Discover the ultimate guilt-free delight with these Chocolate Jam Bites! Packed with wholesome frozen raspberries, chia seeds, and a yogurt or delectable chocolate coating, this healthier dessert will satisfy your sweet tooth without any compromise on taste or nutrition.
Chocolate Jam Bites: A Sweet and Healthy Delight
If you’re a fan of sweet treats that won’t make you feel guilty, then you’re in for a real treat! These Chocolate Jam Bites are bite-sized goodies are not only scrumptious but also packed with wholesome gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and paleo-friendly ingredients that you’ll love.
Our raspberry jam bites are a delightful and healthier option for those moments when you’re craving something sweet. Perfect for afternoon snacking, an after-dinner dessert or a party. With two coatings to choose from along with their wholesome ingredients and delicious flavors, they’re sure to become a favorite treat for you and your loved ones. Whether you enjoy them as a guilt-free dessert or a snack, these bites are bound to leave you wanting more.
Recipe Ingredients you need
- Frozen Raspberries: Raspberries are the star of this recipe, providing a burst of natural sweetness and a vibrant berry flavor. They’re also rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, making these jam bites a nutritious choice.
- Chia Seeds: Chia seeds are an excellent addition as they help thicken the raspberry mixture and add a dose of fiber, healthy fats, and protein to the bites. If you prefer not to consume / un-soaked raw chia seeds, you can soak them in 1/2 cup of cold water for 30 minutes and then drain them before adding them to the raspberries.
- Maple Syrup: For a touch of natural sweetness, we use maple syrup, but you can choose any sticky liquid sweetener you prefer, such as Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup or liquid monk fruit for a keto-friendly option.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor, giving the jam bites a warm and inviting aroma.
2 Coating Options:
- Yogurt Coating: We recommend dairy-free plain Greek-style yogurt, like Kite-Hill, Cocojune, or Yoggu, which adds a creamy and tangy element to the bites. If you’re not dairy-free, regular Greek yogurt works as a great alternative.
- Dark Chocolate or White Chocolate: Depending on your preference, you can opt for dairy-free white or dark chocolate chips/bars. Brands like Hu’s Kitchen, Pascha’s Chocolate, Eating Evolved, Lily’s Sweets, or Enjoy Life offer excellent dairy-free options.
- Coconut Oil: Including a small amount of coconut oil helps make the chocolate coating easier to melt and apply.
Instructions: How to make Chocolate Jam Bites
- Prepare the Raspberry Jam Mixture: Mash together frozen raspberries, chia seeds, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to create a thick jam-like mixture.
- Freeze the Jam Bites: Drop spoonfuls of the raspberry jam onto a parchment-lined baking sheet to form circular mounds. Freeze the jam bites for 1-2 hours until firm and set.
- Choose Coating of Choice: yogurt or melted dark/white chocolate mixed with coconut oil.
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- Coat: Dip the frozen jam bites into the coating of choice and place them back on the baking sheet.
- Optional drizzle: Drizzle dark chocolate-coated bites with white chocolate or yogurt-coated bites with melted dark chocolate.
- Garnish: Sprinkle chocolate-coated bites with flaky sea salt for added flavor.
- Re-Freeze the Jam Bites: Freeze the bites again for 20 minutes until the coatings are set.
- Serve and enjoy: Once the chocolate coatings are firm, your Chocolate Jam Bites are ready to enjoy. Thaw for a minute or two if they are too hard from the freezer.
Tips for Success
- Properly Thaw Raspberries: If you’re using frozen raspberries, slightly thaw them before mashing with a fork. This will ensure a smoother and easier mixing process.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the raspberry mixture before freezing and adjust the sweetness with more maple syrup, if needed, based on your preference and the sweetness of the berries.
- Work quickly: When dipping the frozen jam bites into the yogurt or melted chocolate, work quickly to avoid them thawing too much. If they become too soft, pop them back into the freezer for a few minutes before continuing.
Storage and Freezer Instructions
Once you’ve made a batch of these delightful raspberry yogurt clusters, store them in an airtight container in the freezer. They will stay fresh for up to two weeks, making them a perfect make-ahead treat for any occasion.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Raspberry Jam Bites after a meal, as a sweet treat for parties, or even as a healthier option for your kids’ snack time. You can also add a dollop of dairy-free whipped cream on top or sprinkle them with crushed nuts for extra texture and flavor.
Variations and Substitutions
Feel free to get creative with these Chocolate Raspberry Jam Bites!
- Mixed Berry Bites: Swap the frozen strawberries for blackberries, strawberries like these Strawberry Bites, blueberries like these Blueberry Yogurt Clusters, or use a combination of all four for a mixed berry twist.
- Nutty Crunch: For added texture and a nutty twist, sprinkle crushed almonds, walnuts, or granola on top of the clusters before freezing.
- Sweetener: Instead of maple syrup, you can use honey, date syrup or organic agave syrup as a natural sweetener if not plant-based. Drizzle a small amount over the jam for a touch of golden sweetness.
