Dark Chocolate Chili Nut Clusters Recipe – Healthy, Homemade & Vegan! (2024)

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Dark Chocolate Chili Nut Clusters Recipe – this homemade chocolate nut clusters recipe is healthy, easy and decadent! It’s the perfect dark chocolate treat – spicy, rich, packed with sweet nut clusters & prep’d in 15 minutes! Just 4 ingredient, Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Refined Sugar-Free. Only74 calories and 7 carbs per serving + 2 grams of protein!

this recipe

Did I ever tell you about the time I made homemade chocolate candies for my whole class in high school and chickened out when I realized I actually had to hand them out?

You see, I have this familiar set of anxieties when it comes to presenting people with food I’ve made. I know, I know, I should be expert-level when it comes to this kind of thing (by now at least). But the thing is, this blog is online. Like, I’m not just knocking on rando people’s doors and presenting them with a gorgeously decorated plate full of homemade crunch bars, oatmeal chocolate chip cookiesand sweet ‘n salty nut clusters!

They wish. 😉

But anywho, way back during Valentine’s Day 2000 or so (quit calculating my age!! Right this moment!! Hehe), I decided to come out of my shell and make ‘n pack homemade chocolate goodies to bring to school. Thing is, I didn’t know that not only is making these treats kinda messy, but so is wrapping the buggers and transporting them all the way to school.

Dark Chocolate Chili Nut Clusters Recipe – Healthy, Homemade & Vegan! (2)

Let’s just say, I was a sweaty and chocolatey mess by the time I got to passing them out the third period of the day. I only ended up passing out like 3 of the 16 treat bags that my sister Monica helped me make.

And even then, I had to field the usual teenage curiosity-suspicion over-homemade-treat-bags-brought to-school questions. “So… when’d you have time to make these?” “Uh… do you have a crush on me?” (CRINGE, uh, no I do not!!! You looked like the easiest, gentlest target for my ill-thought-out social experiment—thinking in my head of course.) Or… “What are these flecks on the chocolate?”

Now that I’m safely seated at home, where my introvert tendencies need not be challenged on a daily basis, I can not-awkwardly (okay, a little awkwardly since it’s kinda my signature at this point) share this delightful Dark Chocolate Chili Nut Clusters Recipe with you. They’re awesomely healthy, homemade and vegan!

And no, I would totally not have the soft baked vegan donut balls to say & sell these to you while waiting on your doorstep, awkwardly grinning like a fool. 😉 Without further ado, let’s chat about all things Homemade Chocolate Nut Clusters! Read below for common questions, substitution notes, related recipes, tips and more!

Dark Chocolate Chili Nut Clusters Recipe – Healthy, Homemade & Vegan! (3)

How Spicy are these Homemade Dark Chocolate Chili Nut Clusters?

In one word: spicy!! But not to fear, you can entirely remove one of the spices (the hottest one, imo), if you’d like! Psst… it’s cayenne!

Are these Easy Homemade Chocolate Nut Clusters Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Paleo?

Yes! Make sure to use vegan, paleo & gluten-free ingredients and you’re good to go! Be sure to check out the “Tools” section below for my favorite paleo chocolate, vegan chocolate chips and more. 😉

Dark Chocolate Chili Nut Clusters Recipe – Healthy, Homemade & Vegan! (4)

Tools to Make this the Best Homemade Chocolate Nut Clusters Recipe Ever!

Click the links below to check out my favorite tools & ingredients used to make this recipe.

  1. Vegan Chocolate Chips– a great vegan chocolate chip alternative that’s Top 8 Free.
  2. Paleo Vegan Chocolate– one of my very favorite chocolate brands ever – it just happens to be paleo, vegan & dairy-free (and gf!!).
  3. Double Boiler– use this instead of the microwave to melt your chocolate!
  4. Coconut Oil– great quality coconut oil at such an awesome price!
  5. Unbleached Parchment Paper– my favorite unbleached parchment paper to use for baking & making homemade candy.

