It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without chocolate! No matter if you’re celebrating with a partner, having a Galentine’s Day, or showering yourself with some self-care and love this holiday, indulging in a chocolatey sweet treat is the perfect way to enjoy the day.
And, while there’s nothing wrong with enjoying yourself in moderation, what if you could have your chocolate and enjoy it too? Enter: Healthy homemade chocolate recipes that are delicious and nutritious. Sounds too good to be true, but believe us — it’s simple. Not only are these healthy chocolate Valentine’s Day recipes low in sugar, easy to make, and delicious to enjoy, but they only require 10 ingredients or less. Plus, you probably have a lot of ingredients on hand! Serve up these chocolate treats for your loved ones, kiddos, or yourself. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed.
Chocolate: A Secret Superfood!
Ok, it’s not really a secret — chocolate is a well-known superfood! While not all chocolates earn the superfood title, dark chocolate and cacao are packed with health benefits. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, fiber, and minerals, and has even been shown to benefit heart health, brain health, and mood. The darker you go, the more benefits you’ll get! So, your best bet is choosing chocolate in its most natural form, like cacao powder, cacao nibs, or pure dark chocolate. But, research shows you’ll get the good-for-you benefits by opting for chocolate that’s 70% dark chocolate or higher. And if your chocolate is sweetened, try to stick with healthier brands that use natural sugar sources (more on this below).
11 Healthy Chocolate Recipes for Valentine’s Day (that Require 10 Ingredients or Less!)
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Of course, we had to mention this classic! Made with any fruit of choice and just two other ingredients (melted chocolate and a dash of coconut oil). While you can’t go wrong with strawberries, other fresh fruits like blueberries, raspberries, cherries, bananas, and pineapple are all sweet and delicious choices. Top with any additional add-ons like chopped pistachios or shredded coconut!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. (16 oz.) strawberries, washed and dried
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips (such as Enjoy Life Foods or Hu Kitchen)
- 1-2 tsp coconut oil
To serve (optional):
- shredded coconut
- chopped nuts
- drizzled nut butter or melted coconut butter
Directions:
Step #1: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step #2: Wash and thoroughly dry strawberries.
Step #3: Add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second increments (stirring between each) until chocolate is melted. Mix well to smooth any clumps.
Step #4: Holding each strawberry by the stem, dip in chocolate until well coated, then transfer to the lined baking sheet. Add any additional toppings of choice. Repeat with remaining strawberries.
Step #5: Chill strawberries in the fridge for 20-30 minutes, or until the chocolate sets completely. Remove from fridge and enjoy immediately (it may need to thaw for 5-10 minutes before enjoying). Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge.
Chocolate Avocado Smoothie
This low-sugar chocolate avocado smoothie tastes just like a chocolate thick-shake, except it’s healthy and made with nutritious superfoods! Blended with satiating avocado and superfood-filled cocoa, enjoy as a healthy sweet treat. Enjoy yourself or double up the recipe and share the chocolate goodness!
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- ½ avocado
- ½ cup water
- 1 tsp chia seeds
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ banana
Directions:
Step #1: Add all ingredients to the blender. Taste test, adjusting ingredients as needed. For a sweeter smoothie, add stevia, maple syrup, or honey. Blend until smooth.
Decadent Chocolate Avocado Mousse
Another chocolate + avocado combo, but make it a thick and creamy pudding. Made with dairy-free almond milk, unsweetened cocoa, and omega-rich avocado, this plant-based dessert will have you wondering how healthy can be so tasty. Try topping it off with fresh fruit, chocolate chips, or a handful of coconut shavings!
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 avocados
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 4 oz dark chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp salt
Directions:
Step #1: Melt the chocolate: Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds on high power. Remove and stir. Repeat and stir. If still not melted, continue 10 second increments to make sure it doesn’t burn.
Step #2: In a bowl, combine all the ingredients with the melted chocolate, Use a hand blender (or whisk or high powered blender) to blend until smooth. Taste and add If possible and for a better consistency, refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving.
