These chocolate covered oranges are a healthy, bite-size snack that will also satisfy your sweet tooth. Mandarin orange segments are dipped in dark chocolate flavored with a hint of cinnamon, and sprinkled with flaky sea salt. They are beautiful, delicious and so easy to make!
Anybody else remember eating the orange-flavored chocolate that was actually in the shape of a real orange? It was fun to break off little chocolate segments just like you would an orange. They are still available and popular at Christmas-time, but I haven't had one in years.
Although you might not assume, chocolate and orange are a great flavor combination. They are both sweet, but the acidity of the orange works wonderfully with the richness of the chocolate.
The easy homemade chocolate shell that coats the orange pieces is a fun way to take this snack to the next level. The recipe can be used to dip a wide variety of fruits!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Kid friendly - This is a great way to get kids to eat fruit. They will love to help make these chocolate dipped oranges as well as eat them.
- Easy - This no-bake recipe only requires 4 ingredients and takes 30 minutes from start to finish. Easy peasy!
- Beautiful - A plate of these dipped oranges look beautiful on their own which would be perfect as an appetizer or everyday snack!
Ingredient Notes
Here are some tips & tricks for the ingredients needed for this recipe. Find exact measurements in the recipe card below!
- Mandarin oranges - They are a smaller, flatter type of orange that tends to have a sweeter flavor and is easier to peel. We go through bags of these at my house, my kids love them. This recipe is a fun way to use them.
- Dark chocolate - You can use whatever degree of dark chocolate you prefer. The more cacao, the more bitter the taste. Most standard dark chocolate chips are 50-70% cacao, but can range anywhere from 50-90%.
- Coconut oil - Adding this to the chocolate will give it a nice sheen when it hardens. It's a great way to make your own chocolate shell coating. Using refined coconut oil will not give any coconut flavor. You can also use vegetable oil.
- Cinnamon - I add a hint of cinnamon to the chocolate to really enhance the depth of flavor and give it some warmth. Think Mexican chocolate!
- Flaky sea salt (optional) - Sprinkling some sea salt on top of the chocolate before it dries helps the chocolate flavor pop and adds some texture. You can leave this off if you prefer.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the oranges - Start by peeling the mandarin oranges and separating them into segments. Try to clean off as much of the pith (the white stuff) as you can. This makes the pieces look nice and avoids any bitter taste. Dry the pieces with a paper towel.
Line a small sheet pan or even just a plate with wax paper to place the dipped oranges on to dry.
Step 2 - Prep the chocolate - In a small microwave safe bowl combine chocolate chips, coconut oil and cinnamon.
Place the bowl in the microwave and melt in 30 second intervals, stirring in between each, until the chocolate is fully melted. Give it a good stir to make sure everything is mixed.
Step 3 - Dip - Take each orange segment and dip it about halfway into the chocolate. Lift the orange out of the chocolate and give it a gentle shake to remove any excess. Place on wax paper and sprinkle with sea salt, if desired.
Repeat with all the orange slices.
Step 4 - Chill - Place pan with finished oranges in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to allow the chocolate to fully harden.
Serving Tips
These chocolate covered oranges make an easy bite-size snack that are the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. They also make a healthier dessert option that satisfies a sweet tooth craving without the guilt.
These dipped oranges would also be a great addition to a fruit platter at your next party or brunch spread.
The colors are also perfect for a fun Halloween snack!
Storage Tips
Store the oranges in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 2 days although they are best within about a day. After that, the oranges may start to leak.
You can easily half or double this recipe to suit how many oranges you'd like to make.
Recipe Variations
- Use a different kind of orange. Bigger oranges like navel, Valencia or even blood oranges can be used.
- Instead of sea salt sprinkle chopped nuts, shredded coconut or even colorful sprinkles on top!
- Not a dark chocolate fan? Semi-sweet, milk or white chocolate could also be used. Mix and match to create a variety!
FAQ
This is a great flavor combination! Both are sweet, but the acidity of the oranges compliment the bitterness of the chocolate perfectly.
Canned mandarin oranges won't work for this recipe as it will be very difficult to get dry enough to get the chocolate to stick.
The possibilities are endless! Besides oranges, my favorites include strawberries, bananas, apples, kiwi and pineapple. As long as the fruit is dried off and not too wet for the chocolate to stick to it will work.
Other Snacks You'll Love
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Chocolate Covered Oranges
Ingredients
- 4 mandarin oranges
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips or chunks
- ½ tsp. coconut oil
- ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
- flaky sea salt optional
Instructions
- Peel oranges and separate them into segments. Clean off as much of the pith (white stuff) as you can. Dry pieces with a paper towel. Line a small baking sheet with wax paper.
- In a small mixing bowl combine chocolate chips, coconut oil and cinnamon. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until chocolate is completely melted. Stir until smooth.
- Take each orange segment and dip about halfway into the chocolate. Lift orange out of the chocolate and give it a gentle shake to remove excess. Place on baking sheet.
- Sprinkle tops with flaky sea salt, if desired. Repeat with all the orange pieces.
- Place pan in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to allow chocolate to harden completely. Enjoy right away or move oranges to an airtight container to keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Sue says
Yum! Such a fun snack!