Perhaps now is the time for our big virtual introverts united group hug? 😉 Or perhaps it’s time to make a big batch of these chocolate chili nut clusters and maybe these double chocolate chewy oatmeal cookies, and we can discuss the hug sitch later? Hehe! I’ll grab everything and meet ya in the kitchen! Thank you so much for stopping by and enjoying these wonderful kitchen adventures with me. It’s truly a blessing. I can’t wait to hear what you and your loved ones think. In the meantime…

Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️

. Click below to Pin .

Dark Chocolate Chili Nut Clusters Recipe – Healthy, Homemade & Vegan! (5)

📸 Did you make this recipe? Take a pic and share it on Instagram with the hashtag #beamingbaker and tag @beamingbaker. I would love to see it! 📸

More Sweet Nut Cluster & Dark Chocolate Recipes

  • Salted Dark Chocolate Nut Clusters
  • 3 Ingredient Chocolate Almond Bark
  • Easy Gluten Free Vegan Dark Chocolate Muffins
  • Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Kind Bars
  • Soft Baked Vegan Chocolate Donuts
  • Dark Chocolate Coconut Almonds – 3 Ingredient

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Dark Chocolate Chili Nut Clusters Recipe – Healthy, Homemade & Vegan! (6)

Dark Chocolate Chili Nut Clusters Recipe – Healthy, Homemade & Vegan!

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

5 from 11 reviews

  • Author: Demeter | Beaming Baker
  • Yield: about 18-24 clusters 1x
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Description

Dark Chocolate Chili Nut Clusters Recipe (V, GF): this homemade chocolate nut clusters recipe is healthy, easy and decadent! It’s the perfect dark chocolate treat – spicy, rich, packed with sweet nut clusters & prep’d in 15 minutes!

Ingredients

Scale

Optional Topping

  • 1 tablespoon nuts, finely chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon chili flakes and/or cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Line a small or medium baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. To melt the chocolate: use the double boiler method or do the following. Add chocolate and coconut oil to a medium, microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second increments until melted. Stir in between heating increments, until smooth.
  3. Fold in nuts and spices. Using a spoon, scoop and drop piles of chocolate-covered nuts on the prepared baking sheet. These cluster piles should be evenly spaced apart. Optionally, sprinkle with finely chopped nuts and spices.
  4. Allow to set at room temperature, until firm. Or, chill in the refrigerator, for about 30 minutes. Enjoy! Storing instructions below.Adapted from my Salted Dark Chocolate Almond Clusters.

    Also try my 3 Ingredient Chocolate Almond Bark and my .

Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.
Nutrition Information: is an estimate based on the best-selling, most common brands per ingredient. Also, it’s estimated based on 24 servings per recipe. 🙂

  • Category: Dessert, Candy, Snacks, Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Healthy

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cluster
  • Calories: 74
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 0mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Carbohydrates: 7g
  • Protein: 2g

© beamingbaker.com. All content and images are protected by copyright. Please do not use my images or recipe without my permission. Please do not republish this recipe, instead, include a link to this post for the recipe.

This post may contain affiliate links, which allow me to make a small commission for my referral, at no additional cost to you.

Dark Chocolate Chili Nut Clusters Recipe – Healthy, Homemade & Vegan! (2024)

FAQs

What does dark chocolate do to chili? ›

Adding a small amount of unsweetened cocoa powder and dark chocolate help offset the acidity of the tomatoes and peppers and enhances the chili's overall flavor profile by giving it rich, earthy tones. This is also why some people think of chocolate as “the secret ingredient” in the best chili recipes.

When should I add chocolate to my chili? ›

Stir the chopped chocolate in after the chili has simmered for 20-25 minutes (or at the end of cooking if you're making this in your slow cooker). It'll give your chili an extra layer of flavor that will taste even better the day after it's made.

Why do people put chocolate in chili? ›

So what does unsweetened chocolate do for a pot of chili? It adds richness, deeper flavor, and umami. In vegetarian or vegan recipes where there is no meat, unsweetened chocolate can be an especially important way to add that depth.

