13 Easy Desserts Made Without an Oven

There’s a special kind of magic in desserts that never touch an oven. They prove that great flavor doesn’t have to be complicated, and that a fridge or freezer can pull more weight than most people expect. These recipes lean into simple techniques, smart layering, and ingredients that come together with almost no fuss. What this really means is that anyone can make a showstopping treat, even on a busy day. From creamy classics to frozen favorites, these no-bake desserts remind you that ease and indulgence can happily share the same plate.

1. Oreo Ice Cream Bars

There is something very satisfying about a dessert that feels like a store-bought treat but comes together in your own kitchen with almost no effort. Oreo ice cream bars are basically layered comfort. Crushed cookies form a buttery crumb crust, usually mixed with melted butter, so they press firmly into a pan. On top goes softened vanilla or cookies and cream ice cream, spread smoothly and left to refreeze. Some versions add a fudge or chocolate shell layer on top for extra crunch. Once firm, you slice them into bars. They keep well in the freezer and are easy to serve to a crowd.

2. Cherry Cheesecake Icebox Cake

Cherry cheesecake icebox cake builds cheesecake flavor in layers, without a crust that ever sees an oven. A simple cream cheese mixture is whipped with sugar and sometimes whipped cream or condensed milk to give it a light, spreadable texture. This is layered with graham crackers or tea biscuits in a dish, which soften as they absorb moisture. Canned cherry pie filling or fresh cherry compote goes over the top and sometimes between layers. After a long chill, the crackers mimic cake or crust, giving you slices that hold together like a baked cheesecake but with much less effort.

3. S’mores Fluff

S’mores fluff takes all the flavors of campfire s’mores and turns them into a scoopable bowl dessert. Mini marshmallows, crushed graham crackers, and chocolate pieces or chips are folded into a creamy base made from whipped topping, pudding, or sweetened cream cheese. The result is light, sweet, and full of different textures. You can serve it in small cups, as a dip with extra graham crackers, or simply by the spoonful. It is especially popular for parties and potlucks because it can be mixed ahead and kept chilled, and it still delivers that nostalgic chocolate marshmallow taste.

4. No-Bake Chocolate Fudge

No-bake chocolate fudge is one of the simplest ways to satisfy a chocolate craving without turning on any heat beyond the stovetop or even just a microwave. Most versions rely on chocolate chips combined with sweetened condensed milk, sometimes with butter and vanilla for extra richness. The mixture is melted gently, poured into a lined pan, and left to set in the fridge. You can add nuts, crushed cookies, or a sprinkle of salt on top to customize it. Once firm, it cuts into neat squares that store well and feel like a classic homemade treat.

5. Eggless Mango Cheesecake

Eggless mango cheesecake is especially popular in places where ovens are less common or where egg-free desserts are preferred. A biscuit or cookie crumb base is pressed into a pan, often with melted butter, and chilled until firm. The cheesecake layer usually combines cream cheese or hung curd with whipped cream, sugar, and mango puree, set with gelatin or agar agar. A final layer of bright mango puree or jelly adds color and extra fruit flavor. After several hours in the fridge, you get clean slices that taste tropical, tangy, and creamy without any baking.

6. Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate mousse proves you do not need an oven to make a dessert that feels restaurant-level. Melted chocolate is folded into whipped cream, or into egg whites and yolks that have been whipped separately, depending on the style. The goal is to trap air so the texture is light and silky, not dense like ganache. The mixture is spooned or piped into glasses and chilled until set. Because there are few ingredients, the quality of the chocolate matters. Topped with a bit of whipped cream or shaved chocolate, it makes an elegant finish to a meal with very little hands-on time.

7. Mint Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Pie

Mint chocolate cookie ice cream pie is a freezer dessert that tastes like an oversized ice cream sandwich with extra crunch. A crust is made from crushed chocolate cookies, often Oreo style, mixed with melted butter and pressed into a pie dish. Mint chocolate chip ice cream, softened just enough to spread, is piled on top. Some versions add a layer of fudge or extra cookie crumbs in between. Once refrozen, the pie slices cleanly and delivers cool mint, chocolate chunks, and a firm, cookie-like base. It is a good option when you want something that looks impressive but is mostly assembled.

8. Strawberry Delight Pie

Strawberry delight pie is all about lightness and layers. A crumb crust, usually from graham crackers or digestive biscuits, forms the base. On top goes a creamy layer made from cream cheese and whipped topping or whipped cream, lightly sweetened. The final layer is a glossy strawberry topping, which might be fresh strawberries suspended in gelatin or a simple cooked strawberry sauce. After chilling, the pie holds its layers well and slices easily. The flavor is fresh and not overly heavy, making it a nice end to a warm weather meal when baking feels like too much.

9. No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

No-bake peanut butter cookies are built for speed and satisfaction. Classic versions cook a simple mixture of sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa on the stovetop, then stir in peanut butter and oats before dropping spoonfuls onto parchment to set. Others skip the stovetop and combine peanut butter with oats, honey, and add-ins like chocolate chips or coconut. In both cases, the mixture firms up as it cools, forming chewy, sweet cookies without any oven time. They are rich, portable, and easy to tweak for more or less sweetness or for different textures.

10. No-Bake Oreo Fudge

No-bake Oreo fudge combines the creaminess of white chocolate or milk chocolate fudge with crunchy bits of Oreo cookies. A base of chocolate and sweetened condensed milk is melted until smooth, then chunks of Oreo are folded through, and the mixture is poured into a lined pan. As it chills, the fudge becomes firm while the cookie pieces stay distinct, giving each bite a mix of smooth and crunchy. This dessert is very sweet, so it is usually cut into small squares. It is a favorite for cookie and cream fans and works well for gifting or party trays.

11. Panna Cotta

Panna cotta is a classic Italian dessert that feels refined but is remarkably simple. Cream, milk, and sugar are gently heated with vanilla, then mixed with softened gelatin and poured into molds or glasses. After several hours in the fridge, the mixture sets into a soft, delicate custard that holds its shape but melts in the mouth. It can be served plain or topped with fruit coulis, caramel, fresh berries, or even coffee syrup. Because it requires no baking and can be made ahead, it is a practical choice for dinner parties where you want a light, elegant finish.

12. Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars

Strawberry shortcake ice cream bars recreate the flavors of classic shortcake in frozen form. A base layer of vanilla or strawberry ice cream is combined with a crumb mixture made from vanilla cookies or cake crumbs and freeze-dried or fresh strawberries. Sometimes there is a central stripe of strawberry ice cream or sauce for contrast. The crumb coating on the outside gives a nostalgic texture similar to store-bought novelty bars. These are usually made in a pan and cut into bars or poured into molds with sticks, then frozen until solid.

13. Oreo Icebox Cake

Oreo icebox cake is a perfect example of how the fridge can do the work of baking for you. Layers of whole Oreos are arranged in a dish and covered with whipped cream or a mixture of whipped cream and cream cheese, or pudding. The layers are repeated until the dish is full, then chilled for several hours or overnight. During that time, the cookies absorb moisture and soften into a cake-like texture, while the cream firms up. When sliced, you see distinct layers, but the mouthfeel is closer to a soft, chilled cake than separate cookies and cream.