Are coconut clusters healthy?

Yes! In comparison to most processed snacks. If the coconut clusters are made with unsweetened coconut and pure chocolate, the snack is more or less nutrient-dense. And one that can be enjoyed on a low-carb or ketogenic diet. Always check the ingredient list on store-bought coconut clusters, as they are not all created equal. Many contain processed sugar syrups and sugar alcohols, a few of which have been shown in studies to affect intestinal health .

How many carbs are in keto coconut clusters?

Store-bought coconut clusters marketed as "keto" contain anywhere from four to six net carbs per ounce, depending on the brand. Many brands use brown rice syrup, which is a processed sugar syrup in addition to artificial sweeteners like erythritol. One coconut cluster made using the recipe below contains around six carbs.

Are organic coconut clusters healthy?

Keto coconut clusters made with organic ingredients will be just as nutrient-dense as ones made with conventional chocolate and coconut. Organic ingredients have not been proven to contain higher levels of vitamins and minerals, but they will contain lower amounts of agricultural pesticides and chemicals. Especially if you use unsweetened coconut and avoid artificial sweeteners that can disrupt intestinal health, coconut clusters can be a delicious and nourishing snack.

Chocolate Keto Coconut Clusters Recipe & Variations

Ingredients

Scale

1 bag (9 ounces) dark chocolate chips sweetened with coconut sugar, stevia, or monk fruit extract*
1½-2 cups chopped, flaked unsweetened coconut
flake sea salt, for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Lay one or two pieces of parchment or wax paper on the counter or large baking pans.
Bring an inch of water just to a simmer in a small pot over medium-low heat. Pour the chocolate chips into a heat-proof bowl and place the bowl on top of the pot.
When most of the chocolate is melted, take the bowl off of the heat and stir to incorporate the remaining formed chips. Be very careful not to let any water near the bowl, as it will cause the chocolate to seize (harden).
Gently mix in the coconut flakes and a pinch of sea salt, if you like.
Scoop the chocolate into small clusters onto the parchment paper using a small ice scoop with a release lever, or two small spoons.
Sprinkle a few flakes of sea salt on the top of each cluster before they set.
Store the chocolate clusters in a sealed container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. If you store the clusters chilled, bring them to room temperature before enjoying (unless you like cold chocolate).

Notes

Substitutions

For the coconut: Chopped, roasted nuts that are low-carb friendly are great additions or substitutions for the flaked coconut. Pecans, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, walnuts, and hazelnuts are popular for a ketogenic diet given their fat content. Flaxseed, chia seeds, or shelled pumpkin seeds are also crunchy, delicious nutrient-dense additions.

For the chocolate: If you don't want any natural sugar in your clusters, use a brand of chocolate chips sweetened with stevia or monk fruit extract. You can also begin with unsweetened chocolate, then after you melt it thoroughly mix in a tiny amount of powdered sweetener or drops before adding the coconut.

Be aware, that every brand brings a different level of sweetness. Again, it's best to follow the instructions on the package or the brand's website. And also be prepared for a bit of experimentation. Definitely start small and taste as you go.

On Nutrition Information

The nutrition information below is based on the recipe as written with the Guittard brand of chocolate chips.

Author: Chef Christina
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Keto
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 Cluster
Calories: 123
Sugar: 2.5 g
Sodium: 1.9 mg
Fat: 11.2 g
Saturated Fat: 7.6 g
Trans Fat:
Carbohydrates: 7.9 g
Fiber: 6.1 g
Protein: 1.4 g
Cholesterol:

Keywords: keto coconut clusters, coconut keto clusters, chocolate coconut clusters, keto snacks, keto artificial sweeteners, how to melt chocolate