When craving something flavorful and healthy, reach for a wholesome and balanced dessert alternative! Organic whole foods and plant-based chocolate will complement your wellness plan or support your diet. There’s something for everyone, including lower-sugar recipes for chocolate lovers and nutritious choices for fans of fresh fruit. Choose from several quality chocolate recipes like paleo treats or vegan delights to create the perfect bite.
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1. Dark Chocolate Bars
We all love rich and fudgy chocolate. You don’t have to give it up to stay on track. Swap out the slice of chocolate cake or the fudge brownie for a portion of a dark chocolate bar with more than 70% cacao. You’ll enjoy the intense chocolate taste with benefits like natural antioxidants and far less sugar than most chocolate desserts. Health-conscious eaters may prefer plant-based chocolate bars because of wholesome and organic ingredients like organic cacao beans and organic vanilla. Dark chocolate from Peru and Ghana will introduce you to new flavor profiles and open your mind to healthy vegan treats.
2. No Bake Chocolate Protein Balls
Everyone can appreciate a sweet treat on the go. Chocolate protein balls aren’t dessert, yet they’ll taste like you’re eating something sinful. These vegan no-bake bites have five grams of protein to power through your workday or workout. They’re gluten-free and dairy-free, so no one is left out. While they feature an indulgent chocolate flavor, they’re easy to make.
Craft these protein balls in under 10 minutes with only a mixing bowl. Creamy almond or cashew butter makes these protein balls decadent, while almond milk and cocoa powder develop a dessert-like flavor. Include chocolate protein powder and maple syrup for a touch of sweetness. Mix the ingredients and form with your hand into balls. Top with sea salt flakes as desired. Enjoy!
3. Dark Chocolate-Covered Fruit
Re-imagine fresh fruit with melted chocolate chips or baked chocolate! Grab your favorite fruit and microwave or double boiler to create this treat. Make chocolate-covered strawberries, or try a recipe for chocolate-covered bananas. More fan favorites include pineapples and seedless grapes. When making a healthy dessert alternative, we like to use dark chocolate.
How do you make this recipe at home? First, wash and dry your fruit and place it on a paper-lined plate. Now temper your chocolate and allow it to cool until it reaches its working temperature. When it’s cool enough, you’re ready to dip your fruit! You can drizzle with another type of chocolate or add toppings like chopped nuts or coconut shavings.
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4. Fresh Fruit and Protein Smoothies
Fruit smoothies are sweet and satisfying. Full of vitamins and nutrients, you can follow a few more tips to make them as healthy and wholesome as possible. First, avoid adding sugar and choose nutritious and whole ingredients. Next, experiment with dairy substitutes to make your beverage tasty and indulgent. Vegan-friendly ingredients such as chia seeds and almond milk help to create a creamy, luscious texture.
Get creative with a vegan blackberry smoothie featuring lush raspberries and creamy almond butter. Pumpkin seeds and mango add nutrition to this anytime treat while creating a delicious depth of flavor. We also love this vegan peanut butter strawberry banana smoothie without protein powder. Peanut butter and hemp seeds will fill you up and give you energy, while dates and whole-rolled oats make the smoothie rich and creamy. Are you looking for something fresh and fast? This easy recipe for a quick vegan breakfast smoothie with almond milk and banana will improve your mornings.
5. Chocolate Paleo Bars
Many chocolate paleo bar recipes are out there, but some are healthier than others. This no-bake vegan recipe packs 10 grams of protein and 3.5 grams of fiber to keep you full and energized. Best of all, they only take 15 minutes to create in your kitchen. Nourishing ingredients like almond butter and almond flour help to make this dairy-free, grain-free treat. Ultra dark chocolate with more than 70% cacao and vanilla extract enhances the dark chocolate taste.
Mix wet and dry ingredients in separate bowls for these paleo bars. Now, combine the wet and dry elements. Add more almond milk if the mixture seems too dry. Line your pan with some parchment paper and press the chocolate bar dough into the pan. Melted dark chocolate and coconut oil go over the bars to make them protein-rich and decadent. Chill the bars in the refrigerator for about three hours, then cut them into even bars. Once you serve them, you may not have any left! If you do, you can freeze them for up to a few months.
6. Frozen Fruit Bars
Frozen fruit bars are refreshing and tasty on a hot day. While they’ll help you beat the heat, they’re also a fun and creative way to get your vitamins. Fruit bars and popsicles include frozen fruit puree, which you can easily make in your kitchen. If you’d like, you can add chunks of fruit to your pops for a delicious and impressive-looking snack.
Some of our favorite fruit bars include mango and watermelon. We also like the look and taste of kiwi fruit popsicles. For a simple fruit popsicle recipe, you’ll need fruit and sugar. Then, add more types of fruit or a splash of coconut water for an even tastier tropical treat. Water will help you to create the puree.
Now you need fruit bar molds and popsicle sticks to form your fruit bars. Once you put the puree in the molds and add the posts, you can cover and freeze the pops for about eight hours. Check to make sure they are set completely. Once frozen, you can remove the bars from the mold and enjoy!
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Make Your Own Delicious and Healthy Treats
We choose healthy alternatives to our favorite indulgent desserts for many reasons. Whether taking care of yourself or on a special diet, you’ll find plenty of substitutions for decadent treats. With our favorite recipes for dark-covered fruit and no-bake chocolate desserts, you’ll satisfy your cravings for something sweet. After a while, you may prefer fresh fruit and dark chocolate over other options!
