This healthy chocolate snack is perfect to get your chocolate fix and still keep a healthy diet. It's easy to make, chocolaty, and so delicious!
I don't know about you, but I'm always craving something sweet, especially after lunch or in the afternoon. If I could, I would eat a whole candy bar every day, but gladly, I have my scale that keeps me from doing that. 😂
Also, it's not just about the weight. I think that being healthy is more important and that the quality of what we eat should weigh more on the scale.
Of course, I can't say that I eat healthily all the time, but I try my best. And I do believe that living a balanced life is essential, including some splurges once in a while...😉
Well, I was battling my sweet cravings and trying to eat healthy at the same time when the idea for this delicious snack came up. A snack that can get my chocolate fix but won't make me feel guilty.
It's delicious, chocolaty, and is ready whenever you're ready for it. Oh, and did I mention it's super easy to make? My kids ask me to make these every week!
Ingredients and Substitutions
There are only 6 ingredients in this recipe. Here they are:
Dates: They're very important in this recipe because they give it sweetness and work as a binder. Any variety will work, although the Medjool dates are softer and have slightly more caramel taste to them.
Walnuts: Give a great taste to this recipe, but if you don't have them on hand, you could also use almonds or pecans.
Cocoa powder: Try using 100% cocoa and not the ones mixed with sugar.
Bananas: They are essential here for taste and texture, so they can't be subbed.
Peanut butter: I like the taste that the peanut butter gives to this snack. It complements the chocolate taste so well, but you can substitute it for any nut butter of your choice.
Oats: They are healthy and give the base some chewiness, but you can omit it and add more walnuts or almonds if you prefer.
Why it's a healthy snack
This delicious treat has a combination of ingredients that are super healthy for you.
See below what each ingredient can bring to your body. Check the links for more information about each ingredient.
- Dates: They're a good source of fiber, potassium, magnesium, manganese, vitamins, and antioxidants. They also contain anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial compounds.
- Walnuts: Have a good amount of healthy fats, protein, and fiber, which help to increase satisfaction and fullness. It's also a great source of iron and other minerals.
- Cocoa: It's rich in Polyphenols, a powerful antioxidant.
- Bananas: Are a healthy source of fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, antioxidants, and phytonutrients.
- Peanut butter: Although high in calories, it can bring many benefits to your body when eaten in moderation, and it's high in protein.
- Oats: Contain high fiber content.
How to make this healthy chocolate snack
Making this healthy chocolate snack is super easy! You just blend everything and transfer it to a mold. Here are some photos for your guidance.
This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, naturally sweetened, and full of ingredients to help your body be healthy and strong.
Would you like more healthy recipes?? Take a look at these delicious recipes I have for you...
- Healthy strawberry smoothie
- Healthy banana bread
- Healthy and delicious zucchini muffins
- 15 healthy and easy snacks
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📖 Recipe / Receita
Healthy Chocolate Snack
Ingredients
For the base
- 5 oz pitted dates (150 grams)
- ½ cup walnuts
- ¼ cup old fashion oats
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
For the filling
- 2 bananas (ripened)
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter (the healthiest you can find)
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2.5 oz pitted dates (70 grams)
Instructions
For the base
- Add pitted dates, walnuts, oats, and cocoa powder to a food processor and blend them until they become a sticky dough with small nut pieces. If dates are too dry, you can soak them in water for a few minutes before using them in the recipe. Drain them before adding.
- Get small quantities of the processed mixture and press into ice molds or silicone cupcake molds, forming a base.
For the filling
- In the same food processor, blend the bananas, peanut butter, cocoa powder, and pitted dates. Blend until completely smooth.
- Equally divide the mixture, spooning into each mold, over the bases.
- Freeze them for at least 2 hours before eating. Keep snacks in the freezer.
Notes
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Nutrition Estimate:
Nutritional disclaimer
All nutritional information above is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Nutritional content may vary according to brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, substitutions, optional ingredients, etc. Simple Living Recipes is not responsible for any miscalculation or misinformation in the nutrition label.
Recipe inspired by Chocolate Covered Katie
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Jane says
I tried this, exactly as written other than using semi-green rather than fully ripened bananas. It was good, though overly sweet. I think I will try it another time with fewer dates, and/or with avocado as Lilian suggests in response to the other review.
I did find that the ratios were off, for me. I wanted about one-quarter base and three-quarters filling, as shown in the picture. However I found that the recipe produced about one-half base and one-half filling.
Part of the reason for that is probably the use of volumetric quantities rather than weights. Recipes without weight-based quantities are far more liable to failure I find, and I usually avoid them. What is "half a cup of walnuts"? It depends entirely on the size of the walnuts, whether they are complete walnut-halves or semi-broken, or more than semi-broken. My half a cup could easily be twice the weight of someone else's half a cup. Using weight rather than volume reflects the reality of how much of an ingredient you are using - not how much space it takes up in some arbitrary container. Frustrating to be using such measurements, when there is time, money and good quality ingredients involved that can so easily produce a second-rate outcome for no good reason.
Lilian Vallezi says
Hello Jane!
I completely understand your frustration with volumetric measurements. Whenever I bake a cake or make a recipe where precision is crucial, I also prefer recipes that provide weights for all ingredients. However, this recipe is just a snack, and it won’t go "wrong" if you end up with slightly more or fewer walnuts. My goal was to keep it simple and quick for everyone, which is why I opted for cups and spoons instead.
About the ratio, if you take a look at my photos, some have more fudge and others were split half and half. It's just a snack so I didn't feel like I needed to be precise.
Glad you like the taste after all.🙂
Thanks,
Lilian
Naomi says
I made these and they're absolutely delicious. So easy and so nice to have a decadent chocolate snack ready whenever you want it with a hot cup of coffee. Makes me feel so fancy.
I do wish there was a substitute for banana though. I eat them a lot but still don't like them too much, haha. Maybe if I used one banana and something else? If you think of something to replace at least one of the bananas and still achieve that smooth texture, please update the recipe with it!
Lilian Vallezi says
Hi Naomi!
I'm glad you like it and eat it so often.
Something you could use is frozen avocado. I haven't tried this specific recipe with avocado yet, but I think it would work well. You'd probably have to add some sweetener to it since bananas are sweeter than avocados. Would need some experimenting.
Let me know if you ever try it. I'd love to hear how it turns out.
Thanks!
Lilian