Dark Chocolate Detox Bites are the healthy way to do dessert ~ these mendiants are made with anti-oxidant rich dark chocolate topped with fruits, nuts, and seeds ~ and they’re just as pretty as they are delicious!
I’m pretty liberal with my definition of healthy— I think if a food is delicious and whole, that is, unprocessed or minimally processed, it deserves a spot on my table.
I’m not judgmental about eating animal protein as long as the animals are raised humanely. I’m down with healthy fats and yes, even a little sugar. But in the interest of keeping a healthy weight, I say no to dessert most of the time. The problem is that even after a good dinner, I’m sometimes left with a gnawing urge for a little something sweet. I’m sure it’s purely psychological, but I can’t ignore it…I’ll scrounge around and usually open a bag of chocolate chips in desperation.
These little medallions come to my rescue…they’re made with heart healthy extra dark chocolate, and lots of colorful little super foods (dried fruit, nuts, and seeds) sprinkled on top for fun. If you’re a white chocolate fan, check out my WHITE CHOCOLATE ENERGY BITES, which are a variation on the same theme. The concept can also be applied to easy-to-make nut-butter cups, like these DETOX DARK CHOCOLATE ALMOND BUTTER CUPS ~ the possibilities are endless!
I used dried blueberries, cranberries, goji berries, figs, pineapple, mango, papaya, walnuts, pistachios and almonds, hemp seeds and pepitas.
I collected them for color as well as flavor, and all of them have health giving properties, so these little dark chocolate medallions are not only guilt free, you’d be remiss not to include them in your diet!
Each one of these bites is about 1/3 of an ounce of dark chocolate, so 3 of them would equal a 1 ounce daily dose of heart healthy flavonoids. Cool, huh? A definite step up from raiding the chocolate chips.
If you’re not into the exotic variety here, just use chopped nuts, or raisins, they’ll be great.
Think of this as an experiment in mindful snacking…
It starts by appreciating the blobs of glossy chocolate as they find their unique shapes on the parchment, and then the random patterns of colorful fruits, nuts, and seeds as they sink into the warm surface.
Your enjoyment of each crunchy, chewy, chocolatey bite will be heightened even further by the knowledge that you’ve embraced dessert as a powerful friend and ally, rather than the enemy…
and don’t forget your healthy glass of red wine to go along with your bites :)
Melting chocolate can be tricky–check out my post on TIPS AND TRICKS FOR MELTING CHOCOLATE to get it right!
Ingredients
- about 8 oz of dark chocolate, I used Trader Joe's 73% Super Dark chocolate bars (the higher the percentage of cacao the better)
- assorted dried fruits, chopped nuts, and seeds
Instructions
- Lay out a piece of parchment paper, or waxed paper, or foil.
- Chop the chocolate into small pieces and put in a microwave safe glass measuring cup. Microwave for 60 seconds, and then stir. Microwave for another 30 seconds, and then stir again to completely melt the chocolate. If there are still lumps, microwave for another short burst and stir again.
- Use a spoon to make small rounds of chocolate onto the parchment paper. Let the chocolate fall from the spoon and it will naturally form a more or less round shape. You can nudge it with your spoon if you like. Work with one at a time, and sprinkle each round of chocolate with an assortment of your healthy add-ins while the chocolate is still hot. Make them whatever size you like, but mine were about 2 to 2 1/2 inches in diameter.
- Let the chocolate set at room temperature, or put the bites in the refrigerator to speed things up. If you plan to refrigerate the medallions it helps to put the parchment right on a baking sheet or tray so you can transfer it straight to the fridge.
Don’t forget to pin these Dark Chocolate Detox Bites!
106 Comments
Cindy
February 16, 2018 at 11:21 amOh my goodness!! (Literally!) I cannot wait to try these – they look absolutely awesome!!!
jenny
February 8, 2018 at 9:38 amWow, these are just so pretty, and I can just imagine all the combinations you could make! Such a great way to use up leftover amounts of dried fruit and nuts, too!
Tamara
February 12, 2017 at 8:32 amHow to store them, in which type of container? I think they would taste better with a bit of a crunch. I dont want them to soften while storing.
