A collection of fun and healthy Cacao Nib Recipes ranging from ice cream and bars to cookies and pancakes to scones and granola. All recipes are gluten-free and vegetarian!
What are Cacao Nibs?
Cacao nibs (also known as cocoa nibs) are are the raw and unprocessed form of chocolate as you know it. The nibs are shelled cacao beans that have been dried, fermented and minimally processed. They have a wonderful slightly bitter, yet strong chocolate flavor that is packed with nutrients. Cacao nibs are rich in magnesium, iron, zinc and a healthy dose of antioxidants and fiber. They offer a wonderful sugar-free crunch to a variety of dishes as you can see displayed in this round-up. It is my hope you find yourself inspired to incorporate this delight into your diet and find some recipes below that you will enjoy for some time to come!
36 Recipes with Cacao Nibs (Vegetarian + Gluten-Free)
Peanut Butter Cacao Nib Coconut Flour Cookies (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Refined Sugar-Free)
Are you looking for an alternative to chocolate chip cookies? These peanut butter coconut flour cookies are easy, healthy, delicious, require just one bowl and make a perfect recipe for trying out cacao (cocoa) nibs! Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Refined sugar-free cookies that are perfectly chewy and oh so TASTY!
Grab The Recipe 
Easy Coconut Cacao Granola - Zardy Plants
Chocolate and Coconut for Breakfast?!? That’s better then candy! My Easy Coconut Cacao Granola is a great way to start your day.
Grab The Recipe 
Paleo Chocolate Pancakes - Calm Eats
These Paleo Chocolate Pancakes are delicious, nutrient-dense, grain-free, and a perfect low cab breakfast.
Grab The Recipe 
Rose Chocolate Ganache Tart - My Tiny Laguna Kitchen
Need to impress your loved one with a homemade dessert for Valentine’s Day? This is the dessert for you. This rose chocolate ganache tart is rich, creamy, and absolute luxury!
Grab The Recipe 
Oatmeal Raisin Chunky Monkey Muffins (Gluten-Free) Recipe | VEEG
These quick and easy Oatmeal Raisin Chunky Monkey Muffins may cause you to rethink the ingredients in every muffin you’ve ever baked! They’re one-hundred percent vegan, plant-based, oil-free and gluten-free, and loaded with only the most wholesome, delicious, ingredients.
Grab The Recipe 
Raw Cacao Hazelnut Energy Balls - Running on Real Food
These raw vegan cacao hazelnut energy balls are easy to make with just 4 simple ingredients. Enjoy these sweet bites for a healthy snack or dessert!
Grab The Recipe 
Cocoa Banana Yogurt with Coconut - The Forked Spoon
Rich, creamy and chocolatey, this Cocoa Banana Yogurt is delicious for breakfast or dessert! Sweetened with honey and banana, this bowl of creamy yogurt has no processed sugars.
Grab The Recipe 
Chai-Spiced Cacao Nib Brownies (Gluten-Free)
These easy and delicious Chai-Spiced Cacao Nib Brownie Bars are delightfully chocolate-y, subtly spiced, and packed with iron, fiber and potassium from the cacao nibs. Not to mention, they have an amazing texture, too. This gluten-free treat makes a great breakfast, snack or dessert as it is not over-the-top sweet (but big on flavor!).
Grab The Recipe 
Vegan Coconut Slice | Shivani Loves Food
An easy and healthy vegan dessert recipe: Coconut Slice! A date and oat caramel base topped with a sweet and crunchy coconut layer and marbled dairy-free chocolate - What a treat!
Grab The Recipe 
Peanut Butter & Cacao Nibs Rice Crispy Treats (Vegan, No-Bake Healthy) - Simple Veganista
Only 4 ingredients needed to make the deliciously healthy vegan Peanut Butter & Cacao Rice Crispy Treats. No-bake, dairy and gluten free!
Grab The Recipe 
Homemade chocolate from cocoa nibs - Oh The Things We'll Make!
Avoid emulsifiers and other unwanted ingredients and control the process by making your own homemade chocolate bars from cocoa nibs. #chocolate #cacao #cocoa
Grab The Recipe 
Matcha Power Bars Recipe (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free) - Go Dairy Free
This wholesome Matcha Power Bars recipe is from Vegan Power Meals. It’s a wholesome Vegan Treat Worthy of Breakfast or Dessert! Paleo optional.
Grab The Recipe 
NO BAKE OATMEAL COOKIE ENERGY BITES - Pass Me Some Tasty
No Bake Oatmeal Cookie Energy Bites are coming your way kidlets (and parents)! These tasty little bites are healthy, loaded with nutritious superfoods, easy to make (get the kids to help out on this recipe), and are perfect for that mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack craving. The only trick is to try and not eat all of them in one sitting.
Grab The Recipe 
Cobnut and Cacao Nib Ice Cream - Circus Gardener
Nearly 70% of the world’s supply of cocoa comes from two west African countries, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana. Despite being part of a lucrative market, cocoa farming in these countries often provides a…
Grab The Recipe 
Mint Chocolate Smoothie - Plant Based Cooking
This refreshing smoothie can be made with fresh mint or an extract. The unsweetened cacao nibs create a bit of crunch.
Grab The Recipe 
Toasted Quinoa-Stuffed Mangos - Vegan Yack Attack
These Toasted Quinoa-Stuffed Mangos are filled with fresh fruit, lots of protein, and wonderful flavors from cacao nibs and creamy quinoa. Refined sugar free, too!
