Healthy Chocolate Bark with Seeds and Sea Salt
If you’re a fellow chocolate enthusiast, get ready to emBARK on a delicious journey. My Super Seed Bark is a uniquely special treat hits all the right notes—sweet, salty and crunchy!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Loaded with goodness: Packed with chia, hemp, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds for a boost of fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
- Ridiculously easy: Just melt, mix, spread, sprinkle, and chill!
- Customizable crunch: You can mix in dried fruit, granola, coconut, a dash of cinnamon, or a sprinkle of sea salt for a flavor twist.
- Teenager-approved: My kids are older and love this treat— but I also have plenty of younger nieces and nephews that go back for seconds.
I love experimenting with different seed combinations, but I have a soft spot for the nutrient-packed trio of sunflower, pumpkin, and hemp seeds. Together, they deliver a wealth of plant-based protein, healthy fat, vitamins, and minerals. Plus, the hemp seeds add a dose of omega-3 fats and a sprinkling of tiny, white flecks that remind me of nonpareils or Sno-Caps…my favorite movie theater candy from back in my pre-nutritionist days, haha!
The story behind this bark creation
I first started making this when my daughter Ayden Jane came home from college raving about a “healthy chocolate thing” one of her roommates whipped up during finals week. We recreated it together—swapping in our favorite seeds and tweaking the chocolate-to-crunch ratio—and now it’s a regular in the Bauer house. It’s the perfect little pick-me-up when I’m craving something sweet and snappy!
Another fave in my house is my 3-Ingredient Chocolate Truffles—all you need are chocolate chips, pumpkin purée, and a pinch of flakey sea salt for a melt-in-your-mouth indulgence. We also love making this Chocolate Fudge, which somehow tastes old-school, even though it’s just two ingredients (one is dates!) with the option to toss in some chopped nuts for a little crunch. And then there’s my 2-Ingredient Chocolate Crunch Bars—crispy, chocolatey, and totally addictive. Every one of these recipes is easy to prep ahead and stash in the fridge or freezer…. for when a craving strikes! (I speak from experience!!)
For a fruity twist, try my Chocolate-Grape Bark!
Healthy Chocolate Bark with Seeds and Sea Salt
Ingredients
- 2 cups semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, melted
- ¼ cup hemp seeds, also called hemp hearts
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds, no shell
- ¼ cup roasted sunflower seeds, no shell
- ¼ to ¾ teaspoon flaked sea salt or kosher salt
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Stir the majority of the seeds (about ¾s of each) into the melted chocolate (save the rest for sprinkling on top).
- Spread the mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet, then sprinkle the reserved seeds and the salt over the top. Use a rubber spatula or your fingers to gently press the toppings into the chocolate so they stick.
- Place the bark in the fridge or freezer for at least 20 minutes, or until completely cooled and set. Cut or break it into roughly 24 pieces. Transfer into a storage bag and stash in the fridge or freezer for future treats. They’ll last in the fridge for up to one week, and in the freezer for up to one month.
These are amazing and easy. We added unsalted pistachios too. Healthy and with dark chocolate, dairy free!
Delicious! We’re so happy to hear that you love this recipe!
— Team Joy
What can I use instead of hemp seeds?
Thanks, April
Hi April! You can simply omit the hemp seeds and add a sprinkling more pumpkin and sunflower seeds! Or, you can also choose to swap the hemp seeds with chia seeds … or even sesame seeds. After you make the bark, let me know what you think!
These are delicious! i’ve introduced it to many family members and everyone has the same opinion . i’ve made many times.
We’re thrilled that you and the family can all enjoy it together!
—Team Joy
Hi there, I’m Sally, a 54-year-old mom of two from the beautiful coast of Maine—and let me tell you, this Super Seed Chocolate Bark recipe is an absolute gem!
I’m always on the lookout for healthier sweet treats that satisfy my chocolate cravings and get a thumbs-up from my kids (which is no easy feat, believe me!). This recipe checked every box. It’s rich, just sweet enough, and packed with wholesome ingredients that make me feel good about going back for seconds… okay, thirds.
The mix of seeds adds such a lovely crunch and nutty flavor, and the dark chocolate makes it feel like a little indulgent moment without the guilt. I even sprinkled a pinch of flaky sea salt on top, and wow—chef’s kiss! It’s now a staple in our kitchen. I keep a batch in the freezer and break off a piece whenever the mood strikes.
Thank you, Joy, for such a simple, satisfying, and nourishing treat. My kids adore it, I adore it, and I’ve already sent the recipe to three friends!!!
With gratitude from Maine,
Sally
Hi Sally, wow and thank you so much for this amazing review! We are grateful for you sharing your experience with us…and for sharing the recipe with your friends! We’re thrilled you and the kids both enjoy and agree on the recipe 🙂 That’s a huge win! Such a smart idea to have a stash in in the freezer for future treats. Thanks again for stopping by and for being part of our community!
—Donna
Hi Joy, This chocolate bark recipe looks really good. I’m wondering if you use Lily‘s chocolate to cut down the sugar will that work OK? What is the what is the serving size please?
Jodi
Hi Jodi, Joy hasn’t tried it with a no-added-sugar chocolate, but she thinks it would work (the amounts will be the same). Joy suggests that you sample it first with ¼ of the recipe to make sure it works before you invest in the full amount of chips! The recipe makes 24 servings or pieces—the nutrition information is based on one piece, but you can certainly enjoy more if you’d like. Simply scale the math up based on how many servings you have. Please let us know how it turns out if you decide to give it a shot!
—Donna
Omg! This is definitely a keeper. I used date sweetened chocolate chips and then added two tablespoons of a seed/nut butter, 1/4 pistachios and topped it with some chopped dates!!
Hi Pat! So happy you’re enjoying this recipe…the topping options are endless, and your choice sounds delicious!
these are so easy, delicious, nutritious and a huge crowd pleaser, thank you for this and so many other of your amazing recipes.
Thank you for such a kind and heartwarming message, Wendy! I’m thrilled the bark was a hit…and I so appreciate you taking the time to share your sweet feedback. It means the world to know you’re enjoying my recipes and sharing them with others!
My go to always! On low carb no sugar existence so this is what fulfills my sweet tooth, something delicious and healthy. I change it up sometimes and put chopped pistachios on the top. Thank you for such a simple fast recipe. Love it!
Beth, I love hearing this!! I’m so happy my chocolate bark has become your go-to sweet treat…. and the pistachio twist sounds delicious! I’m a huge pistachio fan 😉