Easy Peanut Butter Chocolate Overnight Oats
Chocolate + PB are meant to be — especially on Valentine’s Day! But, instead of reaching for sugar-filled PB cups, get your fix with this decadent overnight oats recipe! Enjoy as a healthy dessert-for-breakfast option, mid-day snack, or even a healthy dessert!
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- ½ cup oats, rolled
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 cup oat milk
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- ½ banana, sliced
- 1 tbsp cacao nibs, to serve
Directions:
Step #1: In a bowl or jar, add the oats and chia seeds. Pour milk over top and stir well. Cover and set in the fridge overnight.
Step #2: In the morning, add the cinnamon and cocoa powder and stir well.
Step #3: Top with peanut butter, sliced banana, and cacao nibs.
Step #4: Enjoy!
Homemade Healthy Dark Chocolate Bark
Homemade chocolate, made easier (and healthier) than ever! Why settle for sugary store-bought options when you can make your own superfood version with just three main ingredients? Customize for any flavor preferences, adding in your favorite healthy additions such as coconut, chopped nuts, and fresh or freeze-dried berries.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup coconut oil
- ⅓ cup cacao powder
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
- 2 tbsp coconut flakes, unsweetened
- 2 tbsp freeze-dried berries, unsweetened
- 2-3 tbsp chopped nuts of choice
Directions:
Step #1: Melt the coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Lower the heat and whisk in the raw cacao powder and maple syrup.
Step #2: Line a small baking tray with parchment paper and pour the chocolate mixture onto the lined tray. Evenly spread the raw chocolate.
Step #3: Top with remaining ingredients.
Step #4: Cover and freeze until the chocolate is set (about one hour).
Step #5: Remove from the freezer and break into bite-sized bark.
Step #6: Store in an airtight container in the freezer until ready to serve!
Microwave Banana Chocolate Cake
Almond butter, cocoa, banana, and dark chocolate chips are the only ingredients you need for this decadent-tasting Banana Chocolate Mug Cake. Perfect as a single-serve sweet treat when you’re craving a chocolatey dessert without all the sugar and calories. Option to serve with a spoonful of banana nice cream, vanilla Greek yogurt, or homemade coco whip!
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp almond butter
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 banana
- 1 tbsp chocolate chips
Directions:
Step #1: Spray a ramekin or microwave-safe mug with cooking spray. In a small bowl, mix together all the ingredients, except the chocolate chips, until well combined. Fold in chocolate chips, saving a few for the top of the cake.
Step #2: Pour into the ramekin and add chocolate chips on top.
Step #3: Microwave for 60-90 seconds until a toothpick comes out clean. Serve with fresh fruit and/or whipped cream.
10-Ingredient Healthy Homemade Snickers
These 10-ingredient healthy homemade snicker bars will put the store-bought version to shame! Made with real, wholesome ingredients and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup.
Serves: 16
Ingredients:
- 2½ cups almond flour
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3½ tbsp coconut oil
- 2½ tbsp maple syrup
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup peanuts
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
Directions:
Step #1: In a medium bowl, mix all the ingredients for the base until combined. Transfer the base mix to an 8-square tray lined with parchment paper. Press it down to set. Place it in the freezer while doing the rest.
Step #2: For the filling, whisk peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, and salt until smooth. Pour the filling over the base until it is all covered. Then sprinkle the roasted peanuts all over the filling. Place it in the freezer for one hour to harden.
Step #3: To make the coating, melt chocolate with coconut oil for 45 seconds in the microwave or until smooth. Remove the bars from the freezer and remove from the pan with the parchment paper. Chop it into 16 individual snicker bars. Drizzle the bars with melted chocolate, about 2 tablespoons per bar, and let chocolate harden and set.
