Chocolate and Nuts: A Match Made In Heaven

The timeless sweet and savory combination of chocolate and nuts is a widely popular food: It can be a dessert-type treat or filling snack for just about anyone at any time. There’s just something about the crunchy contrast of nuts against a creamy chocolate exterior! And with a few variations of chocolate and several nuts out there to savour, it's a versatile and tasty way to enjoy both foods.

It’s easy to pair chocolate and nuts and appreciate the basics of the classic blend. Some research even suggests the combination of chocolate and nuts may provide nutrients with the healthy fats and antioxidants from both nuts and dark chocolate. They’re both considered heart healthy foods, too! And you may tend to eat less chocolate and therefore refined sugar when pairing it with filling nuts. Learn a bit more information about the health benefits of dark chocolate here.

Chocolate Covered Nuts

Doesn’t everything taste good covered in chocolate? We are well acquainted with chocolate covered nuts here at Superior Nut Company. The snack is simple to make at home— But if you’d rather skip a few steps, we have a wide variety of premium milk and dark chocolate covered nuts to choose from. Try dark chocolate covered pecan turtles, milk chocolate covered cashews, or milk chocolate covered macadamia nuts to get you started.

Milk and dark chocolate covered nuts are equally delectable, but slightly different and recommended for different occasions and personal preferences. Dark chocolate is less sweet than milk and white chocolates, which can be good to compliment or contrast sweet or subtle nuts. Dark chocolate covered almonds are a model pair for such complementary flavors! White chocolate covered nuts have more sugar than their milk and dark counterparts, making them perfect to satisfy an ultimate sweet tooth.

Create Your Own Nut and Chocolate Recipes

If you do decide to make your own chocolate covered nuts, go ahead and get creative! It’s easy to create a mix and match of various types of nuts and chocolate recipes when you’re making them at home. You can even modify your chocolate recipes with add ons like flaky sea salt, caramel, dried fruit, or flavorings like vanilla (or, get extra nutty with hazelnut or almond extract).

After selecting your chocolate and nuts, prepare a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler (or in a bowl in the microwave, stirring every 15 seconds) until fully melted. Drop the nuts in the melted chocolate and stir. Then use a slotted spoon or fork to lift the nuts out of the chocolate, dripping off excess chocolate. Place nuts on the prepared baking sheet and set aside until the chocolate is set. This is when you can sprinkle on toppings like sea salt. To make clusters of nuts, place the nuts on the prepared baking sheet in groups. If you’d like to expedite the setting process, pop the baking sheet in the refrigerator. When hardened, the chocolate covered nuts will be firm and easily peel off of the parchment paper.

To Roast or Not to Roast

Whether or not you’d prefer to roast the nuts before covering them in chocolate is completely up to you! Roasting deepens the flavor of nuts, allowing a tasteful pair alongside rich and creamy chocolate. Without roasting, you’re still sure to enjoy any natural combination of nuts and chocolate.

To roast nuts, first preheat the oven to approximately 325º F. Toss the nuts with desired seasonings, like salt and pepper, or leave them plain if you’d like. Spread the nuts in an even layer on a baking sheet and put in the oven. Depending on the type of nut, it will take about 5-15 minutes to achieve your desired roast. However, be sure to check every couple of minutes after 5 minutes, as some nuts can burn easily!

Choose Your Favorite Chocolate Covered Nuts

When considering what to pair with nuts, chocolate reigns supreme. Nuts enrobed in chocolate is a classic match that works with any variety, can easily be prepared with pantry staples, and will last for weeks in the refrigerator. If you’re looking for a lighter version of the snack or for dietary reasons, Superior Nut Company also offers a selection of sugar free chocolate covered nuts like peanuts, cashews, almonds, and pecans. Whichever variety you choose, it’s bound to satisfy your sweet tooth, boost your energy, and taste delicious every time!