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If you’re craving a delicious treat that’s both healthy and satisfying, you’ll need to try these air fryer chocolate coconut bites. Not only are they packed with flavor, but they’re also loaded with essential vitamins and minerals, making them the perfect healthy snack to enjoy any time of the day!
My Chocolate Coconut Bites Recipe Experiment
I absolutely love the combination of chocolate and coconut, so I was determined to make a recipe that was both delicious and healthy. My first attempt at making these chocolate coconut bites involved using cocoa powder instead of melted chocolate. Although the bites were tasty, they didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
On my second try, I used melted dark chocolate but left out the applesauce, resulting in bites that were delightfully crispy but unfortunately fell apart too easily. Typically, recipes like these rely on oil or butter to bind the ingredients together (or eggs, but those have no business being here haha).
I wanted a recipe with lower overall fat content, as coconut already contains beneficial fats. Since applesauce is a great substitute for oil when acting as a binding agent, I used that instead. I’m now happy with the results and am excited to share the recipe with you.
Why You'll Love These Chocolate Coconut Bites
- Made with wholesome, natural ingredients like coconut, dark chocolate, unsweetened applesauce, and maple syrup (or honey).
- Packed with essential vitamins and minerals for a nutritious boost in every bite.
- Lower in fat vs traditional chocolate coconut bites, thanks to the unsweetened applesauce in place of oil.
- Quick and easy to prepare with minimal cleanup.
- Perfectly crispy, as air frying gives these bites a delightful crunch.
Nutritional Benefits
When it comes to this air fryer chocolate dessert, you’re getting fiber and healthy fats from the unsweetened coconut. The unsweetened applesauce contains vitamin C, the dark chocolate has antioxidants, and the maple syrup is a great source of minerals like manganese and zinc. What’s not to love? These bites are not just a treat for your palate, but also a friend to your body 🙂
How to Make Air Fryer Chocolate Coconut Bites
Equipment:
Mixing bowl
Parchment paper
Air fryer
Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/4 cup dark chocolate / chocolate chips (can substitute for semi-sweet or bittersweet)
1/8 cup unsweetened applesauce (this acts as the binding agent)
1 teaspoon maple syrup (can substitute for honey)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Line the basket of your air fryer with parchment paper.
- If using bar chocolate, cut it into chunks before melting. If using chocolate chips, simply place them into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds or until halfway melted (we don’t want to burn the chocolate). Remove from microwave and mix until fully melted.
- To the same bowl, add the unsweetened applesauce, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine.
- Add in the shredded coconut and mix until everything is incorporated.
- Scoop out small portions (enough to make 12 bites if doing the whole recipe) and flatten them down a bit. They won’t bind together very well, so just use a gentle hand and a bit of patience. Alternatively, you can place them inside cupcake liners. Transfer the chocolate coconut bites to the air fryer basket. Note, you may need to do this in two or more batches depending on how many bites you’re making and the size of your air fryer.
- Set the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook for 3 minutes on one side. Let them sit for a minute or two, then carefully flip them over and cook for another 3 minutes, or until the edges are crispy.
- Remove the bites from the air fryer and let them cool slightly to firm and crisp up.
Creative Serving Suggestions and Alterations
These chocolate coconut bites are delicious on their own, but you can certainly spruce them up if you’d like:
- Serve them with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
- Arrange them on a platter with fresh berries and a dusting of cocoa powder for a nice touch.
- Almond Delight: Add chopped almonds to the mix before air frying.
- Omit the salt in the recipe and instead sprinkle a few flakes of kosher or sea salt on top of the bites right after air frying.
- Crumbles: Instead of forming into bites, spread the mixture out onto the parchment paper, air fry, then break into pieces. You can use the crumbles as a topping for yogurts, cakes, or as a granola replacement.
- Pair these bites with strawberry milk boba tea for an ultimate satisfying treat.
Storing your Chocolate Coconut Bites
Make sure the bites are completely cool before storing to prevent moisture buildup. Once cooled, place them in an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 days. However, to maintain their freshness and texture, it’s best to store them in the refrigerator where they will keep for up to a week.
For longer storage, you can freeze the bites by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, and then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. You can store them frozen for up to three months.
Final Thoughts
When your sweet tooth kicks in, try these chocolate coconut bites for a delightful and healthier alternative to traditional sweets. Not only are they easy to make and packed with flavor, but they are also perfect for satisfying those sweet cravings without feeling heavily bogged down.
Whether you enjoy them as a quick snack, a lunchbox treat, or a party dessert, these bites are sure to hit the spot. Additionally, cooking these in the air fryer ensures a perfect crisp, and makes cleanup even easier. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try!
Air Fryer Chocolate Coconut Bites Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 Mixing bowl
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
- 1/4 Cup Dark Chocolate (can be bar chocolate or chocolate chips, can also substitute for semi-sweet or bittersweet)
- 1/8 Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1 Tsp Maple Syrup (can substitute for honey)
- 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
- Pinch of Salt
Instructions
- Line the basket of your air fryer with parchment paper.
- If using bar chocolate, cut it into chunks before melting. If using chocolate chips, simply place them into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds or until halfway melted (we don't want to burn the chocolate). Remove from microwave and mix until fully melted.
- To the same bowl, add the unsweetened applesauce, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine.
- Add in the shredded coconut and mix until everything is incorporated.
- Scoop out small portions (enough to make 12 bites if doing the whole recipe) and flatten them down a bit. They won't bind together very well, so just use a gentle hand and a bit of patience. Alternatively, you can place them inside silicone or tin cupcake liners. Transfer the chocolate coconut bites to the air fryer basket. Note, you may need to do this in two or more batches depending on how many bites you're making and the size of your air fryer.
- Set the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook for 3 minutes on one side. Let them sit for a minute or two, then carefully flip them over and cook for another 3 minutes, or until the edges are crispy.
- Remove the bites from the air fryer and let them cool slightly to firm and crisp up.
Notes
- Serve them with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
- Arrange them on a platter with fresh berries and a dusting of cocoa powder for a nice touch.
- Almond Delight: Add chopped almonds to the mix before air frying.
- Omit the salt in the recipe and instead sprinkle a few flakes of kosher or sea salt on top of the bites right after air frying.
- Crumbles: Instead of forming into bites, spread the mixture out onto the parchment paper, air fry, then break into pieces. You can use the crumbles as a topping for yogurt, cakes, or as a granola replacement.
