Best No Bake Desserts for a Lazy Summer BBQ

The point of a summer bbq is to relax, so you need some no-bake desserts that are easy to throw together and fun to eat!

You ever say yes to hosting a BBQ and then remember that you actually have to make stuff?

I remember one weekend last year when it was super hot out and we were throwing a party for our friends and family.

It was kind of a last minute thing and while husband had a handle on the grill, I was scrambling to put together a couple of desserts.

And the last thing I wanted to do in that heat was turn on my oven!

So I pulled together a few no bake desserts that were quick to make without turning my kitchen into a sauna.

Turns out they were a hit!

Even my picky eaters went back for seconds, which tells you something.

If you’re hot, tired, and just trying to make it through summer without something sweet on the table, these lazy desserts are for you.

Best No Bake Desserts

I’m excited for you to try these super easy desserts…they’re so delicious!

1. Classic Strawberry Icebox Cake

This strawberry icebox cake is the one I always make when I forgot I said “I’ll bring dessert!” and need to throw something together before the BBQ.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 pounds fresh strawberries
• 3 sleeves graham crackers
• 2 tubs 8 oz each of cool whip (or whipped topping if you’re fancy)
• 1 block 8 oz cream cheese softened
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 lemon for zesting (optional)

How to Make It:

1. Soften cream cheese for 30 min
2. Slice most strawberries, save a few whole ones for topping.
3. Beat cream cheese until smooth, add sugar and vanilla. Gently fold in cool whip (dont overmix).
4. Grab a 9×13 dish and spread thin layer of cream mixture on bottom.
5. Layer graham crackers, breaking to fit.
6. Add cream mixture then strawberry slices.
7. Repeat layers (crackers, cream, berries).
8. Finish with final cream layer on top.
9. Decorate with whole berries.
10. Refrigerate 4+ hours or overnight is best

2. No Bake Cheesecake Cups

The middle one calls these “cheesecake in a cup” and won’t stop asking for them at every cookout now.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 4 tbsp melted butter
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
• Fruit or pie filling for topping

How to Make It:

1. Mix graham crumbs with melted butter, then spoon into the bottom of cups.
2. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Fold in whipped topping.
4. Spoon filling over crumbs.
5. Top with fruit or pie filling and chill until serving.

3. Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

These are messy, sweet, and totally addictive…and they disappear fast at backyard parties.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

How to Make It:

1. Stir peanut butter, butter, sugar, and graham crumbs until smooth.
2. Press into a lined 8×8 pan.
3. Melt chocolate chips and spread over the top.
4. Chill until firm, then slice into bars.
5. Keep cold or they get gooey quick.

4. Strawberry Pretzel Salad

I’m not even sure why it’s called a salad, but I’m not going to argue the yumminess.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cups crushed pretzels
• 3/4 cup melted butter
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 8 oz whipped topping
• 2 cups sliced strawberries
• 1 box (3 oz) strawberry Jell-O
• 2 cups boiling water

How to Make It:

1. Mix crushed pretzels, butter, and 3 tbsp sugar. Press into a 9×13 dish.
2. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Cool completely.
3. Beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar, then fold in whipped topping.
4. Spread cream layer over crust, all the way to the edges.
5. Dissolve Jell-O in boiling water, let cool slightly, then mix in strawberries.
6. Pour over cream layer and chill until set.

5. Oreo Dirt Cups

My youngest calls this “mud pudding” and somehow that makes it more exciting for the kids at the BBQ.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 package instant chocolate pudding mix (3.9 oz)
• 2 cups cold milk
• 8 oz whipped topping
• 10–12 crushed Oreos
• Gummy worms (optional but very necessary if kids are around)

How to Make It:

1. Whisk pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes until thickened.
2. Fold in whipped topping.
3. Spoon into cups or jars.
4. Top with crushed Oreos and gummy worms.
5. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

6. Frozen Yogurt Bark

This one’s like a snack and dessert had a baby…cold, fruity, and actually kinda refreshing when the backyard feels like a furnace.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cups Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla)
• 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1/2 cup granola
• 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

How to Make It:

1. Mix yogurt and honey, then spread onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
2. Sprinkle granola, fruit, and chocolate chips on top.
3. Freeze for 3–4 hours until solid.
4. Break into pieces and keep frozen until ready to serve.

