Chocolate Covered Grapes
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These chocolate covered grapes are the perfect solution for those nights when your sweet tooth just won’t let up. They’re dipped in indulgent chocolate for a creamy crunch and can be rolled in various toppings to switch things up. The perfect indulgent (AND healthy) movie night snack you won’t be able to stop eating!
Love them? Try this Frozen Yogurt Bark and these Frozen Chocolate Bananas.
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love Them
Mixing chocolate and grapes might sound slightly strange.
But it results in a cotton candy-like snack that’s oh-so-delicious!
I was skeptical at first. But, honestly, you have to try them to believe me. They are even better than frozen grapes (and they are some of my favorite summer snacks of all time!).
These chocolate covered grapes are sweet, juicy, and perfect for beating the heat during the summertime.
And to make things even better, you need just 2 main ingredients to bring this recipe to life!
You’ll just adore these bite-sized wonders!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Seedless fresh grapes
You can use virtually any kind of grape you like. Just make sure you pick grapes that are juicy, firm, and ideally seedless.
Here are some of my top picks:
- Thompson Seedless (Green): These grapes are sweet, juicy, and seedless, making them perfect for coating in chocolate.
- Flame Seedless (Red): They offer a slightly tart contrast to the sweet chocolate, providing a balanced flavor.
- Cotton Candy Grapes: Known for their unique, sweet flavor reminiscent of cotton candy, they can add an intriguing taste when paired with chocolate.
- Moon Drops (Black): Their elongated shape and sweet flavor can make for an interesting and delicious treat.
- Red Globe: While larger and sometimes with seeds, they have a robust flavor that can work well with chocolate.
Dark chocolate
High-quality chocolate is crucial as it adds a richer and creamier taste than lower-quality options. This one is by far my favorite, but you can use any chocolate you like (even milk or white – although they normally have more sugar!).
Toppings ideas
Although you can simply dip the grapes in chocolate and call it a day, toppings add an extra layer of fun and flavor.
Here are some of my favorite toppings:
- Nuts: Crushed almonds, pecans, walnuts, pistachios, or hazelnuts add a delightful crunch.
- Shredded Coconut: Either toasted or untoasted, it adds a tropical touch.
- Sea Salt: A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt can heighten the taste and add a gourmet touch, especially on dark chocolate.
- Cocoa Powder: A light dusting can add a deep cocoa flavor and make for a visually appealing treat.
- Drizzles: Use a contrasting chocolate to drizzle over the grapes, such as white chocolate drizzled over dark chocolate-covered grapes.
- Zest: Citrus zest, like orange or lemon, can add a refreshing touch.
- Freeze-Dried Fruit Powder: Crushed freeze-dried raspberries or strawberries can give a tangy flavor and a vibrant look.
- Chili Powder or Cayenne: If you love a bit of heat with your sweet, a sprinkle of chili can be adventurous.
- Espresso Powder: A sprinkle can add a coffee flavor that pairs wonderfully with chocolate.
- Crushed Pretzels: For a delightful sweet-and-salty combination.
- Sesame or Flax Seeds: These can add a subtle nutty flavor and a unique texture.
- Dried Herbs: Sounds odd, but herbs like finely chopped rosemary can be surprisingly delightful when paired with chocolate.
Remember to sprinkle toppings immediately after dipping the grapes in chocolate before it sets. This helps them to stick to the chocolate properly.
How to Make Chocolate Covered Grapes
Prepare the grapes: Wash the grapes thoroughly in cold water (photo 1) and pat them completely dry with a kitchen towel or paper towels (photo 2).
Melt the chocolate: Chop whatever chocolate you’re using into small pieces for more even melting. You can either use a double boiler or a microwave to melt the chocolate (see details in the notes below).
Dip the grapes: I recommend skewering the grapes with toothpicks to make dipping easier (photo 3). You can use your hands or a teaspoon, but it’s way messier! You can also add more than one grape to the toothpick to make it more fun (photo 4).
Dip it in melted chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated (photo 5).
Go nuts with toppings: Roll or sprinkle each chocolate-covered grape with your desired toppings (photo 6). Place the dipped grapes on parchment paper and allow them to set for 15-20 minutes in the fridge.
Serve and enjoy: You can enjoy the grapes as soon as they’re set or pop them in the freezer for even more crunch (I love doing this!).
Notes and Tips
How to clean grapes
Grapes are notoriously full of pesticides (they are part of the dirty dozen list), and if you can afford it, you should always buy organic. Otherwise, you can wash your grapes in a mix of water and vinegar or baking soda:
- Mix one part white vinegar with three parts water in a large bowl. Or, if you are going for the baking soda option, add one teaspoon of baking soda to a bowl full of water.
- Soak the grapes in the mixture for about 5-10 minutes.
- Swirl or agitate the grapes in the solution to help remove pesticide residues and dirt.
- Rinse thoroughly under cold running water.
How to melt chocolate
You can choose your favorite method to melt the chocolate. I find that using a microwave is far easier and less messy, but you’ll get the shiniest results with the double boiler!
- Double boiler method (more professional): To melt chocolate with a double boiler, bring water to a simmer and place a heatproof bowl of chopped chocolate on top. Just make sure the bowl doesn’t actually touch the water. You can then stir the chocolate continuously until it’s melted.
- Microwave method (quick & simple): To use the microwave, just chop the chocolate and place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it at 50% power in 20-second intervals, stirring after each one until the chocolate is mostly melted. Stir the chocolate until it’s smooth.
How to Store
These grapes can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days and are perfect to make ahead for BBQs and summer parties. Separate the layers with parchment paper to avoid them sticking together.
If you want them to last longer, you can freeze them for a seriously indulgent summertime snack that’s 100% guilt-free!
Eat them straight out of the freezer. No need to defrost them. They are so incredibly delicious with the extra crunch you’ll get! Don’t worry. They’ll still be soft inside; you won’t hurt your teeth, I promise!
More Healthy Snack Recipes
If you try this chocolate covered grapes recipe, please leave a comment and a rating and let me know how much you liked it!
Chocolate Covered Grapes
Ingredients
- 15 oz seedless fresh grapes
- 7 oz high-quality chocolate of your choice - dark, milk, or white
- Toppings such as crushed nuts - shredded coconut, salted peanuts etc. (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Grapes: Wash the grapes thoroughly in cold water and pat them dry completely. Any residual moisture can prevent the chocolate from adhering properly. Skewer the grapes with toothpicks to make dipping easier. You can use your fingers or a teaspoon, but it’s much messier.
- Melt the Chocolate: Chop the chocolate into small pieces for more even melting. Use a double boiler or microwave to melt the chocolate (see note 1).
- Dip the Grapes: Holding the grape by the toothpick, dip it into the melted chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated. Allow any excess chocolate to drip off.
- Add toppings: Roll or sprinkle the chocolate-covered grape in your desired topping. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and put them in the fridge for at least 15-20 minutes to set (note 2).
- Serve and enjoy as a healthy snack or dessert.
Notes
- Double Boiler: Fill a pot with a little water, bring it to a simmer, and place a heatproof bowl of chopped chocolate on top, ensuring the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Stir continuously until melted.
- Microwave: Chop chocolate and place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat at 50% power in 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until mostly melted. Stir until smooth.
Nutrition
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