Today's treat is tasty almond-topped low-carb candy bites. This simple coconut chocolate candy recipe is an easy-to-make treat for those on a sugar-free diet!
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I don't make a lot of low-carb candy. It's something I reserve for special occasions like holidays and birthdays. And, there are some recipes that I began making many years ago.
When I was a teenager, I worked in a store that made candy. So, this recipe was inspired by one of the handmade chocolate candies I used to make there.
However, rather than use the typical sweetened coconut in the candy, I used the unsweetened to make it low carb.
Although you don't have to sweeten the coconut first, I chose to do it!
I simply stirred in some hot sugar-free vanilla syrup into the coconut and let it sit. The result is a low-carb sweetened coconut that is perfect for use in recipes like this keto-friendly candy!
Why you’ll love it
If you're looking for a simple recipe to combine chocolate and coconut, this is one of the simplest recipes there is. And, to make it even easier, you can skip sweetening the dried coconut flakes.
These coconut balls taste just like an Almond Joy. If you love coconut, you will really enjoy how these taste.
Even better, they are made without any flour! No almond flour or coconut flour in these chocolate balls.
Ingredients
There are just a few simple ingredients in these yummy chocolate coconut balls:
Shredded coconut
The coconut flavor comes from real coconut. On the keto diet, you should use unsweetened coconut.
Those who have been following a keto diet for a long time have usually lost their taste for sweets. So I'd recommend leaving the coconut unsweetened in this recipe if that describes you.
Sugar-free vanilla syrup
This not only adds incredible flavor to the coconut chocolate candy, but it also sweetens it, too, without adding sugar or carbs.
Chocolate
I used a bar of unsweetened baking chocolate. You could replace it with either sugar-free milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips.
Butter
The butter is used to melt the chocolate in this recipe. You could also use coconut oil instead of butter for these homemade candies.
Sweetener
You will need powdered erythritol, which is a powdered sugar substitute. If you think it still needs to be a bit sweeter, add a tiny bit of stevia concentrated powder.
Use a liquid sweetener that can be soaked up by the coconut to give it a touch of sweetness.
Vanilla extract
A little bit of sugar-free vanilla extract really amplifies the rest of the flavors.
Almonds
I used whole almonds, but you can use chopped almonds instead.
Please note: Check out the recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients used to make this low-carb recipe.
Tips
- Add chocolate chips. Mix in some sugar-free chocolate chips and the candies will have a richer flavor with more texture.
- Use roasted almonds. This will deepen the flavor profiles of the nuts.
- Add water to the baking sheets. When you put a small amount of water under the plastic wrap, it helps the candies come off the plastic easier.
Instructions
This chocolate-covered coconut candy recipe is made similar to peanut clusters. You simply mix the coconut into the melted chocolate and scoop it onto a non-stick tray to harden.
However, I've dressed it up in this recipe by adding an almond on top of each one. This is how I used to make them many years ago at my first job in a nut and candy store in the local mall!
Sweeten the coconut
If you want to sweeten the coconut, just put the coconut in a small bowl with zero-carb vanilla syrup. You can use the kind that's typically used to flavor coffee or go for the more natural stevia-sweetened one.
Then, I cover it with plastic wrap and let it sit, so the coconut mixture absorbs the syrup.
Melt the chocolate
Then, I melt baking chocolate with butter and then add in some powdered erythritol and stevia extract powder.
Stir in the coconut
Once the sweeteners are blended in, it's time to add in the coconut and stir until it's covered in chocolate.
Scoop candy onto baking sheet
Next, you just place a tablespoon-sized scoop onto a non-stick surface and top each scoop with an almond. Allow it to sit until hardened. Then, it's ready to enjoy!
️ Serving suggestions
This is the perfect dessert to serve at a party. There are lots of keto-friendly desserts you can serve with it.
This chocolate coconut candy tastes amazing with some keto cream cheese cookies. They are crispy and light and actually complement the rich flavors of these candies.
For an even lighter dessert, enjoy a small bowl of sugar-free banana pudding with a piece of coconut chocolate candy. The combination will taste like a banana split.
FAQs
Before we get to the printable recipe card, here are some questions people often ask about how to make it.
No, it has too much sugar and carbs to be keto-friendly.
Yes, I used desiccated coconut in my recipe. That's just a fancy way of saying coconut that was freshly shredded, flaked, and dried.
Keep leftover chocolate candy in an airtight container at room temperature. Separate the layers with parchment paper.
I used a microwave-safe bowl and heated the chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each round until the chocolate was completely melted.