Grab The Recipe 
Banana Almond Butter Cacao Smoothie - Watch Learn Eat
This Banana Almond Butter Cacao Smoothie is a nutritious and refreshing treat that hits the sweet spot without adding any sugar.
Grab The Recipe 
Apple Butter Cacao Nib Rugelach - Running to the Kitchen®
These gluten free apple butter rugelach are studded with cacao nibs for a crunchy bite. They’re buttery, soft and a fun cookie option for the season!
Grab The Recipe 
Vegan Baked Chocolate Chip Skillet Scones (Gluten-Free) Recipe | VEEG
Ever since devouring our very first batch of Vegan Baked Chocolate Chip Skillet Scones, we are skillet scone fans! Need to bring something to share at a potluck, picnic or get-together? Make these scones. Want to feel like the most fabulous baker in the whole-wide-world? Also, don’t really want to f…
Grab The Recipe 
No Bake Peanut Butter Balls - Perfect protein packed breakfast or snack! - Natalie's Health
These 6-ingredient No Bake Peanut Butter Balls are full of healthful ingredients. They are nutty and sweet, and super easy to make. Perfect snack!
Grab The Recipe 
Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream (video) - Plant Based Cooking
What’s not to love about cherries and chocolate. They’re divine on Valentine’s day or tasty with a BBQ. Both are considered super foods and this version is all plant-based goodness without the fat or sugar.
Grab The Recipe 
Coconut Chia Pudding with Ginger and Cacao - Leanne Ray
This coconut chia pudding with ginger and cacao is a nutritious and interesting make-ahead snack option! Prep a batch at the beginning of the week.
Grab The Recipe 
How to Make Homemade DIY Chocolate Liqueur - Sidewalk Shoes
Homemade DIY Chocolate Liqueur - sinfully delicious and oh-so-easy!
Grab The Recipe 
Fudgy Gluten-Free Brownies (Dairy-Free) - Dish by Dish
The perfect fudgy gluten-free brownies that you’ll be making over and over again. Moist, rich, decadent, these are everything a chocolate lover will need.
Grab The Recipe 
Mint Mocha Cold Brew & Body Scrub - Vegan Yack Attack
A simple recipe with all natural ingredients for Mint Mocha Cold Brew, plus how to turn it into a body scrub!
Grab The Recipe 
Breakfast Peanut Butter Cookies Easy Plant Based - Any reason vegans
these simple cookies are vegan, paleo, Keto, and gluten free! Perfect for breakfast or a late night snack!
Grab The Recipe 
Eat Dirt Chocolate Vegan Protein Shakes Recipe - Go Dairy Free
Dairy-free and oh-so-nutritious, these chocolate vegan protein shakes have a fun garden-style presentation, complete with cacao and hemp dirt!
Grab The Recipe 
Peanut Butter Protein Balls [Vegan, Grain-Free, Oil-Free], Video - Nutri Planet
These rich and healthy grain free vegan peanut butter protein balls that use no refined sugars or oils are so easy to throw together! With tutorial video!
Grab The Recipe 
Protein-Packed Chia Pudding | My Darling Vegan
This 5-Minute Chia Pudding is packed with protein and filled with superfoods for a quick and satisfying breakfast that will keep you fueled.
Grab The Recipe 
Peanut Butter No Bake Protein Balls w/ Superfoods - Veggie Inspired
Peanut Butter No Bake Protein Balls w/ superfoods like hemp seeds, flax seeds, and cacao nibs are the perfect little bites to keep hunger at bay. Great for a grab-n-go breakfast option as well.
Grab The Recipe 
Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie with Avocado [Vegan, Keto, Paleo] - Always Use Butter
This vegan, healthy breakfast smoothie is super easy to make without banana, dairy or gluten products. So tasty you can even make it for kids!
Grab The Recipe 
Paleo 5 Minute Quick Blend Banana & Avocado Chocolate Mousse Pudding | Recipe This
Welcome to my Paleo 5 minute quick blend banana and avocado chocolate mousse pudding in the blender. Do you ever have that moment when you make something that…
Grab The Recipe 
Healthy Apple Banana Smoothie - Simmer to Slimmer
This delicious glass of apple banana smoothie without any added sugar is the perfect way to start your day. Makes for a filling breakfast or anytime snack.
Grab The Recipe 
Peanut Butter Fruit Dip - Baba Ganosh
Healthy, guilt-free peanut butter fruit dip to satisfy all your peanut butter and dessert cravings! Make this in under 5 minutes when you get a craving for sweets.
Grab The Recipe 
Pomegranate Chia Pudding | Sprouts And Krauts
Pomegranate Chia Pudding is a perfect make-ahead breakfast. It takes minimal time and effort, but looks impressive, beautiful, and seasonal.
Grab The Recipe 
Apple Almond Sweet Potato Granola Bars - Bad to the Bowl
Easy homemade granola bars contain veggies, fruit and nut butter.
Grab The Recipe 
More Chocolate Goodness
Mint Cacao Adaptogenic Freezer Candy
Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
If you enjoyed the recipes in this cacao nib round-up, please support the bloggers featured here by sharing this post!
Daniela says
Thank you so much dear friend for including my paleo pancakes in this amazing roundup! I want to make them all!!!
Kristen Wood says
My pleasure! Thank you so much for contributing my friend!!
Alisa Fleming says
Cacao nibs are a type of food that I forget about! Thanks for the reminder - I'll definitely pick some up and hopefully try a couple of these.