Asian Gluten Free Desserts: Traditional Cakes, Puddings, and Sweet Treats

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Looking for gluten free desserts that are different from the usual cakes and cookies? These Asian gluten free desserts are naturally made with ingredients like rice flour, glutinous rice flour, cassava, sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and palm sugar. From chewy Indonesian rice cakes to creamy puddings and sweet soups, this collection features authentic desserts that are naturally gluten-free and full of flavor.

A photo of asian gluten free desserts collage.

Traditional Cakes & Kueh

If you love chewy, soft, and fragrant desserts, you’ll enjoy these traditional Asian cakes and kueh. Made with ingredients like sticky rice, coconut, cassava, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes, these naturally gluten-free treats offer a wonderful variety of textures and flavors, from the caramel-like sweetness of wajik to the soft, layered beauty of kuih seri muka.

Pandan Wajik

A chewy Indonesian sticky rice cake flavored with pandan and coconut milk. Its rich aroma and caramel-like sweetness from palm sugar make it a favorite for celebrations and afternoon tea.

Pandan Wajik

Pandan wajik is an Indonesian traditional snack. It is a chewy, fragrant snack made of glutinous rice and coconut milk.

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A golden plate with pandan wajik and pandan leaves decoration.

Palm Sugar Wajik

This traditional Indonesian rice cake combines glutinous rice, coconut milk, and palm sugar for a sweet, sticky treat with deep caramel notes and a satisfyingly chewy texture.

Palm Sugar Wajik

Palm Sugar Wajik is a beloved Indonesian treat made from sticky rice, coconut milk, and palm sugar. It is chewy, caramel-sweet, and rich with coconut flavor. This simple treat is absolutely irresistible.

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Coconut sugar wajik or palm sugar wajik on a plate with pandan leaves.

Kue Awug

Made with cassava, coconut, and palm sugar, kue awug is a soft and fluffy steamed cake with pockets of melted sweetness in every bite.

Kue Awug / Awuk – Steamed Sticky Rice Cake

Kue Awug/Awuk is an old traditional snack from Indonesia.This pink and white sticky cake is basically made of freshly grated coconut andglutinous rice flour.

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A few slices of Kue Awuk with two colors on banana leaves and golden plate.

Wingko Babat

This popular coconut cake from Indonesia has a wonderfully chewy texture and a rich coconut flavor. It’s naturally gluten-free and perfect as a snack or dessert.

Wingko Babat – Indonesian Traditional Coconut Cake

This is the recipe for Indonesian traditional coconut cake called Wingko Babat! It is very easy to make and very delicious! The good thing is it is gluten free!

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A few pieces of Wingko Babat on a cooling tray with pandan leaves.

Getuk Lindri

A colorful cassava-based dessert that’s soft, lightly sweet, and topped with freshly grated coconut. It’s a simple yet nostalgic Indonesian favorite.

Getuk Lindri Recipe (Traditional Indonesian Cassava Cake)

Getuk Lindri is an Indonesian traditional snack made of steamed cassava and grated coconut. Shape and color the dough up to your preference to make it beautiful.

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A golden plate of getuk lindri with grated coconut.

Gemblong

These chewy glutinous rice cakes are coated in a glossy palm sugar glaze that creates the perfect balance of sweetness and texture.

Gemblong (Glutinous Rice Cake)

Gemblong is an Indonesian glutinous rice cake that is crispy on the outside and chewy inside. Coated with caramelized coconut sugar, the combination of grated coconut and sugar coating is really delicious. And it is so easy to make!

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A small plate of several gemblongs with pandan leaves decoration.

Klepon (Onde Onde)

Soft glutinous rice balls filled with molten palm sugar and coated with grated coconut. Every bite delivers a delightful burst of sweet syrup.

Klepon Pandan (Ondeh Ondeh)

Klepon, also known as Onde-Onde, is a chewy Indonesian dessert filled with melted palm sugar and coated in fresh grated coconut. One bite, and you get a sweet surprise!

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A golden plate with three ondeh ondeh or klepon.

Talam Labu

This two-layer steamed pumpkin kueh features a creamy coconut layer paired with naturally sweet pumpkin for a beautiful and comforting dessert.

Kuih Talam Labu (Indonesian Pumpkin Coconut Cake)

Kuih Talam Labu is a traditional Southeast Asian dessert made with pumpkin, coconut milk, and rice flour. This naturally gluten-free treat features a silky pumpkin layer topped with a lightly salted coconut layer for the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.

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Two plates of kuih talam labu, beautifully aligned.

Talam Ubi Ungu

Made with purple sweet potatoes and coconut milk, this vibrant steamed kueh is soft, creamy, and as beautiful as it is delicious.

