6 Decadent Chocolate Desserts With 5 Grams of Sugar or Less

Cocoa is naturally rich in dietary polyphenols, which boast anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties — but when cocoa is transformed into decadent desserts, added sugars can outweigh chocolate's potential benefits. And just because you're watching your sugar intake, doesn't mean you're destined to a life of chocolate deprivation.

For chocolate lovers who are still trying to limit sweets, there are plenty of ways to keep the sugary stuff to a minimum and eat your cacao, too. At 5 grams of sugar or less, these six healthy chocolate desserts will satisfy your sweet tooth — minus all the crummy cavities and crappy sugar crashes.

Plus, there's plenty of plant-based goodness and bonus nutrients packed within each of these chocolaty treats from popcorn to raspberries to avocados.

Calories: 283

Sugar: 1 gram

This three-ingredient recipe only takes three minutes to make and combines the ultimate trifecta of movie theater munchies: popcorn, dry roasted peanuts and semi-sweet chocolate chip morsels.

A perfect snack for a quiet night of Netflix binging, one serving — which is a hefty three cups — of this pop-in-your-mouth treat will only cost you 1 gram of sugar. But you'll also get 10 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber, which will help fill your belly and keep you from overindulging.

What's more, researchers found that popcorn may be a significant source of dietary polyphenol antioxidants, due to the high levels of bioaccessible polyphenols it contains, according to a January 2019 analysis in the journal ‌Antioxidants.‌ As if we needed another reason to love popcorn!

Calories: 98

Sugar: 3 grams

Chewy Medjool dates and dried mango supply all the natural sweetness in these low-fat, melt-in-your-mouth truffles with only 3 grams of sugar per serving. Raw cacao powder provides a subtle, rich and chocolaty flavor while crunchy walnuts and shredded coconut add texture.

"Cacao powder contains flavanols, which have been linked to lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of stroke and heart disease," says Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, nutrition expert and author of ‌Smoothies & Juices: Prevention Healing Kitchen‌. "It's an excellent ingredient for healthy desserts," she says.

Bonus: These no-bake chocolate balls don't even require a minute in the oven.

Calories: 323

Sugar: 0 grams

Sweet and spicy, the red pepper in these chocolaty treats just might make your mouth water for real. And, thanks to the erythritol-based sweetener Swerve, this no-guilt dessert has zero added sugar yet contains plenty of heart-healthy fats and good-for-your-gut fiber from avocado in addition to powerful, disease-fighting antioxidants from cacao.

"I love using avocado in desserts," says Largeman-Roth. "It adds such wonderful creaminess, as well as heart-healthy fiber and fat." These treats will satiate you and satisfy your craving for a little something sweet and zesty.

Calories: 219

Sugar: 5 grams

As decadent as desserts come, you won't believe this velvety chocolate mousse is made of all wholesome, natural ingredients and contains only 5 grams of sugar per serving. The star of this recipe, creamy avocado, gives this lip-smacking mousse its delightfully rich and smooth texture while filling your dessert bowl with healthy fats, fiber and a host of vitamins, too.

Clinical studies suggest that eating avocado helps support heart health while other exploratory studies point to avocados' weight-management and healthy-aging benefits, according to a May 2013 article in ‌Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.‌ All great reasons to try new recipes that feature this superfood!

Calories: 319

Sugar: 1 gram

The ultimate in sweet and salty treats, these dark chocolate-covered, orange-zested walnuts only have 1 gram of sugar and can help increase feelings of fullness, curb cravings and slow down glucose absorption — thanks to their high healthy fat and fiber content.

Plus, munching on walnuts can even boost your heart health since they're tied to reduced LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, according to a July 2018 meta-analysis in ‌The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition‌‌.‌

"Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, a plant-based form of omega-3 that has been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure," Largeman-Roth says. As for the dark chocolate, "the higher the percentage of cocoa in dark chocolate, the less sugar there will be — so look for dark chocolate with at least 65 percent cocoa," she says.

Calories: 140

Sugar: 4 grams

With only 4 grams of sugar per serving, these chocolate peanut butter cups boast half of the sugar and triple the fiber than the store-bought Reese's variety, per the USDA. Natural peanut butter, decadent dark chocolate and high-protein, fiber-rich chickpeas round out the list of healthy ingredients in these homemade, bite-sized treats.

"Chickpeas are a phenomenal ingredient and it's fun to use them in desserts," Largeman-Roth says. "They provide soluble fiber, which is the type that can help lower your cholesterol levels — and the apple butter lends a natural sweetness to the recipe."