Superfood Hot Chocolate
Dairy-free, low in sugar, and jam-packed with superfoods — perfect for a cozy Valentine’s nightcap. This healthy superfood hot chocolate comes together in minutes, and unlike other chocolatey drinks, it will actually help bust inflammation rather than promote it!
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened oat or almond milk
- ½ cup full-fat unsweetened coconut milk (canned)
- 1.5 tbsp raw, unsweetened cacao powder
- 1 tsp ghee (or coconut oil for a dairy-free option)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
To Serve (optional)
- Coconut whipped cream
- Sprinkle of ground cinnamon and turmeric
Directions:
Step #1: Add all the ingredients minus the whipped cream to a stock pot over low/medium heat and whisk well, heating until warm.
Step #2: Pour into two mugs and top with coconut whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and turmeric. Enjoy!
Brownie Energy Bites
Bite-sized brownie bites that are actually good for you! Made with healthy fats like almonds and cashews, naturally sweetened with fiber-rich dates, and infused with unsweetened cocoa + dark chocolate for a healthy superfood boost.
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dates, pitted
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- 2 tbsp chocolate chips
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup almonds
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- ¼ cup cashews
Step #1: Add everything but the chocolate chips to the food processor. Process until well combined, and the mixture begins to stick together. Add chocolate chips and pulse 1-2 times.
Step #2: Use your hands to form dough into balls with about 1 tablespoon per ball. You should get 16-18 bites.
Flourless Fudgy Pumpkin Brownie Bites
Craving something low in carbs and sugar? These flourless Fudgy Brownies are perfect when you’re looking for a healthy chocolate recipe for Valentine’s Day. Made with canned pumpkin, almond butter, and cocoa powder for a guilt-free V-Day treat!
Serves: 8
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ½ cup almond butter
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (optional)
- ⅛ tsp kosher salt
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
Directions:
Step #1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the almond butter, canned pumpkin, maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract.
Step #2: In a small bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt. Then stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
Step #3: Pour into standard muffin tin and cook for 20-25 minutes until cooked through. Let cool for 15 minutes. These can also be made in an 8 X 8 baking dish. Please note, this is a fudgy, flourless brownie, so the center will deflate a bit as the brownies cool.
No-Bake PB & Coconut Fudge Bars
Not only are these PB & Coconut Fudge Bars made with just five ingredients, but they also come together in 30 minutes! No baking required. Made with creamy peanut butter, flavorful coconut, pure maple syrup, and raw cacao powder.
Servings: 16
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 2 cups shredded coconut
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- ¼ tbsp maple syrup
Directions:
Step #1: For the coconut base: place shredded coconut, coconut oil, and maple syrup in a medium bowl and stir to combine.
Step #2: Line an 8-square-inch baking tray with parchment paper. Add the coconut base to it and press very well to avoid empty spaces in the bars. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step #3: Whisk all the ingredients of the fudge layer and pour it on the top of the coconut layer. Refrigerate for one more hour for the bars to get firm.
Step #4: Keep in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Healthy Store-Bought Chocolate Selections When You’re Short On Time
No time to make your own dessert, but not sure what to grab at the store? Based on ingredients, quality, allergens, and nutrition, here are the healthiest chocolate brands to consider:
- Best Overall: Hu Kitchen
- Best Chocolate Chips: Enjoy Life Foods
- Best Paleo Chocolate: Evolved Chocolate
- Best Plant-based Chocolate: Hu Kitchen
- Best Unsweetened Chocolate: Lily’s Extremely Dark Chocolate
- Best Cacao Powder: Navitas Organics
- Best Ingredients: Honey Mama’s
- Best Chocolate Candy: Unreal Chocolate
Go Ahead, Love On These Chocolate Recipes
With eleven delicious and nutritious chocolate recipes to choose from, what’s not to love?! Make this Valentine’s Day one for the books by celebrating with decadent recipes that taste as good as they make you feel. Share with your loved ones or treat yourself to something tasty — if you’re choosing high-quality dark chocolate, consider it superfood self-care!