- Yogurt Dipped Clusters: If you’re a yogurt lover, why not dip the clusters in yogurt. Let the clusters harden in the freezer before indulging.
- Coating: Try alternative coatings like melted almond butter or a dusting of cocoa powder for a more intense chocolate flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I use fresh raspberries instead of frozen ones?
A: Yes, you can use fresh raspberries, but keep in mind that frozen raspberries are softer and easier to mash. If using fresh raspberries, you may need to mash them for a bit longer to achieve the desired jam-like consistency.
Q2: Can I make these Chocolate Jam Bites keto-friendly?
A: Absolutely! Simply replace the maple syrup with a keto-friendly sweetener like Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup or liquid monk fruit for a low-carb option.
Q3: Is there a nut-free alternative for the chocolate coating?
A: If you have nut allergies, you can use nut-free chocolate brands or skip the chocolate coating altogether. Alternatively, try melted almond butter or a dusting of cocoa powder for a nut-free chocolate flavor.
Q4: Can I store these Jam Bites at room temperature?
A: It’s best to store these Chocolate Jam Bites in the freezer in an airtight container. They will last up to two weeks, and freezing helps maintain their texture and freshness.
Q5: Can I double the recipe for a larger batch?
A: Absolutely! You can double or triple the recipe to make a larger quantity of these delectable Chocolate Jam Bites. They freeze well, allowing you to enjoy them whenever you crave a sweet treat.
Q6: Can kids help make these jam bites?
A: Yes, kids can have fun and get involved in the kitchen by assisting in mashing the raspberries and shaping the jam bites. It’s a delightful activity for the whole family to enjoy together.
More healthy frozen fruit recipes you will love:
These Chocolate Jam Bites are a fun and healthy sweet treat made with raspberry chia jam coated with yogurt, dark or white chocolate. They are simple to make and are also vegan, paleo, refined-sugar free and easily keto.
- 1 cup frozen raspberries , unthawed or thawed very slightly enough to mash with a fork. Feel free to experiment with other frozen berries such as blueberries, blackberries or strawberries. You can even try a combination of berries for a medley of flavors.
- 2-3 tsp chia seeds , if you prefer not to consume / un-soaked raw chia seeds, you can soak them in 1/2 cup of cold water for 30 minutes and then drain them before adding them to the raspberries.
- 2-3 tsp maple syrup , or sticky liquid sweetener of choice (can use Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup, liquid monk fruit for keto). Add more to taste depending on preference and how sweet the berries are
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tsp water , only as needed if the mixture seems too thick
- ½ - 1 cup dairy-free plain Greek-style yogurt , we like Kite-Hill, Cocojune or Yoggu. (or sub regular Greek yogurt if not plant-based / dairy-free). Use less or more as needed - for melting and coating.
- ½ - 1 cup dairy-free white OR dark chocolate chips / bar (or sub regular white, dark or semi-sweet chocolate of choice if not dairy-free). Use less or more as needed - for melting and coating. We like Hu's Kitchen, Pascha's Chocolate, Eating Evolved, Lily's Sweets or Enjoy Life for dairy-free option.
- ½ - 1 tsp coconut oil for easier melting
- Add the raspberries to a bowl. Add the chia seeds, maple syrup and vanilla. Use a fork to mash together (this may take a while or let the mixture sit for a bit prior to mashing or in the middle of mashing so that it’s easier once the fruit melts) until the mixture resembles a very thick jam (that you can mold into separate circle mounds). Taste and add more sweetener / or water only as needed.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drop a large spoonful (about 2 tablespoons full or bigger) of jam onto the parchment paper in an even circular mound / shape (can also use hands to form into circle mounds). Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze for 1-2 hours, or until hardened and set.
For the Yogurt Coating: Carefully dip one of the frozen jam bites into the yogurt. Place the yogurt coated jam bite back on the baking sheet. Drizzle the jam bites with a tiny bit of melted dark chocolate in a zig-zag pattern, if desired.
Place the baking sheet in the freezer again for another 20 minutes or until set. Serve and enjoy. (Thaw for 1-2 minutes if the bites are too hard).
For the White Chocolate OR Dark Chocolate Coating: Once the jam bites are almost set, melt the white chocolate OR dark chocolate separately with coconut oil in the microwave in 20-second increments (stirring well in between) or over a double-boiler on the stove.
Carefully dip one of the frozen jam bites into the melted white / dark / semi-sweet chocolate. Place the chocolate coated jam bites back on the baking sheet. Drizzle the white / dark chocolate jam bites with a tiny bit more of melted chocolate in a zig-zag pattern, if desired. Lightly sprinkle the dark chocolate jam bites with a little bit of flakey sea salt.
Place the baking sheet in the freezer again for another 20 minutes or until set.
Serve and enjoy. (Thaw for 1-2 minutes if the bites are too hard).
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