Sue
February 12, 2017 at 11:12 amI would store them in the refrigerator, Tamara.
A ginger-vegan
September 21, 2017 at 3:45 amHi! Love the blog! One thing though. All animals, whether they’re treated badly from the beginning, or later in life, all end up at the same place. Which is The slaughter house. No animals want to die. Humane is a myth.
Georgia
January 12, 2017 at 11:11 amWhat a fantastic idea. I look forward to making some.
Billie
December 30, 2016 at 2:37 amThey look really lovely, but I couldn’t help but laugh at the name. You’ve made a classical French sweet – mediants. Add a few buzzwords and all of a sudden it’s a paleo superfood. Great marketing ?
Sue
December 30, 2016 at 7:54 amYes, the name was definitely meant partly in jest ~ but you have to agree, the whole package is pretty healthy!
Cheska
December 4, 2016 at 1:14 amHi. I plan on giving these as gifts and I was just wondering, if you take them out of the fridge/freezer, will these melt quickly once they leave the fridge/freezer? Thank you
Sue
December 4, 2016 at 11:10 amThey won’t melt, Cheska, but they do need to be kept at a relatively cool temperature or they will become soft-ish. Regular room temperature is fine.
joepy
November 17, 2016 at 7:47 pmHi Sue, I really love your idea about this heavenly bites Dark chocolates detox. Sounds new and looks so yummy to me. Thanks I found your blog. Can’t wait to try and this nice for a holiday presents.
Sue
November 18, 2016 at 8:20 amHope you enjoy them!
Jean
October 14, 2016 at 9:03 amI can’t wait to try these, and looks like they’ll make perfect gifts around the holidays too. Love how you’ve incorporated all those colors – as they say, eat the rainbow!
Sue
October 14, 2016 at 9:12 amLet us know what you think, Jean :)
Paola
September 16, 2016 at 12:17 pmI made these! They were so yummi! I used dried pineapple, papayas and bananas! However, I live in Costa Rica and it’s humid and warm most of the time and they melted in the hand of everyone that grabbed one! It was so sad! What can I add to the chocolate to make it stay hard outside the fridge?
Sue
September 16, 2016 at 12:33 pmUnfortunately Paola, chocolate tends to melt in warm temperatures. I can only suggest serving it straight from the refrigerator if you live in a very warm climate. You can temper your chocolate which will help to keep it solid at a slightly higher temperature, but that is fairly difficult to do, here are directions: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/how-to-temper-chocolate-356869
Janelle
January 22, 2017 at 2:37 amCould you not add melted copha to it like choc crackles?
Sue
January 22, 2017 at 3:29 pmHi Janelle, I had to ‘google’ copha because I haven’t heard of it! Since I’ve never used it I’m afraid I can’t help you, but please let us know if you try, and how it works out.
Diane
August 29, 2016 at 10:48 pmHello – how long will these last if I make them ahead of time for a special party? Should I refrigerate them or keep them at room temperature? They look amazing!!
mohammad
July 16, 2016 at 6:41 amI like your site . thank you
katrina
May 30, 2016 at 3:48 amOMG….not sure why it took me so long to make them….but they were so quick and simple…and must be delish, as i had 20 little circles, and only 3 left..i need to talk to my husband…hahaha
Sue
August 16, 2016 at 9:32 amYou need to make a double batch next time!
Charlie
April 16, 2016 at 8:56 amHi Sue:
Could you share what fruit and nuts you used?
Just curious.
These look so good and I will definitely be making them.
Sue
April 16, 2016 at 9:56 amI used dried blueberries, cranberries, goji berries, figs, pineapple, mango, and papaya. Walnuts, pistachios and almonds, hemp seeds and pepitas.
Charlie
April 16, 2016 at 11:45 amThank you!
Katie
June 14, 2016 at 6:08 pmThese look awesome! Were all of those ingredients dried? And if they are, where did you find them? I can’t seem to find gobi berries anywhere and dried blueberries and pineapples are hard to find! Thanks
Sue
June 14, 2016 at 6:14 pmYes, they are all dried, and I got most if not all of them at Trader Joe’s Katie.
