Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Almonds [Copycat Trader Joe’s Recipe!]

Have you ever tried the Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Almonds? They’re unbelievably addictive! I’ve just made your obsession worse by sharing the recipe so you can make them at home with just 5 ingredients! 

I have a deep deep obsession with Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Almonds. The kind that takes a lot of willpower not to finish the entire box. Thankfully I now live less than five minutes from a Trader Joe’s and can stock up on these almonds whenever my heart desires but for all of my Canadian friends or for those of you that want to master this recipe at home, I’ve finally perfected it!

These copycat chocolate covered almonds are made with just five ingredients and come together in no time at all. I apologize in advance for recreating the most addicting snack at Trader Joe’s…

Ingredients in Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Almonds

• Almonds – make sure you grab raw, unsalted almonds. 
• Dark chocolate – you can go as dark as you’d like. I used 72% dark chocolate. Chocolate chips work too.
• Dutch-processed unsweetened cocoa powder – don’t use regular cocoa powder or raw cacao! It will be too bitter… make sure you grab dutch-processed. Sometimes it will say “processed with alkali” <– this is dutch-processed!
• Turbinado sugar or coarse sugar granules – either works great! Trader Joe’s does use Turbinado sugar if you want to copy what they use. In the comments people have also used coconut sugar and enjoyed the results.
• Himalayan sea salt – this salt is actually packed with minerals and adds the perfect amount of salt to balance the sweet. Feel free to reduce or omit if watching sodium levels.

How to Make Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Almonds

STEP 1: MELT CHOCOLATE

Melt the dark chocolate in the microwave or using a double-boiler on the stovetop. Make sure you don’t burn the chocolate!

STEP 2: COAT ALMONDS W/ CHOCOLATE

Add the raw almonds to the melted chocolate and coat well.

STEP 3: DUST WITH COCOA MIXTURE

In a separate bowl, combine the cocoa powder, sugar and sea salt. Stir to combine. Add a small handful of chocolate coated almonds to the cocoa mixture using your left hand. Then use your right hand to toss almonds in cocoa mixture. Place coated almonds on a parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat until all almonds are coated. Do not add all almonds at once as they tend to stick together.

STEP 4: LET ALMONDS DRY

Let sit out for 1 hour to dry. Optional: Place coated almonds inside a mesh strainer and give them a gentle toss to remove any excess cocoa mixture. This helps to keep things a little less messy when you’re eating but it is not essential for taste.

How to Store Leftovers

After your almonds have dried, store them in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for 2-3 weeks. You can also store in the refrigerator or freezer for longer storage or a cool treat.

NOTE: These make a wonderful edible holiday gift! Just add to a mason jar and tie a seasonal ribbon around the lid. Everyone loves them!

More Chocolate Recipes:

• Dark Chocolate Cherry Bars
• Dark Chocolate Tahini Brownies
• Double Chocolate Cookies
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Energy Balls

Print