Chocolate Dipped Nut Clusters
Naturally gluten and dairy-free, and packed with vitamins and minerals, my Chocolate Dipped Nut Clusters are one holiday treat you actually know is good for you!
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Crunchy nuts and seeds, finished with smooth dark chocolate, what could make for a better holiday treat? This is the snack, appetizer, or dessert you didn’t know you needed! I make these around the holidays, and my family is obsessed. It’s hard to find ways to eat yummy treats while avoiding the dreaded sugar crash, but these nut clusters are just the ticket! I hope you’ll give them a try and see what the hype is all about.
Dark Chocolate with Nuts
One of my favorite food combinations is nuts and chocolate. Specifically, dark chocolate. Around the holidays, you’ll notice countless gift boxes of nuts drenched in chocolate sold at virtually every store. While nice, my problem with boxed treats is that there are so many added ingredients. I discovered I could make my own healthier version using a variety of premium nuts dipped in rich, velvety dark chocolate. Yum! Using my favorite nutrient-rich nuts and my favorite brand of dark chocolate, I created Chocolate Dipped Nut Clusters. It’s healthy, gluten-free, and dairy-free, so you can enjoy it guilt-free!
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Minimal Prep Involved!
Apart from how healthy and good these are for you, Chocolate Dipped Nut Clusters are also so easy to make! It doesn’t require much prep, and minimal equipment is needed. The four basic steps are chop, mix, bake, and dip. I like to chop my nuts by hand, but you could use a food processor. Mix everything with a little maple syrup to hold it together. Bake on a cookie sheet. Allow to cool and then dip in melted chocolate. That’s it! You will want to save this recipe because it may just come in handy in a pinch.
What nuts go well with dark chocolate
One of the reasons why these nut clusters are so good for you is that they use good-quality nuts and seeds. Good-quality nuts and seeds are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants. Walnuts are a favorite daily staple of mine, but you could also use pecans, almonds, or pistachios. The recipe calls for chia, flax, and hemp seeds, but you could also mix in others, such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds. The sweetness comes from the pure maple syrup, which binds the nut and seed mixture together. There are no unnecessary oils or sweeteners! Sometimes I do like to add dye-free sprinkles to jazz these up for my kids. Sprinkles are totally optional. For the healthiest version of chocolate, try dark chocolate. My favorite brand is Enjoy Life. Their chocolate chips are dairy-free and free from many allergens.
Find them here on Amazon: Enjoy Life Dark Morsels.
The Best Cookie Sheet
Once you’ve gathered and chopped your ingredients, it’s time to mix everything. My nuts and seeds are mixed with a little maple syrup and then spread out onto a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. My favorite stainless steel, non-toxic cookie or baking sheet is on Amazon. These sheets are affordable, come in a variety of sizes, and do the job perfectly!
TeamFar Baking Sheet on Amazon.
Once you’ve spread everything out onto the baking sheet, I separate the clusters using the mouth of a mason jar. Now it’s time to bake!
How to lightly coat nuts with dark chocolate
You’ve got the nut clusters baked, now it’s time for the best part- chocolate! While the nut clusters are cooling, spread out parchment paper on another baking sheet. Melt your chocolate with a little coconut oil using the steam from a double boiler, or carefully melt on low in a microwave, checking every 30 seconds or so. Once your chocolate has reached a smooth consistency and all the chips or chunks are melted, it’s time to dip! Dip the bottom of the cluster into the chocolate and return it to the parchment paper. Leave on the counter or place in a refrigerator for quicker cooling. I do not recommend storing these for long in the fridge, because they can become sticky.
Once the chocolate is set, you are ready to enjoy your healthy holiday chocolate-dipped nut clusters! These also make really great homemade holiday gifts. Place half a dozen to a dozen in a festive tin lined with parchment paper, or gift in a disposable treat box, and bless your neighbors, friends, or family!
other recipes you might enjoy:
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Energy Bites
- Chocolate Chip Candy Cane Cookies
- Healthy Energy Bites
- Healthy No-Bake Cookies
Chocolate Dipped Nut Clusters
Ingredients
- 2 cups Nuts & seeds (a mix of your favorites)
- 1/4 cup Hemp seeds
- 1/4 cup Flaxseed meal
- 2 tbsp Chia seeds
- 3-4 tbsp Pure maple syrup
- 1 bag Chocolate chips
- 2 tbsp Coconut oil
- Dye-free sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the first 5 ingredients together. I like to chop the nuts by hand. Pour onto a parchment lined cookie sheet.
- Use a standard mouth mason jar, or glass cup to form the nut mixture into discs.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15-16 minutes. Let them completely cool.
- Once cooled, melt chocolate chips and coconut oil using the double-boiler method or in the microwave. Dip the bottoms of the clusters in the chocolate. Place in the refrigerator to harden, for 30 minutes.
- Nut clusters are best stored on the counter for 4-5 days. In the refrigerator they can become sticky.
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