Healthier Chocolate Crackles are a nostalgic treat made from crunchy rice bubbles coated in a chocolate (cacao) mixture. These delightful, no-bake goodies are perfect for parties, school events, or simply as a fun and easy snack to make with the kids. Made from just a handful of ingredients, they’re easy to prepare and great to make ahead. This healthier spin on a classic kids’ party food is sure to be a hit with everyone.
The original vs. Healthier Chocolate Crackles
If you ever attended a kids’ party as a youngster in Australia or New Zealand, you’ll probably have eaten a chocolate crackle or two! They’re the ultimate easy no-bake treat, perfect for birthday parties.
This recipe is a healthier (but still delicious and nostalgic) version of the original. The original uses copha (vegetable shortening) and a fair bit more icing sugar than I think necessary 😁. This version uses:
- Coconut oil instead of copha, and less of it. I don’t keep copha in the fridge/pantry stockpile, but I always have coconut oil! So it’s a logical substitute, and it works brilliantly. The chocolate crackles without copha still have a great crunch, but aren’t quite as crunchy as a copha-version. This actually makes them a bit easier for younger children to eat.
- Cacao instead of cocoa powder. I love using cacao as a healthier alternative to other chocolate products, like in these Chocolate Cacao Nib Cookies. Cacao is considered a superfood, being a rich source of antioxidants [1] along with other essential vitamins and minerals.
- Reduced sugar, so it’s no longer just a birthday party treat! Try these yummy crackles as a snack or in lunch boxes.
Ingredients in Healthier Chocolate Crackles
You need just a few pantry staples to make this chocolate crackles recipe:
Rice Bubbles/Rice Krispies – Rice Bubbles, known as Rice Krispies in some countries, are a puffed rice breakfast cereal. You can choose a gluten-free puffed rice if needed, or compare labels for the least sugar content.
Shredded coconut – I love the texture that shredded coconut gives, but you can substitute with dedicated coconut.
Cacao powder – You’ll likely find this in the health food section of your supermarket. If you want or need to, you can substitute this with unsweetened cocoa powder in equal cup measure.
Brown sugar – This gives a rich flavour.
Coconut oil – Use refined coconut oil. It has a more neutral taste than unrefined coconut oil.
Vanilla bean paste – Vanilla bean paste has a slightly stronger taste than vanilla extract, but you can substitute it in equal measure.
How to make chocolate crackles
Thermomixer? This is a quick and easy treat to make in your Thermomix. Simply melt the coconut oil if it’s solidified, then mix in the cacao powder, sugar and vanilla paste. Add the Rice Bubbles and coconut, mix again, and then spoon into cupcake liners. Set for at least half an hour, then enjoy!
Conventional cook? This is a quick and easy treat to make by hand too. If it’s solidified, melt the coconut oil in a microwave safe dish or on the stovetop over gentle heat. Remove from the heat, and then mix in the cacao powder, sugar and vanilla paste. Add the Rice Bubbles and coconut, mix again, and then spoon into cupcake liners. Set for at least half an hour, then enjoy!
See the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and detailed steps for both thermo cooker and conventional cooking methods.
How to store chocolate crackles
Keep these Healthier Chocolate Crackles in the fridge, to keep their crunch and stick-togetherness. They’ll keep there in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
To freeze, individually wrap the crackles in plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
If you’re looking for another healthy and tasty treat that uses cacao, try these Cacao Chocolate Bliss Balls. They’re kid-approved and great for making ahead too!
If you make these Healthier Chocolate Crackles please leave a 🌟 star rating and a 📝 comment below. I love hearing how my recipes work for you and your family! Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest too for more healthy sweets recipes.
Happy cooking,
Chloe x
Healthier Chocolate Crackles
Category: SweetsTap or hover to scale
Equipment
- 12 cupcake liners
Ingredients
- 125 ml coconut oil
- 20 g cacao powder
- 40 g brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 80 g Rice Bubbles/Rice Krispies
- 35 g shredded coconut
Thermo Cooker Instructions
- If solidified, melt the coconut oil for 2 minutes, 37°C, speed 2, MC on. Scrape down the mixing bowl. Repeat if coconut oil has not fully melted.
- Add the cacao powder, brown sugar and vanilla paste. Mix 3 seconds, speed 4, MC on. Scrape down the mixing bowl.
- Add the rice bubbles and coconut. Mix 10 seconds, speed 2, reverse, MC on. Scrape down the mixing bowl and repeat.
- Divide the mixture evenly into cupcake liners. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.
Conventional Instructions
- If solidified, melt the coconut oil in a microwave safe dish in 30 second intervals, or over the stovetop on gentle heat until fully melted. Remove from the heat and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the cacao powder, brown sugar and vanilla paste to the coconut oil. Stir to combine.
- Add the rice bubbles and coconut. Stir to combine.
- Divide the mixture evenly into cupcake liners. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Information
[1] Cacao (Chocolate), 2023, Solid Starts Inc.
One Response
Your recipes are simple but totally delicious and very healthy. Love this spin on a kids’ party favourite.