Sarah
July 28, 2016 at 2:30 amDid you buy those as a mix? If so what brand? Or did you purchase them all separately?
Sue
July 28, 2016 at 6:26 amThey were separate, Sarah, but a mix would make this so easy, I know Trader Joe’s has lots of interesting trail mix type ready made blends.
Mary
March 19, 2016 at 1:20 pmHi Sue
Just curious about where you found the marijuana seeds and did you get a buzz from eating them?
Sue
March 19, 2016 at 4:45 pmThose little hemp seeds are super nutritious and don’t cause any psychotropic effects Mary!
Amanda
March 17, 2016 at 2:42 pmHi there! I know this is an older post, but would you happen to know if you could make these without using the tj chocolate bar? For example, I make my own chocolate bars using dark cocoa powder and honey, but they have to always be refrigerated to hold their shape. Do you know of a way to make these totally from scratch where they would hold their shape without being in the fridge all day? I will do more digging, but would appreciate your feedback.
Sue
March 17, 2016 at 4:04 pmI don’t know, Amanda, I haven’t made my own chocolate…yet! It’s on my to-do list though. Let me know what you come up with!
Amanda
March 18, 2016 at 3:35 pmThanks for responding! It looks like I could use the recipe I have for my chocolate bars and just make sure they don’t get warm. The main ingredient that keeps them together is coconut oil. I do this to control the amount and type of sugar and to eliminate any soy. I plan on whipping these up this weekend. I’ll let you know how it goes. Thank you!
Sue
March 18, 2016 at 3:50 pmThanks Amanda!
Kelly
July 10, 2016 at 10:08 amWould a small amount of paraffin keep them solid at room temp?
Slava
August 16, 2016 at 8:49 amHowuch coconut oil do you use? Do you just mix it in the melted chocolate? Without it they do melt at room temp
Thanks
Paul Hannah
March 13, 2016 at 11:23 pmWhich part of this is detoxing? Will it detox me or has the toxins been taken out of it?
Lalla
March 5, 2016 at 9:41 amI love this idea, thank you, great photo’s too!
“I’m not judgmental about eating animal protein as long as the animals are raised humanely”
But! And! Wow (!!) so casual about the lives of animals though! Have you seen these documentaries: Forks over Knives / Earthlings / Cowspiracy ? There is no such thing as ‘raising an animal humanely, or slaughtering them humanely. Please watch this short 5 min Ytube vid on the dairy industry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcN7SGGoCNI Life Changing!
Sue
March 5, 2016 at 10:22 amI hear you Lalla. It’s one of life’s great dilemmas.
Sally @gooddinnermom.com
February 12, 2016 at 8:39 amSue, I am with you in your definition of healthy. And these look healthy/delicious/amazing! My husband’s view is a bit more strict but I know he’ll love these as well if I leave more of the fruit off of his pieces. Great photos, love your “view” of everything here. I might try to make these heart shape for Sunday ;).
Sue
February 12, 2016 at 9:03 amThanks Sally, what a nice comment. I think you could load up your husband’s ‘bites’ with nuts!
Debbie
January 18, 2016 at 6:13 amHi,
I love the look of these, so I made them, but they developed a funny looking bloom on the chocolate. They tasted good, but looked unattractive!
Any tips? Seems like a lot of work to temper chocolate just for these quick treats.
Andrea
December 2, 2016 at 1:20 pmyes!! mine turned out a funny texture too! I wondered if i heated them too much? did I use the wrong kind of chocolate or something?!? I dunno. Like yours mine were delicious but unattractive lol
Bita
December 26, 2015 at 8:40 amOh my! I love the look of these things – Fruits and nuts are my favorite type of treat. You did a fantastic job of choosing brightly colored tropical fruit along with the green in the pistachios. Your photos are so beautiful here! Ok, you got me – I’m making these!! They look like they would make lovely gifts for a dinner party host type of thing as well. As a health coach I recommend Kind bars to families who aren’t ready to kick the power bar habit….these are even better because you know exactly what’s in them when you make them yourself. Thank you thank you! – cheers and hugs, Bita
Sue
December 26, 2015 at 8:59 amThanks for the sweet comments Bita :)