in espresso, then layer with the pumpkin mixture in jars.

  3. Dust with cocoa powder and chill overnight.

Why it travels well: The layered jars stay tidy and serve easily with spoons.

12. Cranberry Coconut Snowballs

Festive, colorful, and perfect for adding brightness to the dessert table.

Ingredients:

  • Dried cranberries

  • Shredded coconut

  • Almond flour

  • Maple syrup

  • Vanilla extract

How to make it:
Blend ingredients, roll into balls, and chill.

Serving tip: Arrange in a tin lined with parchment for easy transport.

Tips for Transporting No-Bake Vegan Desserts

No-bake desserts are ideal for potlucks, but a few small adjustments make travel even easier:

  1. Choose sturdy containers: Mason jars, metal tins, and plastic carriers with tight lids prevent spills.

  2. Chill overnight: Desserts hold their shape better when cold.

  3. Pack ice packs: Keep temperature-sensitive treats like mousse or cheesecake bars cool on the go.

  4. Label everything: Let guests know desserts are vegan (and allergen-friendly).

  5. Garnish last-minute: Add toppings like nuts or whipped cream right before serving.

Bonus: Build a No-Bake Vegan Dessert Board

If you’re contributing to a large potluck, mix and match several of these ideas into a dessert board. Combine:

  • Pumpkin pie cups

  • Chocolate peanut butter bars

  • Cranberry coconut snowballs

  • Salted caramel cups

  • Mini mousse jars

Add sliced fruit, vegan cookies, and nuts to fill out the platter. It’s easy to transport and looks beautiful on any Thanksgiving table.

Effortless Desserts, Big Holiday Energy

You don’t need an oven to create show-stopping desserts for Thanksgiving. These no-bake vegan desserts for potlucks prove that simple ingredients and a little chill time can deliver incredible flavor and presentation.

From pumpkin-spiced cups to chocolate bars and creamy cheesecakes, each of these recipes is:

  • 100% plant-based

  • Easy to prep ahead

  • Designed to travel beautifully

Whether you’re hosting or heading to a friend’s house, these desserts let you share the joy of vegan food without the stress of baking.

And when you’re ready to unwind after the feast, visit The Dharma Store for sustainably made vegan t-shirts — because compassion looks good on everyone, especially during the holidays.