With these easy everyday cacao recipes you can enjoy delicious chocolate recipes a little healthier. Add cacao to no-bake desserts, snacks and smoothies, as well as healthy bakes and more. Scroll down to check out all my healthy cacao powder recipes I’ve included in this collection.
This collection of healthy cacao recipes includes no-bake desserts, snacks and other recipes using raw cacao. It also contains easy bakes, such as muffins, as well as cakes and other healthy desserts. Pick your favourite and enjoy!
What’s the difference between cacao and cocoa
The difference lies in the way they are produced.
Both are products of the same cacao bean. But while cacao powder is produced by cold-pressing raw cacao beans cocoa powder is raw cacao that’s been roasted at high temperatures.
As a result cocoa powder has a little lower nutritional value than cacao (which is higher in anti-oxidant properties).
This is not to say that cacao is good for us and cocoa isn’t. Both powders contain iron, magnesium and potassium as well as other minerals. Cacao, however, tends to contain a little less fat and more protein.
What can I use cacao for
Both cocoa and cacao powders look the same (or almost, as cacao tends to be a little less dark than cocoa) and you can use them interchangeably. Cocoa powder is a tiny bit finer than cacao, which doesn't make a difference in baking but you may (or may not) notice it in raw recipes (the difference is very subtle though).
So swapping cocoa for cacao powder will let you enjoy chocolate recipes a little healthier!
27 easy, healthy cacao recipes
Healthy breakfast recipes with cacao
Mocha Overnight Oats (Chocolate & Coffee)
These mocha overnight oats contain two essential breakfast ingredients – coffee and oats. With this easy recipe you can enjoy a delicious, healthy breakfast no matter how hectic your mornings are.
Prep Time: 5 minutes, Total Time: 5 minutes
Cherry Overnight Oats with Almonds & Cacao
This healthy cherry overnight oats recipe is a delicious way to start your day. It comes with the added flavour and goodness of almonds and cacao. The cherries are briefly cooked to release more flavour and sweetness and combined with the oats just before serving.
Prep Time: 2 minutes, Cook Time: 4 minutes, Total Time: 6 minutes
Chocolate French Toast Casserole
This fluffy, delicious healthy chocolate french toast casserole with cacao and pecans is full of flavour, crunch and goodness. Great for everyday or special occasion breakfast/brunch.
Prep Time: 8 minutes, Cook Time: 30 minutes, Total Time: 38 minutes
Quinoa Chocolate Breakfast Porridge with Banana
This naturally gluten free quinoa breakfast porridge is a delicious alternative to traditional oatmeal. It is satisfying yet light, full of goodness and low in sugar.
Prep Time: 3 minutes, Cook Time: 15 minutes, Total Time: 18 minutes
How to Make Flavoured Yogurt 3 Ways (Mocha, Raspberry, Prune)
How to make flavoured yogurtin 3 easy delicious flavour combinations: mocha, raspberry, prune. Perfect as a low carb breakfast or healthy snack anytime. Making flavored yogurt is easier than you think!
Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 4 minutes, Total Time: 14 minutes
Chocolate Granola Recipe with Coconut (Low Sugar)
This chocolate granola recipe with coconut is a super easy to make, low sugar, healthy breakfast option. Sprinkle over yogurt, fruit or enjoy with a splash of your favourite milk!
Prep Time: 5 minutes, Cook Time: 23 minutes, Total Time: 28 minutes
Chocolate Raspberry Sauce (Low Carb)
This easy, low carb chocolate raspberry sauce is the perfect accompaniment for pancakes, ice cream, yogurt and desserts. It is gluten free and flexible enough to suit dairy free/vegan diets.
Prep Time: 4 minutes, Cook Time: 10 minutes, Total Time: 14 minutes
Healthy muffins with cacao
Beetroot Chocolate Muffins with Chocolate Chips
These beetroot chocolate muffins make a delicious breakfast or healthy snack. They are moist, full of fibre and veggie goodness, low in sugar and super easy to make.
Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 23 minutes, Total Time: 33 minutes
Healthy Chocolate Muffins (Low Sugar)
These healthy chocolate muffins are sweetened with a combination of dates, maple syrup and chocolate chips. Light and fluffy, they make a delicious breakfast or snack.
Prep Time: 12 minutes, Cook Time: 23 minutes, Total Time: 35 minutes
Pumpkin Chocolate Muffins with Buttermilk
These pumpkin chocolate muffins with a hint of spice are a delicious autumnal treat. Full of flavour and veggie goodness these muffins are made using buttermilk as well as cacao and chocolate chips for an extra chocolatey finish. Light and fluffy, ready in just over 30 minutes!
Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 25 minutes, Total Time: 35 minutes
Gingerbread Muffins with Dried Fruit
These gingerbread muffins are made with dried fruit for extra sweetness, texture and flavour. They are light and fluffy thanks to my (tried and tested) combination of regular flour and ground almonds (almond flour) and can be enjoyed throughout the holiday season for breakfast, snack and dessert.
Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 28 minutes, Total Time: 38 minutes
Raw cacao desserts
Sweet Potato Chocolate Pudding Recipe
This 5-ingredient chocolate sweet potato pudding is a delicious way to incorporate more veggies into your diet. It is a low carb make ahead healthy treat that’s perfect for entertaining!
Prep Time: 5 minutes, Cook Time: 40 minutes, Cooling Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
This black forest cheesecake tart is a luxurious no-bake dessert, perfect for any occasion. It has a biscuit base with added cocoa, light and creamy chocolate cheesecake filling and a topping consisting of sweet-and-tangy cherry puree. Simple to make and absolutely delicious!
Prep Time: 20 minutes, Cook Time: 8 minutes, Cooling Time: 1 hour Total Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
Chocolate Banana Mousse with Tofu (Vegan)
This 4-ingredient vegan chocolate banana mousse is a delicious and easy to make dessert. It is made using silken tofu, baked bananas, raw cacao and a moderate amount of icing sugar.
Prep Time: 55 minutes, Total Time: 55 minutes
5-Ingredient Avocado Chocolate Mousse
This 5-ingredient delicious avocado chocolate mousse is packed full of goodness and comes together in minutes. In addition to the avocado it contains nutritious cacao, cashew nuts for extra natural sweetness and nutty flavour, milk and maple syrup.
Prep Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 7 minutes
Christmas Truffles with Chestnuts
These vegan chocolate truffles with chestnuts are a lighter but no less delicious alternative to traditional chocolate truffles. Perfect for the festive season!
Prep Time: 35 minutes, Soaking Time: 4 hours, Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes
Cacao cake recipes
Chocolate Ricotta Cheesecake (Healthy, Baked)
This baked chocolate ricotta cheesecake is low in fat and sugar, light and fluffy and super easy to make. It’s deliciously moist and creamy, full of flavour and great for easy entertaining.
Prep Time: 20 minutes, Cook Time: 1 hour, Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Healthy Chocolate Banana Loaf Cake
This healthy chocolate banana cake is moist, fluffy and made without granulated sugar or butter. It's an easy way to turn your overripe bananas into something delicious!
Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 55 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Blackberry Tray Bake with Prunes (Healthy)
This Polish inspired easy blackberry tray bake with prunes is low in fat and sugar, perfect as a light, deliciously fruity treat or snack.
Prep Time: 20 minutes, Cook Time: 50 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes.
Chocolate Coconut Cake (Dairy Free)
This chocolate coconut cake is a simple everyday cake, quick and easy to make and dairy free. It comes with a simple dark chocolate glaze and is absolutely delicious. Preparation takes minutes!
Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 50 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour
Sweet Potato Chocolate Brownies with Pecans
These deliciously moist sweet potato chocolate brownies are full of fibre, low in sugar and super easy to make. Made using pecans for a bit of crunch and maple syrup instead of sugar.
Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time: 28 minutes, Baking the sweet potato: 35 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour 18 minutes
Beet Brownies with Coconut (Dairy Free)
These rich, low in sugar dairy free beet brownies with coconut can be enjoyed as a healthy dessert or even snack. Packed full of flavour and goodness they are also super easy to make.
Prep Time: 1 hour, Cook Time: 28 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
These delicious pumpkin brownies are low in saturated fat, perfect as a healthier dessert or autumnal snack. These brownies are made using pumpkin puree, oil instead of butter, pecans for crunch and chocolate chips for an extra chocolatey finish.
Prep Time: 8 minutes, Cook Time: 45 minutes, Total Time: 53 minutes
Healthy cacao snacks
Chocolate Mocha Peanut Butter Energy Balls with Quinoa
These chocolate mocha peanut butter energy balls with quinoa are packed full of healthy protein and delicious flavours. They make fantastic, low carb snack perfect for chocolate as well as coffee lovers.
Prep Time: 25 minutes, Total Time: 25 minutes
Healthy Chocolate Cookies with Hazelnuts (Flourless)
These gluten free healthy chocolate hazelnut cookies are dairy free, low in fat and sugar and make a delicious healthy treat. They make a fantastic lunchbox idea too!
Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 12 minutes, Total Time: 22 minutes
Healthy Chocolate Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
These flourless healthy chocolate oatmeal cookies make a delicious breakfast on-the-go or snack anytime. Low in sugar, they are packed full of protein and fibre and take minutes to put together.
Prep Time: 6 minutes, Cook Time: 13 minutes, Total Time: 19 minutes
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Oh yum! Such a lovely roundup, Monika. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Jhuls!
Wow - what a fab selection of healthy chocolate recipes - I love them all, but especially that gorgeous ricotta cheesecake - Y.U.M. Eb x
all chocolate, all the time! I'm in!!! 😊
Glad to hear that!
I really should make myself more familiar with cacao and here would be the perfect place to start. Thank you fro linking to #CookBogShare
It's a little less processed than cocoa but works pretty much the same as cocoa in recipes.
Thanks Corina, I remember making that particular one and feeling really pleased at how tasty this little dessert turned out.
So many lovely recipes Monika and I've been reminded of quite a few I'd love to try, especially the chocolate sweet potato pudding!