7. Rice Krispie Treats

Oldest rolled her eyes like they were “too basic,” then ate four.

What You’ll Need:

• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 package (10 oz) mini marshmallows
• 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
• Sprinkles or mini M&Ms (optional, but cute)

How to Make It:

1. Melt butter in a large pot over low heat.
2. Add marshmallows and stir until melted.
3. Remove from heat, mix in cereal quickly.
4. Press into a greased 9×13 pan using a spatula or wax paper.
5. Add toppings while warm if you’re using any. Let cool before cutting.

8. No Bake Lemon Pie

Light, creamy, and tastes like summer even if you forgot to buy lemons and had to use the bottle kind.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 pre-made graham cracker crust
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 8 oz whipped topping
• Lemon zest (optional)

How to Make It:

1. In a bowl, stir together condensed milk and lemon juice.
2. Fold in whipped topping until smooth.
3. Pour into crust and smooth the top.
4. Chill for at least 4 hours (overnight is best).
5. Top with lemon zest if you’re feeling fancy.

9. Chocolate Covered Banana Bites

These sweet little bites always go faster than I expect.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 ripe bananas
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• Sprinkles, chopped nuts, or crushed pretzels (optional)

How to Make It:

1. Slice bananas into thick coins and place on a lined tray.
2. Freeze for 30 minutes.
3. Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil until smooth.
4. Dip frozen banana coins into melted chocolate.
5. Add toppings right away if using, then return to freezer until set.

10. No Bake Cookie Dough Balls

Safe to eat and easy to stash in the fridge for “later” (aka two minutes after the BBQ ends).

What You’ll Need:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup flour (heat-treated*)
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

How to Make It:

1. Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla until creamy.
2. Mix in flour and milk until dough forms.
3. Stir in chocolate chips.
4. Scoop into balls using a spoon or cookie scoop.
5. Chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

*To make sure the raw flour is safe to eat, heat-treat it by microwaving in a bowl for 1–2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.

More Lazy No Bake Summer Desserts

Need more ideas? No worries! Here are some other favorites that are super easy to make:

11. Graham Cracker Ice Cream Sandwiches

To make these, let some ice cream soften for about ten minutes so it’s scoopable, then sandwich a generous spoonful between two graham cracker squares.

Press the sides into sprinkles or mini chocolate chips.

I wrap them in foil and stick them back in the freezer for half an hour so they don’t fall apart.

12. Pudding Parfaits

These look way fancier than they are, which is why I keep them in my back pocket for last-minute BBQs.

Just make a box of instant pudding with cold milk, then fold in some whipped topping to make it light and fluffy.

Spoon it into clear cups and alternate layers with crushed cookies, fruit, or granola (whatever you’ve got).

13. No Bake Peanut Butter Pie

This pie is rich, creamy, and comes together in one bowl.

It’s my kind of summer win!

Beat together a cup of peanut butter, softened cream cheese, and powdered sugar until smooth, then gently fold in whipped topping.

Scoop it into a store-bought chocolate crust, smooth it out, and let it chill for a few hours until firm.

I usually top it with some shaved chocolate or a drizzle of syrup if I’m trying to make it look “Pinteresty.”

14. Fruity Pebbles Marshmallow Bars

These are basically a rainbow version of Rice Krispie treats, and they’re always the first to vanish off the BBQ table.

Melt some butter and mini marshmallows in a pot over low heat, then stir in Fruity Pebbles cereal fast before it sets.

Press the mixture into a greased pan using wax paper or the back of a spoon.

I cut them into small squares and keep wet wipes nearby because they’re sticky and chaotic.

15. Watermelon Pizza

Technically it’s just fruit, but slice it like pizza and the kids go bananas.

Cut a thick round of watermelon, spread a thin layer of Greek yogurt or whipped topping over the top, then decorate with fresh berries, kiwi, or banana slices.

Slice into wedges and keep it chilled until you’re ready to serve.

I’ve added honey and shredded coconut before to make it feel more like dessert and less like a mom trick

Quick & Easy No Bake Desserts

I hope you make some of these easy no bake desserts for your next potluck, bbq or for a lazy Sunday dinner (like I will!).