This sugar-free chocolate-covered coconut candy recipe makes the perfect gift. Just put each bite into small paper candy cups and box them up.
When you are craving a sugar-free Almond Joy candy bar, this sweet, low-carb coconut candy is sure to hit the spot.
What's your favorite way to enjoy the flavors of chocolate and coconut?
Related recipes
Looking for other sugar-free treats to make for your next party (or when you are just craving something sweet)? Be sure to check out these gluten-free keto desserts. They are some of my favorites!
- Keto Pecan Pie has an addicting nutty flavor and the same rich sweetness as the classic version, but still low in carbs.
- White Chocolate Keto Truffles are a tasty homemade treat that will be remembered on any special day.
- Homemade Keto Peanut Butter Cups taste just as good as the store-bought candies, but these are easy on your stomach.
- Chewy Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies are a sugar-free twist on a classic recipe and they have less than 1g net carbs in each cookie.
- No Bake Keto Cookies are super easy to make and keep in the freezer.
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Recipe
Chocolate Covered Coconut Candy
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut
- 3 Tablespoons sugar-free vanilla syrup
- 1 bar unsweetened baking chocolate , 4 oz
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- ½ cup powdered erythritol
- ¼ teaspoon stevia concentrated powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar-free vanilla extract
- 24 almonds , whole
Instructions
- Put coconut in small glass bowl. Heat vanilla syrup to boiling in microwave. Stir hot syrup into coconut and cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let sit.
- Place chocolate and butter in small glass bowl and microwave until melted, about 1 minute. When melted, add the erythritol, stevia and vanilla extract. Stir well. Then, add in the coconut.
- Pour small amount of water into metal baking sheets, then line baking sheet with plastic wrap.
- Put teaspoons of chocolate candy mixture onto plastic wrap.
- Top each candy with an almond.
- Place in refrigerator to harden chocolate.
Notes
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Notes on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Copyright
© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
First published July 18, 2010. Updated on March 8, 2022, with new images and additional recipe information.
Linda
Love this recipe! I didn’t have the syrup so subbed homemade SF keto maple syrup and a tbs of coconut oil. Perfect consistency! I also reserved a little chocolate and stirred the almonds in that before putting them on top of the candies. Looked vety pretty and didnt have to worry they would pop off. Thanks for all your great recipes!!
Lisa
The maple flavor sounds like a fabulous add.
Emily Kemp
Love how easy these are to make, delicious!
Mike
OK I just attempted to make this, and everything was going fine melting the chocolate and butter in the microwave...in fact I even tempered the chocolate and added half of it room temp when the melted stuff came out of the microwave, and it melted perfectly. But then when I added the powdered erythritol (before the coconut) the chocolate mixture seemed to seize up while trying to stir in the sweetener. By the time I added the coconut, it was done and a crumbly goop. Granted it was still tasty, but I couldn't form it into balls or planks without it crumbling up, I got like 4 successful ones but if I pushed an almond into it, it would break apart. Any tips? Add the sweetener slowly next time or don't temper the melted chocolate? I am at a loss. Still a tasty crumbly mix though 🙂
Lisa
I believe that can happen from the extract, but it also could have been a bit too much erythritol. It doesn't seem to happen if I use vanilla stevia or a glycerin extract so it might be the alcohol in the extract.
Mike
OK Thanks, I do have vanilla stevia so I will try that next time and see...thought maybe with the liquid being room temp from the cooled chocolate, dumping all the powder in at once might have made it do that. Will had slowly next time and whisk. 🙂
Lisa
I have made this with erythritol so it should be okay, so maybe it does need to be added slowly to give it time to dissolve.
Jon
There is no step where the chocolate and coconut are mixed together.
I assume the coconut and chocolate are mixed?
Lisa
Oops! Yes. The coconut is added to the melted chocolate. I'll fix that!
Connie
What is bad about Splenda. I missed the memo.
Lisa
There's ton's of info on it like this http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/18/sucralose-side-effects.aspx
Jackie Moore
I would love to try the "Coconut Almond Chocolate Candy" but I cannot use Splenda. Is there anything else I can use instead of the Vanilla Syrup as it is sweetened with Splenda.
Thanks,
Jackie Moore
jacqmoo@usit.net
Lisa
I don't use those syrups any more. This is one of my first recipes before I realized how bad Splenda is. You can just sub with vanilla stevia drops (you'll need only a small amount - I'd try 1/4 teaspoon and adjust from there). You may need to add a bit of straight water to make up the liquid difference.
Jackie Moore
Thanks for your help. I love chocolate and these look delicious.