Simplicity meets indulgence with these easy 3-Ingredient Chocolate Almond Clusters! They're the ultimate treat for chocolate lovers, combining the richness of dark chocolate, crunch of almonds, and a hint of sea salt in every bite.
It's always a good idea to have a handful of quick and easy healthy snack ideas in your back pocket when hunger hits. Some of my tried-and-true favorites are my peanut butter cup rice cakes, coconut date balls, and 3-ingredient air fryer peanut butter cookies.
The next time you get a serious sweet craving, try whipping up a batch of these easy 3-Ingredient Dark Chocolate Almond Clusters! They have the perfect combination of rich dark chocolate, crunchy whole almonds, and a touch of flaky sea salt. It's a gourmet-quality chocolate treat that requires minimal effort.
These delicious nut clusters are the perfect nutritious snack or dessert. They also make a delightful homemade gift. If you're looking to spread holiday cheer, whip up a batch of these chocolate almond clusters or my holiday spiced nuts.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Dish:
- Simple Ingredients: You only need 3 ingredients- it doesn't get much simpler than that!
- Quick and Easy: No-bake desserts and snacks like these chocolate clusters are so easy- no need to even turn on the oven.
- Versatile: Customize this sweet treat with variations like white chocolate, toasted coconut, or sprinkles.
- Great Gifts: Share the love by packaging these delicious treats for homemade gifts; they taste like something you bought at a gourmet chocolate shop!
- Satisfies Cravings: A perfect balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy in every bite.
Doctor's Tips:
- Almonds and dark chocolate are a natural pairing and can be a delicious and nutritious addition to a balanced diet.
- Almonds are a nutritional powerhouse. They are packed with unsaturated fats, fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that have many positive health benefits including improved heart health.
- Dark chocolate adds rich flavor as well as powerful plant nutrients called flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties. Not all chocolate is created equal though! Dark chocolate has the highest concentration of these powerful compounds.
- Try my dark chocolate almond biscotti for more chocolate almond goodness!
Ingredients
Ingredient notes and substitutions. See recipe card at the end of the post for the full recipe.
- Dark chocolate- use good quality dark chocolate from the grocery store- I use Ghirardelli 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate
- Almonds- use whole roasted unsalted almonds; if you use salted almonds, you can skip the sea salt on top; I like using roasted almonds for more flavor; you can use raw almonds and then toast them in the oven yourself
- Sea salt- I sprinkle a little Maldon sea salt on top, which is a flaky sea salt; the sweet and salty combination of the dark chocolate and sea salt is out of this world
How To Make Chocolate Almond Clusters Step-By-Step
See recipe card at the end of the post for the full recipe.
- Step 1- Chop or break the chocolate into small pieces.
- Step 2- Melt chocolate in a double boiler on the stove or in a bowl in the microwave. For the microwave method, place chocolate pieces in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave in 30 second intervals until chocolate is melted and smooth. Stop to stir the chocolate each time so that it melts evenly.
- Step 3- Stir in the whole almonds, ensuring they are evenly coated with the melted chocolate.
- Step 4- Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop small clusters of the chocolate covered almonds in a single layer onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Step 5- Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over each cluster.
- Step 6- Allow the clusters to set in a cool area or speed up the process by placing them in the refrigerator until firm.
Chef's Tips:
- I prefer to use a good baking quality chocolate rather than chocolate chips for this recipe; I use a Ghiradelli 60% cacao baking bar. Many brands of chocolate chips have stabilizers in them that help them hold their shape when baking so they don't melt as well.
- Use roasted almonds for amazing flavor. If you have raw almonds, you can roast them in the oven yourself.
- Mise en place (prep) all of your ingredients so that you can work quickly to make the clusters before the chocolate starts to harden.
- For a twist, try variations of these chocolate almond clusters. See "Recipe Variations" section below.
Recipe Variations:
You can try different variations of these 3-Ingredient Dark Chocolate Almond Clusters to suit your cravings and preferences. Here are some ideas:
- White Chocolate Almond Clusters: Add a drizzle of white chocolate on top of the dark chocolate.
- Toasted Coconut: Mix shredded coconut into the melted chocolate and almond blend. You can also sprinkle coconut flakes on top.
- Sprinkles: Add a touch of fun by topping the clusters with colorful sprinkles. This is especially fun for the holidays.
- Different Types of Nuts- You can use other nuts besides almonds like cashews, walnuts or pecans.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, chocolate almonds can be a healthy snack when enjoyed in moderation. Almonds are a nutrient-rich source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, while dark chocolate adds antioxidants. However, it's important to be mindful of portion sizes and choose dark chocolate with minimal added sugars.
Store clusters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Leave them out at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving so that they're not too hard when you bite into them.
You can freeze these chocolate almond clusters in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw them out before serving.
More Tasty Snacks
YOUR PATH TO WELLNESS STARTS HERE!
Get my best healthy recipes and tips sent straight to your inbox!
Recipe
Chocolate Almond Clusters (3 Ingredients)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole unsalted almonds, preferably roasted
- 4 ounces dark chocolate
- Flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper.
- Chop or break the chocolate into small pieces. Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Add the almonds to the bowl and stir until they are completely coated with chocolate.
- Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, spoon clusters about 1 tablespoon in size onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all of the mixture has been used.
- Sprinkle each cluster with a little sea salt, if desired. You can top the clusters with other toppings like sprinkles, a drizzle of white chocolate, chopped nuts, or coconut flakes.
- Allow the clusters to set in a cool area or speed up the process by placing them in the refrigerator until firm, about 30 minutes.
- The chocolate almond clusters can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Leave them out at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving so that they're not too hard when you bite into them. They can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Use a good baking quality chocolate rather than chocolate chips for this recipe; I use a Ghiradelli 60% cacao baking bar. Many brands of chocolate chips have stabilizers in them that help them hold their shape when baking so they don't melt as well.
- Use roasted almonds for amazing flavor. If you have raw almonds, you can roast them in the oven yourself.
- Mise en place (prep) all of your ingredients so that you can work quickly to make the clusters before the chocolate starts to harden.
- For a twist, try variations of these chocolate almond clusters using white chocolate, coconut flakes, sprinkles or other nuts. See "Recipe Variations" section in the blog post for ideas.
King says
Woah! It looks so tasty. I saved this recipe to share with my sister. Thank you for sharing this healthy content.
sonaliruder says
Thank you!
Camila Carter says
It looks incredibly delicious 🙂 Going to make it for my mother, Hopefully, she will love it. Thanks for the recipe.
Kinnaur Heights says
Congrats to you Sonali for winning.
Kinnaur Heights says
Almonds are really good for health. Add Almonds to your diet.
Kim Klee says
Congratulations on your win!! They look delicious!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Kim!
Dr. Barb says
Congratulations on winning the raisin recipe contest. I can see why you won. These look fabulous and sound so tasty.
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much, that's really sweet of you to say!
Jessica Levinson says
Congrats on winning the recipe challenge! These look great!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Jessica, I was so excited to see the announcement!