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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Modified: Mar 14, 2024 · Published: Feb 24, 2021 by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

    Candied Cacao Nibs

    Jump to Recipe Pin

    These crunchy Candied Cacao Nibs are sweet, bitter, and slightly spicy. They're a healthy snack. Made in 10 minutes, they are easy to make!

    Candied Cacao Nibs in mason jar.

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    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    "Im a lover of cacoa nibs just as they are, but this recipe elevates them to a whole other level. Yum!! - Natalie"

    One pantry staple I always have in my house is cacao nibs. I like to add them to vegan yogurt or granola. Turning them into Candied Cacao Nibs takes them up a notch.

    These cacao nibs are sweet with warm spices. They taste great on banana ice cream adding a nice contrast of flavor to the sweetness of the bananas.

    Made in about 10 minutes, they couldn't be any easier.

    Other cacao recipes to try are my Edible Brownie Batter, Cacao Bowl Recipe, and Vegan Chocolate Pudding recipe.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love Them
    • What Do Cacao Nibs Taste Like?
    • Do Cacao Nibs Have Caffeine?
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 📖 Variations / Additions
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • Other Cacao Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why You'll Love Them

    • They have a bittersweet chocolate flavor.
    • They are a great alternative to a chocolate bar. They're a great crunchy treat.

    What Do Cacao Nibs Taste Like?

    If you have never had cacao nibs before, they have a bitter chocolaty flavor. Cacao nibs are small pieces of roasted cacao beans and have no sugar.

    Since they are bitter, they pair nicely with maple syrup and spices. The result is a crunchy, sweet, and spicy treat.

    Do Cacao Nibs Have Caffeine?

    Cacao nibs do have caffeine. According to the Navitas website, cacao has 41 mg of caffeine per 3 tablespoons of cacao nibs.

    🧾 Ingredients

    Ingredients for candied cacao nibs on a cutting board with labels.
    • Raw cacao nibs (cocoa nibs): Adds a bitter dark chocolate flavor.
    • Maple syrup: Adds sweetness. You could also use agave syrup or sugar syrup.
    • Cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper: Add warming spices.
    • Salt: Enhances sweetness. I like to use sea salt.

    To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    📖 Variations / Additions

    • Allspice
    • Cardamom
    • Ginger
    • Nutmeg
    • Agave syrup or another sweetener

    5 Secrets to Vegan Cooking

    Spicy Tofu Bánh Mì on a cutting board.

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    🔪 Instructions

    Ingredients in a non-stick pan before cooking.

    Step 1: Place cacao nibs in an even layer in a pan. Add maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and salt to the pan.

    Cooked caramelized cacao nibs in a skillet with spatula.

    Step 2: Heat over medium heat until maple syrup dissolves, about 3-4 minutes.

    Candied cacao nibs on parchment paper.

    Step 2: Spread in small clumps on a piece of parchment paper to cool.

    Candied Cacao Nibs close up.
    How long will candied cacao nibs last?

    These caramelized cocoa nibs will last about 1 week in an airtight container at room temperature and up to 3 weeks in the fridge.

    Other Cacao Recipes

    • Cold Brew Cacao Coffee
      Cold Brew Cacao Coffee
    • Chocolate Covered Cacao Nibs
      Chocolate Covered Cacao Nibs
    • Cacao Tea
      Cacao Tea
    • Cold Brew Cacao
      Cold Brew Cacao

    If you tried this Candied Cacao Nibs Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!

    These stovetop candied cacao nibs are perfect for topping vegan yogurt or granola.

    📋 Recipe

    Candied Cacao Nibs
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    4.84 from 6 votes

    Candied Cacao Nibs

    These crunchy Candied Cacao Nibs are sweet, bitter, and slightly spicy. They're a healthy snack. Made in 10 minutes, they are easy to make!
    Course Snack
    Cuisine American
    Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 4 minutes minutes
    Total Time 9 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 208kcal
    Author Willow Moon
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    Ingredients

    • 1 cup cacao nibs
    • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
    • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • Pinch salt

    Instructions

    • Put cacao nibs in a pan. Add maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and salt.
    • Cook on medium heat for about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until liquid dissolves. Spread cacao nibs on parchment paper to cool.

    Notes

    These will last about 1 week in an airtight container at room temperature and up to 3 weeks in the fridge.

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 34mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 52IU | Calcium: 16mg
    SIGN UP for my newsletter, get a FREE 30 Minute Vegan Dinners 7-Day Meal Plan as a welcome gift! 💌

    *Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.

    More Vegan Desserts

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      No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Bars
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      Christmas Tree Rice Crispy Treats
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      Chocolate Coconut Chia Pudding

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.84 from 6 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Natalie says

      January 26, 2022 at 9:27 am

      These are great as is but I took them to another level.... I mixed them with maple chipotle sunflower seeds I had dehydrated, made a cacao powder/ coconut oil chocolate and turned them into little Bombs of YUM!!5 stars

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        January 26, 2022 at 9:29 am

        That sounds yummy! My favorite flavor combination is sweet and spicy!

        Reply
    2. Natalie says

      January 02, 2022 at 8:45 am

      Im a lover of cacoa nibs just as they are, but this recipe elevates them to a whole other level. Yum!!5 stars

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        January 02, 2022 at 9:12 am

        Thanks Natalie!

        Reply
    3. ara says

      November 22, 2021 at 9:30 am

      Won't these be sticky or do they dry out?

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        November 23, 2021 at 8:36 am

        They’re a little sticky, but the maple syrup hardens on the cacao nibs.

        Reply

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    Candied Cacao Nibs

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