Healthy Dark Chocolate Almond Joy Bites

Want a chocolate fix without ruining your healthy eating plan? These no-bake healthy dark chocolate almond joy bites have no refined sugar, take just minutes to make, and taste amazing! Bonus: they are vegan, gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free, and guilt-free!

I’m always a little wary declaring a chocolate treat to be “healthy.”

I fully recognize this is dangerous territory. A very subjective world prone to polar opposite opinions and passionately held feelings.

Since I don’t bill myself as a healthy recipes blogger, thankfully, I haven’t had to wade into this territory very often (these health”ier” no-bake chocolate cookies are probably the closest I’ve come).

I don’t crave chocolate pudding made from avocados or fudgy brownies made with black beans.

If I’m going to eat a brownie, I’m gonna eat.a.brownie, thankyouverymuch.

But sometimes having a little pick-me-up chocolate treat at around 3:38 p.m. makes all the difference to my mental sanity and happiness when I’ve decided to embark on a personal healthy eating challenge for the month of January.

{My splurge of five or so allowable chocolate chips each day during this month of hardship (er, I mean healthy eating) are being often replaced by one of these healthy dark chocolate almond bites, and I feel really good about that decision.}

What makes these little coconuty, chocolatey bites fall on the healthy side of thing?

First, no refined sugar. The sweetness comes exclusively from soft, pitted dates.

And if that scares you (they aren’t the prettiest food on the planet, I know), fear not!

Not only are dates a fantastic source of natural sweetness (and fiber! and vitamins!), but the sticky texture helps bind the no-bake mixture together.

Admittedly, I’m usually reserving the humble-looking fruit for Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake (best dessert ever), but that is definitely a subject I’m not in the mood to discuss until January is over.

Right alongside the dates, there’s protein-rich almonds, unsweetened cocoa powder, a touch of extra-virgin coconut oil, and unsweetened, shredded coconut.

Give that mixture a whirl and you end up with a nutty, rich, lightly sweet concoction that may not look like much but ends up being the tastiest little snack (healthy eating or not).

The chocolate/almond mixture will look a bit crumbly – you can process it as long or as little as you like, depending on how coarse or fine you want the texture.

The more it mixes in the food processor, the easier it will be to roll into balls.

I test a little bit of the mixture by pressing and rolling it in my hand (and if it’s still a bit crumbly, adding a tablespoon of water or a little extra melted coconut will help bind it together).

Really, in about 20 minutes or less, you can have a nutritious and chocolatey snack staring you in the face.

Whether you choose to eat all 24 of them and probably negate all healthy benefits? Well, that’s up to you.

I am simply the provider of the recipe. I assume no liability or responsibility for what you do henceforth.

These healthy dark chocolate almond joy bites have definitely saved me this month.

And just in case you’re thinking “of course you think they taste good – you aren’t eating any other sweets or blatant carbs!” I’ll have you know that I’ve given a few to my kids and friends the last week or so, and everyone loves them.

In fact my friend, Beth, declared that these babies could quite possibly change the world. Yup, they’re that good.

It was actually another friend of mine (hey, Kristin!) who texted me the recipe several months ago telling me I needed to make them ASAP.

She’s a huge fan of these dark chocolate granola bites on my blog, so she obviously already has good taste.

When I made them, I understood why she was so passionate in her command to make these healthy dark chocolate almond joy bites part of my life.

I’m pretty sure I’ll be making them for the rest of forever (they keep great in the fridge or freezer).

And I’ve already decided that 6 a.m. on February 1st, I’m making a batch of these and then covering them in dark chocolate. Doesn’t that sound amazing??

It seems like the right thing to do to celebrate my {hopefully} successful month of healthy eating.

So fast to make, they are the perfect wholesome treat for anytime, anywhere. I hope you love them!

One Year Ago: Rock Salt Roast BBQ Honey Chicken
Two Years Ago: Slow Cooker Coconut Curry Pork
Three Years Ago: Whole Wheat Make-Ahead Pancake Mix
Four Years Ago: Vanilla Bean White Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake
Five Years Ago: Confetti Chicken Bake with Cheddar Biscuit Topping

Yield: 2 dozen

Healthy Dark Chocolate Almond Joy Bites

Total Time:20 mins

Prep Time:20 mins

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces pitted Medjool or other soft dates (about 1 cup or 10-12 dates)
• 1 cup (5 ounces) unsalted, whole almonds (roasted is fine)
• 1/2 cup (1 1/2 to 2 ounces) shredded coconut, sweetened or unsweetened
• 1/2 cup (about 2 ounces) natural, unsweetened or Dutch-process cocoa powder (I use half of each)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons extra-virgin coconut oil (no need to melt)
• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt (optional)

Directions:

1. Combine all the ingredients together in a food processor and process until the ingredients are finely chopped and the mixture is crumbly (the exact amount of mixing depends on how coarse or fine you want the mixture). The mixture should hold together when a small amount is pressed or rolled. If it’s too crumbly, add a tablespoon of water (or melted coconut oil) and process again until it comes together more easily.
2. Roll the mixture into tablespoon-size balls (I use a #60 cookie scoop for easy portions). Enjoy immediately or store covered in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Notes:

I always use unsweetened shredded coconut in these little bites (from Trader Joe’s or this brand online). You could definitely sub sweetened, shredded coconut (obviously they will be a bit sweeter when all is said and done).

Also, you could probably use slivered or sliced almonds in place of the whole almonds – reduce the amount slightly if measuring by volume since they’ll compact in the cup more than whole almonds (weight measure would stay the same no matter the type of almonds used). 

All images and text ©Mel’s Kitchen Cafe.

Recipe Source: based off a recipe my friend, Kristin, texted me (telling me to make ASAP)