If you love chocolate as much as we do, you’ve come to the right place.
Because while fitness magazines and diet books may tell you to avoid chocolate at all costs, we would never tell you that you should stay away from treats one hundred percent of the time. As you may have experienced yourself, this approach doesn’t work, and will likely just make you binge on as many chocolatey things as possible at a time when your willpower is low.
But you don’t have to say no to chocolate. There are so many ways to still satisfy your sweet tooth and stay on track with your fitness goals at the same time. You can simply make better choices and keep your portion sizes in check.
In this post, we’re sharing seven chocolate recipes that make your taste buds happy without ruining your fitness goals. And just like how some of our workouts require more skills than others, most of the recipes are doable also for beginners. So eat up!
Easy Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups
Have you ever tried to make nut butter cups at home? If not, this recipe is a great way to get started and it only has five ingredients. In this recipe, we’re using almond butter, but you can try the same recipe with other nut butters as well.
Here’s how you can make these delicious dark chocolate almond butter cups!
Chocolate Drizzled Coconut Protein Bar
These homemade protein bars combine two absolutely delicious ingredients: chocolate and coconut. These bars are rich in protein, which makes them great pre or post workout snack. Vanilla protein powder works great in these bars, but for a little bit spicier kick, you can try making them with cinnamon protein powder as well.
Get your recipe here!
Incredible Healthy Chocolate Chip Protein Cookies
These bite-size chocolate chip protein cookies are super delicious! They aren’t the same as the store-bought chocolate chip cookies, but in our opinion, they’re even better. Besides, unlike store-bought cookies, these are made with healthy ingredients. There’s also no added sugar, except for little bit of chocolate.
Find the recipe here!
Dark Chocolate Covered Mocha Protein Bars
Do you love coffee and chocolate? We think it’s one of the best possible combinations out there! This recipe features both plus protein, so the result is protein packed, coffee flavored chocolate bars. No baking needed. Enjoy with a cup of espresso or your other favorite coffee drink.
Dark Chocolate Pistachio Butter Cups
These chocolate pistachio butter cups always remind me of my vacation where I actually tried them for the first time. I knew I had to try to recreate them once I got back home, so I came up with this recipe.
Making these dark chocolate pistachio butter cups will take a bit more work than most recipes you’ll find at 12 Minute Athlete, but believe us, they’re worth the effort. By buying already shelled pistachios, you save yourself a lot of time.
To make these yummy pistachio butter cups, use this recipe.
Dark Chocolate Protein Cupcakes With Peanut Butter Greek Yogurt Frosting
If you like cupcakes, you must try these dark chocolate protein cupcakes! They’re filled with peanut butter, and covered with yummy frosting… It really can’t get much better than that.
You can eat two of them and still get only about 300 calories… while getting in over 20 grams of protein. Give them a try, we know you’ll love them!
The recipe is here.
Amazing Mocha Protein Cheesecake Recipe
You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to eat cheesecake—that is, if your cheesecake is as healthy as this one. With a good amount of Greek yogurt, cottage cheese and protein powder, one serving has over 17 grams of protein. It’s healthy, tasty and satisfying!
Here’s how to make one of our favorite cheesecakes ever!
Enjoy!