What can you substitute for chocolate in chili? ›

The key is to reach for unsweetened cocoa powder and use it judiciously — for a typical batch, you'll only need a tablespoon or two. Start by stirring in a tablespoon to your favorite recipe when you add your dry spices like chili powder and cumin. Let the pot simmer, then taste the chili.

Is dark chili chocolate good for you? ›

The Health Benefits of Spicy Chocolate

Rich in polyphenols, antioxidants known for their health-promoting properties. Polyphenols aid in reducing inflammation, supporting circulation, and improving cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

What can I add to dark chocolate to make it taste better? ›

7 Tips to Make Dark Chocolate Taste Less Bitter
  1. Add sugar. This might be a no-brainer, but it sure is the easiest way to make dark chocolate taste less bitter. ...
  2. Add sea salt. ...
  3. Add chili peppers. ...
  4. Add some fruits. ...
  5. Pair it with wine. ...
  6. Pair it with cheese. ...
  7. Quality matters.
Oct 3, 2022

What does cinnamon do to chili? ›

Cinnamon delivers a sweet aroma and a woodsy, peppery flavor. Crumbly, floral Ceylon cinnamon is the type of cinnamon traditionally found in Mexican foods, but we like the bold, spicy flavor of Cassia cinnamon for chili recipes. Add it early, so the flavor has time to mellow.

What does coffee do for chili? ›

Though it may be an unusual choice, coffee adds an earthy richness to the existing flavors and plays well with spices like cumin and cayenne pepper. Plus, it's a flexible ingredient – while we typically reach for instant espresso powder, you can also add in brewed coffee, making this dish the perfect use for leftovers.

What are the best beans for chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

What city puts chocolate in chili? ›

Somewhere along the line of Cincinnati chili's more than 100-year history, a rumor began to spread faster than hot sauce across an oyster cracker: There's chocolate in Cincinnati chili. The alleged ingredient is often a reason people turn their noses up to the Queen City delicacy.

Is chocolate or cocoa powder better in chili? ›

Adding sweetened dark chocolate instead of cocoa powder works just as well, there's no much difference except the chocolate adds a bit of sweetness. The main benefit of using chocolate rather than cocoa powder is that you can try different varieties, however as it's just an undertone you aren't likely to notice.

Should I put cocoa powder in my chili? ›

If you're familiar with mole or Mexican hot chocolate, you know the power of chocolate and spice; adding cocoa to your chili boosts the flavors, allowing you to get the most out of minimal spices, without adding a noticeable chocolatey-ness.

What tastes like chocolate but is healthy? ›

Cacao Nibs: Cacao nibs are small pieces of crushed cacao beans. They have a rich, chocolatey flavor and provide a good dose of antioxidants, fiber, and minerals. They are less processed than chocolate and can be sprinkled on yogurt, oatmeal, or enjoyed on their own.

What chocolates are vegan? ›

  • Sponsored. ...
  • Galaxy Vegan Classic Chocolate Bar Dairy Free 100G. ...
  • Lindt Classic Vegan Caramel Sea Salt Chocolate Bar 100G. ...
  • Kit Kat 4 Finger Vegan Chocolate Bar 41.5g. ...
  • Lindt Classic Recipe Vegan Smooth Chocolate 100G. ...
  • Nomo No Missing Out Caramel Chocolate Vegan Free From 38G.

What chocolate can Type 1 diabetics eat? ›

Instead of 'diabetic' chocolate, try choosing good-quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa is best).

What can I add to chili to make it darker? ›

Add a Porter or Stout beer to the recipe for some extra darkness.

Does cocoa enhance chili? ›

If you're familiar with mole or Mexican hot chocolate, you know the power of chocolate and spice; adding cocoa to your chili boosts the flavors, allowing you to get the most out of minimal spices, without adding a noticeable chocolatey-ness.

Does dark chocolate improve performance? ›

Dark chocolates have ample polyphenols which triggers the Nitric Oxide synthase cycle, which, if simply put, leads to vasodilation and as a result increases the supply of oxygen and blood flow to the working muscle. For an athlete this leads to improved endurance, less fatigue and enhanced aerobic capacity.

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