Vegan Coconut Almond Chocolate Clusters {Gluten-Free}

Seven ingredient vegan almond chocolate coconut cluster recipe are also gluten-free and refined sugar free. Ready in minutes and full of chocolately and nutty flavors. 

So my parents love my chocolate nut clusters. I mean love love love them. As in request them every time I’m home and ask me to make a large batch any time I’m going away.

I don’t blame them. Those nut clusters are good. But perhaps not so good for you. Marshmallow and Puffins don’t exactly scream healthy natural ingredients to me.

So I’ve been on the hunt for a new nut cluster recipe. One that is refined sugar free and made from natural ingredients – nuts, oats, butters, dried fruits, ya know – the un-processed side of the supermarket.

First I experimented with dried fruit and peanut butter balls which were good, but not quite a replacement for my almond nut clusters.

So this was my second attempt. I looked around in kitchen for an appropriate set of ingredients and settled on toasted coconut flakes, almond butter, walnuts, dates, oats, vanilla extract and dark chocolate chips. Sounds like a good set of flavors to me.

Toasted coconut flakes by the way are pretty much the best thing ever. As in seriously can’t get enough of them. My go to granola is oats, coconut flakes and sliced almonds, and let’s be real here I’m pretty much just digging around for the toasted coconut flakes most of the time.

My chocolate, almond and coconut cluster recipe is crispy, crunchy, just ever so slightly coconutty, yet not that sweet. Kind of perfect for me. And in this coconut cluster recipe we’re taking that toasted coconut (either buy toasted in the store or make your own) and turning it into toasted coconut butter – the next best thing. To that we’re adding dates for sweetness, walnuts for nuttiness, oats to firm things up, almond butter for more nutty flavor and vanilla extract for that awesome irresistible scent.

Talk about the most awesome combination you can put in your food processor. Then melt some chocolate chips and mix everything together. Using a tablespoon measuring spoon I plopped the clusters onto a parchment lined baking sheet and tossed them into the freezer to harden.

30 minutes later these were ready for sampling (well technically I had already licked my fingers and the tablespoon for an initial taste approval test).

Chocolately, nutty, and delicious. Refined sugar free and made from all natural ingredients. A guilt free snack or dessert. Even after freezing these were still a bit soft, so if you prefer your clusters to be more firm I would change up the coconut cluster recipe by adding more walnuts or oats into the mix. If you try this coconut cluster recipe be sure to let me know what you think in the comments below!

5 from 1 vote

Print

Vegan Coconut Almond Chocolate Cluster Recipe {Gluten-Free}

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

2 mins

Total Time

12 mins

 

Seven ingredient vegan chocolate coconut cluster recipe are also gluten-free and refined sugar free. Ready in minutes and full of chocolately and nutty flavors.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: gluten free, Healthy, Vegan

Servings: 6

Calories: 405 kcal

Author: Vicky Berman

Ingredients

• 1 cup toasted coconut flakes
• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 6 dates pitted
• 3 tablespoons gluten free oats
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup vegan dark chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Process coconut flakes, walnuts, dates and oats in food processor until broken down. Add almond butter and vanilla extract. Process until smooth.
2. Melt chocolate chips over low heat in pot. Add mixture and mix.
3. Form clusters with a tablespoon measuring spoon.
4. Freeze for 30 minutes.
5. Refrigerate to store.