The BEST Healthy Dark Chocolate Bark {Really}–sugar-free, vegan, keto
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If you love chocolate with crunch, you are going to go nuts (see what I did there?) for this healthy dark chocolate bark. It’s loaded with the healthful goodness of real food ingredients, and is dairy-free, refined sugar-free, vegan and paleo too.
Plus it’s so simple you can easily make it for an easy healthy treat any day, but it’s so gorgeous that it’s perfect for the holiday season and other special occasions.
Chocolate has an undeserved bad rap. People are always joking about how chocolate cravings are their downfall, but there’s no need to fret when you can make healthy chocolate treats like this one.
Chocolate can not only be good for you, but this homemade chocolate bark is such a breeze to make and customize that you can satisfy your sweet tooth anytime totally guilt free. And I have a great money saving options for you too–no need to buy spendy gourmet chocolate bars or cocoa butter.
Bonus–this recipe is super adaptable for those with food allergies or other special diet restrictions. Just choose a chocolate base and add-ins that work best for you!
Most chocolate treats and chocolate recipes are full of added sugar, but not this one. It’s full of healthy fats and nutritious simple ingredients. What’s not to love?
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Why This Is the BEST Bark
I know–anyone can make that claim, right?
I think, however, that there are a few things that make this bark the best in my humble opinion.
- It’s so healthy.
- It’s FULL of crunchy stuff. Not just a little bit of crunchy toppings, but a LOT and the add-ins are IN the chocolate too, which is a bit must when you love crunchy chocolate bark.
- It’s easily made super frugal.
- It’s so adaptable to all kinds of special diets.
Here’s how to make this delicious easy bark followed by some great variations.
Ingredients
sugar-free dark chocolate chips (or dark chocolate bars)–use your favorite brand or better yet, these homemade sugar-free chocolate chips
nuts (for this recipe I used walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and almonds)
coconut oil
seeds
coconut chips
dried unsweetened cranberries – dried fruit has a lot of natural or added sugars in it, so I prefer to use unsweetened cranberries but that is up to you
salt
cocoa powder, coconut oil, sweetener, and salt if making the super frugal version (see Recipe Notes)
Directions
Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler (or heat-proof bowl over a simmering pan of water) set over low heat. Add coconut oil. (Photos 1 & 2)
Add 1/2 of the add-ins / toppings to the melted chocolate. (Photo 3)
Stir to combine. (Photo 4)
Spread the melted chocolate mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (I recommend this silicone-free parchment. (Photo 5)
Sprinkle the remaining toppings on top of the bark. Let cool to room temperature. For faster setting, place in fridge (Photo 6)
Break up the bark into desired pieces.
Store in an airtight container.
Scrumptious Variations
The possibilities are truly endless to make so many options of healthy chocolate bark recipes.
Here are some possible add-in combinations to try.
- Superfood Chocolate Bark: goji berries, coconut, chia seeds, cacao nibs
- Tropical Chocolate Bark: dried pineapple, mango, and apricots
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark: cocoa nibs, peanut butter softened (use almond butter for a peanut free option), healthy PB chips
- Seedy Bark: chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds
- Chocolate Almond Bark: use all almonds instead of the variety of nuts and other toppings
- Chocolate Almond Coconut Treat: use an equal amount of coconut and almonds
- Fruity Bark: raisins, dried cranberries, goji, crystallized ginger, dried apricots
- Sea Salt Almond: use only almonds and about 3/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt
- White Chocolate Macadamia Dream: swirl in some melted sugar-free white chocolate or add some sugar-free white chocolate chips to the mix along with macadamia pieces
- Peppermint Bark: top with crushed natural candy canes
Frugal Alternatives to Chocolate Chips and Bars
While chocolate chips and bars are a great easy way to make this bark in a jiffy, they can be pricey. My Sugar-free Chocolate Chip recipe is fantastic and will rival any chocolate bar or chips on the market (it’s true!)
The recipe uses cocoa butter, which is also pricey (I buy mine in bulk to save on costs), but if you’re going to be serving this bark directly from the fridge (or freezer!), you can make it with coconut oil instead, making this an amazingly frugal treat.
Special Diet Options
You can easily adapt this recipe to almost any dietary need.
For AIP, avoid berries and nuts and seeds. Use only coconut and dried fruits and an appropriate sweetener, and carob instead of cocoa.
This recipe is keto and vegan and dairy-free as written.
For Paleo, use an appropriate sweetener.
For a nut-free bark, use only seeds and/or dried fruit while avoiding the nuts.
Easy Healthy Dark Chocolate Bark (vegan & keto)
Ingredients
- 10 ounces sugar-free chocolate chips See Recipe Notes for alternatives
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1/4 cup cashews
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cranberries
- 1/4 cup coconut chips
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup pecans
- 1/4 cup pistachios
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Simmer at least one inch of water in a small saucepan or the bottom of a double boiler.
- If using a chocolate bar, chop the chocolate into 1/2-inch chunks.
- In a heat-proof bowl that is completely dry and that will fit over the pan of simmering water, add the chocolate chunks or chips. If using chips, add the coconut oil as well.
- Take care to not to get any water into the chocolate, since it will cause the chocolate to seize up.
- Chop the pistachios and other nuts and break up the coconut into smaller pieces as desired.
- Add half of the add-ins to the chocolate and stir 'til combined.
- Sprinkle the remaining toppings on top of the chocolate.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a spatula, spread the chocolate mixture on the parchment paper in an even layer to a size of about and 8 x 11 rectangle.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until hardened. Once hard, cut into irregular 2 to 3 inch pieces with a butter knife or break by hand. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is merely an approximation. Optional ingredients are not included and when there is an alternative, the primary ingredient is typically used. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts since they have been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
I cannot have cashews. Would it be okay to double up on another of the nuts, such as almonds or walnuts?
Hi there Melissa! Absolutely! I thought I made that clear in the post but please do let me know if not–I’ve made it with only almonds and pumpkin seeds before and even only almonds and it’s great!
Thank you, Adrienne! I went back and reread and did see where you talked about substitutions! I may try to make a few different variations for my family for a Christmas treat!
You are so welcome! I so hope you love it. I’m planning on making it myself–if you came here from my newsletter you read that I’m so not ready but this I can pull off and we love it! Merry Christmas!
I have been advised to cut down my sugar intake, I hope this can serve
Cutting down sugar is a great idea for pretty much everyone. I so hope you like it. Please do let me know how it goes!!