Chocolate Berry Bars

Chocolate Berry Bars with fresh berries, chia, coconut and toasted almonds all frozen in a slab of dark chocolate. To-die-for easy summer dessert!

It’s no bake dessert time! I always crave something sweet after dinner and I thought it would be nice to combine my usual dark chocolate with berries that are in season right now.

These berry chocolate bars remind me of my superfood chocolate bars but with the added freshness of juicy fruit and no need to turn on the oven. I’ve been alternating them and protein frozen yogurt bars and they’re just what I need!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy recipe: Only 15 minutes of prep and zero baking.
• Full of superfoods: 100% wholesome ingredients rich in fiber, healthy fats, protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
• Versatile snacking: These bars hit the spot anytime you need an afternoon boost or late-night snack.
• Delicious: Just the right amount of sweetness and crunch, and everyone loves biting into frozen chocolate!

Ingredients for Chocolate Berry Bars

This recipe is made with just 8 simple ingredients!

• Berries: I used fresh raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries. You can also use blackberries, Saskatoon berries or any other sweet berries.
• Dark chocolate chips: I like the rich taste and health benefits of dark chocolate, see variations below.
• Coconut oil: Magic ingredient that thins the chocolate, makes it shine, and helps it harden.
• Almonds: Toasted almonds add a rich, nutty flavor and satisfying crunch. Use slivered, sliced or chopped almonds, or any of your favorite nuts.
• Coconut flakes: Add a touch of tropical flair, a bit of sweetness, and a slight chewy texture. On second thought, I should have toasted the coconut flakes as well so feel free to do so!
• Chia seeds: Choose whole black chia seeds or white chia seeds for extra crunch in the bars.

How to Make Chocolate Berry Bars

Here’s a quick overview of how I made these dessert bars.

Also, to help them hold together better you can mix chia, almonds, coconut flakes and melted chocolate in a large bowl. Then gently fold in berries and transfer to a loaf pan.

• Melt chocolate: In a medium bowl, combine chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 1 minute intervals until melted, stirring in between. Set aside.
• Toast nuts and coconut: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add almonds and coconut flakes. Toast until they turn golden brown, stirring often. Set aside.
• Layer ingredients: Line a 9 x 5 loaf pan with parchment paper then layer strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Sprinkle with toasted almonds, coconut flakes and chia seeds. Evenly drizzle melted chocolate and set the pan in the freezer for 7 hours or until fully set.
• Slice and enjoy: Remove from the freezer and transfer to a cutting board using the parchment paper flaps. Let them thaw for 2-3 minutes and cut into 8 bars with serrated knife.

Tips for Best Results

Here are a few easy tips to remember when whipping up these healthy bars.

• Chop strawberries small: Make them smaller than I did, so bars hold better.
• Use parchment paper: Its non-stick surface makes it easier to remove the bars from the pan and ensures easy cleanup afterward.
• Tap the loaf pan: This helps settle the layers of chocolate, berries, and nuts snugly together, ensuring they freeze into perfect bars.
• Let bars set: Be patient as I found these bars need longer freezing time than others. You want them to keep their shape, just like a classic chocolate bar.

Variations

I’ve really taken a liking to this combo, but mixing things up is all part of the fun!

• Semi sweet chocolate chips: For sweeter results compared to dark chocolate.
• Other chocolate chips: Try milk chocolate chips, white chocolate, or peanut butter chips for a twist.
• Frozen berries: Be sure not to thaw them first, and keep in mind they are less sweet. You could add maple syrup to the melted chocolate for a sweeter flavor boost.
• Other nuts: Walnuts, pecans, peanuts, pine nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, or macadamia nuts each bring their own special flavor.
• Add peanut butter: Stir in 3-4 tablespoons to the chocolate mixture.
• Omit chia or coconut flakes: The texture and flavor will vary slightly, but will still be delicious. You could add more nuts or try dried fruit for extra chewiness and flavor.
• Flaky sea salt: A pinch of sea salt makes chocolate taste even better!
• Extracts: Enhance the overall flavor by adding up to 1 teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract.
• Orange zest: Brings a zesty brightness that pairs perfectly with nuts, chocolate, and berries.

How to Store

Freeze: Store bars between layers of parchment paper in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw on a plate for 1-2 minutes before enjoying.

Don’t put them in the fridge because they’ll dry out and might end up falling apart.

FAQs

More No Bake Dessert Recipes to Try

• Strawberry bark
• Banana bark
• Date bark
• Cottage cheese bark
• Banana snickers
• No bake black bean brownies
• Coconut oil fudge