Kuih Talam Ubi Ungu

Talam Ubi Ungu is a traditional Indonesian steamed cake made with purple sweet potato, coconut milk, rice flour, and tapioca flour. With its beautiful purple color and soft, bouncy texture, this naturally gluten-free dessert is as delicious as it is eye-catching.

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Kuih talam ubi ungu or purple sweet potato on a golden tray.

Kuih Seri Muka

A beloved Southeast Asian dessert made with a layer of sticky rice topped with silky pandan custard. It offers a wonderful contrast of textures and flavors.

Kuih Seri Muka (Pandan Custard Rice Cake)

Kuih Seri Muka is a beautiful two-layered Southeast Asian dessert made with sticky glutinous rice and smooth pandan custard. Rich in coconut milk and naturally green from pandan leaves, it’s a sweet, creamy treat that melts in your mouth.

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A golden plate of kuih seri muka with butterfly pea flowers and pandan leaves at the back.

Kuih Kosui

These bite-sized steamed rice cakes are soft, chewy, and infused with pandan and palm sugar. A generous coating of grated coconut makes them even more irresistible.

Kuih Kosui

Kuih Kosui, also known as Kue Lumpang or Kue Ijo, is a soft, chewy, and pandan-infused treat topped with fresh coconut. This classic Southeast Asian dessert is sweet, fragrant, and perfect for anyone who loves a traditional taste in every bite.

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Kuih Kosui pandan and butterfly pea flower on a white rectangular plate with some grated coconut.

Ongol Ongol

A classic Indonesian cassava cake with a springy, jelly-like texture and a coating of fresh coconut. It’s simple, satisfying, and naturally gluten-free.

Ongol Ongol

Ongol ongol is traditional Indonesian dessert made of tapioca flour and coconut sugar, covered with shredded coconut.

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A wooden plate with ongol ongol covered with coconut with pandan leaves as decoration.

Sweet Soups & Puddings

From comforting sweet soups to silky puddings, these naturally gluten-free desserts are popular across Asia. Made with ingredients like black glutinous rice, sweet potatoes, agar agar, fruits, and peach gum, they’re perfect when you’re craving something refreshing, creamy, or comforting.

Pulut Hitam

This comforting black glutinous rice pudding is cooked until creamy and served with rich coconut milk. It’s a classic Southeast Asian dessert that’s both hearty and satisfying.

Pulut Hitam (Black Glutinous Rice Pudding)

Pulut hitam, also known as bubur ketan hitam, is a rich and creamy Southeast Asian black glutinous rice pudding made with coconut milk and sugar.

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A bowl of pulut hitam porridge with coconut sauce on a golden plate and blue and white cloth.

Biji Salak

Soft sweet potato balls simmered in palm sugar syrup and coconut milk make this traditional Indonesian dessert a favorite for special occasions and family gatherings.

Biji Salak Candil Ubi

Candil Ubi Biji Salak is a traditional dessert from Indonesia made of sweet potatoes and served with coconut milk sauce. It is usually served at break fasting session in the fasting month.

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A bowl of candil ubi biji salak with coconut cream sauce on top of a wooden plate.

Bua Loy

These soft and chewy Thai rice flour dumplings are served in a sweet coconut milk broth. Similar to Indonesian biji salak, bua loy is a comforting dessert that’s naturally gluten-free and wonderfully satisfying.

Bua Loy – Thai Coconut Milk Dessert

Bua Loy is a Thailand coconut milk dessert made of pumpkin. It can brighten up your Halloween party. Not only it is pretty but also delicious!

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Peach Gum Dessert

This elegant Chinese dessert combines peach gum with fruits and other nourishing ingredients for a lightly sweet, refreshing treat that’s especially popular during warmer months.

Peach Gum Dessert – Tong Sui

This peach gum dessert is a light, soothing Chinese sweet soup made with snow fungus, red dates, and goji berries. It’s naturally sweet, refreshing in summer, and comforting when served warm in cooler weather.

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A glass of peach gum dessert (tong sui) or snow fungus dessert served cold on a tray.

Mango Sticky Rice

This beloved Thai dessert combines sweet ripe mango with creamy coconut sticky rice for the perfect balance of sweetness and texture. It’s naturally gluten-free and one of the most popular Asian desserts enjoyed around the world.

Mango Sticky Rice

Mango Sticky Rice is a popular dessert from Thailand consisting of steamed glutinous rice with mango slices and sweet coconut milk sauce. It is a delightful dessert suitable for a hot summer day.

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Thailand Mango Sticky Rice in three colors on a banana leaf with creamy coconut sauce.

Corn Agar Agar Pudding

Sweet corn and creamy coconut milk come together in this refreshing agar agar pudding. It’s light, easy to make, and perfect for serving chilled.

Corn Agar Agar Recipe (Malaysian Coconut Corn Pudding)

This Corn Agar Agar Recipe is a refreshing Malaysian-style dessert made with sweet corn, coconut milk, and agar agar powder.

