16 Healthy Dark Chocolate Recipes You Can Feel Good About Eating

Rejoice! Chocolate can be your friend. Small doses of dark chocolate are good for your heart and mind . Here, you’ll find many ways to enjoy dark chocolate in health-conscious cookies, snacks, and easy dessert recipes. We’ve even found some healthy dark chocolate recipes for breakfast, too!

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Pecan-Orange Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Pecan-Orange Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Pecan-Orange Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Blaine Moats

There are studies revealing that consuming small amounts of chocolate with 70 percent or more cacao content significantly lowered the risk of heart attacks. So to get the most benefits from this healthy dark chocolate recipe, choose bars with 70 percent or more cacao content. Whole wheat flour, flaxseed meal, and pecans also sneak more fiber and nutrition into this recipe.

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Paleo Cashew Truffles

Paleo Cashew Truffles
Paleo Cashew Truffles

Andy Lyons

We use pure maple syrup, unsweetened chocolate, and unsweetened coconut milk for this dark chocolate dessert that fits within Paleo guidelines. Each energy bite has just 69 calories and two grams of sugar. Not into Paleo? If you’re into healthy dark chocolate, chances are you’ll enjoy these anyway.

03

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Granola Garbage Sticks

Granola Garbage Sticks
Granola Garbage Sticks

Blaine Moats

Don’t let the name fool you, these granola sticks are a healthy dark chocolate snack you can rely on to keep you energized. Granola, sunflower kernels, soy nuts, almonds, and peanut butter get together for a protein- and fiber-rich treat. Note that they freeze well, too. Stash some away for crazy-busy days when you could use a snack on the go.

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Whole Grain Chocolate Chip Cookies

Whole Grain Chocolate Chip Cookies
Whole Grain Chocolate Chip Cookies

Kritsada Panichgul

Chocolate recipes aren’t always top of mind when you’re trying to boost your whole grain intake. However, this healthy dark chocolate cookie ticks the whole grain box thanks to oat bran, wheat bran, barley flour, rolled oats, and whole wheat flour. For a bit of added texture and tropical flair, add some unsweetened shredded coconut.

05

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Dark Chocolate-Orange Walnut Caramel Apples

Dark Chocolate Orange Walnut Caramel Apples
Dark Chocolate Orange Walnut Caramel Apples

Andy Lyons

This easy dark chocolate dessert recipe can also count as one of your daily fruit servings! It offers five grams of fiber thanks to the whole apple and windfall of walnuts in each serving. And with a little dark chocolate in the mix, you can’t go wrong.

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Double Dark Chocolate Cookies

Double Dark Chocolate Cookies
Double Dark Chocolate Cookies

Kritsada Panichgul

What makes dark chocolate a good addition to healthy dessert recipes? Registered dietitian Julia Zumpano says dark chocolate is all about the flavonoids, which keep blood vessels clear and flowing. These chewy cookies contain a double dose of dark chocolate.

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Chocolate-Cherry Bread Pudding

Chocolate-Cherry Bread Pudding
Chocolate-Cherry Bread Pudding

Peter Krumhardt

Bread pudding handily earns a spot on any list of easy dessert recipes. But can it also star on a list of healthy dessert recipes? It most certainly can! Use a few mindful ingredients (whole wheat bread, fat-free milk, and healthy dark chocolate) and you’re on your way to one delicious healthy dessert.

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Cocoa-Almond French Toast

Cocoa Almond French Toast
Cocoa Almond French Toast

Kritsada Panichgul

Dark chocolate for breakfast? We’re in! Here whole wheat bread, almond milk, and refrigerated egg product keep fat and calories in check, while dark chocolate-flavor almonds and chocolate-flavor syrup add the indulgence we often crave in our leisurely weekend-morning meals. Add fresh raspberries for extra fiber and flavor.

