This Healthy Rocky Road is a nutrient-packed twist on the classic chocolate fridge treat. It is made with melted dark chocolate, nuts, seeds, dried fruit and cacao nibs for a rich, crunchy, chewy sweet snack.
This superfood rocky road still feels like a treat, but it is packed with healthy fats, fibre, plant-based protein and antioxidants. It is easy to make, keeps well in the fridge or freezer, and is perfect for after-school snacks, hiking snacks or an afternoon pick-me-up.
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This superfood rocky road is quick to make and requires no baking. You just melt the chocolate, stir everything together, press it into a tin and let it set.
It is also easy to adapt depending on what nuts, seeds and dried fruit you already have. It is naturally gluten free, can be made vegan if you use dairy-free dark chocolate, and it is much more nutrient-dense than traditional rocky road made with marshmallows and biscuits.
Looking for more healthy snack recipes? Why not try our easy Nut Free Energy Balls, chewy Healthy Cookies or our delicious Carrot Cake Oat Bars?
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Chocolate - Dark chocolate is the base of this recipe. Use a good quality dark chocolate, ideally at least 70% cocoa solids, for the best flavour and a richer result. We like to use 85%, but I know some people find that too rich.
- Coconut oil - Coconut oil helps the chocolate melt smoothly and gives the rocky road a slightly softer bite once set.
- Nuts - We used pistachios, walnuts, pecans, cashews and almonds. Any nuts will work.
- Seeds - Chia seeds and flax seeds. You could use pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds too.
- Cacao nibs - These add crunch and a deep chocolate flavour without extra sugar.
- Fruit - Raisins, dried cranberries and dried apricots add chewy sweetness and balance the bitterness of the dark chocolate. You could use dried cherries or goji berries too.
Healthy Rocky Road Variations
Sweeter - I know not everyone like super dark chocolate, so you could use a mix of dark chocolate and milk chocolate. This is a good option if you are making it for children who are not used to very dark chocolate.
Vegan - Use dairy-free dark chocolate and check that all your dried fruit is suitable.
Nut free - Replace the nuts with pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, toasted coconut flakes and extra dried fruit. The texture will be different, but still delicious.
Protein boost - Stir in a little puffed quinoa, puffed rice or chopped protein cereal. Avoid adding protein powder unless you are happy with a slightly drier texture.
Tropical - Use dried mango, coconut flakes, cashews and macadamias.
How To Make Superfood Rocky Road
- Step 1: Chop all of the nuts into fairly small pieces.
- Step 2: Melt together the chocolate and coconut oil until silky smooth.
- Step 3: Chop all the nuts, seeds and dried fruit. In a mixing bowl, add the nuts, seeds, cacao nibs and fruit (reserving a few teaspoons of nuts and fruit).
- Step 4: Pour over the melted chocolate and mix everything together.
- Step 5: Line a 20x12.5cm (8x5") baking tin, leaving some overhang so you can lift the rocky road out easily once it has set. Pour the chocolate mixture in, packing it down. Press the reserved fruit and nuts into the top.
- Step 6: Refrigerate for 2 hours and then cut into squares.
Meal Prep and Storage
Store - This healthy rocky road is ideal for meal prep because it keeps really well and can be made ahead in a big batch. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Keeping it chilled helps it stay firm and gives it the best texture.
Freeze - You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Place the squares into a freezer-safe container with baking paper between the layers so the pieces don't stick together. You can eat them straight from the freezer for a firmer bite, or leave them at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.
Dannii's Top Tips
- Use good quality dark chocolate, as it is the main flavour in the recipe.
- Do not overheat the chocolate. Melt it gently and stir often so it stays smooth and glossy.
- Roughly chop the nuts rather than leaving them all whole. This makes the rocky road easier to slice and helps everything hold together.
- Press the mixture firmly into the tin. If it is too loose, it may crumble when you cut it.
- Use a sharp knife to slice it. For neater squares, let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before cutting.
- Add a pinch of sea salt if your chocolate tastes very bitter. It helps balance the flavour.
- Do not skip the baking paper. It makes removing the rocky road from the tin much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Replace the nuts with seeds, coconut flakes, dried fruit, puffed rice or crisped quinoa. Pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds work especially well.
It usually takes around 2 hours in the fridge. If your tin is deeper and the rocky road is thicker, it may need a little longer.
It may not have been pressed firmly enough into the tin, or there may be too many dry ingredients compared to chocolate. Make sure everything is well coated and compacted before chilling.
Yes. The coconut oil helps the chocolate melt smoothly and gives a slightly softer bite, but you can leave it out. The rocky road will set firmer.
More Chocolate Recipes
If you've tried this Healthy Rocky Road recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
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Recipe
Superfood Healthy Rocky Road
Ingredients
- 200 g (7 oz) Dark chocolate - vegan
- 1 tablespoon Coconut oil
- 170 g (1.25 cups) Mixed nuts
- 1.5 tablespoon Chia seeds
- 1.5 tablespoon Linseeds
- 170 g (1 cups) Dried fruit
- 1.5 tablespoon Cacao nibs
Instructions
- Chop 170 g Mixed nuts into fairly small pieces.
- Melt together 200 g Dark chocolate and 1 tablespoon Coconut oil until silky smooth.
- In a mixing bowl, add the chopped nuts, 1.5 tablespoon Chia seeds, 1.5 tablespoon Linseeds, 1.5 tablespoon Cacao nibs and 170 g Dried fruit(reserving a few teaspoons of nuts and fruit).
- Pour over the melted chocolate and mix everything together.
- Line a 20x12.5cm (8x5") baking tin and pour the mixture in, packing it down. Press the reserved fruit and nuts into the top.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours and then cut into squares.
Recipe Tips
- Use good quality dark chocolate, as it is the main flavour in the recipe.
- Do not overheat the chocolate. Melt it gently and stir often so it stays smooth and glossy.
- Roughly chop the nuts rather than leaving them all whole. This makes the rocky road easier to slice and helps everything hold together.
- Press the mixture firmly into the tin. If it is too loose, it may crumble when you cut it.
- Use a sharp knife to slice it. For neater squares, let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before cutting.
- Add a pinch of sea salt if your chocolate tastes very bitter. It helps balance the flavour.
- Do not skip the baking paper. It makes removing the rocky road from the tin much easier.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Ruth says
Like this! I'll be keeping a box in the freezer from now on. Used dried bananas, raisins, dried mango, a mixture of nuts and added some flaxseed, freeze dried strawberry bits and bee pollen.