20 Healthy Dark Chocolate Desserts To Help You Resist Your Sweet Cravings
Dark Chocolate To The Rescue
Regardless of whether or not you have a sweet tooth, you can't deny that you've had cravings for overly sweet treats at random points in the day. And when that desire comes, it's hard not to give in! So if you're looking to eat healthier and watch what you put into your body, we've got 20 amazing healthier substitutes using dark chocolate that'll keep you happy and feeling better about what you eat.
1. Dark Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Dark chocolate-dipped strawberries are incredibly easy to make and easy to portion into healthy servings. When you use ripe berries, they bring freshness and sweetness, while the dark chocolate adds a smooth, rich coating that'll satisfy your chocolate needs.
2. Dark Chocolate Avocado Mousse
Swap out heavy cream for avocado to create a delicious dark chocolate avocado mousse that's just as decadent and creamy as your usual recipe. Also opt for natural sweeteners like maple syrup so that you can keep the sugar levels at a low.
American Heritage Chocolate on Unsplash
3. Greek Yogurt Dark Chocolate Bark
Greek yogurt dark chocolate bark is a freezer-friendly dessert that's cool, creamy, and lightly sweet. It's easy to enjoy for a snack or as a post-meal dessert, and you'll be surprised by how easily it'll satisfy your sweet cravings. It's great to have on hand for when those sweet needs hit.
4. Dark Chocolate Almond Energy Bites
When you make these energy bites with healthy ingredients like oats, almond butter, dates, and cocoa powder, you'll get naturally sweetened, easy to prepare, and convenient sweet snacks that you can grab whenever. Just make sure you keep them in the fridge so they stay firm.
5. Dark Chocolate Chia Pudding
Though it'll take a bit of extra planning and effort to make on your part, the result is worth it. A dark chocolate chia pudding is perfect for a chocolatey breakfast or afternoon snack, and is so addictive with its thick, spoonable texture. You can even top it with berries for a bright finish that balances the richness.
6. Dark Chocolate Banana Nice Cream
Love ice cream but want a healthier alternative? A dark chocolate banana nice cream uses frozen bananas to create this creamy dessert without adding cream. You'll fall in love with the smooth and soft-serve-like texture, making it a must-have dessert to keep stocked up in your freezer.
7. Dark Chocolate-Covered Almond Clusters
Dark chocolate-covered almond clusters satisfy on all levels; they're crunchy, simple, and easy to customize, and a touch of little flaky salt on top can make the cocoa flavor stand out even more. The best part is, these clusters store well, so you can keep a few on hand for controlled sweet cravings.
8. Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Everyone craves a good cookie sometimes, and instead of completely removing them from your diet, it's just about making healthier swaps so they're better on the body. By using dark chocolate and ingredients like rolled oats, whole wheat flour, and moderating your sweetener, you can create this cozy dessert that feels a bit more wholesome.
9. Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cups
Combining tart fruit with smooth dark chocolate, dark chocolate raspberry cups will delight when you need a little pick-me-up. We'd recommend adding some mashed raspberries or jam in the center so that each cup has a soft fruit center to look forward to. These are great when you want something sweet that's not overly sugary.
10. Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Dates
Rich, chewy, and naturally sweet in a satisfying way, dark chocolate peanut butter dates are the perfect treat for you if you're a fan of peanut butter cups. If you want some crunchy texture, add some crushed peanuts on top for a nice bite!
11. Dark Chocolate Zucchini Brownies
Surprise, surprise. Who knew zucchini could work as a versatile ingredient for desserts? Adding these into a dark chocolate brownie recipe is a clever way to add moisture to keep things soft and fudgy, but also gives you a nice added health boost. You can even use whole wheat pastry flour or almond flour to give them a more nourishing base.
12. Dark Chocolate Coconut Macaroons
Dark chocolate coconut macaroons are chewy, lightly crisp on the outside, and easy to make with just a few ingredients. Unsweetened shredded coconut keeps the flavor rich without adding unnecessary sugar, and when combined with the melted dark chocolate, create a delicious cocoa-packed snack.
13. Dark Chocolate Apple Nachos
Turns out you can enjoy apple slices with much more than just peanut butter! For a fun, shareable dessert, just arrange apple slices on a plate and drizzle on melted dark chocolate with your choice of healthy toppings like chopped walnuts, hemp seeds, or a little cinnamon.
14. Dark Chocolate Protein Mug Cake
Mug cakes are a favorite in many households because they take little to no effort to make. And when you want just a single-serving dessert, there's nothing better. So when the craving hits, opt for a dark chocolate protein mug cake that delivers on flavor but keeps your macros in mind, too.
15. Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bites
Dark chocolate trail mix bites combine nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and melted dark chocolate into a compact treat. Trail mix can be dangerous when you don't moderate how much you're eating, so this is an easy way to keep things nicely portioned. You get crunch, chewiness, and sweetness in each tasty and sweet bite.
16. Dark Chocolate Sweet Potato Brownies
Instead of zucchini, you can also try using sweet potato to create a more dense, fudgy texture if that's more up your alley. The sweet potato adds natural sweetness and moisture, so the recipe doesn’t need as much added sugar or oil, which is a win for your body! Serve them chilled if you prefer a firmer, extra fudgy bite.
17. Dark Chocolate-Covered Frozen Bananas
Dark chocolate-covered frozen bananas are creamy, cold, and easy to prepare ahead of time. They’re a cheerful dessert to keep in the freezer for warmer days, or for late-night cravings when you just can't help but want something sweet.
18. Dark Chocolate Quinoa Crisps
If you love a sweet treat with texture, dark chocolate quinoa crisps will certainly delight your taste buds. These are light, crunchy, and the chocolate and puffed quinoa work surprisingly well together to create a dessert you can enjoy without guilt. Puffed quinoa is an underrated ingredient more people need to try!
19. Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Bark
If you like desserts that taste a bit more complex and balanced, dark chocolate pomegranate bark delivers on all levels. Not only does it look beautiful with that bright pop of color, but it tastes vibrant too thanks to the juicy pomegranate.
20. Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Stuffed Pears
Dark chocolate hazelnut stuffed pears make a warm dessert that feels fancy without being complicated. The combination of chopped hazelnuts with dark chocolate is already a winner, and adding that to the soft and juicy pear elevates all the flavors to new heights.