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Three pieces of Gluten Free Corn pudding on a black plate with pandan leaves as decoration.

Chocolate Agar Agar Pudding

A smooth and chocolatey agar agar dessert with a light, jelly-like texture. This easy pudding is a fun gluten-free treat for chocolate lovers.

Gluten Free Chocolate Pudding

Gluten-free chocolate pudding is a super easy dessert you can make at home. It's creamy, rich, and perfect for chocolate lovers! Drizzle it with milk sauce to make it even more delicious.

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A plate of gluten free chocolate pudding with milk sauce, strawberries, and a spoon.

Avocado Agar Agar Pudding

Creamy avocado blends beautifully with agar agar to create a silky pudding that’s rich, refreshing, and surprisingly easy to prepare.

Avocado Chocolate Pudding

A three layer chocolate pudding with avocados and milk. This dessert will surely capture your heart.

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Two small avocado chocolate puddings on a white plate on red and white cloth.

Savory Gluten-Free Snacks

Not all gluten-free treats have to be sweet. These traditional Indonesian savory snacks are made with glutinous rice and flavorful fillings or toppings, making them perfect for breakfast, tea time, or whenever you’re craving something satisfying.

Lemper Ayam

These delicious glutinous rice rolls are filled with savory seasoned chicken and wrapped in banana leaves. They’re soft, fragrant, and a popular snack throughout Indonesia.

Lemper Ayam

Lemper Ayam is an Indonesian comfort snack that consists of steamed sticky rice with tender, savoury chicken filling. Perfect for a small breakfast or afternoon snack!

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Ketan Serundeng

Sticky rice topped with savory coconut floss creates a wonderful balance of chewy texture and aromatic flavor. This traditional Indonesian snack is simple, satisfying, and naturally gluten-free.

Ketan Serundeng (Indonesian Sticky Rice Snack)

Ketan Serundeng is steamed sticky rice with grated coconut with savory taste. It is a wonderful combination of sweet, spicy, and salty plus the chewy sticky rice.

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A plate of ketan serundeng with lime leaves and pandan leaves decoration.

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for chewy rice cakes, comforting sweet soups, creamy puddings, or traditional kueh, these gluten free desserts prove that you don’t need wheat flour to create delicious treats. Many Asian desserts are naturally gluten-free, relying on ingredients like rice flour, glutinous rice flour, cassava, sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and palm sugar for their unique flavors and textures.

From classic Indonesian favorites like klepon, wajik, and wingko babat to comforting desserts like pulut hitam and peach gum dessert, there’s something here for every occasion. Try one of these traditional recipes and discover how easy it is to enjoy authentic Asian gluten free desserts at home.

If you enjoyed this collection, be sure to explore more Asian dessert recipes on Butter Joy Kitchen for even more sweet inspiration.

Asian Gluten-free Desserts FAQs

Are Asian desserts gluten-free?

Many traditional Asian desserts are naturally gluten-free because they are made with ingredients like rice flour, glutinous rice flour, cassava, sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and palm sugar instead of wheat flour. However, not every Asian dessert is gluten-free, so it’s always important to check the ingredients used in each recipe.

What are naturally gluten-free desserts?

Naturally gluten-free desserts are made without wheat, barley, or rye and do not require special gluten-free substitutions. Popular examples include klepon, wingko babat, wajik, pulut hitam, peach gum dessert, and many other traditional Asian desserts made with rice, cassava, coconut, and sweet potatoes.

Is glutinous rice flour gluten-free?

Yes. Despite its name, glutinous rice flour does not contain gluten. The word “glutinous” refers to its sticky and chewy texture after cooking. It is made entirely from sticky rice and is naturally gluten-free.

What ingredients are commonly used in gluten-free Asian desserts?

Many gluten-free Asian desserts use ingredients such as glutinous rice flour, rice flour, cassava, sweet potatoes, coconut milk, agar agar, palm sugar, and fresh fruits. These ingredients create a wide variety of textures, from chewy rice cakes to silky puddings and sweet soups.

Are these gluten-free desserts dairy-free too?

Many traditional Asian desserts are naturally dairy-free because they use coconut milk instead of dairy products. However, some recipes may contain milk, cream, or other dairy ingredients, so always check the individual recipe for details.

Which gluten-free Asian dessert should I try first?

If you’re new to Asian desserts, klepon, wingko babat, pulut hitam, and peach gum dessert are great places to start. They showcase the unique flavors and textures that make traditional Asian sweets so popular.

More Asian Dessert Recipes You Will Love

If you’re in the mood for more sweet treats, explore these popular Asian dessert recipes. From creamy cheesecakes and flaky pastry tarts to traditional cakes and puddings, there’s something here for every dessert lover.