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Whole Wheat Chocolate-Blueberry Cake

Whole Wheat Chocolate-Blueberry Cake
Whole Wheat Chocolate-Blueberry Cake

Andy Lyons

If you still need proof that chocolate cake can fit into a healthful diet, you’ve found it in this recipe! Two antioxidant-rich foods (blueberries and dark chocolate) combine with whole wheat flour for one of our favorite healthy dessert recipes. Top with extra blueberries or our quick two-ingredient sauce for a lovely presentation.

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Dark Chocolate Banana Pops

Dark Chocolate Banana Nut Pops
Dark Chocolate Banana Nut Pops

Karla Conrad

Sometimes the best way to reach your quota of fruits for the day is to sneak them into simple dessert recipes like this one. Here, fiber- and potassium-rich bananas combine with healthy dark chocolate. But we’re not done yet! We finish off these pops with a sprinkle of nuts for a heart-healthy boost.

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Banana Pudding with Shaved Dark Chocolate

Banana Pudding with Shaved Dark Chocolate
Banana Pudding with Shaved Dark Chocolate

Karla Conrad

Silken-style tofu (yes, tofu!) gives this treat its ultra creamy texture, and ripe bananas and sweet agave nectar are a dream team to complement the shaved bittersweet chocolate. You can place this luscious pudding high on the roster of easy dessert recipes to share with vegan friends and family members.

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Dark Chocolate-Mint Bites

Dark Chocolate Mint Bites
Dark Chocolate Mint Bites

Kritsada Panichgul

Mint and chocolate are a classic pairing. Part soft and minty chocolate, part crispy oat crust, these delicate mint bites are a healthy dark chocolate treat you won’t be able to resist. At 105 calories each, this healthy no-bake dessert will easily snag a spot on the list of chocolate recipes that even dieters can feel good about eating.

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Spiced Apricots in Dark Chocolate

Spiced Apricots in Dark Chocolate
Spiced Apricots in Dark Chocolate

Jason Donnelly

When it comes to dark chocolate snack ideas, this one’s a winner! This easy recipe takes only three ingredients and 15 minutes of prep time. The mini-but-mighty bites contain just enough sweetness and healthy dark chocolate indulgence to satisfy your dessert cravings without going overboard. A sprinkle of chipotle pepper adds just the right amount of sweet heat.

Buy It: Ground Chipotle Chiles ($11, The Spice House)

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Dark Chocolate Fondue with Fruit Kabobs

Dark Chocolate Fondue Fruit Kabobs
Dark Chocolate Fondue Fruit Kabobs

Karla Conrad

Fresh fruit is one of your best bets to keep your dessert menu healthy. To add the most fiber to this super-simple dark chocolate recipe, opt for apples, strawberries, and plenty of raspberries (the fiber champion of them all). Not only are these fruits good for you, but they taste great with the dark chocolate sauce. The key to getting that rich, deep flavor here is a bit of strong brewed coffee added to the slow cooker.

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Banana and Dark Chocolate Smoothie Bowls

Banana-Dark Chocolate Smoothie Bowls
Banana-Dark Chocolate Smoothie Bowls

Jacob Fox

Here’s your chance to enjoy chocolate for breakfast! The low-sugar dark chocolate smoothie bowl blends together bananas and tofu for a nourishing 10-minute treat. Tofu might seem like a strange addition, but it only adds a silky texture while giving a healthy boost of plant-based protein. Top with some shaved dark chocolate and extra slices of banana for a photo-worthy finish.

Buy It: NutriBullet Blender Combo ($150, NutriBullet)

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Cassava Brownies

Cassava Brownies
Cassava Brownies

Brie Passano

Cassava flour is a gluten-free flour alternative made from the tuberous cassava root (or yuca). Substituting it for all-purpose flour in this healthy dark chocolate recipe allows for added fiber. Bonus: cassava flour also makes the list of acceptable ingredients for a Paleo diet, so we kept this healthy dessert in the Paleo-friendly category by using honey as a natural sweetener.